Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena, M.P.
Minister of Science and Technology
Profession: ---
Speeches 42 #110 of 225·#55 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 24 speeches
Last spoke 7 May 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
23 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
42 speeches- 7 May 2026 AI summary The Minister of Science and Technology moved that Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha take the Chair during the sitting. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Jayasingha presided. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Minister Chrishantha Abeysena opposed further parliamentary proposals or debates on the Easter Sunday attacks while related court cases and investigations are ongoing, arguing that such interventions could politically influence proceedings. He said the Government is pursuing new investigations, including into intelligence and security failures, and referred to the arrest of former State Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay. He stated that the Government is acting on its pledges to identify and prosecute those responsible, including any officials or politicians involved, and noted that the Presidential Commission report has now been released for public scrutiny. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Justice & Human RightsParliamentary ProcedureSecurity & Defence Read →
- 20 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Science and Technology presented the 2022/2023 Annual Report of C/S Sri Lanka Nano Technology (Private) Company. He proposed referring the report to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, and the House agreed. Papers: Annual Reports Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena moved that Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake take the Chair during the sitting. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Imran Maharoof left the Chair and Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake assumed it. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena moved that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair. The House agreed to the motion, after which the Deputy Speaker left and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda assumed the Chair. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 26 November 2025 AI summary Moved that the Committee report progress and seek leave to sit again. The motion was agreed to, after which the Presiding Member left the Chair and the Committee reported progress, with proceedings scheduled to resume on 27 November 2025. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena moved an amendment during the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026. The amendment was presented under Head 186, Programme 02. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 26 November 2025 AI summary At the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, an amendment was moved on behalf of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Digital Economy to revise the allocation for the Ministry of Digital Economy. The proposed change substitutes the recurrent expenditure figure with Rs. 6,400,000,000 on page 30, line 16 of the Bill. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 26 November 2025 AI summary An amendment was moved at the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, under Head 196, Programme 02. The intervention was procedural and did not include further argument or policy details. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 26 November 2025 AI summary At the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, an amendment was moved on behalf of the Minister of Finance for the Ministry of Science and Technology. The amendment proposes revised allocations of Rs. 3,170,000,000 for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 3,600,000,000 for capital expenditure. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Public Finance Read →
- 26 November 2025 AI summary The Minister outlined the Ministry’s first-year work to develop and implement a national research and development policy across 14 institutions, with coordination across other ministries and approximately Rs. 21 billion in science and technology-related public allocations. He said national research priorities, expert committees, a common evaluation framework, a research management MIS, ethical governance mechanisms, and a commercialization policy framework are being developed to improve transparency, coordination, and outcomes. He also detailed the revival of the Vidatha programme, including Cabinet-approved strategic planning, increased allocations from Rs. 902.8 million in 2025 to Rs. 1,151 million, and plans to upgrade 73 resource centres into mini-incubation centres to support small industries in collaboration with relevant ministries. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day InfrastructureEducationPublic Finance Read →
- 22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena acknowledged staffing issues in the health sector, noting that shortages affect not only doctors but also nurses. He said Budget allocations had been increased for nursing education, including Rs. 150 million for the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Medical Faculty and Rs. 150 million for nursing training schools, while emphasizing that addressing the nursing cadre shortage will take time. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) EducationPublic FinanceHealthcare Read →
- 22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena outlined Budget allocations to strengthen the health sector, including Rs. 605 million for scientific research into traditional medicine, Rs. 2,630 million for Emergency Accident Unit buildings in several districts, Rs. 650 million for further emergency unit expansion, and Rs. 4.2 billion for the Suwaseriya ambulance service. He said accident-related deaths and injuries require expanded emergency care and better-equipped ambulances with more highly trained emergency medical technicians. He also emphasized the need to improve job satisfaction among health workers, particularly doctors, noting their lengthy training, postgraduate commitments, on-call duties, and administrative challenges. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Public FinanceHealthcareEmployment Read →
- 22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena stated that Ayurveda and indigenous medicine require an evidence-based policy framework, structured roadmap, and strategic plan rather than ad hoc measures. He emphasized the absence of a data system in the indigenous medical sector and called for its establishment as a prerequisite for developing the sector. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Healthcare Read →
- 20 November 2025 AI summary The Minister of Science and Technology presented the National Science Foundation’s Annual Report for 2022. He proposed that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, and the House agreed to the motion. Papers Presented: Annual Reports (National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority, Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel, National Science Foundation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 November 2025 AI summary The Minister rejected allegations of misuse of official vehicles, stating that government vehicles are for official duties and that past administrations misused State vehicles and fuel. He noted that some officials receive both vehicle permits and official vehicles, and referred to the medical sector’s DAT allowance, now Rs. 35,000, as an example of attention to public servants’ concerns. He said the Government’s priority is to strengthen the economy before expanding benefits, rather than distributing cash indiscriminately. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
- 11 November 2025 AI summary Minister Chrishantha Abeysena defended the Government’s second Budget, arguing that it had restored fiscal and political stability, rebuilt reserves and cash balances, broadened the tax base, and prioritized macroeconomic discipline before expanding relief. He highlighted allocations for research commercialization, Vidatha resource centres, ICT, industrial zones, and village-level economic development, while stating that public service recruitment would proceed in a phased, needs-based manner. He said public sector salaries had been increased and would rise further through allocations extending to 2027, and rejected claims that vehicle allocations were for luxury use by MPs, stating they were for official duties and service delivery needs. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) InfrastructurePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
- 11 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Nanayakkara assumed the Chair. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Minister Chrishantha Abeysena supported regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act to impose maximum price ceilings for medicines by generic category, arguing that excessive mark-ups and brand-driven practices have burdened patients and undermined the health sector. He said price control must be accompanied by stronger quality testing, better laboratories, support for domestic manufacturers, and action against officials or practices that delay registrations or create shortages. He also addressed wider health workforce issues, opposing expansion of private medical colleges on the grounds of limited internship capacity and fiscal constraints, and called for balanced strengthening of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and allied health cadres. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 HealthcareCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 23 September 2025 AI summary The Minister of Science and Technology tabled the National Science Foundation Annual Reports for 2022 and 2023. He moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →