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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Matale

Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs

Profession: Teacher

Roster profile ↗
Speeches 24 #156 of 225·#94 in party
Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Religion & Culture 10 speeches
Last spoke 9 April 2026 in Papers

Activity by sitting

19 sittings · counts only, no scoring.

Topic focus

AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.

Speech history

24 speeches
  • 9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake informed Parliament that he accepted a petition submitted by Mr. E.M. Kithsiri Wijerathna and five others from Ukuwela Watta, Ukuwela. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary Gamagedara Dissanayake stated that the Ministry will implement the “Yativara Mapiya Niwahana” housing programme for parents of Buddhist monks, in collaboration with the National Housing Development Authority. He said Cabinet approval has been obtained, Rs. 1.5 million will be provided per beneficiary, and the programme will target 1,000 houses nationwide, prioritizing remote and difficult villages, with commencement expected within the year. Oral Question: Firearms Review and Archaeological Heritage (Q.7-1717/2025) Religion & CultureLand & Housing Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said a mechanism has been prepared under the “Life to Heritage” programme to conserve 1,000 archaeological sites. He stated that the plan includes establishing district- and divisional-level community protection committees, involving local residents and interested parties, to identify, protect, and guide the preservation of such sites. Oral Question: Firearms Review and Archaeological Heritage (Q.7-1717/2025) Religion & Culture Read →
  • 21 January 2026 AI summary Gamagedara Dissanayake criticized Opposition MPs for allegedly politicizing the Ditva cyclone relief debate and leaving the House after raising criticisms. He defended the Government’s disaster response, citing the President’s announced Rs. 25,000 allowance, interventions by officials and security forces, and actions taken in Matale District, while rejecting allegations of poor management. He said over 1,300 damaged religious sites, including temples, kovils, churches and devales, had been identified by his Ministry, categorized by level of damage, and would be rebuilt through a programme to be launched with the President’s involvement. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Corruption & Governance ReformSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 9 January 2026 AI summary Gamagedara Dissanayake accused Hon. Archchuna of deliberately creating a procedural difficulty in Parliament by allegedly having two Members leave the Chamber before raising a point of order. He described the action as unethical and a misuse of parliamentary procedure for political purposes. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 December 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Supplementary Allocation for disaster relief, emphasizing the role of temples, monks, other religious clergy, public officials, the tri-forces, volunteers, and organizations in the initial response. He said the Ministry had identified 1,087 affected religious sites, archaeological sites, and cultural centres, deployed teams to verify needs, and established a rebuilding fund that had raised over Rs. 300 million. He rejected Opposition allegations regarding political interference in Matale and inefficiency by officials, citing a reported 92.88% disbursement of the Rs. 25,000 grant and stating that the Government would continue relief and reconstruction efforts. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Public FinanceReligion & CultureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 19 November 2025 AI summary Gamagedara Dissanayake discussed alleged irregularities in the management of the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre, including politically influenced appointments, unofficial collections from farmers, charges for entry and toilet use, and politically driven stall allocations to non-stakeholders. He said the centres were intended to benefit farmers but current practices undermine that purpose, with large monthly collections not fully reflected in official management accounts. He supported the subject Minister’s proposal for a structured mechanism to regularize DEC management and argued that those benefiting from the existing system were attempting to obstruct reforms. Adjournment: Dedicated Economic Centres Corruption & Governance ReformAgriculture Read →
  • 11 November 2025 AI summary Gamagedara Dissanayake defended the Budget as fiscally disciplined and goal-oriented, arguing that Opposition criticism reflected political disappointment rather than substantive analysis. He highlighted measures for the estate sector, particularly the Rs. 1,750 daily wage supported by a government contribution of Rs. 200, and called on the SJB to clarify whether it opposes that support. He also rejected claims that there would be no public sector recruitment, stating that around 70,000 merit- and needs-based stable jobs are planned for the following year. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
  • 9 October 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Gamagedara Dissanayake said concerns over the Central Cultural Fund’s operations, including alleged irregularities and unauthorized interventions, are under investigation by a committee. Referring to the rapid establishment of the Sitawaka museum after the Railways Department handed over the key on 10 May 2024, he stated that several irregularities had been observed and that speed appeared to have taken priority over proper heritage curation. He accepted the need for such a museum and said the CCF and Department of Archaeology are prepared to formalize and operate it properly. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Corruption & Governance ReformReligion & Culture Read →
  • 9 October 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the intended purpose of the museum was to showcase the glory and heritage of the Sitawaka Kingdom, but acknowledged that a properly curated presentation reflecting Sitawaka heritage has not yet been completed. He said proposals have been submitted for the Central Cultural Fund and the Department of Archaeology to formalize and upgrade the museum presentation. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Religion & Culture Read →
