Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, M.P.
Profession: Landed Proprietor
Speeches 408 #8 of 225·#3 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 257 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Procedural
Activity by sitting
127 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
408 speeches- 5 February 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether the Ministry accepted that it had been misled by an “Expert Committee” in deciding on the cremation policy for COVID-19 deaths, as stated by the State Minister of Indigenous Medicine on 29 November 2022. The question sought confirmation of whether the committee was government-appointed and requested details of its recommendations, appointing authority, mandate, membership, chairperson, meeting schedule, venues, and presiding officials, or reasons if such information was not available. Oral Question: COVID-19 Health Guidelines (Q.249/2024) Justice & Human RightsHealthcare Read →
- 5 February 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka sought clarification over conflicting statements regarding whether the Speaker had received a Supreme Court determination. He said the House accepted the Speaker’s statement that he had not received it and called on the Cabinet Spokesman to publicly correct his earlier claim. Procedural: Provincial Councils Elections (Special Provisions) Bill - Supreme Court Determination Status Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka paid tribute to four former public figures: Hon. Rukman Senanayake, Hon. Sirinal de Mel, Hon. A.A. Reginald Perera, and Hon. Dr. I.M. Ilyas. He recalled their political careers, public service, personal qualities, and contributions to areas such as environmental affairs, trade union work, local government, community development, health and education services, and support for displaced persons. He extended condolences to their families and associates on behalf of the House. Votes of Condolence: Rukman Senanayake, A.A. Reginald Perera, Sirinal de Mel, and Dr. I.M. Ilyas Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary After consultations with other Opposition party leaders, the President, and the Speaker, the Opposition is awaiting a response on increasing its representation before submitting further names. The issue concerns the Parliamentary Business Committee, where the Opposition argues that representation is inadequate given the increase from six Opposition parties under the previous Government to 12 now. Four nominees have been put forward for the available seats: Ravi Karunanayake, Shanakkian Rasamanickam, Namal Rajapaksa, and Ranjith Madduma Bandara, with further nominations to follow if the Committee’s composition is expanded. Matter of Privilege: Non-Allocation of Time to Speak in Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Responding for the Opposition, Gayantha Karunathilleka said time allocation among Opposition parties is being discussed and that a Member who has now declared he will sit in Opposition can be treated accordingly, provided he agrees to the Opposition’s arrangements on speaking time and seating. He referred to an earlier incident involving the Member and staff of the Opposition Leader’s Office, noting that written complaints had been made to both the former and current Speakers and that an inquiry and response had been requested. On nominations to bodies such as the IPU, CPA and SAARC, he said all who requested places had been accommodated, additional names had been submitted, and the Opposition was awaiting a positive response on increasing its committee representation before finalizing pending nominations. Matter of Privilege: Non-Allocation of Time to Speak in Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation whether the proposed Palpola Interchange on the Southern Expressway is recognized as nationally important for access to Kalutara, Millaniya, Wadduwa, Morontuduwa and nearby industrial and tourism areas. Sought details on the project’s construction start date, BOI funding to the RDA, expenditure to date including land acquisition, remaining cost, expected completion timeframe, and the distance between the Galanigama and Dodangoda interchanges, and asked for reasons if the project is not accepted as important. Oral Question: Palpola Interchange on Southern Expressway Infrastructure Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Energy to provide import data for petrol, diesel, kerosene and crude oil for the period 21 October to 30 November 2024. The question requested the tax per litre, total tax collected for each fuel type, and amounts paid as unloading or landing fees, and asked for reasons if the information could not be provided. Oral Question: Fuel Imports (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene and Crude Oil) Public Finance Read →
- 22 January 2025 AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Environment seeking details on the number and names of rivers in Sri Lanka and whether most are polluted. It also asked what action will be taken to clean polluted rivers and what measures are planned to minimize river pollution, and requested reasons if the information or action is not available. Oral Question: Rivers in Sri Lanka and Pollution Measures (Q.9/2025) Environment Read →
- 22 January 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka said the Land Reform Commission’s inability to identify the extent of land it holds is a serious issue. He recalled that under the 50-acre law and related constitutional determinations, about 500–600 historically entitled families were to receive land, and said efforts during his tenure as Land Minister were not completed after the government changed. He urged the Government to resolve the matter quickly, noting that many lawful occupants have been left destitute. Oral Question: Lands Owned by Land Reform Commission - Fraudulent Acquisition (Q.4/2025) Land & Housing Read →
- 10 January 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka paid tribute to the late Kumara Welgama, highlighting his long parliamentary service, role in the SLFP and Kalutara politics, ministerial work in transport, industrial and hydropower initiatives, hospital ward projects, and assistance to ordinary citizens across party lines. He also remembered Tudor Gunasekera for his UNP career, service as Mahara MP and first District Minister of Gampaha, and contributions to public facilities, employment, housing, and land donations. He further noted H. Nandasena’s progression from cooperative service to local, provincial, and parliamentary roles in Anuradhapura, including coordinating committee leadership, and conveyed condolences to the families of all three former Members. Votes of Condolence: Hon. Kumara Welgama, Hon. H. Nandasena, and Hon. Tudor Gunasekera Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka raised concerns about small tea holders in his district, stating that green leaf prices have fallen from about Rs. 250 to below Rs. 200 per kilo and that access to suitable subsidized fertilizer remains inadequate. He urged the Minister to ensure a viable price and proper fertilizer supply, and criticized assurances that the rice issue is resolved, arguing that concrete relief is needed for affected people. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Cost of LivingAgriculture Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka raised concerns about the treatment of senior citizens, noting that a previous 15% special interest benefit for private-sector EPF holders had been reduced despite promises of an additional 5%, and was now at 7.5%. He also criticized continuing public queues, specifically for rice and passports, as evidence of unresolved service and supply issues. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned whether the Government had implemented promised tax relief, including removing VAT on school supplies, books, and medicines, despite having a two-thirds majority and more than 100 days in office. He argued that the Rs. 4,000 allowance for public servants was inadequate compared to the Rs. 15,000 requested by the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, and criticized the taxation of interest income, including the increase of Withholding Tax from 5% to 10%, as inconsistent with the Government’s stated commitment to senior citizens. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka briefly interjected to clarify that the preceding matter or interruption should not be counted against his allocated speaking time. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned whether rice was available to the public at Rs. 230 per kilo and criticized the Government’s handling of food availability within its first 100 days. He also raised concerns about VAT on school supplies and books, arguing that parents and public servants with children were burdened, and criticized welfare and insurance schemes linked to the Rs. 6,000 Aswesuma payment as creating divisions based on income. He referenced earlier policies such as free textbooks under J.R. Jayewardene and free uniforms under Ranasinghe Premadasa as examples of universal support. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices EducationCost of Living Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned the Government’s administrative capacity, arguing that delays in importing rice and completing a tender raise doubts about its ability to handle larger tasks. Responding to interruptions, he stated that he had already explained the tender and import process and noted that 170,000 metric tonnes of rice were currently being brought in. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka supported the Opposition’s adjournment motion on rising essential prices and shortages, arguing that the Government has not delivered promised reductions in water, electricity and fuel tariffs despite receiving a strong mandate. He compared the current administration’s first 100 days with measures taken by the Yahapalana Government, including salary increases, fuel and electricity price reductions, price controls on essentials, the Right to Information Act and independent commissions. He focused on the rice shortage, questioning the availability of promised stocks, the effectiveness of controlled prices, reliance on Sathosa, and the Government’s decision to import rice despite earlier pledges against doing so. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Cost of LivingPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka objected to reducing Members’ speaking time in the debate, arguing that while time management is a shared concern, it should not be addressed by unfairly cutting allotted speeches. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka suggested reducing the duration of the lunch break in order to allocate more time for parliamentary business. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka requests that the allotted time be extended by a few minutes. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Parliamentary Procedure Read →