Hon. Ashoka Gunasena, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Kurunegala

Profession: Other

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 21 #173 of 225·#111 in party

Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

21 speeches

10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena supported the Central Bank regulations on safeguarding export income and converting dollar earnings into rupees, arguing they are proactive measures to protect reserves and prevent future crises. He said the Government inherited economic, administrative, legal, and social challenges, and cited efforts over the past 18 months to rebuild the economy, strengthen law and order, recruit to the public service, and allocate Rs. 25,000 million through the rural development and social security ministry. He criticized the Opposition’s response to current difficulties, linking recent pressures to floods, the 2025 cyclone, and the Middle East conflict, and said the Government’s duty is to increase, safeguard, and prudently use national income. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Public FinanceCost of LivingLaw & Order Read →
10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena presented a petition to Parliament from Mrs. J. A. Surekha Jayasinghe of Yaṭigaloluwa, Dehelgamuwa. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary A petition from Mr. K.P. Manju Mahesh Karunanayake of Ihalakalalpitiya, Maharachchimulla, was presented to Parliament. It was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions: Citizens' Petitions (Four Petitions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary A petition from Mr. C.M.M.R. Jayasinghe of Narammala, Dematagahawela, was presented to Parliament. Committee Reports and Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena supported the Health and Mass Media expenditure heads, stating that the Budget allocates resources on national policy priorities rather than favouring particular districts. He said the Government would resolve issues from earlier irregular recruitments, including regularizing the remaining dengue control assistants, and argued these were legacy problems. He outlined plans to strengthen indigenous medicine by integrating it into the National Health Policy, expanding combined Western and Ayurvedic care, promoting wellness tourism and local medicinal cultivation, and improving sector management systems. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Ashoka Gunasena supported the 2026 Budget, arguing that it continues the government’s post-2025 direction of economic stabilization, production-led development, and social wellbeing across age groups. He contrasted it with previous budgets, which he said relied on short-term promises and failed to build production, citing unpaid government obligations to banks for promised interest on retirees’ deposits and noting that the new Budget provides for those payments. He also rejected Opposition criticism on IMF-related issues and VAT on health equipment, stating that the government had ended corrupt COVID-era antigen test procurement practices and was pursuing a non-corrupt approach to health and public finance. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceCost of LivingHealthcare Read →
7 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena raised questions to the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment following the launch of the National Policy for Older Persons on 1 October, World Children’s and World Elders’ Day. He emphasized that older persons should be viewed as active contributors to development, cultural transmission and decision-making, rather than passive welfare recipients, and highlighted the need for digital literacy and measures to reduce isolation. He asked for details on the age threshold for older persons, their number and population share, the goals of the new policy, and current and planned government programmes for older persons. Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Women & Children Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena asked whether water from the Pothuhera tank could be used to supply nearby Weerambugedara, noting that the area lacks a natural water source and faces difficulties even in identifying sources for community water schemes. He requested ministerial intervention to provide an alternative solution if use of the Pothuhera tank is not feasible. Oral Question Q.10/2025: Alawwa Water Scheme Cost of LivingInfrastructure Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena raised a supplementary question about water supply gaps in high-elevation areas of Polgahawela and Alawwa under the relevant scheme. He stated that the NWSDB had identified around 1,400 families in 48 locations as urgently needing water and asked why the project was not addressing these highland areas where demand is greatest. Oral Question Q.10/2025: Alawwa Water Scheme Infrastructure Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena questioned the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing on the Alawwa Water Scheme in Pothuhera, Polgahawela, asking which areas it will serve and why 13 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Polgahawela DS Division, reportedly comprising over 2,500 families facing acute drinking water scarcity, are excluded. He sought reasons for any deviation from the original plan, details on the use of 2025 Budget allocations, whether the scheme has been taken over by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and what measures will be taken to supply water to the excluded families, including the exclusion of the Weerambugedara DS Division. Oral Question Q.10/2025: Alawwa Water Scheme InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena supported the regulations and amendment bills before Parliament, linking them to the Government’s policy of “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life.” He argued that past Samurdhi policies had failed to reduce poverty and had been politicized, and said the amendment would bring Samurdhi community banks and societies under national audit to address alleged misuse of poor people’s deposits. He also connected welfare reform, rubber sector measures, and sports policy to broader decentralized and community-centred national development. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Public FinanceCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena raised concerns that around 6,000 villagers have been unable to access services such as school admissions, business registration, bank loans, and house plan approvals following a 23 July 2024 letter from the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs to the Alawwa Divisional Secretary. He asked what urgent relief the Minister could provide, emphasizing that rights previously enjoyed by the villagers for generations had been disrupted. Oral Question: Land Issue in Humbuluwa Village, Alawwa, Dambadeni (Q.6/2025) Justice & Human RightsLand & Housing Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena raised a supplementary question concerning sannasa-backed lands reportedly used by villagers for about 200 years. He noted a discrepancy between recent Plan No. 95204, which identifies the land as belonging to Katugampola Hathpattuwa, and the 1911 Plan No. 455, which identifies it as belonging to Dambadeniya Hathpattuwa, and requested the Minister’s urgent attention and clarification on further action. Oral Question: Land Issue in Humbuluwa Village, Alawwa, Dambadeni (Q.6/2025) Land & Housing Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to clarify a land dispute in Humbuluwa village, Alawwa, including the status of the 1911 Village Plan No. 455, recognition of hereditary private lands, and registration details of grant No. 2621. He sought information on when Humbuluwa Temple came under Section 4(1) of the Buddhist Temporalities (Amendment) Act, No. 34 of 2013, and why villagers were allegedly deprived after 2017 of claims to traditionally held freehold lands without notice. He also asked whether this situation violated constitutional people’s sovereignty and what remedial measures the Ministry would take. Oral Question: Land Issue in Humbuluwa Village, Alawwa, Dambadeni (Q.6/2025) Religion & CultureLand & Housing Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Two petitions were presented on behalf of Mrs. Janaki Kobbekaduwa of Malabe and Mrs. S. Dinochani Dissanayake of Rambukkana. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena supported approval of regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, stating that vehicle import measures are intended to prioritize essential passenger transport vehicles and improve productivity. He argued that imports remain necessary alongside exports, while reforms are needed to reduce abuse and corruption in import processes. He also defended the Government’s decision to end MPs’ vehicle permits and responded to Opposition criticisms regarding war remembrance, presidential remarks, and claims of political “experience.” Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mr. Swarna Moorthi Ranatunga of Dambadeniya, Kurunegala Road. Citizens' Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 March 2025 AI summary The speech supported the Adjournment Motion on developing tourism in the North-Western Province, noting its importance to the economy and alignment with the President’s plan to promote tourism around historic cities. It highlighted newly identified and lesser-known attractions linked to ancient capitals, including sites around the Dambadeniya Kingdom such as Raanagala, Thun Dola reservoir, Mahamevna, Bambaragala Rajamaha Vihara, Sangili Bridge, Bhakbelikanda and Maragala. The member said these locations would be given attention in future tourism development and promoted as part of the province’s economic contribution. Adjournment Motion: Development of North-Western Province as a Tourist Destination AgriculturePublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena rejected Opposition claims that the Budget is not people-centred, arguing that allocations related to SriLankan Airlines concern the protection of a public asset. He said proposals such as school-based autism screening are already reflected in the Budget, and cited this as evidence that it addresses public needs while also acknowledging other constructive suggestions raised in the debate. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media EducationHealthcarePublic Finance Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary Accepted two petitions for presentation to Parliament: one from Mr. D.G. Dharmasiri of Balagalla Watta, Pahala Walakumbura, Alawwa, and another from Mr. J.H.G. Hemachandra of No. 312/3, Pahala Walakumbura, Alawwa. Petitions Presented by Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →