Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Colombo

Profession: ---

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Speeches 40 #114 of 225·#58 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

40 speeches

7 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi presented a petition on behalf of H.K. Gamini Rathnasiri of Ihala Karagahamuna, Kadawatha. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Bill to give the National Building Research Organization a statutory basis, arguing that previous governments had allowed it to operate without the necessary legal framework. He defended the Government’s first-year record, citing recent narcotics seizures and action against organized crime, and accused former administrations of enabling criminality and attempting CEB privatization. He said the current Government had reinstated interdicted CEB workers, halted privatization, and would keep the new electricity companies fully state-owned. He also stated that Development Officers could not be directly absorbed into the teacher service outside the lawful examination process, while promising fair priority for school-based DOs in addressing teacher vacancies. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Law & OrderPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi alleged that certain trade unions and independent leaders were attempting to undermine the public service for political purposes, while the Government was strengthening it, protecting state enterprises, and paying due allowances and advances. He urged public servants not to be misled and stated that the amendment under discussion would ensure proper auditing of Samurdhi banks. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Public FinanceLaw & Order Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, stating that it would bring 1,097 Samurdhi Community-Based Banks and 335 unions under government audit to strengthen transparency, accountability and state oversight. He cited audit findings that these funds had remained outside annual financial statements and Auditor General review, and alleged past misuse of Samurdhi and Divi Neguma funds for political and unauthorized purposes. He also referred to broader NPP government measures on public financial management and public service reforms, including salary increases, disaster loan increases and a proposed national salary structure. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi argued that action against Deshabandu Tennakoon should address not only the individual allegations but also the political culture that enabled misuse of public office. He cited the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, referring to charges of misconduct and gross abuse of office, and linked the matter to broader concerns about politicization of the Police and past abuses under previous administrations. He rejected claims that Public Safety Committees are being politicized, stating that their structure follows the relevant circular, and said the Government would protect honest public servants while taking decisions on alleged wrongdoing. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mr. N. Prasanna de Silva of Pahathgama, Hanwella. It was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Private Members’ Motion to establish stronger supervision of the co-operative rural banking system, citing the collapse of 24 rural banks in Avissawella with nearly 100,000 depositors and about Rs. 920 million in deposits. He alleged that former boards illegally placed funds in a private financial institution instead of a State bank as required under Section 40(1) of the Western Province Co-operative Societies Statute, leaving depositors unable to access savings. He called for investigations, legal action against those responsible, new regulatory measures, and management reforms to restore stability and confidence in the system. Private Members' Motion No. 1: Co-operative Rural Banks Supervision Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Fiscal Strategy Statement, noting that it is being presented for the first time under the State Financial Management Act and focuses on revenue structuring, risk mitigation, and growth pathways. He argued that the NPP Government inherited a severely weakened economy and has prioritized stabilization, confidence-building, and disciplined fiscal management. He cited early 2025 improvements in export earnings and revenue collection above targets by the Inland Revenue Department, Excise Department, and Customs as evidence of progress toward strengthening public finance, production, and the external sector. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Cost of LivingPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi presented two public petitions, one from S. Vijendran of Mattakkuliya and another from T.A. Wasantha Sarath Siriwardhana of Hanwella. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions: Presentation of Citizens' Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 June 2025 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported reforms to the National Transport Commission, stating that it had become too focused on permits and timetables rather than regulation, standards, and passenger welfare. He said the proposed framework would coordinate policy across buses, SLTB, rail, school and office transport, and three-wheelers, while addressing unsafe competition among buses through measures such as digital fare collection, GPS monitoring, driver and conductor training, and EPF/ETF coverage. He also referred to unresolved rail crossing safety issues and argued that the reforms seek lasting improvements for both passengers and transport workers. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading InfrastructureLaw & Order Read →
22 May 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. S.N.W.M. Jayasundara of Khettarama Mawatha, Grandpass, Colombo 14, was presented to Parliament. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi defended the Ministry of Finance expenditure proposals, arguing that past UNP, SLFP, SLPP and Yahapalana administrations were responsible for long-term economic mismanagement and bankruptcy. He said the National People’s Power Government under President Anura Dissanayake is pursuing short-, medium- and long-term plans to stabilize the economy, reduce regional disparities, eradicate rural poverty, strengthen welfare, and restore dignity to the armed forces. He also cited public sector salary and increment increases as measures to improve purchasing power and support the Budget’s goals on production and exports. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate EmploymentPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi said the Government would consider constructive Opposition proposals on transport while arguing that past administrations had weakened the SLTB and Railways through political interference. He outlined ongoing work through the Ministry’s advisory subcommittees, including policy measures to regulate unorganised transport sectors such as three-wheelers, school transport, office transport, and self-employed drivers, with attention to worker welfare and commuter safety. He said the Government would regularise SLTB administration, address recruitment and procurement issues, implement salary revisions under Circular 6/2006, and improve service quality. He also referred to upgrades to Colombo Fort and Maradana railway stations under Clean Sri Lanka, plans to modernise the Railway Department and Ratmalana Railway Training Institute, and the need to address the shortfall between required and operating SLTB buses. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) InfrastructurePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi raised concerns about unresolved service conditions in the public sector, including inadequate salary scales, transfer issues, and the absence of allowances for Economic Development Officers. He also noted unfulfilled commitments relating to Management Service officers, including renaming the service, implementing the MN-3 MoU, and filling MN-2 vacancies. He said graduates currently in minor grades should be absorbed into suitable public service posts, and that the Government would seek solutions through the Advisory Committee’s subcommittee process. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Budget provisions for the Ministries of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and Labour, emphasizing increases to public servants’ basic salaries and annual increments across grades, as well as the raising of the PAYE tax threshold from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000. He said the Government would recruit 30,000 graduates through competitive examinations to fill vacancies, including attention to teacher service vacancies. He also referred to phased measures to address pension anomalies for retirees, principals and teachers, with Rs. 10,000 million allocated, and noted a proposal for a subcommittee to examine unresolved public service issues. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Public FinanceEmployment Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi presented a petition on behalf of Mrs. G.P. Nebulandege of Kahatagastenna, Ruwanwella. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Government’s first Budget, arguing that it responds to the public mandate to stabilize the economy, strengthen social welfare, and change prior political and economic practices. He highlighted provisions including allowances for orphans and children in remand homes, salary increases and higher annual increments across public sector grades, and revised remuneration for doctors. He stated that the Budget provides relief to workers, pensioners, plantation communities, and vulnerable groups without new burdens, asset sales, or additional debt, while redirecting reduced wasteful expenditure toward welfare, infrastructure, and the production economy. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Public FinanceEmploymentCost of Living Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the motion calling for a proper procedure to appoint Labour Welfare Officers responsible for Sri Lankan migrant workers’ welfare. He said past governments had allowed ad hoc contract appointments without standardized criteria, citing Hansard records from 2007 and Cabinet instructions in 2021 that were not implemented. He stated that the Government is reviewing and regularizing the recruitment process to ensure merit, transparency, and improved service at Sri Lankan missions abroad. Private Members' Motion 4: Appointment of Labour Welfare Officers Foreign AffairsEmploymentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
18 December 2024 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi formally seconded the motion before the House. The question was then put and agreed to, after which the Chair changed from Aravinda Senarath to Prof. Sena Nanayakkara. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 December 2024 AI summary Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Supplementary Estimate to allocate Rs. 6,500 million for providing Rs. 6,000 per child for schoolbooks and supplies, presenting it as an initial step toward reducing parental burdens and ultimately increasing education spending to 6% of GDP. He criticized past governments’ handling of public service pensions, promotions, recruitment, and labour rights, arguing that the current government would address workers’ concerns without betraying public servants’ trust. He said the government had already engaged School Development Officer unions and intended to prioritize filling teacher shortages by absorbing qualified personnel before addressing unemployed graduates more broadly. He also noted that socio-economic disparities had left about 20% of children without fair access to quality education and said the government was beginning corrective measures despite fiscal constraints. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) EducationEmploymentPublic Finance Read →