Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Colombo

Profession: ---

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 40 #114 of 225·#58 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

40 speeches

9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi highlighted COPA findings on alleged fraud, corruption, and irregularities at the Department of Motor Traffic from 2012 to 2024, stating that nearly Rs. 4 billion in Government revenue was lost or misused. He said the report would be referred, under amended Standing Orders, to the Bribery Commission, IGP, Attorney General and other relevant bodies for further action, and cited specific issues involving motorcycle registrations and driver’s licence software maintenance costs. He also criticised former Rajapaksa-era administrations over unresolved tsunami housing titles, high inflation during 2020–2022, and alleged misuse of publicly purchased Pfizer vaccines during Covid-19, tabling related documents. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi presented a petition to Parliament from Mr. Don Damsri Lasantha Koralewidana of Colombo 05 and 19 others. No further details of the petition’s subject matter were stated. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Ministry Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi moved an Adjournment Motion highlighting unresolved service issues affecting around 125,000 graduate public officers, including Development Officers, who remain on the MN-4 salary scale without a structured promotion pathway despite long service. He welcomed the Government’s restoration of pension rights for officers recruited since 2016, but urged immediate measures to define job roles, raise professional status, and create fair promotion channels to higher grades without disadvantaging other public services. Adjournment Debate: Status of Development Officers and Parliament Adjournment EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Bills relating to real estate professionals, container depot operators, and licensing of ship agents and related operators, arguing that they form part of the Government’s reforms to strengthen economic and industrial development. He said the Government had restored macroeconomic stability after the country’s recent crisis and was addressing past weaknesses, corruption, and institutional failures. He also criticized the Opposition over its handling of issues such as School Development Officers, claims about religion, and references to war heroes, while stating that the Government would allow legal institutions to act independently against corruption and crime. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi tabled a petition from Mr. P.A.S. Ponnamperuma of Werahera, Boralesgamuwa. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary The Member supported the amendment to the Shops and Office Employees Act to permit women to work as food and beverage service attendants at night, subject to safeguards including accommodation, safe transport, and express consent for such assignments. He argued that the measure would support tourism growth, economic recovery, and higher female labour force participation. He also responded to Opposition criticism by asserting that the Government is addressing longstanding issues faced by the Malaiyagam community and implementing broader worker- and public service-related reforms, including salary increases, pension restoration, and loan benefits. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Public FinanceEmploymentWomen & Children Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi asked whether Development Officers who have served in schools and taught for around 12 years since 2013 could receive special consideration in the teacher selection process, while maintaining fairness for all graduates. He noted their classroom experience and thanked the authorities for efforts to fill teacher vacancies quickly. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) EmploymentEducation Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi asked whether graduates recruited as Development Officers and attached to national and provincial schools after 2012 under the Unified Service could be given a special opportunity for absorption into the Teachers’ Service. He noted that earlier cohorts attached in 1999 and 2005 as Development Assistants, Development Programme Assistants and Finance Assistants had been directly absorbed by 2007 under previous ministerial arrangements. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) EmploymentEducation Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education for details on Development Officers attached to national and provincial schools, including total numbers and year-by-year appointments. He sought clarification on whether these officers could receive relief or consideration in filling teacher vacancies, and asked about the status and outcome of the Supreme Court case concerning the competitive examination for recruiting teachers to government schools. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) EducationParliamentary ProcedureEmployment Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary The government has proposed a three-step approach to address salary anomalies and is taking measures to resolve issues affecting retirees, with the President’s attention on the matter. In presenting the expenditure head of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, the speech stated that steps are being taken to strengthen and advance the public service. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Public FinanceEmployment Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi briefly requested the Chairman to grant him one minute to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the excerpt. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Budget allocations for the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government and the Ministry of Labour, framing them as aligned with modernizing the public service and supporting workers. He defended the National People’s Power’s authority in the Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha, arguing that recent steps to constitute the council reflected the local election mandate and legal process. He raised concerns about Public Service Commission decisions to increase the pass mark for efficiency barrier examinations from 40 to 50 and reduce attempts from six to three, asking whether the Ministry, Minister and officials had been consulted. He urged authorities to avoid creating conflict with public servants and trade unions or curtailing existing rights, and noted that the Sectoral Oversight Committee had already directed the Ministry Secretary to intervene. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) EmploymentCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. K.B.T.K. Perera of Waga, Kahahena was presented to Parliament. It was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi defended the 2026 Budget as part of the NPP Government’s planned economic programme, contrasting it with previous administrations which he said lacked strategy and led the country to bankruptcy. He highlighted allocations to strengthen the public service, including funding for vehicles and machinery, digital access, arrears clearance, public servant property loans, allowances for teachers, principals and railway gatekeepers, and support for estate worker wages. He emphasized the restoration of full pension rights for public servants recruited after 2016 and noted ongoing action on pension anomalies and the planned commission on public sector pay and pensions. He also cited salary increases, higher festival advances, and regularisation of temporary and contract workers as key Budget measures. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Public FinanceEmployment Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi briefly rose to pose a question to the House. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or argument was included in the recorded statement. Oral Question: (Q.3/2025) - Question stood down Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi asked why the Sitawaka museum was expedited despite not appearing in the Central Cultural Fund’s annual activity plan. He argued that a better-planned programme linking heritage, ecology, and tourism could have created greater value, and questioned whether the Ministry had intervened to highlight the area’s authentic historical significance and why it had not taken primary responsibility when the museum was established. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Religion & CultureInfrastructureEnvironment Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi asked whether the museum near the Avissawella Post Office, established to represent the Sitawaka Kingdom period of roughly 1521–1594, provides adequate curatorial value given the use of State resources. He sought clarification on whether the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has given sufficient attention to this issue and what measures have been taken. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Religion & Culture Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi stated that Lanka Metro Transit (Pvt.) Ltd. was commencing under special initiatives and outlined ongoing public transport improvements, including procurement of railway power sets, importation of 5,000 electric fans for coaches, sanitation upgrades, and road network development. He said the Supplementary Estimate was intended to address issues arising from previous governments’ economic policies and requested its approval by the House. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Supplementary Estimate, stating it reallocates funds to more suitable projects and reflects improved financial management. He contrasted current transport investments with alleged past mismanagement, citing audit-reported overpayments in 2023 SLTB bus procurement, and said the government is upgrading railway stations, rebuilding bridges, improving SLTB depot facilities, and renovating the Pettah bus terminal while avoiding political use of SLTB resources. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Supplementary Sum for the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, arguing that unutilized allocations arose because foreign-funded projects stalled after the 2022 debt standstill while domestic counterpart funds remained idle. He said the funds should be reallocated to productive uses, including reducing the Road Development Authority’s domestic bank debt of about Rs. 310,639 million as at 31 July 2025. He attributed the need for the transfer to past fiscal mismanagement and cited the stalled BIA Terminal 2 project and its alleged Rs. 60 billion delay cost as an example, urging approval to support debt reduction and project implementation. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Public FinanceInfrastructureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →