Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Profession: Teacher

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 24 #156 of 225·#94 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

24 speeches

9 June 2026 AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa criticized Nizam Kariapper’s concern over Hejaaz Hizbullah as insincere and challenged him to explain Sajith Premadasa’s participation in Udaya Gammanpila’s book launch. The intervention was framed as a political rebuttal linking the issue of Hizbullah with opposition political associations. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the emergency framework under the Public Security Ordinance, arguing that it is needed to coordinate relief and reconstruction after the “Ditva” cyclone, given losses affecting housing, agriculture, fisheries, and livelihoods. He rejected Opposition criticism over delayed relief and incidents in the North, stating that the Government is delivering development, assisting fishers, and responding to cyclone-related operational challenges despite wider pressures such as global fuel and gas price increases. He also said the Government is taking legal action against corruption, drug trafficking, and “looters,” urged responsible use of social media, and highlighted Budget 2026’s Rs. 25 billion “Praja Shakthi” allocation to every Grama Niladhari division for local development. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Corruption & Governance ReformEnvironmentSecurity & Defence Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation about the condition of reservoirs in Karativu, Sainthamaruthu and Kalmunai in the Ampara District, citing nutrient contamination, aquatic weed invasion, siltation, reduced depth and loss of water retention capacity contributing to flooding. He requested information on whether assessments of environmental degradation and siltation have been conducted, whether a coordinated programme exists to remove silt and invasive weeds and restore the aquatic ecosystems, and when such work would begin. Oral Questions 1-10 EnvironmentAgricultureInfrastructure Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa supported extending the state of emergency under the Public Security Ordinance, citing the severe impact of Cyclone “Ditva” on lives, housing, livelihoods, agriculture, roads, railways, tanks, canals, bunds and bridges. He said the Government was providing compensation to farmers, fishers and affected households, restoring damaged infrastructure through the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme and relevant state agencies, and managing these efforts despite economic pressures and global instability. He urged Opposition cooperation, stating that emergency powers were being used responsibly to meet public needs. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 AgricultureInfrastructureLaw & Order Read →
6 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the extension of emergency regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, arguing that they are necessary for national security, public order, essential services, and recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. He defended the Government’s non-aligned foreign policy amid tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, condemned attacks on Iran, and thanked the President for humanitarian assistance to Iranian seafarers. He also said Muslims were now able to observe Ramadan peacefully under the current Government and accused the Opposition of politicizing international and communal issues for electoral gain. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Foreign AffairsReligion & CultureSecurity & Defence Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the Parliamentary Pensions (Abolition) Bill, arguing that it fulfils a government and presidential pledge to end non-contributory pension privileges for MPs and their families. He contrasted parliamentary pensions with the contributory pensions of public servants and said elected office should be treated as public service rather than a profession for personal benefit. He also cited public confidence, anti-corruption efforts, economic recovery, anti-narcotics action, tourism development, estate worker wage increases, coastal park projects, education reforms, and the “Praja Shakthi” rural poverty programme as evidence of the Government’s broader policy agenda. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the Universities (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it updates the 1978 Act after decades and advances democratization within university governance. He said the Government has increased funding for higher education and rejected Opposition claims of neglect. He highlighted proposed changes to appointments and term limits for Deans and Heads of Departments, saying broader eligibility would reduce concentration of authority and create fairer opportunities. He linked the reforms to modernizing universities, meeting labour market needs, and preparing students for technological and global competition. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Education Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa supported the Colombo Port City Commission (Amendment) Bill, arguing that Port City should be developed as a national economic asset and globally competitive special economic zone. He said the Bill’s tax and legal framework, including tiered treatment for investors, is intended to attract local and foreign investment, generate dollar inflows, and strengthen ICT and commercial activity. He also linked the project to broader government claims of improving economic stability, reduced debt levels, growth, and a less corrupt investment climate, and urged the opposition to cooperate with the Government’s development agenda. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill InfrastructureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa highlighted climate change, monsoon flooding, and rough seas as major pressures on fishers and farming communities in the Ampara District, noting recent evacuations and the need for facilities and relief for affected residents. He supported the 2026 Budget allocation of nearly Rs. 350 million for Valaichchenai Fisheries Harbour, called for restoration of Oluvil Harbour, and urged re-establishment of radio communication systems for the Ampara–Kalmunai fishing fleet. He said the Government had acted with the Fisheries Ministry and Tri-Forces to stop fish piracy in Eastern waters and outlined plans for digital technologies, aquaculture, and inland freshwater fish production to strengthen the fisheries sector. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Security & DefenceAgricultureEnvironment Read →
25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education allocations in the Committee Stage debate, noting the Rs. 704 billion allocation for 2026 and stating that education funding has increased compared with previous periods. He argued that past reforms suffered from weak planning, poor evidence, inadequate funding and urban-rural inequalities, and said the new reforms should promote social harmony, reduce inequality and advance “Education for All.” He highlighted proposed classroom changes including online learning, e-learning, smart boards, virtual education, 3D tools and other digital methods, while rejecting Opposition criticism and expressing confidence in implementation under the Prime Minister as Minister of Education. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Education Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the 2026 Budget, describing it as aimed at economic stability, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty reduction and digitalization. He rejected claims that the North and East had been neglected, citing major 2025 allocations to Ampara and Batticaloa, progress on the Gal Oya scheme, reconstruction of the Karaithivu–Mavadippalli Bridge, coastal park projects, and high fund utilization. He highlighted 2026 allocations for the Kalmunai Santhangeni Sports Ground, the long-delayed Nintavur cultural hall, and the Valachchenai fisheries harbour, while accusing some Opposition members of attempting to claim credit and inflame communal divisions. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) AgricultureInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the Government’s Adjournment debate on eradicating drugs and crime, arguing that drug use has spread among youth, students and women and has harmed the economy, culture and public wellbeing. He alleged political links to drug importation and distribution, urged cross-party support for the President’s national anti-drug programme, and rejected what he described as attempts to politicize or undermine it. He called for identifying and punishing traffickers, including underworld and international networks, while providing rehabilitation, counselling and employment opportunities for affected youth. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) EmploymentLaw & OrderHealthcare Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa stated that he seconded and supported the Motion brought by Hon. Roshan Akmeemana. Adjournment Motion: Release of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Lands in Trincomalee District Parliamentary Procedure Read →
12 September 2025 AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa supported the condolence motion for five former Members of Parliament, focusing on the late M. H. Cegu Isadean of Ampara District. He recounted Isadean’s background as an educator, lawyer, provincial opposition leader, SLMC figure, parliamentarian and minister, highlighting his efforts during the conflict to discourage Muslim youth from joining violence and to promote unity among Tamil-speaking communities. He noted Isadean’s contributions to media, roads and development, including the establishment of Pirai FM, and also referred to his literary, cultural, international and spiritual work. Athambawa conveyed condolences to Isadean’s family and to the families of the other former MPs named in the motion. Votes of Condolence: Late Former Members of Parliament (P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, W. B. Ranatunga) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa argued that the Government is committed to protecting human rights by uniting all communities and rejected political approaches based on ethnicity or separatism, including framing issues solely around Sinhala- and Tamil-speaking peoples. He said Tamil and Muslim grievances, including justice for Muslims expelled from the North, should be resolved through discussion with the Government rather than divisive politics. He also cited ongoing development measures in Ampara, including the guaranteed paddy price, road improvements, housing for poor families, and Rs. 900 million for the Gal Oya scheme. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Justice & Human RightsAgricultureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa said land and boundary disputes affecting Tamil-speaking communities in the North and East should be resolved through discussion and compromise, rather than being used for ethnic politics. He argued that past governments and leaders had opportunities to address these issues through earlier committees and reports, and called for work with the relevant Ministers and the President to deliver immediate solutions. He also stated that the country should not be divided by ethnicity, religion, or language, and noted that the current administration had maintained calm and prevented ethnic unrest. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Corruption & Governance ReformLand & HousingEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
24 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the proposed education reforms, arguing that they are needed to reduce students’ physical and academic burden, improve classroom learning, and better prepare students for national and global opportunities. He said implementation would begin in 2026 with Grades 1 and 6, based on five pillars: curriculum development, human resource development, infrastructure and administration reform, assessment and evaluation, and public awareness. He emphasized improving science, technology, civics, equity, English language skills, communication among school communities, and transparency, and called for broad support for the reforms. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Education Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the Workers’ National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Bill, stating that it would benefit private sector workers such as drivers, security officers and cleaners, alongside earlier public sector salary increases under the Government’s Budget. He said the Government was also discussing wage increases and arrears for plantation workers, and indicated that further pay measures would be included in the forthcoming Budget. He criticized previous governments and the Opposition for failing workers and urged cross-party support for national reconstruction, while also condemning communal politics and calling for unity among all communities. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Public FinanceEmploymentEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa called for COPE to expose past corruption, including alleged fraud linked to dairy cow imports and local government bodies, and urged punishment and confiscation of illicit assets. He argued that Sri Lanka should have improved local dairy breeds using available technologies and fodder rather than pursuing imports that failed to increase milk production as expected. He rejected Opposition allegations of deals to form local councils, saying members from other parties had voluntarily joined the ruling side, and said voters in the East were moving away from communal politics toward a new political culture. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Corruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionAgriculture Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the allocations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and argued that improved domestic stability and international confidence are increasing tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings. He highlighted the Eastern Province’s tourism potential, including Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Arugam Bay, Kumana and related natural and cultural attractions, and proposed upgrading the Pottuvil aerodrome into a runway and developing a rail link from Batticaloa to Pottuvil/Arugam Bay. He also raised concern over the relocation of the Foreign Employment Bureau office from Kalmunai and urged that foreign employment and tourism services be made accessible to people across the Eastern Province. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Foreign AffairsEmploymentInfrastructure Read →