Hon. Dilith Jayaweera, M.P.

Sarvajana Balaya (SB)· National List

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 66 #75 of 225·#1 in party

Attendance 3/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

66 speeches

9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that Sri Lanka is approaching a serious economic crisis, saying official indicators such as the primary surplus do not reflect weaknesses in the real economy, including agriculture, tea, manufacturing, SMEs and industry. He compared Sri Lanka’s low usable reserves with India’s and said tourism policy should focus on increasing revenue per visitor, claiming this could generate an additional USD 2–3 billion. He also denied allegations of interfering in investigations relating to Major General Suresh Sallay, stating that he had only participated in a Bodhi Pooja for Sallay’s health and objecting to his continued detention. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Cost of LivingEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera raised concern that Government figures, including the President, had referred publicly to court judgments and timelines at May Day rallies, arguing that this pressured the judiciary and placed the Minister of Justice in a difficult position. He criticized the use of State power and political rhetoric to intimidate the Opposition, while also questioning the Government’s handling of mysterious deaths of State officers. He argued that the Government was focusing on taxation and a primary surplus without addressing economic contraction, rupee depreciation, rising electricity costs, and the impact on private investment and industry. He urged the Government to move away from intimidation politics and present practical plans to prepare the public and economy for current global and domestic shocks. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
10 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera supported the No-Confidence Motion by alleging that the coal procurement matter, cited by the Auditor General, reflected major corruption despite the Government’s anti-corruption mandate. He highlighted findings on Trident’s alleged lack of accreditation for sample verification and the expiry of umpire samples, and argued that those involved should face prosecution under the Public Property Act, Penal Code, and related corruption and conspiracy provisions. He called on COPE, the Bribery Commission Director General, and the Attorney General to act promptly against those responsible. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
8 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government over the coal procurement controversy, citing the Auditor’s Report and alleging sham tendering, unlicensed certification, and major financial loss, while arguing that responsibility extends beyond the Minister to the President. He disputed government claims that there were no power cuts, referring to a system report indicating manual load shedding due to inadequate generation, and questioned the Government’s strategy for addressing economic collapse across the private sector, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and industry. He called for an innovation-driven, enterprise-based economy with domestic strategies on energy, food security, and sovereignty, and alleged that the Executive was attempting to interfere with the judiciary by extending the Chief Justice’s retirement. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy AgricultureCorruption & Governance ReformCost of Living Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that the Government faces a public trust deficit over its handling of the fuel and energy situation amid the Middle East crisis, and called for clear disclosure of fuel stock figures by type and monthly requirements. He criticized the absence of strategic reserves, inadequate preparation for energy-security risks, and insufficient attention to renewable energy and contingency planning. He also questioned the decision to ask the private sector to close on Wednesday, saying it harms daily-wage earners and small businesses, and urged alternatives such as work-from-home. He further accused the Government of lacking an independent foreign policy and said poor engagement with BRICS had reduced Sri Lanka’s access to strategic support. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Foreign AffairsCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera responded to Hon. Mujibur Rahuman’s remarks on prosecutions under the Yahapalana Government, stating that Rahuman and his colleagues were themselves part of that administration. He argued that responsibility for any actions or omissions during that period should be shared by those who participated in that Government. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera called for Sri Lanka to act according to a nonviolent, civilizational ethos rooted in Buddhist teachings. He said the country should serve as a mediator in global conflicts and promote peace through its philosophical vision. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Foreign AffairsReligion & Culture Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera requested a brief extension of speaking time from the Presiding Member. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government’s approach to women’s policy as based on imported feminist ideas that, he argued, do not reflect Sri Lankan social realities centred on motherhood and the family. He urged the Government to focus on practical economic empowerment for women, including self-employment, entrepreneurship, skills, creativity and access to capital, and to deliver on its promises amid economic hardship. He also warned that Sri Lanka needs a coherent foreign policy and regional geostrategic strategy to safeguard national security. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Cost of LivingWomen & ChildrenForeign Affairs Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera opposed the proposed pension reform, arguing that it was motivated by hostility toward former JVP/NPP MPs who had contributed salaries and allowances to the party and now lack financial support, citing former MP Charitha Premasiri Manage as an example. He called instead for reasonable reforms such as need-based assistance or contributory mechanisms to protect financially vulnerable former representatives and encourage clean public service. He also urged caution over statements linking a slain lawyer in the Akuregoda incident to the underworld without proof, and asked government leaders to avoid broad claims that Sri Lanka is a “racist country” without specifying the conduct being addressed. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
20 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that education reforms are necessary but risk undermining free education unless implemented through a structured pilot programme. He criticised the current Grade 1 reforms, citing the abolition of copybooks, lack of printed teacher guides, reliance on QR codes and digital equipment, and requests for schools to procure TVs and sound systems, and said children were being used as test subjects. He also raised concerns about delays in school uniforms and urged the President to retract a statement made in Jaffna if it had caused ethnic or religious tension. He referred to the remand of Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero and alleged vilification of the Sangha, while calling for protection of all religious and ethnic communities. Debate - Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Religion & CultureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionEducation Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government’s proposed education reforms, arguing that they are unilateral, lack a regulatory framework, and undermine the principles of free education. He questioned whether Government members were being led toward authoritarian practices and urged them to oppose the reforms. He called on members to join a protest in Matugama at the statue of C.W.W. Kannangara to defend free education. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations EducationCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera, speaking during debate on regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act, argued that Sri Lanka’s external finances remain in severe distress despite reported export earnings, tourism income and remittances, citing import costs, weak official reserves, rupee depreciation and a negative international investment position. He called for more transparent, data-based parliamentary debate rather than leaving economic decisions to technocrats, and urged collective national action in response to IMF-recognised vulnerabilities. He also criticised the Government as a continuation of the 2015 Yahapalana administration and alleged risks to sovereignty, public education, culture and wealth creation under current policies. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Foreign AffairsCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera said the Opposition initially supported emergency regulations in good faith following a serious disaster, but argued that the current provisions include matters unrelated to disaster relief and could be misused. He urged the Government to limit or reframe the regulations strictly to what is necessary for disaster response, warning that Sri Lanka’s history of emergency misuse has created public suspicion. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera said tourism earnings remain low despite high domestic costs, noting that average room rates are still over 20 percent below pre-Easter 2019 levels and that some Colombo five-star rates may amount to a net loss for the country. He proposed using Tourism Development Levy revenues for stronger nation branding and global promotional campaigns to attract higher-spending tourists and better position Sri Lanka against competing destinations. Question by Private Notice: Credit Expansion and Ministerial Statement on Tourism Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera responded to being named over a “Derana” programme, stating it was an interview with senior Meteorological Department officials and that any dispute over their statements should be addressed to them. He also asked for clarification on whether a Government MP had sat in the Kandy District Secretary’s chair, and urged Members not to target media owners during a national tragedy. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera rejected claims that an Opposition visit to Kandy after severe damage from a national tragedy was politically disruptive, stating that MPs went to gather data, identify relief gaps, and offer assistance. He alleged that a Government MP had improperly occupied the District Secretary’s chair during their visit and called for respect for public officials and an apology over the incident. He urged the Government to allow parliamentary discussion of Opposition proposals and to establish a national, participatory strategy with short-, medium-, and long-term measures for relief, recovery, and economic rebuilding. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera requested permission from the Presiding Member to make a brief clarification. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government’s proposed education reforms, arguing that they lack detailed documentation, prior study, implementation clarity, and alignment with Sri Lanka’s cultural and historical context. He said the reforms do not address the aspirations of younger generations for entrepreneurship, creativity, independence, and self-directed learning, and risk producing compliance-oriented students instead. He called for a fair dialogue on genuine education reform, focusing on fixing existing deficiencies in schools and universities rather than adopting what he described as unsuitable foreign models. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Education Read →
25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera urged the Education Ministry to reconsider circulars that prevent private individuals and alumni from entering schools to support development projects, citing his own contributions to schools in Galle and other areas. He said restrictions have forced donations, such as musical instruments, to be handed over through Sunday schools instead of schools, and argued that such social service should be facilitated. He affirmed support for free education and called for a forward-looking roadmap in the Ministry’s estimates and reforms rather than focusing on past shortcomings. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Education Read →