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

8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara raised a Question of Privilege under Standing Order 22(11), stating that several newspapers and websites falsely reported that he had been named a suspect in the arson attack on former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s residence and had failed to appear in court. He said the reports led to defamatory social media posts, damaged his reputation, and violated his parliamentary privilege. He requested that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, while noting support for responsible media and public access to information. Procedural: Points of Order on Trade Agreements and Privilege Matter Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
18 March 2025 AI summary Eranga Gunasekara responded to Opposition criticisms under the Youth Affairs and Sports Vote, arguing that past youth-related allocations had been politicized and citing alleged misuse of Rs. 1,000 million from a 2024 National Youth Services Council allocation, now before COPE. He said the 2025 Budget aims to restore the NYSC and develop youth over a 20–30 year horizon, with funding for “smart” youth societies, multimodal youth centres, IT and English training through “Evening IT,” and a V4R digital platform for young innovators and entrepreneurs. He also denied that the removal of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial NYSC Director was politically motivated, stating it followed Auditor General findings on financial malpractice and falsified documents. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Public FinanceEducationEmployment Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, informed Parliament that he accepted three public petitions. The petitions were submitted by J.D. Upasena of Horana, K.D. Sirisena of Mulleriyawa, and L. Brigit Perera of Orugodawatta. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara defended the Government’s Budget allocation, stating that Rs. 300 million referred specifically to the “Sri Lankan Day” initiative and not to the broader programme for building a “prosperous country and beautiful life,” for which he said Rs. 8,835 billion had been allocated. He criticised the Opposition’s handling of the Easter Sunday attacks, narcotics issues, and passport delays under previous administrations, while asserting that the current Government is pursuing investigations without political interference. He also said passport issuance had improved through 24-hour operations, rising from about 1,200–2,500 to over 4,000 passports per day. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Public FinanceLaw & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara, speaking during the debate on expenditure Heads for the Ministries of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs and Defence, criticized the Opposition for allegedly spreading falsehoods and inflaming nationalism in the past. He said the Government would support a Private Member’s Bill aimed at preventing lying, while urging Opposition Members not to make brief false statements and leave the Chamber. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Parliamentary ProcedureSecurity & Defence Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Eranga Gunasekara stated that the government is investigating alleged political bribery connected to liquor/bar permits and will disclose in Parliament the names of politicians involved once inquiries are completed. Responding to an Adjournment Motion by Hon. Rasamanickam, he rejected claims that the government was hiding or delaying the matter and said the administration is seeking to change the previous political culture around permit issuance. He cited alleged examples involving former Kurunegala politicians and said the government recognizes lawful alcohol consumption while committing to proper investigations and disclosure. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara stated that the investigation in question is being conducted by the current government. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara said the new Government’s position on bar permits is aligned with concerns raised about corruption, noting that although it could have resumed issuing permits after coming to power, the President halted the process. He stated that names connected to alleged bribery in the issuance of permits had been tabled in Parliament by the Chief Government Whip, and that investigations into the matter had now begun. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Time was limited for Hon. Eranga Gunasekara’s intervention, and no substantive policy position, proposal, question, or demand was recorded in the provided excerpt. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary Eranga Gunasekara, speaking for the government on the Adjournment Motion moved by Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, said bar permits had been used as part of a broader political culture rather than as an issue divided along ethnic lines. He stated that the National People’s Power government had moved to change this practice by halting the issuance of bar permits without proper inquiry, assessment of economic value, or alignment with tourism policy. He also noted that the government recognizes the lawful right of adults to consume alcohol. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
18 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara defended the 2025 Budget as a “Citizens’ Budget” and a first step in system change, arguing that it redirects state resources from political privileges to public benefit and reflects the mandate of the NPP Government. He highlighted allocations for youth and sports, vocational education, digital initiatives, public sector recruitment, youth entrepreneurship, agriculture, and sports infrastructure, including refurbishment of Sugathadasa Stadium. He said 30,000 public sector recruitments would be conducted through planned examinations and interviews, with graduates prioritized, and stated that the Government would implement the Budget after its passage. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget EmploymentPublic FinanceEducation Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, formally seconded the motion under consideration. The House then agreed to the question, after which there was a change in the Chair, with Hon. Aravinda Senarath taking over from the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Parliamentary Procedure Read →
4 December 2024 AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara framed the NPP’s electoral mandate as the outcome of a long political process and the people’s aspirations expressed during the Aragalaya, including ending corruption, recovering stolen assets, and changing the political system. He said the Government would address youth issues through planned short-, medium- and long-term interventions, citing unemployment, education, extremism, mental health, drugs, technology, culture, health and climate pressures as key challenges. He proposed a scientific framework for youth employment, placement of over 35,000 unemployed graduates in suitable jobs within a year, and new initiatives including the V4R digital platform, the “11135” rural IT and English programme, and MMC multi-purpose centres. He also pledged to depoliticize sports administration and called on political parties to settle unpaid dues to the Sugathadasa Sports Complex, which he said exceed Rs. 11.4 million. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate EducationEmploymentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →