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- 24 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena moved that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair during proceedings. The motion was put to the House and agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary Minister Abeysena said the Easter Sunday attacks occurred under the Yahapalana Government and argued that responsibility lay with that administration, while noting that the current Government has been in office for only seven months. He stated that investigations into issues such as Sara Jasmine, “Sonic Sonic,” Jameel, Ibrahim, and alleged links involving security and political figures are ongoing, and cautioned that prosecutions should not be rushed without complete evidence. He said the Government is implementing reforms on depoliticizing education and policing, maintaining national security, and supporting victims, including by establishing a dedicated clinic at Katuwapitiya with home-visit nursing services. He reaffirmed that the judiciary and Attorney-General’s Department are independent, while saying the Government expects efficiency and remains committed to finding the truth. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
- 21 May 2025 AI summary Minister Chrishantha Abeysena argued that commemorating war dead and “Ranaviruwo” should be consistent with reconciliation and should not be treated as racism, stressing that all Sri Lankans affected by war, including people in the North and South, deserve remembrance. He said the NPP’s politics is policy-based and multi-ethnic, rejected claims that it is a racist party, and stated that land and economic issues in the North and East should be addressed under one law with additional Budget focus. He also noted that the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation held commemorations across all 25 districts and tabled statements calling for accountability, reconciliation, non-violence, and respect for diversity. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionSecurity & Defence Read →
- 21 May 2025 AI summary The Minister of Science and Technology tabled the 2021 Annual Report of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka. He proposed that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, and the House agreed. Papers - Annual Reports Tabling Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Presented the First Report of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha assumed the Chair. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 April 2025 AI summary The Minister, speaking during debate on the Batalanda Commission Report, accused the UNP leadership of responsibility for anti-democratic actions, torture, disappearances and killings during 1977-1990, particularly under J.R. Jayewardene, R. Premadasa and Ranil Wickremesinghe. He cited events including the 1980 general strike dismissals, burning of the Jaffna Library, the 1982 referendum, Black July, party bans, suppression of student unions, and alleged torture centres such as Batalanda. Referring to an Amnesty International report and the ICCPR right to life, he argued that JVP, SLFP, LSSP and even UNP members were detained, tortured, disappeared or killed, and linked these abuses to state security forces and associated groups operating at the time. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 17 March 2025 AI summary The Minister discussed the role of religion and culture in Sri Lankan society, stating that children should be able to study their chosen religion in schools and that inter-religious harmony should be promoted through an inter-religious council and comparative religious studies. He said religion and ethnicity had been used politically, referred to the Easter Sunday attacks as requiring a proper investigation, and pledged that the Government would consolidate evidence and pursue justice through the Attorney General. He noted increased allocations for Christian affairs and overall religious affairs, proposed designating Madhu Church as a centre for peace and harmony, and said constitutional reform must be accompanied by changes in attitudes in both the North and South, while the economy remains the immediate priority. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionReligion & CultureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena moved that the Committee report Progress and seek leave to sit again. The motion was agreed to, and the Committee reported Progress, with proceedings scheduled to resume on Wednesday, 12 March 2025. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 March 2025 AI summary An amendment was presented during the Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill. The amendment related to Head 186, Programme 02. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 March 2025 AI summary An amendment was presented at the Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill on behalf of the Minister of Finance relating to the Ministry of Digital Economy. The proposal sought to replace the Ministry’s capital allocation with Rs. 9,871,000,000. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Public Finance Read →
- 11 March 2025 AI summary At the Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, an amendment was presented under Head 196, Programme 02. The intervention was procedural and did not include further substantive argument or policy details. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 March 2025 AI summary At the Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, an amendment was moved on behalf of the Minister of Finance relating to the Ministry of Science and Technology. It proposed replacing the Ministry’s capital allocation figure with Rs. 2,950,000,000. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena outlined the Ministry of Science and Technology’s focus on applying technology to address malnutrition, rising non-communicable diseases, disability support, and rural access to innovation. He cited high-protein biscuits with commercialization potential, assistive devices for persons with disabilities, expanded use of Vidatha Resource Centres, and media officers to communicate science in plain language. He also emphasized inter-ministerial collaboration without unnecessary formal barriers and noted the Ministry’s allocations of Rs. 2.8 billion recurrent and Rs. 2.2 billion capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) EnvironmentHealthcareInfrastructure Read →
- 11 March 2025 AI summary The Minister said science and technology spending under the NPP Government would be treated as investment, with research funding directed to areas that raise income, earn foreign exchange, substitute imports, and support exports, including Rs. 1,000 million allocated for innovation and commercialization. He emphasized coordinating research institutions across ministries, avoiding duplication, and using scientific evaluation and policy briefs to translate research into policy. He cited ongoing work on human-elephant conflict, elephant-train collisions with domestically manufacturable braking and rail-gate technologies, fisheries productivity, evidence-based development of traditional medicine, commercialization of medical innovations, and renewable energy including solar and thermal resources. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) EducationInfrastructureEnvironment Read →
- 11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena outlined the institutions, funding and policy direction under the Ministry of Science and Technology, noting over Rs. 5,000 million for the Ministry and its agencies, Rs. 1,000 million for an Innovation Fund, and a broader Rs. 20.98 billion Budget allocation for science, technology and innovation. He said the Government would update and adopt the Research and Development Policy through NASTEC, establish national research priorities and a Treasury-linked funding mechanism from 2026, and strengthen commercialization through the National Initiative for Research and Development Commercialization. He also highlighted efforts to engage overseas Sri Lankan scientists, add value to local resources, and commercialize specific research outputs, including supercapacitors for electric vehicles, locally developed antivenom, and agricultural technologies to reduce chemical fertilizer use. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Public FinanceEducationInfrastructure Read →
- 24 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Science and Technology tabled the Industrial Technology Institute’s Annual Report for 2022, which had been referred to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Science and Technology. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Annual Report of Industrial Technology Institute Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 February 2025 AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s first Budget, arguing that the economic collapse and institutional weaknesses were rooted in past administrations and that the current priority is economic stabilization, productivity, exports, and rebuilding confidence. He said Rs. 20.9 billion has been allocated across government for science and technology, including funds for health testing, plantation crops, fisheries, farming, bamboo cultivation, and universities, with Rs. 5 billion to his Ministry. He also responded to criticism on public-sector pay, stating that past allowance-based salary adjustments created disparities and that the proposed increases would reach full implementation within one year and nine months from April 2025, without new taxes in the Budget. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) AgriculturePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
- 21 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Chrishantha Abeysena moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair during the sitting. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara assumed it. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Minister Chrishantha Abeysena moved that Hon. Aravinda Senarath take the Chair during the proceedings. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Aravinda Senarath assumed it. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Parliamentary Procedure Read →