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

23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon asked the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development about SLTB bus insurance coverage, whether third-party cover is adequate, and whether alternative cover is planned. He also questioned staffing and training in SLTB depot technical sections, including recruitment procedures for trained technicians and trainees from technical education institutions. In supplementary questions, he raised concerns about tyre and tube procurement, requested consideration of qualified domestic manufacturers, and asked whether spare-parts purchasing and inventory control could be centralized, including matching engine sets with existing bus bodies to increase the operable fleet. Oral Question: Insurance Coverage for SLTB Buses (Q.10/2025) EmploymentInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon presented a petition on behalf of Mr. P.G. Chandrasekara of Ilukegama, Kekirawa. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary As a member of COPE, Hon. Thilina Samarakoon spoke on the tabling of COPE’s Fourth Report of the 10th Parliament under Standing Order 120 and said the Committee is pursuing institutional reform and accountability across 457 public institutions, with 14 already examined. He highlighted findings concerning the Land Reforms Commission, including alleged use of Rs. 350 million for an organic fertilizer project outside its legal mandate without proper feasibility work, and the sale of 25 acres at Hantana/Uragala Estate at a very low price before resale as residential plots. He said COPE is working with the Lands Ministry to improve land valuation, staffing, land inventories and project proposals, and would continue exposing misuse of public resources and recommending reforms. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Corruption & Governance ReformLand & HousingPublic Finance Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide details on farms owned by the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, including their number and particulars. He specifically sought information on the extent, lease status, lessee details, lease year, and payment compliance relating to the Seed Production Farm at Hogodayagama, Galnewa, Anuradhapura, and requested reasons if the information could not be provided. Oral Questions: Energy (Adani Power Plant) and Agriculture (Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority) Agriculture Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon raised concerns about alleged appropriation of public lands and sensitive wildlife areas through political influence and official patronage. He asked whether lands under Divisional Secretaries in human–elephant conflict zones could be reassigned to preserve corridors such as Kalawewa–Nachchaduwa, or allocated for socially beneficial purposes, rather than being given on long-term leases. Oral Question: LRC Lands Allocated for Industrial Purposes - Kegalle District (Q.1250/2025) Land & HousingCorruption & Governance ReformEnvironment Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon raised a supplementary question regarding reports that documents are being prepared to grant long-term leases over 170–200 acres in two Divisional Secretariat Divisions near tanks and sensitive elephant habitats. He asked whether the Government is prepared to proceed with such leases, highlighting concerns about land use in environmentally sensitive areas. Oral Question: LRC Lands Allocated for Industrial Purposes - Kegalle District (Q.1250/2025) EnvironmentLand & Housing Read →
21 August 2025 AI summary A petition from Mrs. K.A. Liyanage of Palugaswewa, Wijithapura was presented to Parliament for consideration. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon seconded the Adjournment Motion and argued that Sri Lanka’s economy has shown recovery since the formation of the new government in late 2024, citing improved GDP growth, lower unemployment, near-zero inflation, higher savings, credit growth, and equity market activity. He said the external sector was strengthening through a higher current account surplus, increased exports and services receipts, gradual normalization of vehicle imports, and a managed exchange rate around Rs. 300 per US dollar. He also noted that US tariffs had been reduced from 44% to 20%, and stated that fiscal stability was being restored through improved revenue collection while continuing spending on social sectors, wages, pensions, and priority infrastructure. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
20 June 2025 AI summary A petition from Mrs. E.M. Nayana Pathma Kumari of Dippowa, Kekirawa, was presented by Hon. Thilina Samarakoon. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon explained regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act to streamline Japanese vehicle imports, including legal recognition of Bureau Veritas for inspection and valuation reports and digital verification processes to replace courier-based document checks. He said the changes would enable faster confirmations with inspection bodies and banks, improving efficiency for importers. He also outlined 2024 revisions to advance and deposit account limits under the Public Finance Management Act, including increases for CIABOC, Prisons, Customs and Railways accounts and reductions for several other departmental accounts, to be presented to Parliament as required by law. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Supported the matter under consideration but noted that his vote or position was not being shown on the digital display system. Procedural: Inspector-General of Police Removal Resolution and Division Vote Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon defended the Budget as necessarily based on prior-year allocations while accounting for recurring expenditure and ongoing projects, rejecting criticism that it lacks novelty. He highlighted a 64 percent increase in public servants’ basic salaries and argued that the Budget aims to expand production, demand, investment, and growth. He emphasized support for MSMEs, citing Rs. 38.6 billion for sector development, Rs. 20 billion for financing to be expanded up to Rs. 50 billion through state banks, measures to revive distressed enterprises, and the establishment of the National Credit Guarantee Institution Limited to address collateral constraints. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate EmploymentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Accepted two petitions from constituents in Usgala Handiya, Wijithapura and Mahailuppallama, Mahamigassegama in the Ipalogama Police area. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions - Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon defended the 2025 Budget, arguing that it is consistent with the Government’s policy direction and balances limited fiscal space with increased allocations for health, education, agriculture, industry, welfare, and basic infrastructure. He highlighted specific measures including higher stipends and allowances, support for child suspects’ transport to court, modernization of nutrition and food storage facilities, SME and dairy sector funding, and measures to address human–elephant conflict. He also rejected claims that the Government would undermine religion, citing allocations for religious affairs and places of worship, and said entrepreneur support would be channelled through existing state banks and Regional Development Banks rather than a new development bank. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceAgricultureHealthcare Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon discussed the mid-year fiscal report under the State Finance Management Act, noting improved 2024 indicators such as higher revenue, a reduced budget deficit, positive growth, increased reserves, and progress under the IMF programme. He said much of the revenue increase came from higher taxation, including PAYE and VAT changes, which created hardship and contributed to professional migration, but argued that tax thresholds and the wider tax mix are being adjusted. He emphasized plans to reduce public debt, improve the balance of payments, attract investment, strengthen state-owned enterprise management, and asked the Opposition to support the Government’s economic stabilization efforts. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report EmploymentPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →