Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Kurunegala

Profession: University Lecturer

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 27 #144 of 225·#84 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

27 speeches

22 May 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mr. N.L.D. Hettiarachchi of Bodhirukkarama Road, Park Corner, Alubomulla, Panadura. No further details on the subject of the petition were provided in the statement. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary Wijesiri Basnayake supported the Resolution under the Customs Ordinance on import duties, stating that it is intended to raise state revenue and permit the responsible recommencement of vehicle imports while safeguarding reserves, the exchange rate, and rupee stability. He argued that since September 2024 the Government had stabilized the economy, reduced inflation, improved the country’s credit position, revived selected state industries, and increased tourism, exports, and investor confidence. He also referred to ongoing engagement with external partners, including World Bank support, IMF staff-level agreement, and responses to recent US tariff developments, as part of the context for allowing essential private vehicle imports. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Wijesiri Basnayake supported the VAT (Amendment) Bill, arguing that tax revenue is necessary to fund public services and development while noting Sri Lanka’s low tax-to-GDP ratio and past failures to broaden the tax base or improve collection. He criticized the Opposition for opposing VAT without explaining alternative funding sources and linked current export vulnerabilities to long-term failures in export diversification. He outlined amendments including zero-rating employer-provided meals and transport, reinsurance commissions, and revenue stamps; clarifying VAT treatment of unprocessed agricultural products and the Rs. 60 million turnover threshold; and exemptions for certain aircraft parts, chemical naphtha for CEB power generation, and locally produced milk and yoghurt. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) AgricultureEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake said the cooperative sector, under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, has extensive membership, assets and outlets but is weakened by losses, poor management and corruption. He contrasted Sri Lanka’s cooperatives with successful international models such as India’s Amul and New Zealand’s Fonterra, arguing that cooperatives could support a production-based economy if properly governed. He called for the Ministry, the Department of Cooperative Development, the Cooperative Employees Commission and NICD Polgolla to prepare a strategic plan to revive the sector, and invited Opposition MPs to support the effort. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake defended the 2025 Budget as the National People’s Power Government’s inaugural programme to restore economic stability, expand production in agriculture, industry and services, and ensure wider participation and fair distribution of benefits. He rejected Opposition claims that it is an election, IMF, or anti-private-sector Budget, citing proposals for investment protection, port and logistics development, exporter support, and measures to improve GDP growth, inflation stability, and the current account. He highlighted allocations and initiatives for social protection, health, education, early childhood nutrition, public transport, prisoners, orphans, persons with disabilities, youth employment, and youth mental health. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake, speaking on the Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report 2024 under the State Finance Management Act, argued that Sri Lanka’s crisis resulted from poor economic management, excessive high-interest borrowing, weak policy continuity, and IMF-driven fiscal adjustments that increased taxation and reduced welfare. He cited social impacts including food insecurity, child malnutrition, declining births, and professional migration, while crediting public finance officials for improvements in the primary balance. He said the Government intends to exceed growth targets by 2030 through tax relief for professionals, stronger social protection including Aswasuma-related benefits, support for schoolchildren, fertilizer and dairy sector relief, VAT relief on milk products, and extended Parate law moratoria for MSMEs. Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report Public FinanceEmploymentCost of Living Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake argued that Sri Lanka’s debt crisis resulted from years of borrowing to cover deficits and repay old debt, and said those responsible for the 2022 bankruptcy declaration and economic mismanagement should be held accountable. He stated that, although the IMF programme was inherited from the previous Government, it is now impractical to abandon it, and the Government is pursuing macroeconomic stabilization through exchange rate stability, lower interest rates, increased reserves, and debt restructuring. He cited creditor acceptance, currency stabilization, improved reserves, lower inflation, stock market gains, and expanded subsidies for fertilizer, welfare, fishermen, and exporters as evidence of progress under the current policy direction. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement EmploymentPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →