Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Kalutara

Profession: Other

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 26 #149 of 225·#88 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

26 speeches

10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi supported regulations under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act to shorten the period for repatriating export earnings from 100 days to 40 days, stating that permitted foreign payments may be made first and only the residual must be brought in and converted. He argued that the measure is intended to increase onshore foreign exchange and reserves while allowing the exchange rate to function as a shock absorber, unlike past policies that used reserves to defend the currency. He cited the IMF Managing Director’s 13 May letter to highlight reported macroeconomic stabilization, 5 per cent growth in 2024 and 2025, stronger reserves, improved revenue collection, primary surpluses, and debt restructuring. He also rejected opposition claims about tax policy, exchange-rate effects, governance, and the use of Emergency powers. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill, arguing that Sri Lanka needs a modern framework to replace the 1853 Insolvency Ordinance and improve the ease of doing business. He said the Bill shifts the focus from rapid winding-up to rehabilitation of viable individuals and businesses, including through an Insolvency Regulatory Authority and special attention to MSMEs facing finance, debt-servicing and cash-flow difficulties. Citing Central Bank 2025 credit expansion data, he linked the measure to economic recovery and confidence-building, while stating that the Government aims to strengthen resilience and prevent future collapses. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading EmploymentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary A petition from Mr. K.G.C.M. Gamage of Hospital Road, Ratnapura, was presented to Parliament by Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Chandima Hettiaratchi supported the tower-sharing regulations, saying they are intended to improve telecom and data services, promote competition, and support the Government’s digital transformation programme. He then referred to an Opposition-raised inquiry concerning a parliamentary appointment, citing passages from a report tabled by Dayasiri Jayasekara to argue that the person concerned had been given an opportunity to respond and had not fulfilled advertised requirements such as a medical examination. He criticized Members who made allegations against the Speaker and called for appropriate action, while defending the Speaker by citing steps taken to reduce privileges such as unlimited fuel, vehicle use, and staff-related excesses. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi supported the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill, stating that it seeks to make the Port City a competitive special economic zone for attracting foreign direct investment while improving ease of doing business. He said the amendment addresses practical issues in the original Act by creating a more transparent, criteria-based framework for tax concessions, including regular reviews and investment and employment thresholds. He rejected claims that the Bill removes benefits, arguing that the Commission will retain powers to review and refine concessions while aligning with international standards to prevent misuse such as money laundering or illicit fund flows. He also referred to forthcoming PPP and joint venture frameworks as part of broader investment and job creation policy. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill InfrastructureEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi defended the Government’s digital economy allocations and progress, citing completed physical implementation of GovPay, Lanka Government Network 2.0, Lanka Government Cloud 2.0, AI upgrades to the State Information Center, cybersecurity initiatives, and work on a National Data Exchange. He said the Government was open to further parliamentary and public discussion on digital transformation and Digital ID, while also noting progress on a National Science Policy and research commercialization. On fisheries, he argued that fuel prices had fallen compared with the previous administration and highlighted digital support for fishing vessels, satellite-based fish field intelligence, and a Beruwala slipway project intended to support boat owners and foreign exchange earnings. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Public FinanceInfrastructureEnvironment Read →
14 November 2025 AI summary Chandima Hettiaratchi, in a procedural capacity, allocated the next speaking turn to Hon. S.M. Marikkar and stated that he had 22 minutes to speak. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
14 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi made a procedural request to the Chair for a short extension of speaking time. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
14 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi argued that improved external balances, stable exchange rates, low interest rates, and avoiding supplementary estimates had strengthened policy credibility and investor confidence. Citing the President’s Budget Speech, he said maintaining revenue at 15.3–15.4 percent of GDP would support debt service relief and claimed the government was working to repay debts incurred by previous administrations. He criticized Opposition remarks on taxation and questioned complaints made about a Rs. 200 daily travel allowance for estate workers, asking whether this reflected the SJB’s policy. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Public FinanceLaw & Order Read →
14 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi argued that the 2026 Budget demonstrates improved fiscal discipline compared with earlier years, citing the movement from persistent budget and primary balance deficits to positive balances in 2024 and 2025. He emphasized that a primary surplus creates room to reduce debt, service interest costs, and support future productive expenditure. He also stated that improved fiscal performance is strengthening Sri Lanka’s creditworthiness, lowering borrowing costs, and reducing inflationary pressure by lessening reliance on deficit monetization. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Public Finance Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi rejected Opposition claims that the Government is hostile to private enterprise, arguing that it opposes corrupt “models” used to divert or shield public assets. He cited the CEB’s shareholding in LTL and related audit disputes, alleging that corporate structures and litigation had been used to prevent proper public scrutiny despite State ownership. He also referred to COPE evidence on alleged pressure placed on public officials in the LRC and National Youth Services Council, and said the Government is enabling officials to resist corruption. He stated that LRC land alienation has not been generally stopped but legal action is being pursued where misuse is alleged, and called for support for accountability and protection of public funds through COPE processes. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary Chandima Hettiaratchi proposed that Hon. Champika Hettiaratchchi take the Chair, addressing the Deputy Chairperson during the proceedings. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary A petition from I. C. Perera of Pamunugama, Diganthuduwa, Alubomulla was tabled in Parliament. It was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Tabling of Committee Report and Petitions (Second Round) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi presented a petition on behalf of I. C. Perera of Pamunugama, Diganthuduwa, Alubomulla. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi discussed the COPE findings on the dairy cattle import project, stating that despite audit warnings in 2018 and losses from earlier imports, authorities continued with the same supplier and paid a Rs. 1,749.6 million advance for 15,000 cattle without a performance bond, resulting in an estimated sunk cost of about Rs. 2,110.3 million by February 2025. He said the policy objective of increasing local milk production and reducing imports was valid, but the procurement process and implementation were flawed. He also referred to COPE concerns regarding alleged misuse of funds at the National Youth Services Council and Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and missing or non-functional equipment at the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, calling for investigations, accountability, restoration of technology, and stronger institutional systems. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Public FinanceAgricultureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. P.R. Antony Julian Fernando of Pannila Road, Beruwala, was presented by Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 June 2025 AI summary Chandima Hettiaratchi offered condolences for former parliamentarians Maavai S. Senathirajah, Donald Dissanayake, J.R.P. Suriya Peruma, and Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, noting their contributions to parliamentary politics and public life. He particularly praised Senathirajah’s commitment to representing his people through parliamentary democracy and Suriya Peruma’s public commentary on international affairs. The speech focused mainly on Jayawira, whom Hettiaratchi described as a unifying student and political organizer, an Open University colleague, and a committed party and government member active in areas including organization, environment, the economy, Parliament, and COPE. He conveyed condolences to Jayawira’s family, party colleagues, government, constituents, and university comrades, stating that his loss would be deeply felt. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi said the amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act, No. 9 of 2022, are intended to strengthen regulation and security of personal data processing in the context of rapid technological change. He noted that the law protects the rights of data subjects and establishes an authority and procedures, drawing on international standards such as the OECD Privacy Guidelines, APEC Privacy Framework, and the EU GDPR to address gaps in Sri Lanka’s privacy framework. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Chandima Hettiaratchi supported the Gazette regulation under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, arguing that eased vehicle import restrictions, particularly for electric vehicles, could increase Treasury revenue while aligning with green energy policy and the Paris Agreement. He said EV taxation remains lower than for fossil-fuel vehicles and framed the measure as part of a fair, environmentally oriented tax policy amid efforts to protect foreign reserves. He also rejected Opposition claims regarding National War Heroes Day and an India-related MoU, citing its termination clause to argue that it can be ended with three months’ notice and tabling a related EconomyNext document. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
18 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi moved an Adjournment Motion calling for stronger protection of Sri Lankan migrant workers, particularly unskilled and female workers who face exploitation when migrating without proper registration. He proposed mandatory SLBFE registration, sector-relevant pre-departure training, migration guidance, skills development, and financial literacy, alongside stronger regulation of the SLBFE and legal reforms where needed. Citing complaint statistics, safe house numbers, court cases, and incidents involving workers in Oman, Dubai, Russia, Myanmar, Kuwait, and elsewhere, he argued that regulatory failures have left many workers vulnerable to abuse, trafficking, abandonment, and death. Adjournment Motion: Protection and Support for Migrant Workers Abroad Women & ChildrenEmploymentJustice & Human Rights Read →