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

25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage stated that loans are issued based on applications and noted that there are 20 available loan schemes. Oral Answers to Questions Public Finance Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage provided data on Samurdhi Community-Based Banks and Bank Societies as of 30 June 2025, stating that 1,097 banks held assets of Rs. 316.65 billion and 335 bank societies held assets of Rs. 196.27 billion. He said they are not supervised by the Central Bank because the Samurdhi Act, No. 1 of 2013 excludes the application of the Banking Act and Finance Business Act, with oversight handled through a management board within the Department of Samurdhi Development. He reported recent annual figures for 2023 and 2024, noted that no consolidated balance sheets had been prepared because each bank is treated separately, and said a consolidated balance sheet is planned from 2025 onward. He also outlined membership/shareholding arrangements and deposit interest rates, and tabled the detailed answer for the Library. Oral Answers to Questions Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary The Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment moved the adjournment motion, “That Parliament do now adjourn.” No substantive policy issue or proposal was raised beyond the procedural motion. Adjournment Debate: NMRA Medicine Supply and State Land Leasing Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage moved, on behalf of the relevant Ministers, the approval of two sets of regulations: sports regulations under the Sports Law, No. 25 of 1973, and judicature regulations under the Judicature Act, No. 2 of 1978. He noted the relevant Extraordinary Gazette publications, presentation dates, and Cabinet approval for both, after which the motions were agreed to. Second Reading Passed: Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill and Sports Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary The motion moved the Bill through its Second Reading, referral to a Committee of the whole Parliament, Committee consideration, and Third Reading. Clauses 1 to 4, the Enacting Clause, and the Title were approved without amendment, and authority was granted to correct linguistic, typographical, grammatical, or numerical errors and make consequential amendments before the Bill was passed. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary A procedural motion was moved for Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara to take the Chair. The House agreed to the motion, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara assumed it. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary The Minister moved the Second Reading and presented related items on the Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill and regulations under the Sports and Judicature Acts. Addressing the Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, he said the amendment would bring 1,097 Samurdhi banks and 335 community-based bank societies, with about 4 million members and Rs. 250 billion in transactions, under Auditor General oversight through Article 154 of the Constitution and the National Audit Act. He argued this was necessary to improve transparency, address pending audit inquiries and allegations of fraud, and protect public funds and employees. He also noted the continued growth in welfare applicants, including 3.74 million Aswesuma applications, and said the scale of poverty assistance required a reassessment of past approaches. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformCost of Living Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled the Annual Performance Report for 2024 of the Deaf and Blind Rehabilitation Trust Fund. He proposed that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour and Human Resource Development, and the House agreed. Tabling of Reports and Orders Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the 2024 Performance Report of the former Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital. The motion was agreed to. Tabling of Annual Reports - Ministers Parliamentary ProcedureWomen & Children Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to a motion on employment for persons with disabilities, stating that the Government’s policy is to build an inclusive society and strengthen protection of disability rights. He said the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, No. 28 of 1996, the 2003 national disability policy, and related action plans are being updated, while Cabinet has approved preparation of legislation on sign language. He also outlined increases to disability-related allowances and grants, including higher monthly support, expanded beneficiaries, assistive device funding, education grants, self-employment support and housing grants, alongside efforts to facilitate self-employment and private sector placements. Adjournment Debate: Employment for Persons with Disabilities EmploymentWomen & ChildrenJustice & Human Rights Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment formally moved that Parliament adjourn. The Chair then proposed the question and called on Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva to speak for four minutes. Adjournment Debate: Employment for Persons with Disabilities Parliamentary Procedure Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary The Minister defended the Fiscal Strategy Statement presented under the State Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, saying it sets out targets and measures for stabilizing public finances. He emphasized fiscal discipline, reducing public debt from 119 percent of GDP in 2022 to 95 percent, keeping primary expenditure near 13 percent of GDP, and achieving a primary surplus of about 2–3 percent. He cited improved revenue performance by Inland Revenue, Customs, and the Excise Department in 2025, and said the Government would avoid past patterns of poorly evaluated expenditure while using public funds transparently and with restraint. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Public Finance Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the 2023 Annual Report of the National Institute of Social Development and the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Department of Social Services. He moved that both reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the House agreed. Papers: Presentation and Tabling of Reports and Annual Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary The Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill was presented by Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage and scheduled for Second Reading on 08 July 2025. The Bill was ordered to be printed and referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital. Presentation of Bills Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary As a member of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage informed the House of the status of three matters raised by Hon. Archchuna. He said recommendations had been made on the complaint regarding speaking time at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, a decision had been given on the alleged hotel assault after considering evidence, and investigations were continuing into an alleged breach of privilege linked to a traffic law violation. The Committee was scheduled to meet again the following day to continue its inquiries. Procedural - Committee Matter and Staff Notice; Bills Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the Social Security Board of Sri Lanka’s 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements to Parliament. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour Force and Human Resources, and the motion was agreed to. Papers - Tabling of Annual Reports and Documents Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the 2023 Annual Report of the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities to Parliament. He moved that the Report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented: Customs Resolution, Ministry Reports, Annual Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on pension payments for officers absorbed into the Department of Samurdhi Development, stating that payments had been halted for about three months due to statutory issues but had resumed following legal advice. He said the issue was not in the election manifesto, though it was being treated as a priority, and noted that 60 per cent of the EPF amount due to the Government is currently deducted from retirement gratuity before pensions are paid. Further action will depend on the pending court decision in SC/Contempt 07/2024. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority and Officer Pensions Public Finance Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary The Minister clarified that, although a higher figure appears in the relevant Gazette, only about 138,000 persons with disabilities have actually been receiving the allowance under his Ministry. He stated that the Government is now expanding the scheme to cover 310,000 beneficiaries. Procedural: Welfare Benefits Gazette Discussion and Clarifications Public Finance Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Moved that the Committee Stage debate on the Head of Expenditure of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development be adjourned until 10.00 a.m. on Friday, 21 March 2025. The motion was agreed to, and the debate was adjourned at 5.38 p.m. for the Committee to resume on that date. Insolvency Bill - Postponement of Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →