Hon. Dewananda Suraweera, M.P.
Profession: Politician
Speeches 41 #112 of 225·#57 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 16 speeches
Last spoke 9 June 2026 in Oral question
Activity by sitting
27 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
41 speeches- 9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera formally asked the listed parliamentary Question. No substantive details or supplementary argument were included in the speech. Oral Questions 1-10 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 19 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera raised a supplementary question on the Non-Formal Education Unit established in 1997 to support compulsory education. He stated that the unit had weakened over time and lacked clear direction, and asked what measures were being taken to revitalize it. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Education Read →
- 19 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera acknowledged Ministry efforts on special educational needs learners and school system recovery but argued that outcomes remain inadequate. He questioned the reliability of recently provided dropout data and asked what concrete measures would be taken to ensure compulsory education mechanisms meet regularly, monitor early absences, and reduce dropouts among children aged 5 to 16 under the policy in place since 1997. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Education Read →
- 19 May 2026 AI summary Asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to report on implementation of compulsory education regulations for children aged 5–16 in government schools in the Western Province. He sought details on whether school committees had been established, whether intermittent attendees, long-term absentees, dropouts, low-achieving students, and students with special educational needs had been identified, and the relevant numbers. He also requested information on the officers responsible, special education programmes, and any regulatory process for readmitting students who leave school. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Education Read →
- 7 May 2026 AI summary Dewananda Suraweera supported extending the emergency under the Public Security Ordinance, stating it was proclaimed to manage the aftermath of the Ditva cyclone and speed up reconstruction and relief. He said the emergency is intended to expedite procurement, repair infrastructure, allocate land for displaced people, maintain essential services, and protect officials acting urgently, not to restrict democracy, unions, assemblies, or protests. He argued the measure is necessary to restore normalcy, support economic revival, tourism, and investment, while criticizing the Opposition’s attacks and inviting constructive criticism. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Security & DefencePublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
- 3 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera tabled two petitions received from Mr. Tharindu Priyankara Weerasinghe of Maharagama and Mr. W. Dissanayake of Mirihana, Kotte. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera supported the Motor Vehicles Intoxicants Regulations and Expressways Regulations, arguing that they are necessary to reduce road deaths and improve public safety in the transport sector. He framed the measures as part of the government’s broader effort to address inherited failures in transport, infrastructure and governance, while criticizing the Opposition for past mismanagement and for qualifying support for reforms. He also responded to references to Lasantha Wickrematunge’s murder, stating that the government had a mandate to pursue accountability for past abuses under the rule of law. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 5 December 2025 AI summary Tabled a petition from Mr. H.M.S.K. Herath of No. 1330, 10th Lane, Pannipitiya, for the consideration of Parliament. Petitions - Citizens' Petitions Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera criticized the Opposition for lacking constructive proposals and said the Government’s 2026 Budget addresses long-standing water supply problems, including low pressure, interruptions, and quality concerns in areas such as Homagama, Kaduwela, and Maharagama. He highlighted two planned projects: a Rs. 200 million Greater Colombo water and wastewater management initiative to reduce non-revenue water from about 50 per cent to 18 per cent, and a Rs. 3,995 million Ambatale energy conservation project to modernize pumping, pipelines, and automation systems. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
- 8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera supported the 2026 Budget, describing it as part of the National People’s Power Government’s mandate following the 2024 elections and as a continuation of a new political culture without misuse of public funds or undue privileges. He argued that the Government inherited a bankrupt economy and damaged systems after decades of mismanagement, and said the 2025 Budget had met its financing targets and received international recognition. He rejected Opposition criticism as unfounded and stated that the 2026 Budget aims to reduce rural poverty, strengthen the economy, improve health, promote environmental sustainability, and develop safe, efficient and sustainable transport, with economic benefits reaching all levels of society. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Public FinanceAgricultureInfrastructure Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera presented a petition to Parliament from Mr. S. Guruge of No. 29, Nandana Gardens, Yahanpath Mawatha, Maharagama. Petitions Presented to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera supported the Rs. 36,609 million Supplementary Estimate for the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, stating it reallocates funds following halted donor disbursements after the 2022 economic crisis and supports domestic debt servicing and ongoing infrastructure work. He said the Government had not borrowed for highways in 2025 and was continuing road, bridge, highway and rural transport projects within the approved Rs. 435,100 million allocation. He also highlighted deficiencies in mass transit, alleged route-level mismanagement in several Colombo District services, and said the Government’s policy was to develop sustainable transport as part of broader economic and environmental goals. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
- 25 September 2025 AI summary Dewananda Suraweera defended the NPP Government’s record while speaking in the context of regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, arguing that it inherited a bankrupt and criminalized state linked to drug networks and weakened rule of law. He cited increased state revenue, improved reserves, anti-drug and anti-crime efforts, and welfare measures including higher public and private sector minimum wages, pension increases, education support, Aswesuma expansion, and assistance for kidney patients. He also referred to Sri Lanka’s improved democracy ranking, World Bank recognition of recovery, President Anura Dissanayake’s election, and the President’s UN General Assembly speech calling for collective global action. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports Corruption & Governance ReformCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary A petition from B. M. D. Senarathna of Mawalass Gardens, Meegoda, was tabled for the attention of Parliament. Tabling of Committee Report and Petitions (Second Round) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of B. M. D. Senarathna of Mawalass Gardens, Meegoda. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera presented two petitions, one from Mr. S.A. Dharmadasa of Nugegoda and one from Mr. S. Udakandage of Maharagama. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera presented four petitions from residents of Maharagama, Gampaha, Kelaniya and Nugegoda. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions: Citizens' petitions presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 July 2025 AI summary Presented two public petitions to Parliament: one from Mr. A. Gamagé and seven others of Mirihana, Nugegoda, and another from Mr. G.L. Mendis Abeysekara of Maharagama. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera supported the amendment to the transport law after 30 years, arguing it is needed to restore discipline and safety in a disordered passenger transport sector. He said the Bill extends regulation beyond buses to school transport, office transport and three-wheelers under a unified framework to protect the public and improve standards. He emphasized that regulation would bring dignity, order and social protection to three-wheeler drivers while addressing crime and misconduct by a minority in the sector. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Law & OrderInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
- 22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera presented a petition to Parliament on behalf of Mrs. H.I.S. Kaldera of Thalawathugoda. No further details on the subject matter of the petition were provided. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →