Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Gampaha

Profession: Businessman/Managing Director

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 17 #187 of 225·#125 in party

Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

17 speeches

21 May 2026 AI summary A petition from Ms. K.D. Kaushila Madhuwanthi Kumari of Maggona, Bubulanda Watta, Cheththadsi Watta, was presented to Parliament. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi noted that Sri Lanka recorded its highest tourist arrivals since the Easter attacks, the pandemic, and the economic crisis, but said airport congestion remains a problem, particularly in immigration, baggage claim, exits, and vehicle access. He asked the relevant Minister for January 2026 passenger throughput figures, future projections, and whether a second passenger terminal at Bandaranaike International Airport is considered necessary. He also sought details on the plan and timeline for that terminal and on concurrent development plans for domestic airports. Adjournment: Questions on Cyclone Relief and Tourism Foreign AffairsInfrastructure Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi supported the relaxation of regulations under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, stating that improved reserves and IMF-linked restructuring had created conditions to attract investment and permit capable Sri Lankan businesses to invest abroad. He cited reserve growth from USD 4.39 billion in 2023 to USD 6.3 billion by January 2026, alongside the resumption of vehicle imports and LC payments, and said the Central Bank sets the relevant thresholds independently. He criticized opposition statements about instability and alleged attempts to create public panic, arguing that such actions could deter investors and risk a return to the 2022 economic crisis. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Foreign AffairsEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi formally seconded the motion under consideration. The House then put the question and agreed to it. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi presented, on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, the Committee’s report on the proposed scheme for payment of Aswesuma Welfare Benefits under Section 9 of the Welfare Benefits Act, No. 24 of 2002. The scheme had been published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2467/03 of 15 December 2025, and the report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Committee Report - Aswesuma Welfare Benefits Scheme Public Finance Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi supported the Second Reading of the Bill to amend the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, arguing that the Government has restored economic stability through improved revenue collection, exports, tourism earnings, remittances, FDI, debt restructuring and credit ratings. He said the amendments would integrate Port City into the national growth strategy by replacing broad tax holidays with calibrated incentives for categories of strategic businesses based on investment and employment thresholds. He also emphasized Central Bank supervision of offshore banking, stronger legal governance, and recent regulations aimed at preventing irregularities and corruption. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformInfrastructure Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Condemning the loss of life from the floods, Champika Hettiarachchi said cooperatives had been used effectively in relief efforts and argued that the disaster debate had overtaken the scheduled discussion on trade, food security and cooperatives. He rejected Opposition claims that adequate early warnings had been issued, comparing current casualties in Gampaha with those in 2016 and 2017 and attributing heightened risk partly to past land distribution, encroachment and unauthorized construction. He defended the Government’s Treasury reserves as enabling rapid disaster response, criticized past unfulfilled housing pledges by the current Leader of the Opposition, and called for non-partisan cooperation in rebuilding. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Land & HousingPublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi presented a petition from Mr. Gurugé Upul Chandrasekara of Ingiriya. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi criticized off-topic conduct in the debate and addressed the Excise Rules and Special Commodity Levy measures under discussion. He said proposed amendments to the 112-year-old Excise Ordinance would strengthen recovery of unpaid excise duties by shortening grace periods and enabling cancellation or suspension of licences, noting large arrears including Rs. 6.75 billion from one liquor company. He defended the potato and onion levy gazette as a seasonal measure to protect local harvests, citing import data to reject claims that importers were tipped off in advance. He also argued that the Government had proposals to improve farmer efficiency and accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation and failing to address seed and production issues when in office. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) Public FinanceAgricultureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi supported the Fiscal Strategy Statement, arguing that it is intended to prevent a recurrence of the 2022 economic collapse by strengthening fiscal discipline, protecting taxpayers’ money, and improving risk management over a five-year period. He cited recent revenue performance above targets, creation of a cash buffer for public sector salaries, increased BOI approvals and private sector credit, and infrastructure and transport measures as evidence of economic stabilization. He also referred to the Proceeds of Crime law and ongoing investigations into corruption and financial misconduct, while rejecting Opposition claims about investor flight and factory closures as inaccurate. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
9 May 2025 AI summary Champika Hettiarachchi said the Government was implementing NPP manifesto commitments on national food security, including domestic production of locally producible foods and maintaining three-month buffer stocks. He cited measures to strengthen Sathosa, Lak Sathosa and co-operatives, improve transport, staffing, storage, digitization and port clearance, and reduce prices and post-harvest losses. He also referred to broader efforts to curb alleged profiteering in imports, strengthen agriculture and industry, and end what he described as previous practices favouring cronies. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Cost of LivingAgriculturePublic Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi said the VAT (Amendment) Bill corrects deficiencies and technical issues arising from the 01.01.2024 Gazette while aligning VAT policy with the Government’s policy statement and Budget. He highlighted exemptions or corrections relating to employee welfare benefits such as subsidized meals and transport, stamp face value, reinsurance-related commissions and settlements, agricultural products, and electricity generation inputs, while regularizing VAT on aircraft spare parts to secure revenue. He argued that the amendments are intended to make VAT fairer, reduce burdens passed on to workers and policyholders, and improve revenue administration. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Morning Session) Public FinanceEmploymentCost of Living Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi defended the Government against Opposition claims based on 2019-2024 data, arguing that many problems in Sathosa and related institutions were inherited from previous administrations. He cited alleged past irregularities in leases, expenditure, and management, and said the Government had reversed a decision to close the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment, while planning wholesale hubs in Colombo, Matara and Kurunegala and enabling Sathosa and cooperatives to import directly. He outlined plans to buy 100,000 MT of paddy, revive mills and Sathosa services, relocate loss-making outlets, open about 150 new outlets, and digitize trade and asset systems using Budget allocations. He concluded that these reforms aim to make Sathosa and cooperative institutions competitive and profitable while supporting consumer price stability. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. W.C. Nishantha Costa of St. John’s Road, Negombo, was presented in Parliament. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi supported the Government’s inaugural Budget, arguing that it fulfils election commitments while stabilizing inflation, the exchange rate and public finances. He highlighted public-sector salary and pension increases, higher disaster loan limits, electricity tariff relief, and expected spillover benefits for private industry and SMEs. He also cited allocations for pregnant mothers, school infrastructure, shoes for students, Daham Pasal education, and tourism measures including restarting a JICA airport terminal project and introducing e-ticketing at tourist sites. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate HealthcarePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi supported the regulation under the Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017, saying it was part of a continuing six-monthly review process and was needed to facilitate foreign investment, including mergers and acquisitions, while safeguarding dollar reserves. He argued that recent vehicle import policy changes were phased to support public transport, commercial transport and private needs, and attributed high vehicle prices to rupee depreciation, past VAT increases and earlier import restrictions, noting that the luxury tax threshold had been raised from Rs. 3.5 million to Rs. 5 million. He also rejected Opposition allegations regarding foreign assembly positions and vehicle price promises, and said the Government was ending preferential practices in rice imports, taxi operations and land allocation for investment projects. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media about the operations of Sri Lanka Thriposha Ltd., noting its role in addressing malnutrition and supporting employment. He sought details on its products and target groups, the current production status, difficulties in sourcing local raw materials and inter-ministerial responses, and the Government’s plans to restore the institution to support nutrition for children and pregnant mothers. Adjournment and Adjournment Questions HealthcareEmployment Read →