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- 24 October 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka stated the Opposition’s position on legal and technical issues arising from changes to ministerial portfolios after the Appropriation Bill had been presented, noting that the number of Cabinet Ministries had increased from 24 to 25. He said Opposition representatives had met government officials and agreed that, given existing Cabinet approval, the Committee Stage could proceed, while drawing attention to Article 78(3) of the Constitution on amendments to Bills. He emphasized that any legal responsibility for proceeding in this context rests with the Government, not the Opposition. Ministerial Statement: Amendments to Appropriation Bill 2026 and Ministerial Reshuffle Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 October 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka stated that written notice had been given to the Leader of the House the previous day regarding the matter. He said the relevant programmes had already been prepared and requested that the pending changes be addressed expeditiously. Procedural Discussion: Appropriation Bill Amendment and Finance Ministry Clarification Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 October 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Environment to provide details on the Horowpothana Elephant Holding Ground, including the number of elephants kept there, its land extent, the agricultural lands affected, and whether alternative lands were given to previous owners. He also raised concerns that the facility blocks an elephant pass, causing elephants to use other lands and damage crops, and requested information on proposed solutions, the timeline for compensation, and how farmers without deeds or permits would be treated. Oral Question: Wild Elephants at Horowpothana Elephant Holding Ground (Q.12/2025) EnvironmentJustice & Human RightsAgriculture Read →
- 22 October 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development whether he was aware of the recent fish deaths in Colombo’s Beira Lake, and requested the findings of the expert committee appointed to investigate the incident. He also asked what measures would be taken to address severe pollution in Beira Lake and other reservoirs across Sri Lanka, or, if no action was planned, the reasons for that. Oral Question: Fish Death in Beira Lake (Q.10/2025) EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka supported the NMRA Regulations on medicine quality, maximum retail prices and distribution controls, while raising concerns that the health system has not fully recovered from the 2022 economic crisis. He cited continuing shortages of medicines, dialysis consumables, suture materials, testing supplies, imaging services, oncology drugs and functioning equipment, with specific references to the National Hospital, Kandy, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital and ambulance availability. He urged the Minister to verify and address these problems, reduce burdens on poor and elderly patients, and preserve the established name, number and branding of the 1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Law & OrderPublic FinanceHealthcare Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary The Member asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide faculty-wise student numbers at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He also asked whether the Minister is aware of severe ragging at the university and, if so, what measures are being taken to control it. Oral Question 11: University Faculty Enrolment (Answer Tabled) Justice & Human RightsEducation Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka briefly requested an additional minute to continue his remarks and thanked the Chair. Parliamentary Business and Disaster Management Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Opposition, Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka requested clarity on scheduling a debate on the UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka, noting that the previously suggested date of 4 November may not be possible due to the Foreign Minister’s unavailability. He asked that, if a separate debate cannot be held before year-end sittings conclude, two additional hours be allocated during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. He also requested the announcement of the membership of the agreed Special Committee on the release of about 300 containers without proper inspection, and urged the Government to expedite relief measures in response to adverse weather and flood risks, including in Galle District. Parliamentary Business and Disaster Management Discussion Parliamentary ProcedureForeign Affairs Read →
- 10 October 2025 AI summary The Member supported Hon. Rohana Bandara’s motion to introduce a farmer insurance scheme, noting that existing crop insurance and pension arrangements have low participation and limited coverage. He urged a comprehensive scheme covering crops, life, health and marketing risks for paddy, vegetable and other farmers, citing hazards such as lightning, snakebites, machinery injuries, leptospirosis, kidney disease and human-elephant conflict. Private Members' Motion P.47/2025: Insurance Scheme for Farming Community Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
- 10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka supported Hon. T.K. Jayasundara’s proposal to develop inland tourism zones in Galle District, highlighting areas such as Neluwa, Pitigala, Niyagama, Nagoda, Udugama and Thawalama for their biodiversity, waterfalls, villages, religious sites and rural character. He emphasized the tourism and educational value of Sinharaja and nearby attractions, while noting the need to connect coastal tourism in Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Ahangama with inland natural destinations. He also referred to the Dedduwa Tourism Project in Bentota and urged bipartisan support to operationalize such initiatives to strengthen Sri Lanka’s competitiveness as a regional tourism destination. Private Members' Motion P.42/2025: Sinharaja Tourism Zone EnvironmentInfrastructureAgriculture Read →
- 10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka raised a point of order noting that during the good governance administration, Sinnaakkara (Crown grant) deeds were issued for plots. The intervention appears to be directed to the Minister in the context of land grant or deed issuance matters. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Land & HousingParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 October 2025 AI summary The Chief Opposition Whip argued that when over 20 Members request an Adjournment Motion on an issue involving the National Police Commission, it should be treated as urgent and taken up the same day. He also stated there was no objection to scheduling Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri’s motion for another day, as his speaking time had been reduced. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka argued that, one year after the President and NPP received a large mandate, many election pledges remain unfulfilled. He cited promises on reducing fuel prices, electricity tariffs, VAT on essential and agricultural items, rice imports, paddy prices, fertilizer subsidies, teacher-principal salary anomalies, senior citizens’ interest rates, and local school access, alleging that outcomes have differed from campaign commitments. He also criticized the handling of issues such as the former Speaker’s qualifications, the wildlife census on crop damage, and the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, and said the Opposition had brought the adjournment debate to remind the Government of these commitments. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion AgricultureCost of LivingEmployment Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka moved that the privilege matter raised on 22 July 2025 by Hon. Chandrani Kirielle, alleging a breach of her parliamentary privileges, be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges. The motion was made under Standing Order 118B. Procedural: Bills Presented and Privilege Matter Motion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka objected to interruptions during the debate, noting that those urging others to remain on topic were themselves digressing. He asked what the Point of Order was, seeking procedural clarification from the Chair. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka informed the House that, under Standing Order 19(2), an Opposition Member had been entrusted with moving an Adjournment Debate on an urgent matter of public importance. He indicated the required support, after which more than twenty Opposition Members rose to meet the procedural requirement. Adjournment Motion: National Police Commission Powers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka informed the House that he would raise a question on behalf of Hon. Sivagnanam Sritharan. No substantive details of the question were provided in the statement. Second Round Questions and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka raised concerns on behalf of Opposition MPs about reports of attempts to remove powers from, and transfer officers of, the independent National Police Commission. He requested clarification from the Speaker on whether the reports were true and what the Government’s position was before proceeding to Oral Answers. Procedural Matters: National Police Commission and Standing Orders Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. Prasanna Diyunuge of Wevelwala Road, Galle, was presented and accepted for submission to Parliament. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka stated that he was asking a parliamentary question on behalf of Hon. Suranga Ratnayaka. Oral Question: Transfer of Resources - Northern Province (Tabled Answer and Deferred Question) Parliamentary Procedure Read →