Hon. Eranga Weeraratne, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy

Profession: Entrepreneur

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 40 #114 of 225·#58 in party

Attendance 3/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

40 speeches

22 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Eranga Weeraratne stated that Sri Lanka currently lacks a mandatory legal framework for reporting cyberattacks on government institutions, leaving reporting to institutional discretion. He said the draft Cybersecurity Bill would establish a National Cyber Security Regulatory Authority to set mandatory reporting requirements and cybersecurity guidelines. Until then, institutions may voluntarily seek assistance from SLCERT and refer suspected crimes to the CID’s Computer Crimes Investigation Division. Ministerial Statement: Cybersecurity Incidents and Response Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Eranga Weeraratne outlined Sri Lanka CERT data showing a rise in reported cybersecurity incidents, including financial scams, phishing, ransomware, data breaches and other attacks, while noting that the absence of a mandatory reporting law means the figures may not reflect the full scale of incidents. He highlighted major public-sector incidents, including the 2023 ICTA ransomware attack, the 2025 Department of Pensions cyberattack and an ongoing Ministry of Finance/ERD-related investigation involving suspected email compromise. He said current safeguards include the Government Information and Cybersecurity Policy, CERT advisory and response services, national monitoring, threat intelligence, vulnerability assessments, backup requirements and other technical guidelines, while the proposed Cybersecurity Law remains under drafting. Ministerial Statement: Cybersecurity Incidents and Response Security & DefencePublic Finance Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that cybersecurity is now treated as a national security and economic stability issue, especially as public services, payments, identity systems and cloud infrastructure are digitalized. He said the Government has moved from a reactive approach to a coordinated national cyber-resilience model, involving policy measures, cybersecurity systems, guidelines and public awareness. Citing Sri Lanka CERT annual reports and public communications, he noted a significant increase in officially reported cyber incidents, including financial and non-financial scams, phishing, ransomware and website-related attacks. Ministerial Statement: Cybersecurity Incidents and Response InfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister rejected claims that Sri Lanka was facing a crisis comparable to 2022, stating that current fuel pressures stem from global oil supply disruptions linked to Middle East conflict, while foreign exchange and rupee liquidity remain adequate. He said the Government is managing fuel stocks through the QR system and odd-even distribution, citing rapid vehicle registrations and a new fix to transfer QR allocations to current vehicle owners. He also said authorities are acting against fake fuel registration websites and fraudulent multiple QR registrations used for hoarding and resale. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Public FinanceLaw & Order Read →
17 March 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne explained the reintroduction of the fuel QR code system as a precautionary measure to manage distribution amid global supply risks linked to the Middle East conflict, while stating that existing stocks remain sufficient for normal needs. He said the Government chose a rapid, phased rollout rather than advance notice or a temporary sales halt to avoid panic buying and economic disruption, with support mechanisms for vehicle ownership changes and mobile number issues. He reported that over 5.09 million users and 5.10 million vehicles were registered, including nearly 440,000 new vehicle registrations, and said the system was being supported by the same technical teams involved in 2023. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees InfrastructureCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said the SIM card re-registration regulations address weaknesses in the 2019 framework and are intended to ensure accurate subscriber records for law enforcement purposes. He stated that 897,802 individual SIMs and 245,811 corporate SIMs currently lack sufficient identity data, creating risks for fraud and other crimes. He said affected users must update their details with telecom operators within about two months, after which non-compliant SIMs will be deactivated, while properly registered users will not be affected. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Proposed that Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi take the Chair during the proceedings. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Eranga Weeraratne moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair during the sitting. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said the regulations would enable shared telecommunications infrastructure to improve coverage, reduce duplication of towers and trenching, and lower capital, operational, import, and power costs. He outlined permitted sharing layers, including passive infrastructure, active radio access networks, and spectrum-related sharing for services such as 5G, while clarifying that core network sharing is not mandated due to resilience and national security concerns. He said TRCSL would support around 150 new towers annually under the “Gamata Sannivedanaya” programme, issue infrastructure licences under Section 17(6)(a), and introduce minimum resilience guidelines following outage experiences during Cyclone Michaung. The measure was presented as a way to support smaller operators, ensure fair access to infrastructure, improve service quality, and potentially reduce consumer tariffs over time. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Foreign AffairsInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Chairman of the Consultative Committee on Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne presented the Committee’s report on regulations concerning telecommunications infrastructure sharing. The regulations were made under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act and its amendments and published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2396/32 of 7 August 2024; the report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary Eranga Weeraratne outlined the islandwide communications disruption caused by floods, landslides and fibre cuts during the disaster, noting that telecom tower outages fell from about 4,500 to full restoration through operator and military support. He said the Ministry, TRC and operators are reviewing stronger redundancy measures, including satellite backup, inter-operator “camp-on” roaming, and improved tower power resilience. He also reported the launch of a digital Flood Support System handling over 6,000 cases, Starlink and free telecom packages for relief and users, and the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, which had received over Rs. 4 billion through official channels. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Security & DefenceInfrastructure Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne reported on the impact of the “Ditva” cyclone and the Government’s response, stating that public agencies, the Tri-Forces, private entities and civil organizations helped stabilize the disaster situation. He said telecommunications were heavily disrupted by floods and landslides, but over 90% of national telephony connectivity and all primary fiber backbones had been restored, with remaining outages mainly due to power failures, damaged secondary links and unsafe access to affected sites. He noted that telecom operators provided free emergency top-ups, Starlink would provide free service in affected areas until end-December, and recovery would proceed under the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) EnvironmentInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Eranga Weeraratne responded to a supplementary question by Dayasiri Jayasekara, stating that Dialog and companies associated with him are not Indian companies. He clarified that Indian companies may only assist with system setup and delivery, with no operational control being granted, and said procurement would be conducted lawfully by public officials to serve the Government and the public. Oral Question: Digital Identity Card Introduction (Q.552/2025) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Weeraratne clarified that India’s role in the digital ID project is limited to assistance in procuring and installing the initial system, not ownership or control of an operating entity. He stated that no company will be created with a 51 per cent Indian stake, and that the system will remain in Sri Lanka under the Department for Registration of Persons, operated by Sri Lankan public officers. He emphasized that no digital IDs or biometric data will be populated during initial setup, and that data will not be sent abroad or accessed by foreign entities. Oral Question: Digital Identity Card Introduction (Q.552/2025) Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
27 November 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Digital Economy, the Deputy Minister confirmed that Sri Lanka is introducing a biometric-based digital identity system as part of its digital transformation. He said the system is expected to improve access to public and private online services, reduce fraud in benefit distribution and financial transactions, support inclusion in the digital economy, and strengthen national security and law enforcement by preventing forged or multiple identities. Oral Question: Digital Identity Card Introduction (Q.552/2025) Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Weeraratne noted that telecommunications towers are now also operated by independent tower companies, not only by telecom operators. He argued that licensed infrastructure-sharing should ensure all operators can access towers at equal cost, preventing larger operators from gaining unfair advantages and supporting competition and affordable services. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Infrastructure Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Weeraratne clarified that telecom tower infrastructure is now commonly developed by licensed tower companies, not only telecom operators, to support shared infrastructure and prevent market dominance through proprietary towers. He stated that infrastructure licences are not exclusive, noting that EDOTCO and TowerCo already hold licences, another local company has applied, and more may qualify. He argued that multiple providers would allow all telecom operators equal access to towers under the legal framework, promoting competition and more affordable services. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Eranga Weeraratne clarified that telecom tower construction by private companies is governed by licences issued by the TRC, not by tendered contracts. He stated that two companies already hold such licences, another application is in process, and additional firms may apply, but only licensed entities can build telecom towers privately. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Infrastructure Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Eranga Weeraratne stated that upon assuming office he resigned from his CEO position and did not transfer any role to family members. He clarified that another existing employee of the company is now acting as CEO. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
26 November 2025 AI summary Eranga Weeraratne stated that the relevant system was under maintenance by its developer and denied allegations of impropriety. He said that while he holds office and has ownership interests, the companies concerned will not undertake new Government projects, adding that he has stepped down as CEO and invited the Opposition to verify the matter. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Corruption & Governance Reform Read →