Politick Parliament. On record. For every citizen.
Sri Lanka
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
  • 11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide annual data from 2010 to the present on chicken production in Sri Lanka, as well as details of any chicken meat exports and imports during that period. He also requested the Ministry to state what measures will be taken to improve the domestic chicken meat industry, or explain why such information cannot be provided. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Agriculture Read →
  • 5 March 2025 AI summary Asked the Government to state a concrete timeframe and measures for promoting tourism nationally, noting that demand has increased while supply-side facilities remain inadequate. He specifically questioned whether time-bound steps, including support similar to earlier refinance loan schemes for hotel developers, would be introduced to develop the industry and assist new entrants. Oral Question: Madunagala Tourist Project (Q.1/2025) EmploymentInfrastructure Read →
  • 5 March 2025 AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi questioned the Deputy Minister about a tourism-related construction project near the Madunagala hot springs, noting that the site had fallen into disrepair despite similar central and provincial funding claims seen elsewhere. He asked whether a feasibility study had been conducted and urged the Government to determine whether the site could be made productive by providing basic infrastructure such as roads and electricity, or whether the project should be abandoned. Oral Question: Madunagala Tourist Project (Q.1/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism for details on the current status of the Madunagala Tourist Project initiated by the Ruhunu Tourist Bureau. He sought expenditure figures for the unfinished heart revival centre, cafeteria, restroom, dining hall, tourist bungalow and rural bazaar, and asked whether the Minister was aware of their reported disrepair. He also requested the Government’s planned steps to complete, repair, or re-implement the project. Oral Question: Madunagala Tourist Project (Q.1/2025) Public FinanceForeign AffairsInfrastructure Read →
  • 3 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage questioned the Government’s handling of energy policy, particularly the absence of clear ministerial responses after power outages and reported statements opposing solar projects in Hambantota. He warned that halting or retendering renewable energy projects selected under the 2022 expression-of-interest process could undermine investor confidence, create compensation liabilities, and delay efforts to reduce dependence on emergency diesel generation. He urged the Minister to clarify whether past selections were flawed, provide a roadmap for reducing costly thermal power use, and ensure policy consistency in implementing the renewable energy framework established under the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority Act and related plans. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformInfrastructure Read →
  • 24 February 2025 AI summary The member said the Opposition would support constructive government action while scrutinizing errors, warning against arrogance after the Government’s large electoral mandate. He questioned whether the President’s promise to “lift the country” within six months would be measured from the presidential or parliamentary victory, and said the Opposition would allow that period without obstruction. He cited concerns over rice import reversals, Sathosa tender issues, and possible repetition of past corrupt practices. He also urged the Sports Minister to act on alleged corruption in Sri Lanka Cricket, noting prior COPE concerns and saying promised action within 14 days had not materialized. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 21 February 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. A. Edirisinghe of Moraketiya Cross Road, Embilipitiya, was presented to Parliament. Petitions Presented by Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi moved an Adjournment Motion calling for urgent reforms to Sri Lanka Cricket amid concerns over poor international performance, audit findings of fraud and corruption, and the pending SLC election. He argued that the 2024 sports regulations enabling extended office terms were not approved by Parliament under the Sports Law and urged the Minister to suspend them, act on the Chitrasiri Committee proposals, and establish a transparent administrative framework. He also raised concerns over recent SLC constitutional changes affecting voting rights and warned that, without intervention, the same allegedly corrupt administration could regain control. Adjournment Debate: Sri Lanka Cricket Development and Anti-Corruption Measures Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
  • 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi welcomed the Minister’s response to his Private Member’s Motion on long-standing issues affecting Tamil communities, particularly in estate and village areas, and urged that responsibility be shared by all MPs rather than treated solely as a matter for Tamil representatives. He argued that decades of neglect should not be used to justify further inaction, highlighting the need for practical measures such as road development to ease tensions and improve access. He thanked Members who supported the debate and requested that an earlier postponed motion be given time on a future occasion. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government InfrastructureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
  • 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi moved a Private Members’ Motion urging the Government to vest under Provincial and Local Authorities estate roads that pass through plantation company lands and serve estate worker settlements. Citing Ratnapura and other plantation areas, he argued that unclear ownership and company control prevent road development and access, and called for discussions with estate companies, resources, and legal changes to empower authorities. He also requested broader measures for plantation communities, including action on line-room housing, equitable allocation of facilities across districts, A/L science education for Tamil students in Ratnapura, and inclusive mechanisms that treat Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities equally. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government Land & HousingInfrastructureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
  • 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi stated that his earlier Motion was intended to show Opposition support for a Government proposal, but said it had been suppressed or arbitrarily blocked despite not being discussed in Committee. He requested the Deputy Speaker to look into the matter, expressed displeasure over the handling of the Motion, and then proceeded to the Motion scheduled for the day. Private Members' Motion 1: Acquisition of Estate Roads to the Government Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised a procedural objection that his first Private Member’s Motion, concerning reductions to MPs’ pensions and perks of MPs and former Presidents, had been removed from the Order Paper despite being submitted first. He said the Table Office indicated such decisions are for the Committee on Parliamentary Business, but he had been informed no such decision was taken, and requested clarification on who removed the Motion. He asked that his entitlement as a Member to move the Motion be respected and sought permission to present that Motion instead of the one listed. Procedural Motions on Standing Order Exemption and Time Amendment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 February 2025 AI summary Called for clarification on whether large-scale solar power projects, including in Hambantota, have been halted and, if so, for what reasons. He argued that delays to solar projects weaken efforts to reduce electricity tariffs and could contribute to future supply shortages. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions EnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
  • 7 February 2025 AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi questioned the Ceylon Electricity Board’s reliance on outsourcing despite its large salary expenditure, noting that core functions such as line stringing and service connections are contracted out. He alleged long-standing management and integrity problems within the CEB, including issues in Jaffna where diesel generation continues despite the viability of solar power. He asked whether the Minister would continue outsourcing as policy or undertake reforms. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructure Read →
  • 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised a question to the Minister of Energy regarding employees engaged by the Ceylon Electricity Board on casual or contract basis. The query sought information on the status, numbers, and employment conditions of such workers, likely in relation to regularization, service continuity, or policy measures affecting them. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Employment Read →
  • 6 February 2025 AI summary The Member raised a supplementary question on legal education and private degree-awarding institutions, noting the Law College’s decision to hold an entrance examination for foreign and Open University LLB holders. He asked whether the Government has a mechanism to ensure the standards of degrees awarded by private institutions, including those with UGC approval, and sought clarification on the status of a previously promised new location for the Sri Lanka Law College due to space constraints. Oral Question: Bachelor of Laws Degree Awards (Q.1/2024) Education Read →
  • 6 February 2025 AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi formally posed a question to the House. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy detail was included in the recorded speech. Oral Question: Bachelor of Laws Degree Awards (Q.1/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 22 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi urged the Minister to intervene in the Sri Lanka Cricket election process, warning that allowing it to proceed would enable alleged manipulation by the existing administration. Citing fraud identified by the Auditor General, he called for the Minister or the President to use available powers to halt the process and cautioned against being influenced by those running the institution. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 22 January 2025 AI summary While expressing conditional support for the Clean Sri Lanka programme if its stated aims are genuine, the Member criticized the Government for unclear and contradictory communication, citing confusion over implementation dates and police actions, and requested a comprehensive explanation of the programme at the end of the debate. He questioned inconsistencies between election pledges and current positions on the fuel levy and electricity tariffs, and urged clarification on whether further tariff reductions and renewable energy expansion would be pursued. He alleged obstruction within the Ceylon Electricity Board and related energy interests against solar, wind and other renewable projects, calling for scrutiny of coal procurement and warning that reversing renewable initiatives could raise costs and cause power shortages. He also referred to previous COPE concerns over Sri Lanka Cricket and questioned whether promised institutional reforms were being pursued. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) EnvironmentCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 22 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked whether the Government has a concrete programme to address the intensifying human-elephant conflict, citing recent protests in Anuradhapura and reports of rising elephant and human deaths. He criticized past temporary measures and alleged politically influenced, ineffective spending, and called for policy decisions and official intervention to protect both people and elephants. Oral Question: Wild Elephant Detention Centre in Lunugamwehera (Q.1/2025) EnvironmentLaw & Order Read →