Hon. Thilina Samarakoon, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Anuradhapura

Profession: ---

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Speeches 35 #126 of 225·#69 in party

Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

35 speeches

19 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon supported the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, stating that it seeks to strengthen tax administration, widen the tax net, reduce evasion, and improve revenue collection following past weaknesses and corruption. He highlighted proposed measures including mandatory TIN registration, relief for senior citizens on withholding tax, tax relief for donations to higher education institutions, rules on advance installments, reduced cash transactions, and exemptions for certain insurance and vehicle-related benefits. He also referred to the anniversary of the end of the war, paid tribute to security forces, rejected claims that the Government was neglecting the military, and said land issues affecting veterans at Rana Jaya Pura were being reviewed for resolution. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon supported the regulations and orders under the Port City Act No. 11 of 2021, stating that recent amendments are intended to facilitate business, promote strategic enterprises, expand international trade, and create mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution in the zone. He rejected Opposition economic claims as inconsistent with Central Bank analysis and urged Members to refer to the CBSL review of 31 December 2025 and quarterly releases. He described Port City as an urban, service-oriented hub for international commerce, dispute resolution, and residential amenities. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Foreign AffairsInfrastructure Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Asked the Minister of Labour whether Sri Lanka’s labour laws are currently being amended and, if so, to specify the areas under amendment. The question also sought details on external stakeholders involved in the process and the expected timeframe for completion, or the reasons if no amendments are being pursued. Oral Question: Multi-Purpose Service Centres in Mannar District (Q.1455/2025) Employment Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon raised concerns about under-occupied and incomplete housing projects, including alleged lack of proper selection procedures, approvals, and placement in elephant corridors. He asked whether the NHDA and the Ministry could complete the houses within a fixed timeframe and allocate them to low-income people without land or homes. Oral Question: Housing Projects in Ihalagama, Kadiyangalla and Manewa GN Divisions (Q.1783/2025) Land & Housing Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Thilina Samarakoon questioned the Deputy Minister on alleged mismanagement in housing projects, claiming that some units had been allocated to political associates or people with financial means and that some had already been sold. He asked whether the Ministry or the National Housing Development Authority had granted approval for the sale of those houses. Oral Question: Housing Projects in Ihalagama, Kadiyangalla and Manewa GN Divisions (Q.1783/2025) Corruption & Governance ReformLand & Housing Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary The member asked the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply for detailed information on National Housing Development Authority projects in the Ihalagama, Kadiyangalla and Manewa Grama Niladhari Divisions of Anuradhapura District. He sought project names and dates, beneficiary numbers, whether funding was given as grants or loans, amounts disbursed, completion and occupancy figures, and the income criteria and income status of beneficiaries at selection. Oral Question: Housing Projects in Ihalagama, Kadiyangalla and Manewa GN Divisions (Q.1783/2025) Land & Housing Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, arguing that Sri Lanka has long lacked an effective regulatory framework for a sector affecting poor and rural borrowers, despite previous debates in 2016, 2019 and 2024. He cited reports of widespread harm from microfinance debt, including adverse effects on about 2.9 million people and suicides, and said the Bill would establish a regulatory authority, require licensing, protect clients, investigate compliance, penalize violations and limit deposit-taking. He said concerns regarding community-based organisations could be addressed through amendments, and described the Bill as a measure to prevent unauthorised deposit-taking, exploitative interest rates and unethical recovery practices while protecting financial stability and the public. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary The member raised concerns that housing beneficiary selection lacked transparency, resulting in some houses remaining locked after being allocated to ineligible persons. He asked whether the Government can repossess such houses and reallocate them to suitable beneficiaries, and whether loans already disbursed can be reissued appropriately to enable completion and occupation. Oral Question: Housing Projects Implemented by NHDA - Details and Transparency Land & Housing Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon asked the Minister to clarify the beneficiary selection criteria for housing projects implemented across multiple Divisional Secretariat divisions. He specifically referred to schemes in Kekirawa and Ipalogama, including Sawasthigama, Hirukiranagama, Dividinugama, and Kadiyangalla. Oral Question: Housing Projects Implemented by NHDA - Details and Transparency Land & Housing Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon asked the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply for detailed information on NHDA housing projects implemented in the Anuradhapura District between 2015 and 2019. He sought project-wise data on loans and grants, beneficiaries and selection methods, planned and completed houses, reasons for any non-completion, and any land-related issues, or an explanation if the information could not be provided. Oral Question: Housing Projects Implemented by NHDA - Details and Transparency Land & Housing Read →
22 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon informed the House that he was presenting a petition on behalf of Mr. R. M. U. U. R. Rajakaruna of Ganthiriyagama, Ipalogama. No further details of the petition were provided. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Thilina Samarakoon stated that the Government had helped stabilize and raise the economy since 2025 by managing disaster impacts and providing leadership. He said the aim in 2026 was to further strengthen the economy while ensuring a stable economic and social environment for the public. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Public Finance Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon supported the Bill to amend the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, stating that it would bring Port City economic activity under stronger regulatory oversight and support its role as a business and development hub. He said the amendments would clarify tax treatment, strengthen performance monitoring, ensure Commission oversight of activities, and introduce banking supervision aligned with Basel II and Basel III standards, including capital, liquidity, leverage, and countercyclical buffer requirements. He also outlined proposed prudential measures involving the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank, including licensing action, approved audits, limits on foreign currency transactions, and anti-money laundering controls to enhance financial stability and investor confidence. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Thilina Samarakoon asked the Prime Minister to provide figures on tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka in 2025, including whether it was a record year, and the approximate revenue earned from tourism. He also requested the Government’s target for tourist arrivals in 2026 and the measures planned to achieve it. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Foreign Affairs Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon stated that the Government, together with the President, has the capacity and commitment to rebuild the country’s economy and society. He pledged maximum intervention by the Government and expressed condolences to those who lost loved ones and property. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Public Finance Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon described the impact of Cyclone “Ditva” on Anuradhapura District, stating that all 22 Divisional Secretariat Divisions were affected due to flooding linked to major rivers, reservoirs, tanks and irrigation spillovers. He cited district figures including 22,838 affected families, 86 deaths, extensive housing and irrigation damage, and major crop losses, including 9,500 hectares of paddy fully damaged. He said state officials, security forces, volunteer groups, religious leaders and political representatives worked jointly on rescue and protection efforts, and that relief payments and agricultural damage assessments were under way. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah AgricultureInfrastructureEnvironment Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon supported the 2026 Budget, arguing that macroeconomic indicators had improved, including a stabilized rupee, higher exports, stronger tourism, increased reserves, and revenue gains through tax-base expansion rather than rate increases. He outlined Budget measures on education, student support, estate-sector schools, vocational and renewable energy training, public service pensions, concessional housing loans, and estate worker allowances. He also defended provisions for Government vehicle use and urged attention to vehicle shortages in field-level public offices and to issues such as human-elephant conflict. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) EmploymentPublic FinanceEducation Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon asked for clarification on the implementation mechanism and timeline for deploying transport improvements proposed in the 2026 Budget, including the purchase of 600 new buses and addition of 307 engines. He specifically requested how and when buses would be allocated to depots and existing buses redirected to rural services, noting ongoing serious problems in rural transport. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board - Purchasing Spare Parts (Q.1428/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary Thilina Samarakoon raised concerns about outdated stock control practices and procurement issues observed at several SLTB depots, linking them to continued financial losses. He asked the Minister whether there is a programme to improve staff attitudes and practices in stock control and depot operations. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board - Purchasing Spare Parts (Q.1428/2025) EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to explain the Sri Lanka Transport Board’s methodology for purchasing bus spare parts and managing spare-part stocks. He sought clarification on whether the current procurement system has acknowledged flaws, what those flaws are, whether a more reliable system can be introduced, how long the existing stock management method has been used, and whether a computerized stock management system will be developed. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board - Purchasing Spare Parts (Q.1428/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →