Hon. Eranga Gunasekara, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Colombo

Deputy Minister of Urban Development

Profession: Politician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 53 #94 of 225·#44 in party

Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

53 speeches

12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara outlined the historical development of youth services institutions, stating that the National Youth Services Council emerged from initiatives beginning with youth clubs in 1952 and legislation in the 1960s, including the National Voluntary Youth Service Bill No. 11 of 1967 and its 1968 amendment. He disputed claims that Ranil Wickremesinghe established the Council, noting Wickremesinghe was not in Parliament at the time. He added that current youth programmes are being advanced in an orderly manner under 14 core objectives with the relevant Minister and Deputy Ministers. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Objectives (Q.6/2025) Education Read →
12 September 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister, responding on behalf of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, stated that the National Youth Services Council was established on 11 October 1968 under Act No. 52 of 1968, as amended, and outlined its 14 statutory objectives. He said the Council has four affiliated institutions and 61 training centres, all of which are currently in operation. He further stated that no new constructions had been commenced, so related follow-up questions did not arise. Oral Question: National Youth Services Council Objectives (Q.6/2025) Education Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara informed Parliament that he accepted a petition from Mr. D.R.D. Gunawardhana of Dalugama, Kelaniya. Opening and Speaker's Certificate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara presented two petitions to Parliament. The petitions were from Mr. D.G.S. Karunaratne of the Research and Development Division of Sri Lanka Police, Colombo 02, and Mr. P.A. Tilakasiri de Alwis of Kolonnawa. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 August 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara responded to concerns about the Embilipitiya Leadership Training Centre, stating that the Ministry is reviewing it, seeking transfer of its 35-acre land from the National Housing Development Authority, and has allocated funds to develop it into a multi-purpose, adventure-based training facility. He rejected claims of inaction and said the centre is already generating revenue under dedicated officials. He then turned to the Sports Act regulations, framing them within the Government’s broader commitment to sport. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Public FinanceEducation Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara defended the Government’s youth initiatives as inclusive of all ethnic and religious communities, rejecting claims of bias and linking some criticisms to electoral motives. He said over 300,000 youth are involved through structures from Grama Niladhari level to the National Council, and that a national youth action plan is being developed with the UN to implement the NPP Youth Charter from the following year. He outlined plans to connect youth representatives to local and district development processes and to establish a modernized Youth Parliament covering all 25 districts and linked to the 24 ministries. He also said the Government is reviewing issues relating to Development Officers and teacher appointments following court developments, with the aim of resolving them systematically. Adjournment Motion: Youth Engagement for Sustainable Development Goals EmploymentEducationEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara supported the removal of Deshbandu Tennakoon, describing it as part of the Government’s anti-corruption mandate and saying other issues would be addressed in stages. He defended the restructuring of youth associations and the National Youth Services Council, stating that over 12,700 youth clubs had been formed through a defined grassroots electoral process using secret ballots and that the first National Youth Convention since 1993 had been held. He rejected allegations of politicisation, citing past examples where previous governments allegedly used the NYSC for party and electoral purposes, and said the current programme was intended to expand opportunities for village youth while addressing concerns through discussion. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara stated that the initiative is intended to create a national youth movement rather than a partisan cadre. He said participation and the election of officials would be limited to members enrolled through a democratic process. Question by Private Notice: Youth Services Council Circular Education Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Eranga Gunasekara said the programme running from National Youth Day to International Youth Day was organized in a structured and transparent manner with broad publicity. He welcomed the increased discussion on Youth Clubs, noting that for the first time the subject was receiving active attention both within Parliament and outside it. Question by Private Notice: Youth Services Council Circular Education Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara said the reorganization of Youth Clubs is part of the Government’s “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” programme and has a public mandate, noting that no such reorganization had taken place since 2020. He stated that the process was carried out openly through public notifications and coordination with Divisional and District Secretaries, resulting in active Youth Clubs in over 12,700 of 14,002 GN Divisions. He rejected allegations of political appointments, saying office-bearers are elected by duly enrolled members through a democratic process. Question by Private Notice: Youth Services Council Circular Education Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question from the Leader of the Opposition, rejecting claims that Circular No. NYSC/2-11/25/01 politicized Youth Clubs. He said Youth Clubs for persons aged 15-29 are reorganized annually through National Youth Services Council procedures, with officers authorized by circular to reorganize active clubs and establish new ones where clubs are inactive. He stated that elections to divisional and district councils are conducted among youth members without political bias, that standing orders have been issued subject to Council approval, and that there is no requirement of two years’ active membership to hold executive office. Question by Private Notice: Youth Services Council Circular Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister clarified that the Government is promoting the establishment of Youth Clubs in every Grama Niladhari division to address past issues where some registered clubs existed only on paper. He noted that, where geographical disparities warrant it, Youth Services Officers may recommend approval for more than one club in a GN division through the National Youth Services Council, as provided for in the relevant circular. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Education Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Eranga Gunasekara linked the ongoing Easter Sunday attack investigations to the broader demands of the 2022 people’s uprising, including accountability for corruption and rejection of racist or family-based politics. He said the government, led by the President and Cabinet with the security forces, is proceeding step by step to uncover the truth. He also stated that the government is reviewing more than 1,000 cases involving over 3,000 accused persons connected to the Aragalaya, including cases he described as politically motivated, with a view to legal re-examination. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, informed Parliament that he accepted two petitions: one from Mrs. A.A. Wijaya Lakshmi of Kadawatha and another from Mrs. Y.K. Shriyaltha Edirisinghe of Avissawella. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara said the Government Fiscal Strategy Statement for 2026–2030, tabled under the State Financial Management Act, sets out a transparent plan to restore fiscal discipline after bankruptcy. He argued that the Opposition should scrutinize constructively rather than create panic over issues such as US tariffs, fuel supply concerns, or the “323 containers” inquiry, which he said the Government itself initiated. He cited export growth, revenue collection above targets, and medium-term debt and guarantee limits as evidence of progress, presenting the Statement as a practical strategy to strengthen public finance and governance. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
6 June 2025 AI summary Eranga Gunasekara paid tribute to the late Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, highlighting his role in the Socialist Youth Union, Socialist Students’ Union, JVP, and NPP, particularly in Kegalle, and his leadership during the 2022 people’s uprising. He described Jayawira as a principled activist who prioritized collective political struggle and public service over personal advancement. Gunasekara said the best tribute would be to continue Jayawira’s mission of building a more just Sri Lanka. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Religion & Culture Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary Eranga Gunasekara stated that the Government is coordinating with interested institutions and several embassies to reorganize the centres in question. He said there is a concrete plan to transform them into facilities better suited for youth. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Education Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara stated that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, together with the State Ministers, plans to review and reactivate youth-related institutions, including National Youth Services Council and National Youth Corps centres. He noted that some centres have unfinished construction or are unsuitable and underused, and said the Ministry has identified locations and is preparing measures based on young people’s current needs and priorities. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms EducationEmployment Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary There are 59 training centres under the National Youth Services Council, some of which were established in the past due to political considerations rather than scientific assessment. The Government is reviewing and reorganizing these centres to prioritize their usefulness to youth, prepare a forward plan, and develop them into genuine youth spaces across the country. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms EmploymentEducation Read →
4 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs responded on behalf of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to a parliamentary question regarding training centres. He stated that there are 59 training centres, with two, one, and one centres falling under the queried subcategories, and noted that the relevant party had been informed. Reasons and future plans were not fully set out in the provided excerpt. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Employment Read →