Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi, M.P.
Profession: Company Director
Speeches 82 #61 of 225·#20 in party
Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 26 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Oral question
Activity by sitting
32 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
82 speeches- 11 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage criticized the 2026 Budget, arguing that the Government has departed from earlier JVP/NPP promises on debt, transparency, official privileges, salaries, and anti-corruption. He questioned how debt repayments would be managed after current IMF, World Bank and ADB inflows, and asked what investment or export diversification plans would generate future revenue. He raised allegations and concerns over salt procurement, rice imports, the release of 323 containers, narcotics-related accountability, and the proposed procurement of 1,700 vehicles, calling for transparent action and withdrawal of the vehicle proposal if unnecessary. He also accused the Government of using northern development politically and contrasted its housing claims with projects initiated under Sajith Premadasa, including an Indian-assisted housing scheme in Rakwana. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Public FinanceCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 10 October 2025 AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi clarified that his remarks were not a personal challenge to another Member. He argued that weaknesses in the legal framework allow gem buyers to under-declare export values, and said stronger laws would help prevent losses to export earnings. Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway Public Finance Read →
- 10 October 2025 AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi reiterated his call for the rapid commencement of the Ruwanpura Expressway, noting cross-party support and the Deputy Minister’s assurance that the project would proceed. He said the confirmed Ingiriya section was welcome, but requested clarity on the alignment and phasing towards Ratnapura and Pelmadulla, while accepting that the full route could not be built at once. He also argued that improved road access and stronger legal mechanisms for accurate gem export valuation could help Ratnapura capture greater economic value from the gem industry. Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
- 10 October 2025 AI summary Moved a motion urging the Government to continue and implement the Ruwanpura Expressway in phases, arguing that it would benefit Ratnapura, Badulla, Hambantota, Monaragala and sectors such as tourism, gems, tea and cinnamon exports. He called for clarity on financing, credit arrangements and a commencement timeline, and criticized the Government for making broad development promises without time-bound delivery. He also referred to Indian-credit housing, the Kelani Valley Railway extension proposal, and other infrastructure commitments, asking Ministers to provide direct and specific answers. Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway AgricultureInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Asked about alleged theft and sale of iron from the closed Embilipitiya Paper Mill and urged action through bribery or corruption authorities, citing an existing police file. Also sought a clear assurance on the future of the Sevanagala Sugar Factory amid public concerns about possible privatization, delays or issues in cane supply allocations for farmers, and criticism of the Chairman’s conduct. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Corruption & Governance ReformAgriculture Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns about unresolved inter-agency financial settlements, citing SriLankan Airlines’ dues to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as an example of broader weaknesses in inter-institutional transaction processes. He asked the Deputy Minister to provide a timeframe and outline the Government’s programme for settling such outstanding liabilities, warning that delays across successive terms would harm the country. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Public Finance Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development for details on two oil tanks and a pipeline in Kankesanthurai owned by the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation. He sought confirmation of the assets, the government institution using them, the amount payable to the Corporation for their use, and the measures to recover any outstanding payments. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Public Finance Read →
- 7 October 2025 AI summary The Report of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour and Human Resources Development on the Convention Against Doping (Amendment) Bill was presented to Parliament and ordered to lie upon the Table. Sectoral Oversight Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns about the tea sector, noting its major contribution to export earnings and arguing that targeted interventions could further expand it. He asked the authorities to address growers’ complaints about fertilizer quality and timely supply. He also alleged that some state-leased estates, including Egbert Estate in Kolonna under Maturata Plantations, had moved away from tea into hotels, subleasing and mining, and called for monitoring and corrective action against such practices. Oral Question: Tea Smallholder Contribution to Production (Q.1/2024) AgricultureLand & Housing Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi questioned the Minister on the decline in tea production from around 340 million kg in 2013–2014 to about 260 million kg, attributing it largely to past fertilizer policy and reduced yields. He argued that the Rs. 4,000 fertilizer subsidy per bag is insufficient, noted the closure of over 200 tea factories, and asked what concrete plan exists to prevent smallholders, particularly in Ratnapura, from abandoning the tea industry. Oral Question: Tea Smallholder Contribution to Production (Q.1/2024) Agriculture Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary Requested the Minister to table the detailed answer and specifically identify recent measures taken to support tea smallholders. Oral Question: Tea Smallholder Contribution to Production (Q.1/2024) Agriculture Read →
- 20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi urged the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to introduce legal provisions preventing sports club office-bearers from simultaneously holding positions in national sports federations. He argued that such overlapping roles do not benefit national sport and called on the Minister to focus on mobilizing youth for national contribution rather than serving political interests. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised an urgent concern that clinical placements at Neville Fernando Hospital for final-year medical students of the University of Moratuwa may have been stopped, urging the Education and Health Ministers to resolve the matter to avoid delays in degree completion. He questioned the Sports Ministry’s reform agenda, particularly the delayed regulations promised for Sri Lanka Cricket, and asked for clarification on governance, funding, and accountability issues involving SLC. He also sought answers on the suitability of Sanath Jayasuriya serving as national Head Coach while facing ICC charges, the status of the proposed Polhena cricket stadium, and the Ministry’s use of over Rs. 400 million reportedly provided by SLC. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Corruption & Governance ReformEducationLaw & Order Read →
- 20 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi rose briefly to seek a clarification from Hon. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. No further details of the clarification were provided in the excerpt. Procedural Item: Speaker Directions and Questions Stood Down Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi paid condolences to the late A. Pilapitiya, R. Sampanthan, W. B. Ekanayake, Lucky Jayawardana, and Malani Fonseka. He particularly recalled A. Pilapitiya’s service to Ratnapura, Kalawana, and Sabaragamuwa, including infrastructure work and public service roles, and also noted Lucky Jayawardana’s support to new MPs, Malani Fonseka’s cultural and parliamentary contribution, W. B. Ekanayake’s service to Anuradhapura, and R. Sampanthan’s role in Tamil political representation and inter-ethnic reconciliation. Condolence Debate: Late Hon. Members (R. Sampanthan, A. Pilapitiya, W. B. Ekanayake, Lucky Jayawardana, Malani Fonseka) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi stated that he would proceed to ask the question. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or argument was presented in the excerpt. Oral Question: Easter Sunday Attack - Officers Accused (Q.115/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi welcomed the wage-related Bills for private sector workers but argued that the proposed relief is inadequate for workers and small entrepreneurs facing high living costs. He questioned unmet election promises, including higher estate-sector wages and jobs for graduates, and urged the Government to state openly what it can deliver and seek practical proposals from others. He criticized continued reliance on blaming previous governments, alleged misconduct such as double fuel allowances and political inducements at local level, and called for credible economic plans as debt servicing resumes. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) EmploymentCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi presented the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour Force and Human Capital’s report covering amendments to minimum wage and budgetary relief allowance legislation, as well as the 2022 annual reports of the National Institute of Labour Studies and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Committee Reports: Environment, Education, Infrastructure Bills Parliamentary ProcedureEmployment Read →
- 6 June 2025 AI summary The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi sought leave to introduce a Private Member’s Bill to incorporate the Chiththa Advanced Psychological Studies Open Institute of Sri Lanka. Papers: Private Members' Bills Introduction Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 June 2025 AI summary Requested an adjournment debate to allow the Minister to respond directly to allegations and address public concerns, rather than revisiting prior discussion on carrots. Asked whether the Minister was prepared to participate in such a debate. Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →