Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

Profession: Sociologist

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 99 #48 of 225·#22 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

99 speeches

21 November 2025 AI summary At the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill 2026, the Minister moved an amendment on behalf of the Minister of Finance relating to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment. The amendment proposed revising the relevant expenditure allocations to Rs. 27,488,500,000 for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 34,203,000,000 for capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary Dr. Upali Pannilage defended the “Praja Shakthi” National Movement to Eradicate Rural Poverty, describing it as an integrated community-led development mechanism rather than a fund distribution scheme. He outlined its national and village-level structure, including Community Development Councils in all 14,008 active Grama Niladhari divisions, and said it transfers local development decision-making to communities with social audit mechanisms. He noted that Rs. 25,000 million has been allocated for 2026 and said welfare policy will combine assistance with empowerment, supported by government funds and World Bank and ADB assistance. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Corruption & Governance ReformCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary Clarifying the elderly allowance, Dr. Upali Pannilage stated that the Central Government pays Rs. 5,000 per month, increased from Rs. 3,000, and does not provide a Rs. 500 payment. He suggested that the Rs. 500 referred to by another Member may be a Provincial Council payment. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Public Finance Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage outlined the Ministry’s 2025 work and 2026 plans in rural development, social security and community empowerment, including new institutions for rural development and an integrated approach to poverty reduction through assistance, empowerment and production. He said the Samurdhi Department has been reoriented toward community empowerment, with family development plans prepared and around 292,000 families economically supported, while 65,670 low-income youth have enrolled in the “Next Sri Lanka” employment and vocational training programme. He also noted reforms to subject 1,097 Samurdhi Banks to government audit, introduce a unified financial system, expand scholarships and housing assistance, address Samurdhi employee issues, and allocate Rs. 27,381 million to the Samurdhi Department in the 2026 Budget. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day EmploymentCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
20 November 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Government’s energy policy prioritizes energy security by expanding domestic renewable sources, particularly solar, wind and biomass, while managing the economic burden of petroleum imports and rising electricity demand. He outlined measures including EV charging infrastructure, modernization of the Sapugaskanda refinery, rehabilitation of the Trincomalee tank farm, and fuel price reductions linked to global prices and institutional efficiency. He criticized past petroleum and electricity sector management, stating that new solar and wind procurement has reduced unit costs, with about 700 MW of solar added to the grid and 150 MW of wind tendered. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate EnvironmentInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage defended the Government’s 2025 Budget implementation, citing parliamentary research data showing average ministry expenditure of 63 per cent by 30 September and rejecting Opposition claims of non-implementation. He argued that the Government’s priority is macroeconomic stabilization, pointing to growth, reserves, revenue performance, foreign exchange inflows, debt servicing, and reduced debt-to-GDP levels as evidence of progress. He stated that the 2026 Budget allocates Rs. 837 billion for social protection and that the Government intends to direct stabilization gains toward rural development, plantation workers, and wider welfare measures. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Morning) Public Finance Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage outlined a five-pronged empowerment programme for low-income families, covering livelihood promotion, human capital development, psychosocial support, social protection, and skills guidance. He said families are identified through Samurdhi Development Officers, supported with business plans, Rs. 150,000 grants, credit facilitation, and assistance from the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and Treasury allocations. He also noted the “Next Sri Lanka” programme aims to provide vocational training to 50,000 persons, while a contributory pension scheme is being introduced through the Social Security Board for informal-sector workers. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) EducationCost of LivingEmployment Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government does not plan to discontinue ongoing programmes or reorganize institutions without purpose. He said Aswesuma benefits will continue through the Welfare Benefits Board, while the Samurdhi Development Department is being redirected toward community empowerment and developed into a microfinance institution for low-income communities. He added that related community empowerment programmes have already begun. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) EmploymentCost of Living Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage said the use of Microfinance Division funds followed a Cabinet Paper approved on 25 April 2021, which authorized interest only on borrowings from People’s Bank and Bank of Ceylon, not on the LKR 28,767 million drawn from Samurdhi beneficiaries’ savings. He stated that this omission has hindered recovery of interest and caused an estimated LKR 20 billion loss to the Microfinance Division since 2020, affecting about 1.6 million small savers. He said the Government has repeatedly sought Treasury authorization and will continue to pursue Cabinet approval to protect and compensate the beneficiaries. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary In response to a question on COVID-19 social benefit payments in 2020-2021, the Minister stated that complete Government-wide data were not available, but the Department of Samurdhi Development spent Rs. 58.76 billion on such payments. He clarified that no separate Samurdhi Development Fund existed and that the payments were financed through Treasury borrowings against Department fixed deposits at Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank, and funds obtained from the Department’s Microfinance Division. He said the bank borrowings had been repaid with interest in 2023, while the Microfinance Division funds were settled on 31 December 2024, with related interest still unpaid. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) Public Finance Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled an answer on vocational training centres for persons with disabilities, stating that 11 institutions operate under the Department of Social Services with 496 current trainees and additional pre-vocational capacity of 719. He outlined the application, aptitude testing, selection and orientation process, noting 2,038 applications in 2024 and 1,898 in 2025, with referrals and rehabilitation plans for those not selected. He also stated that trainers are insufficient, the recruitment scheme is being revised for Public Service Commission approval, and the estimated 2025 expenditure for the institutions is Rs. 512.46 million. Tabling of Answers: Lakhanda Radio Service and Vocational Training Centres Women & ChildrenEducation Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage said the “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” policy statement was developed through consultations since 2018 and reflects post-Aragalaya demands for anti-corruption governance, rule of law, and national unity. He argued that the Government has reduced political corruption, applied the law equally, and built cross-community trust through its electoral mandate across most districts. Responding to Opposition criticisms, he cited projected poverty reduction, lower fuel prices, increased public sector salaries and tax thresholds, and tourism growth, while emphasizing multidimensional poverty measures. He outlined social protection and rural development measures, including a new Rural Development Agency, 184 village projects, higher elderly and disability allowances, increased Aswesuma payments, and expanded student support. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers AgricultureCorruption & Governance ReformCost of Living Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary The Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment moved that Parliament adjourn. The motion was then proposed to the House. Adjournment Motion: Implementation of Manifesto "A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life" - Opening Speeches Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Moved a procedural motion, on behalf of the Leader of the House, to vary the day’s sitting hours notwithstanding Standing Order 88. The House agreed that sittings would run from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., with Standing Order 8(5) applied at 11.30 a.m. and adjournment at 5.30 p.m. Procedural: Bills Presented and Privilege Matter Motion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
7 October 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka legally defines elders as persons over 60 under the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act, No. 9 of 2000, and noted that the share of people aged 60+ has risen from 6.6 per cent in 1981 to an estimated 18 per cent in 2024. He outlined the newly launched national policy on older persons, covering rights protection, age-friendly environments, health care, economic security, social inclusion, long-term care, and evidence-based implementation. He detailed current welfare measures, including increased monthly assistance for elders aged 70+, health, sanitation, livelihood and housing grants, and support for registered elder care institutions. He said the Government is preparing amendments to the Elders Act, digitizing maintenance tribunals, developing a pension mechanism for informal-sector workers through the National Social Security Board, and introducing guidelines to regulate standards in elder care homes. Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Women & ChildrenHealthcarePublic Finance Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Moved the motion that Parliament do now adjourn. The Question was then proposed to the House. Adjournment Motion: Ceylon Electricity Board Financial Status and Tariff Reduction Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage supported the extension of regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act, stating that limited vehicle imports were intended to assist tourism recovery after the economic crisis. He argued that the crisis stemmed from past borrowing, particularly International Sovereign Bonds issued during 2015–2019, and said this debt did not generate sustained growth. He outlined the Government’s tourism targets and cited recent indicators on GDP growth, unemployment, inflation, exchange rates, and interest rates as evidence of stabilization before moving toward broader economic growth. Debate Continuation: Vehicle Import Regulations Public FinanceForeign AffairsCost of Living Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was put to the House and agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara assumed it. Debate Continuation: Vehicle Import Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage stated that the Samurdhi programme, established in 1995 and later reorganized under the 2013 Act, was addressed in accordance with the current legal framework. He said the Government recently amended the law to bring all Samurdhi Bank activities under the audit and supervision of the Auditor General, and added that any move to place them under Central Bank supervision would be considered through further legislative amendments if required. Oral Answers to Questions Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Loan interest rates were stated to vary by category, generally ranging from 12 to 14 per cent, with some reaching 17 per cent. Examples cited included cultivation loans at 12 per cent, consumer loans at 13 per cent, and Sushakthi loans at 10 per cent. Oral Answers to Questions Public Finance Read →