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

21 November 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera urged that entrepreneurship be treated as a core element of national strategy rather than a vague concept. He called for studying regional and global competition and argued that embedding entrepreneurship in the national mindset would help address social problems such as drug use and support national development. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Law & OrderEmployment Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera said his party would support the Government if it was convinced that the Government’s programme was genuine, nationally focused and not influenced by external interests. Referring to the Tangalle rally on drugs, he argued that addressing drug use requires broader economic development and opportunities for youth, including access to capital, credit, training and scholarships, rather than relying only on political campaigns around a single issue. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Law & OrderCost of LivingEmployment Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that the Budget under Industry and Entrepreneurship Development lacks a clear strategy for wealth creation and should prioritize building an entrepreneurial mindset from early education rather than only focusing on debt and tax revenue. He said Sri Lanka should engage the IMF from a position of strength while pursuing a national economic agenda, and cautioned against policies he described as externally driven. He also called for urgent enforcement action in the tourism sector, alleging that some foreign visitors are operating informal businesses and illegal activities without paying taxes or retaining value in Sri Lanka. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day EducationPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
18 November 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government over events at the Seethawaka Municipal Council, alleging political interference against an opposition councillor, and said this reflected a departure from promised democratic standards. In the Committee Stage debate on national security, he argued that the Government had weakened the armed forces and intelligence services, damaged morale and public trust in enlistment, and exposed the country to external pressure, including in relation to Geneva and accountability issues. He linked weakened intelligence to the Easter Sunday attacks and urged the Government to reassess its security policies, protect military personnel, and address what he described as imminent national security threats. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Parliamentary ProcedureSecurity & DefenceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera described the Trincomalee incident as a sensitive matter that could escalate and criticized the Deputy Minister’s response as weak. He urged that the issue be approached from a common national civilizational perspective, without ethnic or religious divisions, and resolved in a way that preserves peace rather than relying solely on court action. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLaw & Order Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government’s Budget as fully liberal and disconnected from village-level realities, arguing that ruling party cadres cannot defend it among rural communities. He said he had intended to address issues in the tourism sector but instead focused on what he described as the Government’s failure to represent Sri Lankans, challenging Ministers to engage directly with villagers. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Public Finance Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government for, in his view, undermining Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural traditions, particularly in relation to the treatment of monks and remarks about practices such as statue and snake veneration. He argued that such practices form part of Buddhist, Hindu and wider cultural heritage and warned that the public would oppose perceived attacks on them. He also accused the Government and leftist parties of abandoning past anti-imperialist and pro-poor positions, citing alleged agreements with the United States and the imposition of VAT on small traders. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Cost of LivingReligion & CultureForeign Affairs Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera raised concern over an incident at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bauddhiraja Viharaya, linking it to what he described as Government rhetoric hostile to Sinhalese Buddhist practices and civilization. He argued that national unity, peace, and respect for Buddhist values are essential for tourism and other enterprises, and questioned why Police allegedly assaulted monks, including Kassapa Thero, in that context. He denied making a racist argument but claimed Government statements about religious practices may have influenced Police conduct and fuelled unnecessary communal tensions. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Law & OrderReligion & CultureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera briefly affirmed that the persons or group under discussion were “very much part” of the matter being referenced. No further details, proposals, or questions were provided in the quoted intervention. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera made a brief interjection stating that the remarks being made were “giving me ideas.” No substantive policy proposal, question, or legislative argument was presented in this excerpt. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera acknowledged some positive developments under the Government, including improved ease of doing business and greater space for new political voices, but warned that expectations of zero corruption and democratic openness appeared to be weakening. Critiquing the Budget, he argued that it lacked a national vision and relied on IMF-driven fiscal targets, taxation, and primary surplus claims rather than a credible plan for growth and public welfare. He said poverty, unemployment, and reduced purchasing power were worsening, and criticized the continuation or expansion of taxes on essentials such as health, school supplies, and milk powder despite earlier promises. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera condemned the Minister of Public Security’s response to the murder of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, arguing that labelling the victim before due process violated the presumption of innocence and undermined the rule of law. He demanded immediate security assurances for public representatives from local bodies to Parliament and warned against trivializing attacks on elected officials. He also argued that drug seizures and arrests do not address deeper social and economic causes of crime, linking instability to poverty, weak governance, and foreign geopolitical influence. He urged the Opposition to act more decisively and unite where possible in response to what he described as a serious threat to democracy and public representatives’ safety. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Law & OrderJustice & Human RightsCost of Living Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. R. B. Janaka Suranga of Galawatta, Bandirippuwa, Lunuwila, was presented to Parliament. Petitions Presented to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that the Government is implementing a socialist-Marxist policy direction and linked this to its positions on territorial integrity and the unitary state. He questioned why Sri Lanka did not call for a vote on UN Human Rights Council draft resolution A/HRC/60/L.1/Rev.1 despite stating opposition to it, and objected to the proposed Independent Prosecutor’s Office, saying it undermines confidence in domestic legal institutions. He warned of consequences for war veterans and national sovereignty, criticized perceived shifts away from alliances such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and tabled a Cardinal’s homily urging development consistent with culture, dignity, and independence from IMF-related dependency. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human RightsForeign Affairs Read →
25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government’s handling of tourism, stating that questions he submitted to the Minister remained unanswered and arguing that the Foreign Affairs Minister could not adequately manage tourism without a strategic programme. He questioned claims of economic progress, alleging that increased revenue came through burdensome taxation on poorer citizens, and raised concerns about the use of state institutions, judicial and police transfers, and drug enforcement narratives. He also opposed provisions in the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill relating to corporal punishment, arguing that they could criminalize teachers and principals and undermine school discipline and cultural values. He urged the Government to reflect on whether it was fulfilling the expectations of underprivileged voters or external interests, including in its foreign policy posture. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports EducationJustice & Human RightsReligion & Culture Read →
9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera stated support for the agreement with the UAE, then referred to Sri Lanka’s position at the 60th UNHRC Session opposing external accountability mechanisms. He warned that proposed domestic laws on an Independent Prosecutor’s Office and a Truth-Seeking Commission could replicate external mechanisms, and urged a sincere domestic reconciliation process through credible national institutions, with international observers invited to assess it. He also tabled a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs from the National Organizations Collective, signed by Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionForeign AffairsJustice & Human Rights Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that poverty alleviation schemes from food stamps and Samurdhi to Aswesuma have remained largely cash-transfer based and have not provided a scientific, time-bound pathway for beneficiaries to exit poverty. He said the Government should stop using welfare as a political tool and present a concrete programme including seed capital, microenterprise and self-employment support, knowledge assistance, and clear graduation timelines. He also linked persistent poverty to wider social problems, including crime, and urged the Government to implement a sincere plan to uplift poor households. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformCost of Living Read →
7 August 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government’s economic narrative, arguing that official statistics obscure the hardships faced by the poor, particularly through indirect taxation such as VAT on items including schoolbooks. He questioned the low execution of the capital budget, saying only Rs. 337 billion of Rs. 1.410 trillion had been spent so far, and linked this to GDP performance. He also called for clarity on IMF-related policy commitments and whether duty-free imports of US vehicles are permitted, while urging the Government to move beyond anti-corruption rhetoric and past-blaming. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformCost of Living Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation regarding the reported release of 323 containers without Customs inspection. He sought details on whether an inquiry committee was appointed, its membership and terms of reference, whether it had submitted a report, and which members signed it. Procedural: Standing Order 31 Matter and Question 27(2) on Transport Committee Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera raised a brief point of order, indicating agreement with points previously raised. No further substantive argument, proposal, or demand is recorded in the provided excerpt. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Questions – Sri Lanka Electricity Bill Scheduling Parliamentary Procedure Read →