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

9 July 2025 AI summary The Hon. D.V. Chanaka briefly responded to an interruption by questioning why he should apologize to another Member. He denied an unspecified allegation or implication before being interrupted again. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned whether the current party was connected to individuals linked to the Easter Sunday bombings, citing claims about Ibrahim’s funding role. He referred to Presidential Commission findings that called for investigations and indictments against those involved in the attacks, conspiracies, and dereliction of responsibility, and questioned the propriety of assigning related investigations to officials against whom allegations exist. He also cited a court matter involving the Secretary in charge of Police to argue that unresolved allegations could undermine confidence in the investigative process. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Corruption & Governance ReformSecurity & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary D.V. Chanaka briefly intervened to tell the Minister to pose a question if he had one. No substantive policy issue, legislative matter, or proposal was raised in the remark. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Government’s handling of police and CID appointments and investigations, alleging political involvement and selective disclosure of information. He referred to inquiries connected to the Easter Sunday attacks, including claims about seized bank accounts and funding, and challenged the Government’s position on ISIS involvement. He also criticized statements by government figures about possessing “files” on MPs and raised concerns about national list appointments. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Law & OrderCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka objected to his allotted speaking time being reduced. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised in the quoted remark. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Clarified that no individual’s name was mentioned in the preceding remarks. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka challenged the Government’s claim that public officials are non-partisan, alleging that senior police, CID and Defence Ministry officials had appeared at political press conferences at the Government’s Pelawatte office before receiving key appointments. He argued that these officials are aligned with the Government and questioned claims about accountability failures, noting that the same CID leadership was in place during the period when intelligence reports and incidents relevant to the matter were recorded. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary D.V. Chanaka asked the Prime Minister for detailed data on Sri Lanka’s foreign direct investment from 2005 to May 2025, including annual inflows, components, and value by category, in the context of growth and IMF-related debt repayment capacity. He also sought specific information on the Supreme SAT communication satellite project, including the amount invested in 2011–2012, whether the Government contributed funds, and whether Sri Lanka has received any financial or non-financial benefits from the satellite. Oral Questions to Prime Minister: Pension Disputes and FDI Public Finance Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka presented a petition to Parliament on behalf of Mrs. H.S.R. Fonseka of “Prasad,” Panapitiya, Mananduwa Road, Waskaduwa, Kalutara. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka asked the Government to confirm whether two reported MoUs on an India–Sri Lanka electricity grid interconnection and a Trincomalee energy hub are genuine, and called for their disclosure if they are valid national agreements. While supporting regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act on recovering assets linked to false declarations, he argued that anti-corruption laws must be applied equally to the Government, Opposition and the public. He demanded updates or investigations into issues including the “323 containers” allegation, the use of “Dr.” before Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara’s name, alleged rice import fraud, and delays in connecting temple solar panels to the grid. He also objected to ministerial comments suggesting courts were not independent in the past, saying such remarks undermine judicial independence. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformInfrastructure Read →
23 May 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka thanked voters for the SLPP’s improved performance at the local elections, arguing that the party had recovered significantly from its low vote share at the presidential election despite limited organization and representation. He alleged that rival parties were seeking support from independents to form local councils and criticized the Government for politicizing village security structures through Civil Defence or Public Security Committees involving Development Committee Chairmen. He also raised concerns about shortages and price increases in essentials, particularly salt, questioning delays in imports despite domestic production capacity and alleging irregularities in the import process. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Law & OrderCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka criticized the Government’s decision to debate the 25-year-old Batalanda Commission Report, arguing that it had gained attention only after a recent Al Jazeera interview with Ranil Wickremesinghe and a demand from the Frontline Socialist Party. He accused the JVP of past violence, including destruction of infrastructure, attacks, killings and robberies, and rejected its justification that it took up arms after being banned by the J.R. Jayewardene Government. He argued that the JVP’s actions contributed significantly to Sri Lanka’s economic decline and said the country was rebuilt after 2009 despite later challenges such as COVID-19. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary D.V. Chanaka stated that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna supports the Bill to vest proceeds of crime in the State, while warning that such laws must not be used for political purposes, citing past examples including the FCID and public property legislation. He urged the Government to recover criminally obtained assets held overseas and use them as previously promised, including for debt repayment. He also alleged misuse of COPA proceedings regarding a vehicle linked to Yoshitha Rajapaksa and tabled related documents, and challenged Government claims on foreign reserves by citing Central Bank data on reserve levels before and after September 2024. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka briefly intervened to ask what additional material or evidence existed beyond a recording. The remark appears to seek clarification during the debate or exchange on the matter being discussed. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka disputed Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe’s account of a prior remark, stating that he had recordings showing the Minister referred to “Sama Posha.” He said he had requested the relevant Hansard record, which was not yet printed, and indicated the matter could be verified once it became available. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned why the subsidized Aswesuma goods pack includes Samaposha instead of the state-owned Suposha, arguing that use of Suposha could benefit a state enterprise and support services for pregnant mothers, and raised concerns about possible links with Ceylon Biscuits Limited through the Sathosa chair. He urged the Government to reconsider proposed changes to doctors’ and nursing officers’ overtime, holiday duty, allowances, and promotion structures, presenting them as unfair to health-sector workers. He stated that the SLPP would vote against the Budget, citing unmet election pledges and concerns over water standards, Customs container disposal, fuel and electricity price promises, graduate employment, vehicle taxes, withholding tax, and taxes on school supplies, food, and online content creators. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading HealthcarePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Government’s rice import process, citing media reports of credit terms, inspection requirements, and four failed tenders. He argued that imports made at an exchange rate of Rs. 292 still resulted in higher retail rice prices than in 2023 when the dollar was Rs. 320, causing losses to consumers. He also alleged that the President’s decision to raise millers’ margins by Rs. 10 per kilogram for 100 days gave millers Rs. 6.5 billion in additional profit at the public’s expense. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformCost of Living Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Minister on rice price controls, noting that varieties such as Keeri Samba were being sold above the controlled price and warning that similar increases had preceded wider price spikes. He argued that household rice expenditure from October to January had risen by about Rs. 16 billion compared with the previous year, placing an additional burden on the public. He also asked whether, during an estimated 70,000 MT shortfall, the Indian High Commission had proposed a Government-to-Government rice supply arrangement and whether the Government had imposed conditions on it. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Minister’s handling of rice price controls, arguing that the Government’s claim about lacking paddy or rice stocks did not justify continued price increases and that coordination with the PMB and Sathosa was required. Citing Department of Census and Statistics weekly price data, he compared late 2023/early 2024 prices with late 2024/early 2025 prices and said Red Nadu, White Kekulu, and Red Kekulu had risen substantially since the current Government took office. He asked how prices could be controlled with only Rs. 5 billion allocated for paddy procurement and alleged that actual procurement covered only a very small share of national rice needs, while some varieties were already being sold above controlled prices. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka wished Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe success and then questioned the Government’s paddy purchasing programme. He asked how many metric tons of paddy had been purchased so far from the Rs. 5 billion allocation, noting that this amount would cover only about four and a half days of national paddy requirements, and requested a direct answer from the Minister. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Agriculture Read →