  • 9 October 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister clarified that there is no Department of Archaeology museum near Avissawella, but a museum operated by the Central Cultural Fund exists there. He said it opened for public exhibitions on 21 July 2024 after construction costing Rs. 14.6 million, with seven contract staff and land leased from Sri Lanka Railways to the CCF. He provided details on artefacts and income through annexes placed in the Library, noting that no time-period classification of artefacts has yet been finalized and that ticket revenue has been recorded for 2024 and 2025. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Religion & Culture Read →
  • 24 September 2025 AI summary Gamagedara Dissanayake clarified matters concerning the Central Cultural Fund, stating that over Rs. 8,000 million had been spent between 2016 and 2019 without Board approval. He said a three-member committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Pradeep Jayatilake was appointed on 07 July to investigate, and that its report was nearing completion. He indicated that preliminary findings suggested fundamental breaches of the Central Cultural Fund Act and that further discussion could follow once the report is released. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary Acknowledging the validity of the concern raised, Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake stated that some projects had been started without proper feasibility assessments on suitability or accessibility. He noted that the SAARC Cultural Centre received no contributions from SAARC countries despite its name, with Rs. 1,432 million spent from Sri Lankan funds, and said efforts would be made to find a productive use for the asset. Oral Questions and Answers (Q.846/2025, Q.1024/2025, Q.1068/2025, Q.1070/2025, Q.1073/2025, Q.1076/2025, Q.1092/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake stated that, despite in-principle agreement with the Vice-Chancellor, further action cannot proceed without a formal University Council decision. He noted concerns about the University’s potential maintenance burden and said discussions would be reopened once the University conveys a clear position, with the Member’s assistance requested in securing that decision. Oral Questions and Answers (Q.846/2025, Q.1024/2025, Q.1068/2025, Q.1070/2025, Q.1073/2025, Q.1076/2025, Q.1092/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 22 August 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said construction of the Cultural Centre had stopped by the end of 2019 after Rs. 1,432.26 million had been spent through the Ministry responsible for Cultural Affairs. He provided annual water and electricity maintenance costs from 2020 to July 2025 and stated that security is handled by the Ministry of Defence through a six-soldier team. He said Cabinet had approved in principle a proposal to transfer the buildings and land to the University of Ruhuna, but the process is stalled pending the University Council’s formal letter of consent. Oral Questions and Answers (Q.846/2025, Q.1024/2025, Q.1068/2025, Q.1070/2025, Q.1073/2025, Q.1076/2025, Q.1092/2025) Religion & CulturePublic Finance Read →
  • 22 July 2025 AI summary Gamagedara Dissanayake supported the Bills to raise the private sector minimum monthly wage, stating it would increase from Rs. 17,500 in 2024 to Rs. 27,000 in 2025 and Rs. 30,000 by January 2026. He argued that increasing the basic wage, rather than relying on allowances, would improve linked benefits such as EPF and ETF, and rejected claims that workers in security, cleaning, manpower and other sectors would be excluded. He criticized legal challenges and Opposition arguments as delaying worker benefits, while noting that the Government is also discussing with the ILO ways to regularize informal sector employment. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Public FinanceEmploymentCost of Living Read →
  • 10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake argued that the Batalanda Commission Report clearly identifies responsibility for torture and killings, including the alleged role of Ranil Wickremesinghe and police officer Douglas Peiris, while accusing Opposition Members of avoiding the report’s substantive findings. He linked Batalanda to a wider network of alleged torture camps operated during the UNP period and called for Parliament to examine those sites and for those responsible for killings, disappearances, and mass graves such as Matale to be held accountable. He also criticized alleged political protection, irregular promotions, and the use of state and paramilitary structures in suppressing youth uprisings. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Law & OrderCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the 2025 Budget provides increased allocations for the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, enabling expanded practical programmes across religious and cultural sectors. He highlighted plans to develop rural places of worship, implement the Puja Bhoomi Development Programme, support the Sangha, strengthen Dhamma schools and Shasanarakshaka Mandalas, and introduce initiatives such as “Punya Gramme” to promote village-level social cohesion. He also outlined support for Hindu, Islamic and Christian religious affairs, including cultural activities and places of worship, and said the Central Cultural Fund and related institutions would continue projects to conserve archaeological sites and national heritage. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Public FinanceReligion & CultureEducation Read →
  • 7 March 2025 AI summary Asked whether steps will be taken to recover losses incurred by the State. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Religion & Culture Read →
  • 25 February 2025 AI summary Gamagedara Dissanayake said his previous remarks were a general critique and did not name any individual. He referred to past killings and mass graves, particularly in the Matale District, stating that legal proceedings concerning the deaths of 143 people and other incidents are underway and will identify those responsible. He said these matters would be challenged both inside and outside Parliament and indicated readiness for public debate on them. Question by Private Notice: School Teachers Recruitment and Dhamma School Teacher Allowances (SO 27(2)) Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →