Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna, M.P.
Profession: ---
Speeches 72 #69 of 225·#24 in party
Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 32 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
44 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
72 speeches- 18 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna said over 30 Opposition MPs had requested a Special Committee with Opposition investigatory powers to examine alleged shortcomings in the Government’s management of the recent disaster. He argued that relief measures announced by the President were delayed or inadequately implemented, citing unpaid or reduced grants for house-cleaning and schoolchildren, insufficient household and SME compensation, unclear circulars, and reported politicization of aid distribution. He urged faster delivery of benefits and stated that the Opposition would support the Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate for disaster relief. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Public FinanceLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 5 December 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna expressed condolences for disaster victims and said severe damage in Gampaha could have been reduced through better preparedness, citing prior warnings from meteorological authorities and international sources. He accused the Government of delayed and inadequate disaster management, including failing to declare and use emergency measures promptly, and urged officials and MPs to be present on the ground. He proposed establishing a permanent Disaster Management Fund, ensuring women’s representation in its management, using insurance mechanisms to support SMEs and households, and providing basic equipment to frontline officers such as Grama Niladharis. He also acknowledged assistance from foreign countries, the private sector, media, security forces, public officers, and community volunteers. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformSecurity & Defence Read →
- 18 November 2025 AI summary Harshana Rajakaruna criticized the Government’s handling of the underworld and drug crisis, arguing that it had politicized the issue and should publicly name and prosecute any politicians alleged to be involved, with Opposition support for genuine action. He objected to alleged attempts to politicize the Police and weaken the Police Commission’s role in transfers, while calling for modernization of police and intelligence services. He also urged greater representation of women, Tamils and Muslims in the Police through positive measures, and said adequate security for all Members of Parliament was necessary to enable them to speak against crime and wrongdoing. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Law & OrderSecurity & DefenceWomen & Children Read →
- 17 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna urged the Government to expedite investigations and prosecutions relating to the Easter Sunday attacks, media killings and attacks, Prageeth Ekneligoda’s disappearance, Lasantha Wickrematunge’s murder, and the Thajudeen case, stating that the Opposition would support efforts to accelerate justice. He also called for broader reforms to reduce long judicial delays that discourage citizens from filing cases. He questioned why recent understandings with China, India and the United States had not been fully presented to Parliament, despite earlier commitments to transparency, and asked the Tourism Ministry to address foreign nationals on tourist visas operating businesses in coastal areas to the detriment of local SMEs. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Foreign AffairsCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 10 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna argued that the Government inherited an already stabilized economy and must now focus on delivering promised reforms rather than attributing delays to elections or past crises. He criticized the 2026 Budget for low implementation of previous pledges, inadequate relief for farmers, teachers, principals, graduates, and public sector groups, and for continuing IMF-linked taxation, fuel pricing, and electricity tariff policies despite earlier promises to change them. He also called for concrete action on abolishing the Executive Presidency, introducing a new Constitution, and urgently holding Provincial Council elections using the Government’s two-thirds majority if legislative changes are required. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceEmployment Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna cautioned that proceeding with NMRA pricing regulations while litigation by the Pharmaceutical Importers’ Association is pending could create complications. He argued that CIF-based cost-plus pricing is unsuitable, citing WHO guidance, Institute for Health Policy views, and past NMRA pricing practices that used IMS data, while stressing the need to balance consumer protection with fairness to importers. He also urged that the 1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service be strengthened and expanded, not politicized or altered, despite statements suggesting possible changes to its colour or number. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary Harshana Rajakaruna rejected broad allegations of corruption against past politicians, arguing that such claims damage honest public representatives and calling on those making accusations to acknowledge the JVP’s own political history and role in past violence. He said the Government should stop blaming previous administrations, investigate and prosecute any alleged corruption from 2010–2011 through the law, and focus on governing. He also criticized ministries for returning large unutilized allocations, stating that competence means completing public work without corruption rather than avoiding expenditure. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna argued that the reported exit of HSBC and possible departure of Standard Chartered indicated serious concerns over Sri Lanka’s investment climate. He questioned the Government over unchecked containers leaving the port despite a UNODC warning, including whether they could have contained drugs, weapons, or explosives. He called on the Government to stop attributing blame, identify any politicians allegedly linked to the Middeniya container issue, and enforce the law while delivering on its election promises. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports Cost of LivingLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary Harshana Rajakaruna supported revisiting former Presidents’ entitlements but opposed portraying all past leaders as corrupt, citing examples of leaders who donated property or made public sacrifices. He argued that post-tenure benefits should be regulated with modest limits rather than abolished entirely, and questioned whether pension entitlements should also be removed under the proposed approach. He further criticized the Government for focusing on cutting presidential perks while electricity tariffs were reportedly set to rise, and called for concrete action on underworld violence, political links to crime, and unanswered questions regarding the contents of 323 containers. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna said the Opposition supports regulating gambling but argued that the proposed Gambling Regulatory Authority must be independent, with key appointments approved by the Constitutional Council to prevent excessive ministerial control. He proposed allowing casino gambling only for foreign passport or visa holders while prohibiting Sri Lankan citizens from participating, citing practices in countries such as Singapore and China. He also questioned reported plans for cannabis cultivation on BOI land in Mirigama and criticized the Government for reversing earlier positions on gambling, cannabis, rice and salt imports, while stating that the Opposition would support constructive policies aligned with public promises. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
- 6 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna responded to a reference made to his receipt of funds from the President’s Fund, stating that he received a LKR 500,000 postgraduate scholarship through the proper application and interview process while his father was in the Opposition. He questioned why only his name was mentioned despite the Minister citing over LKR 7,300 million in total disbursements, and requested that efforts to damage his political reputation be recognized and not hinder his parliamentary duties. Personal Explanations and Committee Resignations Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna informed Parliament that he was presenting two public petitions. The petitions were submitted on behalf of Ms. L.A. Udeni Umendra Weerasinghe of Thihariya and Ms. R.M.P.C. Rathnayaka of Yakkala. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 July 2025 AI summary Harshana Rajakaruna called for attention to an unspecified matter in the context of Sri Lanka’s fragile economic situation. He framed the issue as requiring parliamentary consideration due to current economic vulnerability. US Tariff Duties - Member's Attention Matter and Discussion Public Finance Read →
- 11 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna warned that if competitor countries secure lower tariffs, Sri Lanka could face wider economic consequences. He framed the concern as a national competitiveness issue rather than an attempt to assign blame. US Tariff Duties - Member's Attention Matter and Discussion Public Finance Read →
- 11 July 2025 AI summary Raising a point of order, Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna warned that tariff advantages for countries such as Vietnam, India and Bangladesh could seriously affect Sri Lanka. He urged the Government to resume urgent negotiations with the United States, noting that the relevant letter left room for further talks, and said members of the Sri Lanka–US Parliamentary Friendship Association and Opposition representatives were ready to assist in a united national effort. US Tariff Duties - Member's Attention Matter and Discussion Foreign AffairsParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna denied allegations that he had acquired property through illicit enrichment, stating that his assets came from family inheritance and that a family petrol shed existed before his birth. He called for lawful investigations and enforcement against any politician who has illicitly earned property, but urged an end to publishing unverified lists that damage reputations. He requested the Speaker’s protection, saying he would cooperate with any investigation. Personal Explanation - Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 4 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna stated that corruption was a major cause of Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy and said the Opposition would support genuine anti-corruption measures. He cautioned the Minister of Justice against commenting on court proceedings or implying government influence over judicial outcomes, arguing that such remarks undermine institutional confidence. He urged the Government to focus on expediting long-delayed court cases through procedural and legal reforms, strengthening independent institutions, and refiling or pursuing past corruption cases, including major projects from the Rajapaksa era, without political vendettas. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 4 June 2025 AI summary Asked the scheduled parliamentary question. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna criticized the President’s handling of the War Heroes’ commemoration, alleging political motives and questioning government reluctance to use the term “war heroes” while emphasizing the need to honour those who died in the war. He accused the Government of making unfulfilled election and policy promises, citing rice, salt, and coconut imports despite earlier claims of self-sufficiency. He raised concern over the closure of the NEXT apparel factory in Katunayake and warned that uncertainty over US tariff discussions, particularly affecting apparel exports, could harm the sector. He urged the Government to provide truthful updates, intervene seriously to protect industry and employment, and implement a clear economic plan. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Cost of LivingForeign AffairsEmployment Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna requested the Speaker’s permission to ask his second supplementary question, noting that he had not raised it earlier. Oral Question: Yala National Park - Safari Jeeps and Employee Issues (Q.571/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →