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 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera criticized Hon. Rohana Bandara’s Private Member’s Motion on State intervention in essential food imports and distribution, arguing that it was politically motivated and echoed policies already contained in the NPP Government’s programme. He stated that the Government is implementing plans to strengthen agriculture, food security, productivity, value chains, market stability, land management, input management, climate risk management, and research. He blamed previous administrations, including the UNP’s “Regaining Sri Lanka” policy, for weakening State involvement and damaging agriculture, and asserted that the current Government has public endorsement to rebuild the agro-economy. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
- 9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera presented three petitions from constituents in Maharagama, Piliyandala, and Thalangama. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera presented two petitions to Parliament, one from Mrs. G. Sunitha Perera of Piliyandala and another from Mrs. K.D.M. Athukorala of Pannipitiya. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions - Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 14 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera presented a petition from Mrs. G.J. Chamalkru de Silva of Pannipitiya. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera raised a second supplementary question alleging that some doctors stock and sell medicines directly to patients, which he described as irregular. He asked whether an existing body regulates this practice or whether the Government intends to establish one. Oral Question: Shortage of Pharmacists and External Pharmacist Examination (Q.492/2025) Healthcare Read →
- 7 March 2025 AI summary Questioned whether imposing large fines and requiring prominent newspaper advertisements for a minor offence is fair and proportionate. Raised concern that such penalties may be unduly harsh in relation to the nature of the offence. Oral Question: Shortage of Pharmacists and External Pharmacist Examination (Q.492/2025) Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera raised concerns about penalties under the NMRA Act for pharmacists dispensing medicines without prescriptions, noting that the public commonly seeks chronic medications such as metformin, atorvastatin and losartan without prescriptions. He asked whether heavy court fines and the requirement to publish a multilingual newspaper notice admitting guilt are proportionate, and whether the advertisement requirement can be removed. Oral Question: Shortage of Pharmacists and External Pharmacist Examination (Q.492/2025) Justice & Human RightsHealthcare Read →
- 7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media for details on the number of registered pharmacies and pharmacists in Sri Lanka and whether pharmacies are legally required to operate under registered pharmacist supervision under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 05 of 2015. He sought confirmation of a pharmacist shortage relative to registered pharmacies and requested information on measures already taken and planned to address it. He also questioned eligibility requirements for the External Pharmacist Examination, including the GCE A/L Chemistry credit requirement, and highlighted the low recent pass rate of 99 out of about 1,700 candidates. Oral Question: Shortage of Pharmacists and External Pharmacist Examination (Q.492/2025) Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
- 21 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera presented seven petitions from named citizens in Nawala, Homagama, Pannipitiya, Horana, Hambantota, Kotte, and the ABS Depositors’ Association. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Presented by Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 19 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera briefly clarified that he had not referred to any individual by name. The remark appears to have been made in response to an objection or point raised during the debate. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 19 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera supported the 2025 Budget, presenting it as a mandate-based plan to rebuild the country after economic collapse and criticising the Opposition for failing to offer substantive objections. He said the Budget strengthens the State sector, promotes productive national economic activity, reduces wasteful spending, mobilizes tax revenue and labour, and directs benefits to the public. He also argued that the Government is leading by example by cutting perks and improving efficiency and cleanliness in the State apparatus. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera asked whether the Urban Development Authority plans another operation to remove pavement vendors, noting that some traders were previously removed under beautification efforts while others have since forcibly occupied those spaces. He sought clarification on rumours of a renewed removal campaign. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market InfrastructureEmploymentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Dewananda Suraweera asked the Minister whether urgent relief measures could be taken for traders who were displaced overnight from long-running businesses due to “beautification” activities. He emphasized the severe impact on families and sought action beyond the future measures already outlined by the Minister. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market Cost of Living Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing about traders removed from Olcott Mawatha, Colombo 11 and relocated to shops at the Floating Market. It asked whether the Government is aware of poor sales at the new location, whether traders are seeking return to their former premises, whether restoration is possible, and what measures have been taken to improve the Floating Market. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market Land & Housing Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera defended the National People’s Power Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme as a five-year effort to rebuild the country through physical, environmental, social and moral reform. He argued that previous administrations had damaged public ethics, health, the environment and governance, and said the programme would address corruption, profiteering, narcotics networks and other harmful practices. He rejected Opposition criticism of the programme, cited the dispute over the cost of its launch ceremony, and called on MP Chamara Sampath to resign if the Government’s stated cost of Rs. 900,000 was correct. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Religion & CultureCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera asked the Minister what steps would be taken to resume or address stalled admissions following the settlement of the relevant case. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Education Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether the Ministry is aware of the settlement in Supreme Court fundamental rights case SC FR 55/2019 concerning admission to the Ayurveda Shastri course. He sought confirmation that the first petitioner was admitted in 2019, that the other petitioners had completed their examinations, and whether the Department of Ayurveda has taken steps to commence the Ayurveda Shastri course, requesting reasons if not. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Justice & Human RightsHealthcareEducation Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera questioned whether continued sale of the society’s properties could realistically repay depositors, noting that two land sales had yielded only about 10 per cent of the Rs. 1 billion owed and that four more sales would add only around 5 per cent. He asked what would happen to depositors and the society after the remaining lands were exhausted, and called for an immediate halt to the sale of these public assets. Oral Question: Maharagama Multi-purpose Co-operative Societies (Q.233/2024) Justice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera raised concerns about alleged large-scale theft and fraud in multi-purpose co-operative societies in Colombo District, particularly Maharagama, where he said Rs. 1 billion affecting 33,000 depositors is at issue. He said many depositors, including elderly people who used rural banks for savings, are in financial distress, and questioned the slow progress of inquiries by the Commissioner’s offices. He also argued that proposals to sell society properties would be inadequate, as the limited land available would recover only a small portion of the losses. Oral Question: Maharagama Multi-purpose Co-operative Societies (Q.233/2024) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 18 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera raised concerns about alleged irregularities at “Maga Neguma,” including repeated contract extensions for 65 officers appointed to wind up the institution and an alleged alteration of a cheque from Rs. 400,000 to Rs. 21 million. He further alleged that private companies were being used to profit through bonds amounting to about Rs. 12 billion, and asked whether an investigation would be conducted. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →