Hon. D. V. Chanaka, M.P.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)· Hambantota

Profession: Parliamentarian

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 119 #40 of 225·#1 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

119 speeches

19 November 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka’s intervention consists only of an address to the Deputy Chairperson and contains no substantive remarks, proposals, questions, or arguments to summarize. 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 D.V. Chanaka invoked Standing Order 86(6) to clarify what he said was a misunderstanding of remarks by the Deputy Minister regarding Police circulars on Public Safety Committees. He alleged that in Hambantota District, Police had been instructed to bring 3,500 people—not only committee chairpersons—and to use public funds to provide meals for attendees of Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s rallies. He questioned whether public revenue and Police resources could be used for political rallies and tabled a related letter, which was placed in the Library. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & OrderParliamentary Procedure Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka raised a point of Order. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was presented in the provided 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 D.V. Chanaka briefly intervened to request permission to ask a question of the Deputy Minister. No substantive policy issue or proposal was stated 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 Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Minister on the process for issuing Police Clearances, stating that officials at Divisional Secretariats had indicated they were issued based only on Grama Niladhari certification. He alleged that Public Safety Committees had been politicized through appointments such as Members’ spouses, and raised concern about the implications when such appointees are in remand. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary The Hon. D.V. Chanaka requests a brief 10-second pause or opportunity to continue, without raising a substantive policy issue or proposal. 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 Hon. D.V. Chanaka rejected allegations against Hon. Namal Rajapaksa regarding his law degree and called on the Government to submit any evidence to the CID and courts rather than raise the matter in Parliament. He alleged that police officers in the Southern Province were being used to mobilize crowds for government events and said he possessed documentation, challenging the relevant Ministers to deny it. He also criticized a pickup truck procurement process, claiming tender conditions and timelines were designed to favour one supplier, and questioned whether a new circular requires Public Safety Committee approval for Police Clearances. He further argued that the Budget allocates an unusually low share to capital expenditure, which he said would weaken village-level economic activity. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Law & OrderCorruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka argued that household food costs have risen sharply, placing public servants under financial pressure, and suggested the current cost may exceed Rs. 100,000. He said onion, pumpkin, potato, and finger millet farmers are unable to sell their produce and urged the Government to allocate funds and address these issues before a planned gathering in Nugegoda on the 21st. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) AgricultureCost of Living Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka challenged the Government’s claim that the Budget contains no new taxes, arguing that widened VAT coverage and lower registration thresholds would increase the burden on consumers and small businesses despite promises to shift toward direct taxation. He criticised the removal of vehicle permit benefits for professionals and public officers, saying MPs had not received such permits since 2020 and urging priority for doctors in any vehicle imports. He also alleged that a tender for 1,700 cabs appeared tailored to one supplier through restrictive specifications, while urgent health procurement had been delayed. He further questioned the real value of proposed salary increases under inflation and called for the long-delayed Household Income and Expenditure Survey to be conducted urgently. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformEmployment Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka urged the Government to ensure high execution of capital expenditure in the forthcoming Budget, arguing that public expectations depend on implementation and citing earlier Budgets under Mahinda Rajapaksa as having achieved over 95 percent capital expenditure execution. He criticized the previous year’s low spending, alleging that allocations for essential drugs, hospital repairs, telecommunications towers, and other promises were largely not fulfilled. He also demanded an apology from the Sports Minister and the expunging of a remark from Hansard, stating it was insulting to visually impaired persons and to Parliament. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
24 October 2025 AI summary D.V. Chanaka expressed condolences on behalf of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and personally for several deceased former parliamentarians and political figures. He highlighted the service of Lohan Ratwatte, Heenmahatmaya Liyanage, Dixon J. Perera, Dr. Merwyn D. de Silva, Y.G. Padmasiri, R.M.R. Chula Bandara and Manikkavasagar Kanagasabapathy Ilanchelvendhan, noting their party roles, parliamentary or provincial service, and contributions to their electorates and the country. He extended sympathies to their families, including current and former public representatives related to some of the deceased. Votes of Condolence: Seven Former Members of Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary D.V. Chanaka rejected insinuations made in Parliament linking his murdered uncle to the underworld, stating that no police report or complaint contains such allegations and that he has filed legal action against a media outlet over similar claims. He challenged the Deputy Minister concerned to repeat the allegations outside Parliament and said continued references to the murder caused distress to his family. He also questioned the release of two containers allegedly flagged by the U.S. DEA and UNODC as containing ICE, asking whether a lawyer linked to a senior Cabinet Minister or officials helped secure their release and demanding answers on why Customs, police, and related personnel had not been arrested after six months. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary D.V. Chanaka objected to an implied reference concerning the murder of his wife’s father and rejected allegations of underworld links. He challenged the Deputy Minister to repeat such claims outside Parliament and noted that he had taken legal action against media outlets over similar statements. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary D.V. Chanaka briefly referred to a statement by the Deputy Minister that a former Minister’s father-in-law had been killed. No further substantive argument, proposal, or question is included in the provided excerpt. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Justice & Human Rights Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka raised a point of Order in Parliament. No further substantive argument, proposal, or question was included in the recorded speech. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka seconded the Motion supporting the independence of the National Police Commission, arguing that the powers granted under the 19th Amendment over police appointments, promotions, transfers, discipline, and dismissal should remain with the Commission. He requested government intervention to ensure Special Task Force officers receive fair promotion parity with other police ranks. He also cited allegations of politicized transfers and intimidation of officers, warning that shifting NPC powers to the IGP could worsen abuse and undermine police independence. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka supported the Private Members’ Motion on strengthening medicine quality assurance, stating that medicines must be safe and that the Opposition would assist the Government’s efforts. He argued that, after nearly a year in office, the Government should move beyond blaming the previous administration and address current shortages of essential drugs, IVs, surgical items and supplies in government hospitals. Citing examples including Papaverine, Metaraminol, Dextrose, Naloxone, cardiac surgery items and sutures, he said patients are being required to purchase critical materials privately, sometimes at costs around Rs. 100,000, and urged the Government to procure them through proper tenders or international channels. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary D.V. Chanaka argued that the Government should be held to its first-year promises, particularly on initiating abolition of the executive presidency, reducing electricity and fuel costs, raising estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,700, and building 4,000 houses. He questioned tariff increases after the election and cited economic indicators, FDI shortfalls, rising inflation, higher essential food prices, and farmer protests to argue that the Government’s management of agriculture, industry, and cost-of-living issues had fallen short. He also criticized underuse of cold storage facilities in Dambulla and said governance should not depend on whether public protests emerge. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers Public FinanceAgricultureCost of Living Read →
26 September 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka stated that he had initiated legal action against a television channel and social media figures over allegations linking him and his father-in-law to the underworld, and urged MPs to respond to accusations outside Parliament rather than relying on privilege. He argued that COPE should examine why major projects, including those funded by JICA and other development projects halted after 2015, failed or caused large losses. He also alleged serious irregularities in the release of 323 containers under the current Government, citing findings from a Presidential Committee report and calling for its tabling, a forensic audit, and CID and Police investigations into possible security and public health risks. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. D. V. Chanaka offered condolences on behalf of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna for five former Members of Parliament, focusing particularly on Hon. Gamini Lokuge. He recalled Lokuge’s long political career from 1983 to 2024, his service to Kesbewa, roles as Minister and State Minister, involvement in tourism development, support for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government during the war, and later leadership in the “Mahinda Sulanga” movement and the SLPP. He also emphasized Lokuge’s close engagement with trade unions and constituents, describing his routine interventions to resolve public and public service issues. Votes of Condolence: Late Former Members of Parliament (P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, W. B. Ranatunga) Parliamentary Procedure Read →