Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake, M.P.
Profession: Businessman
Speeches 40 #114 of 225·#58 in party
Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 12 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Petitions
Activity by sitting
25 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
40 speeches- 23 September 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mr. R. Shantha Dissanayake of Kehelwatta Hena, Wadakada, for the consideration of Parliament. Petitions Presented by Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake presented two petitions to Parliament on behalf of constituents from Kurunegala: Ms. J.M. Pamoda Devmini Jayasundara of Kudagalgamuwa and Mr. R.M.S.G. Wijekon Bandaranayake of Maraluwawatta, Samagi Mawatha. Opening and Speaker's Certificate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 August 2025 AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake discussed the resumption of vehicle imports from 1 February 2025 after a nearly five-year suspension, including battery-powered, petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles. He said difficulties with vehicles falling under “other” classifications led to Gazette No. 2434/04 of 28 April 2025 establishing a new taxation framework. He rejected Opposition concerns that imports would damage reserves or destabilize the economy, and urged support for the Government’s regulations and development measures. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 20 August 2025 AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake presented two public petitions to Parliament. The petitions were submitted on behalf of Mr. M. Rajapaksha of Naw Renilwatta, Gahindagolla, Kurunegala, and Mrs. W.I.P. Kumarihamy of Meegamuwa Road, Kurunegala. Citizens' Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake presented a petition on behalf of Mr. W.P. Senewirathna of No. 11, Araliya Uyana, Vavarum, Kurunegala. Petitions Presented to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 July 2025 AI summary The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake informed Parliament that he was presenting two public petitions. The petitions were submitted by Mr. D.M.M.B. Dissanayake of Negombo Road, Kurunegala, and Mr. M.G. Sumanadasa of Wilbawa Road, Kurunegala. Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 3 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake asked for a timeline to complete a hall in Kuliyapitiya, noting that about 75 per cent of the work had already been completed. He said the facility was urgently needed as a theatre space for the town and could generate revenue for both the Department and the school if finished quickly. Oral Question: Kuliyapitiya Central College Function Hall (Q.801/2025) Infrastructure Read →
- 3 June 2025 AI summary Asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will conduct an audit into the Deyata Kirula project, citing alleged misuse and loss of public funds during its implementation. He stated that the resulting wastage had contributed to the project being stalled for years. Oral Question: Kuliyapitiya Central College Function Hall (Q.801/2025) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 23 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake informed Parliament that he accepted three public petitions. The petitions were submitted by B.B.G. Premachandra of Wewauda, B.B.M. Sunil Athapaththu of Kurunegala, and S.S. Padmini of Mandapola. Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented by MPs Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake supported the regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act relating to vehicle import procedures, saying the Government had reopened vehicle imports after a five-year halt while maintaining economic stability. He argued that, within seven months, the Government had stabilized the exchange rate, improved reserves, revived several state-linked industries, reduced prices of selected essentials, and increased tourist arrivals. He criticized the Opposition for focusing on issues such as salt shortages and for leaving the Chamber after speeches, and called for more disciplined parliamentary conduct. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake raised a supplementary question to the Prime Minister about private tuition classes being held on Sunday mornings, when Buddhist temples and other religious institutions conduct religious education. He asked whether the Government has taken any decision to regulate such classes, noting their impact on Daham Pasal and other religious schools, including for younger children beyond O/L and A/L students. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Religion & CultureEducation Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake raised concerns about reported sexual abuse and misconduct involving children in private tuition classes and asked whether the Government would introduce regulation of such classes. He also questioned whether action would be taken regarding tuition tutors who lack proper educational qualifications. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Women & ChildrenEducation Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education whether private tuition classes targeting the GCE O/L and A/L examinations are regulated, and if not, why. He sought information on whether the Ministry is aware of the teachers conducting such classes and their qualifications, and raised concern that tuition classes are being held from 8.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. on school days. He requested details on action to be taken against such practices and measures to address any adverse impact on government schools. Oral Question: Private Tuition Regulation and Child Safety Education Read →
- 14 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake, speaking during the Vote on the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, focused on the coconut sector and said the Budget should support increased production, exports, intercropping, and value-added industries. He cited targets of about 3,000 million nuts annually and export earnings rising from Rs. 247 billion to Rs. 265 billion, while arguing that land fragmentation, alienation, and misuse of coconut estates had reduced production. He referred to past allocations of Kurunegala Plantations Limited lands and said stronger controls, improved inputs, fertilizer, irrigation restoration, and planned replanting/intercropping were needed to revive coconut cultivation, particularly in the North Western Province. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Land & HousingPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
- 10 March 2025 AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake noted that although about 500,000 tourists had arrived in Sri Lanka in 2025, only around 2 per cent had visited the North-Western Province. He proposed designating and developing the Puttalam District and wider North-Western Province as tourism zones, highlighting coastal attractions such as Kalpitiya and Battalangunduwa, inland reservoirs, Wilpattu, and historic capitals including Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, and Kurunegala. He said plans were being prepared with the provincial Governor, including cable-car projects and reservoir-based development, and called for stronger global promotion of the province as a tourist destination. Adjournment Motion: Development of North-Western Province as a Tourist Destination InfrastructureEnvironment Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake presented seven public petitions to Parliament from individuals in Kurunegala, Alakoladeniya, Thoriyaaya, Boyagane, Maeliya, Peradeniya, and Maspotha, including one from a person serving at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital. The intervention was procedural, formally accepting the petitions for parliamentary consideration. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake defended the NPP Government against Opposition criticism, saying it had passed important laws within two months in office and would maintain order and dignity in Parliament. Addressing the regulations under the Intellectual Property Act, he argued that the framework is important for protecting creative works by artists, scholars and authors, and for strengthening Sri Lankan brands in global trade. He cited Ceylon Tea, cashew, coconut, palmyrah and kithul products as examples of goods that could be developed, branded and protected through intellectual property measures. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
- 5 February 2025 AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake raised concerns about long-term under-application of fertilizer in coconut cultivation since around 2017, citing high fertilizer prices and the lengthy production cycle of coconuts as factors affecting yields. He asked whether the Government would provide concessions to estate owners and growers to obtain muriate of potash, which he described as essential for coconut production. Oral Question: Coconut Production Decline (Q.290/2024) Agriculture Read →
- 5 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake questioned the Government on the functioning of the Fragmentation Board, noting that although it was intended to prevent subdivision of plantation and coconut lands, it has lacked a Chairman and may have facilitated fragmentation instead. He asked whether new regulations would be introduced to strengthen prevention, whether the current requirement for Board approval for land parcels over five acres would be retained, and whether local authorities would be properly regulated in granting approvals. Oral Question: Coconut Production Decline (Q.290/2024) Land & HousingAgriculture Read →
- 5 February 2025 AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake asked the Prime Minister why coconut yields have declined despite the crop’s past importance as a leading export commodity and noted that Sri Lanka is now importing coconut to meet domestic needs. He sought details on the State and semi-State bodies responsible for coconut cultivation, the measures they have taken to meet local and export demand for coconut and related products, their effectiveness, and the Government’s short-, medium- and long-term plans to address the shortage. Oral Question: Coconut Production Decline (Q.290/2024) Agriculture Read →