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

20 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that Budget measures for migrant workers and remittances must create tangible benefits, including addressing high conversion charges, rather than relying on modest duty-free allowance changes. He criticized the concentration of expenditure under the President through the Finance and Defence Ministries and proposed that the President instead lead an Entrepreneurial Development Ministry focused on supporting micro, small and medium enterprises. He questioned an apparent discrepancy between the Rs. 50 million allocation for the Clean Sri Lanka programme in the Estimates and the Rs. 5,000 million cited in the Budget Speech, and noted the absence of a clear digital programme while referencing changing positions and rising costs related to MOSIP. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate InfrastructurePublic FinanceEmployment Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticised the Government’s inaugural Budget as lacking a transformative national vision, comparing it unfavourably with recent Indian and Singaporean Budgets. He argued for an “entrepreneurial State” approach to revive collapsed SMEs, restore investor and entrepreneur confidence, attract tourism and investment, and create youth aspiration, saying the allocation to the Industry and Entrepreneurship Ministry was inadequate for the scale of SME distress. He also questioned whether the welfare measures and campaign-style policy branding would be felt at grassroots level, describing the Budget as largely conventional and closer to neoliberal continuity than a new economic direction. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceEmploymentAgriculture Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera urged the Government, composed of many first-time MPs, to shift from oppositional rhetoric to governing and to be candid with the public about which election promises can realistically be delivered. He argued that national confidence requires a clear plan rather than slogans, citing the “Clean Sri Lanka” agenda and criticizing attention to minor issues while larger pledges remain unmet. He also responded to allegations regarding Antigen Test kits by referring to figures in Hansard, and called for consistent standards when criticizing media ownership or conduct. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Dilith Jayaweera noted that his allotted speaking time had been reduced from 12 minutes to four minutes and said he would keep his remarks brief. He referenced Minister Handunnetti’s statement that 49 days had passed but did not develop a substantive argument in the excerpt provided. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera congratulated the new Speaker and urged him to act independently while preserving the dignity and traditions of Parliament. He proposed that professional titles such as “Doctor” and “Professor” be omitted when Members are formally addressed or called to speak in the Chamber, arguing that this would support egalitarian parliamentary practice and avoid social divisions. Opening: Parliament Meeting, Affirmations, and Speaker's Election Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera used his maiden speech to congratulate the new government while cautioning that its two-thirds mandate arose mainly from public disillusionment, a weak Opposition, and campaign messaging rather than full endorsement of its manifesto. He argued that the government must present a coherent strategic framework for change and tabled his party’s proposal for an “Entrepreneurial State” aimed at building a “satisfied nation.” He urged reform of the State’s structure, including reducing excessive institutional control under the President, and called on the government not to equate nationalism with racism, advocating a unifying national identity grounded in Sri Lanka’s philosophical heritage. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Corruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →