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

Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi, M.P.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)· Ratnapura

Profession: Company Director

Roster profile ↗
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
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Consumer protection was raised as a core responsibility of the Ministry in the context of public controversy over salt and rice imports and allegations directed at the Minister. The member requested that an adjournment motion debate be allowed so the Minister could respond, and questioned why local prices had risen sharply despite international price information being readily available. Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) Cost of LivingParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi questioned whether Dedicated Economic Centres have fulfilled their intended role in practice, noting that farmers face transport losses and unfair prices while intermediaries capture large margins between farm-gate and urban retail prices. He asked whether the relevant Cabinet paper includes measures to ensure fair producer prices, reduce post-harvest losses, improve logistics, protect consumers, and properly regularize Centres in major farming areas. Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
  • 6 June 2025 AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development to provide details on Dedicated Economic Centres in Sri Lanka, including their number, locations, and the objectives behind their establishment. He also sought information on measures to regularize the business and administrative activities of those centres, and requested reasons if such information could not be provided. Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi questioned the legality and basis of land grants, including a cited 39-acre allocation allegedly made only on a ministerial letter without feasibility assessment. He alleged that LRC lands in areas such as Suriyakanda, Hetchchatha, Embilipitiya Walawa Region, Kolonna, and up to Hambantota had been allocated based on popularity, retired military status, or political affiliation rather than proper criteria. He requested a review by the District Secretary or another authority and asked whether the Government would re-vest lands not being used for cultivation, offering support for such a plan. Oral Question: Grant of Lands by Mahaweli Authority for Large-Scale Projects (Q.1/2025) Land & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi thanked the Deputy Minister for the response but questioned the basis on which lands had been granted in the Embilipitiya Walawa Region under the Mahaweli Authority over the past decade. He alleged irregular allocations, including land granted under letters bearing Chamal Rajapaksa’s name, appointments made to suit ministerial interests, and plots obtained under the Dole Lanka brand, including 39 acres within the Embilipitiya paper mill premises. He requested an investigation or a committee review into recent land alienations to ensure limited land is allocated properly to genuine agricultural project implementers. Oral Question: Grant of Lands by Mahaweli Authority for Large-Scale Projects (Q.1/2025) Land & HousingCorruption & Governance ReformAgriculture Read →
  • 22 May 2025 AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to explain the procedure used by the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority when granting land for large-scale projects. He specifically sought details on the land extents allocated to Dole Lanka and Vita Organi for banana cultivation in the Chandrika Wewa Division of the Walawa Region, and asked whether the Minister acknowledged that proper procedure had not been followed in those allocations. Oral Question: Grant of Lands by Mahaweli Authority for Large-Scale Projects (Q.1/2025) AgricultureLand & Housing Read →
  • 9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi said the Opposition supported, beyond party lines, fulfilling promises made to the public, including on the pension matter, and would continue bringing proposals through Private Members’ motions. He argued that the Government should communicate transparently and consistently, noting conflicting statements on issues such as the President’s alleged use of a private jet despite earlier commitments to modest travel. He warned that failure to meet public expectations would undermine the trust of voters who backed the Government seeking a break from traditional politics. Private Members' Motion (P.2/2024): Curtailing Privileges of MPs and Former Heads of State Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi briefly affirmed the clarification by Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe that, where two salaries were previously available, only one salary is now drawn. Private Members' Motion (P.2/2024): Curtailing Privileges of MPs and Former Heads of State Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 9 May 2025 AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi posed a brief question asking whether Members of Parliament are also drawing theirs, apparently in reference to a payment, allowance, or entitlement mentioned in the preceding exchange. The intervention sought clarification rather than advancing a substantive argument or proposal. Private Members' Motion (P.2/2024): Curtailing Privileges of MPs and Former Heads of State Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 9 May 2025 AI summary Welcoming the Minister’s statement, Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi expressed expectation that the remaining legal steps would be completed soon. He sought clarification on claims by MPs that they do not draw a salary, arguing that redirecting the salary to other accounts or party funds should not be presented as refusing it, and called for honesty with the public. Private Members' Motion (P.2/2024): Curtailing Privileges of MPs and Former Heads of State Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi moved a Motion calling for parliamentary discussion and government action to reduce, remove, or otherwise regulate privileges granted to Members of Parliament, former Heads of State, and their widows. He argued that the Government had not fulfilled public promises to implement such reforms within two weeks, despite seven months having passed, and demanded clear timelines, specific measures, and any necessary legal changes. He also cautioned that changes such as withdrawing MPs’ security should be done through a clear policy rather than for public impression. Private Members' Motion (P.2/2024): Curtailing Privileges of MPs and Former Heads of State Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Deputy Minister for clarification on the policy proposal to establish a primary school within every 3 km radius. He sought details on the number of schools envisaged under the plan and questioned its practical feasibility. Oral Question 10/2024: National Schools - Lack of Qualified Principals InfrastructureEducation Read →
  • 10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns that many National Schools lack qualified principals and argued that the designation of National Schools has often been politically driven without meeting required standards. He questioned why qualified SLEAS Class I officers are not applying for principal posts in certain schools and urged education authorities to examine the reasons teachers are reluctant to take up principal positions, proposing practical solutions such as recruiting more SLEAS Class II officers and addressing underlying issues. Oral Question 10/2024: National Schools - Lack of Qualified Principals EducationCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 10 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to provide the number and names of National Schools in Sri Lanka, and to identify which have principals with the required qualifications and which do not. He further sought details on measures to address the shortage of qualified principals, particularly in light of the increased number of National Schools. Oral Question 10/2024: National Schools - Lack of Qualified Principals Education Read →
  • 20 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi rejected media reports disputing his earlier allegations about Sri Lanka Cricket and tabled Executive Committee minutes from 30 July 2021 recording a decision to appoint Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon as an adviser with specified allowances and benefits. He alleged wider fraud and misuse of SLC resources, criticised the Government and Sports Minister for not stopping the forthcoming SLC elections despite the allegations, and said he would seek judicial intervention. He also stated that he would continue presenting documents on alleged misconduct, including previous claims relating to World Cup travel and visa arrangements, and warned against attempts to silence such disclosures. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 20 March 2025 AI summary Asked whether the Government would take concrete, due-process steps to recover losses and pursue those responsible in broader corruption matters, citing the Avant Garde case as an example. Part of the intervention was expunged by order of the Chair. Oral Question 1: Government Institutions - Security Companies (Q.1/4/2024) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 20 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns that despite the large number of State institutions, only a small proportion use State security service providers, while private security contracts have reportedly involved irregularities. He asked whether the Government would strengthen and expand the two State security entities, including by using retired military and Civil Security personnel, so they could provide security for more State institutions and reduce fraud and corruption in contracting. Oral Question 1: Government Institutions - Security Companies (Q.1/4/2024) Security & DefencePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 18 March 2025 AI summary A formal cut of Rs. 10 from the relevant Heads of Expenditure was moved during the Committee Stage, while raising concerns about Youth Affairs and Sports policy direction. The speech called for an end to political manipulation of youth institutions, questioned graduate job promises, and sought clarity on the future of the National Youth Corps. It also questioned weaknesses in sports administration, including why only 28 of 73 registered associations participate in National Games, and pressed the Government to act on Sri Lanka Cricket reforms, table the Chitrasiri Report, and clarify whether changes to the SLC Constitution will be made before or after the 31 March elections. Concerns were also raised about politicized stadium projects and the need to prioritize grassroots and school cricket facilities. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Public FinanceEmploymentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 11 March 2025 AI summary Asked whether the Paddy Marketing Board is effectively procuring paddy amid current rice affordability concerns. He also sought clarification on measures being taken to address rice shortages, directing the question to the Deputy Minister responsible for agriculture. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Agriculture Read →
  • 11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns about the poultry industry, noting its importance to ordinary people and the growth shown in available data despite some imports. He asked whether the Ministry has a stable programme to control arbitrary price increases by traders, resolve industry issues to reduce import dependence, and promote poultry exports. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) AgricultureCost of Living Read →