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

Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Ratnapura

Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs

Profession: ---

Roster profile ↗
Speeches 95 #50 of 225·#23 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Religion & Culture 60 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Oral question

Activity by sitting

48 sittings · counts only, no scoring.

Topic focus

AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.

Speech history

95 speeches
  • 5 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs presented the 2023 Annual Report of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation and the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Hindu Cultural Fund. He proposed that both reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour and Human Resources Development, and the House agreed. Papers Presented: Government Reports and Annual Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 23 January 2026 AI summary The Minister supported amendments to Sections 49 and 51 of the Universities Act, arguing that they would depoliticize and democratize the appointment and removal of Deans and Heads of Departments. He said Faculty Boards and University Councils should have clearer authority over these posts, with term limits and removal powers introduced to prevent prolonged control and administrative distortions. He emphasized that such positions affect academic careers, recruitment, promotions, study leave, scholarships and disciplinary processes, and rejected claims that the reforms undermine university autonomy. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading EducationCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 7 January 2026 AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs presented the 2023 Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. He proposed that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour Force and Human Capital, and the House agreed. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 December 2025 AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs stated that the ministry currently has information on approximately 1,000 religious places. No further policy proposal or request was made in the excerpt provided. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Religion & Culture Read →
  • 1 December 2025 AI summary At the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi moved an amendment under Head 101, Programme 02. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 1 December 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, the Minister moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill, 2026 for the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The amendment substitutes the Ministry’s allocations with Rs. 9,525,000,000 for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 5,025,000,000 for capital expenditure. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Public Finance Read →
  • 22 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that issues relating to devalaya lands are being addressed alongside Buddhist temple lands under the relevant legal framework. He noted that clarifying ownership and title matters, including under the “Bim Saviya” programme, is complex and requires coordination among several ministries and trustees, and said he is involved in the ongoing consultations. Oral Question: Lands Coming Under Buddhist Temporalities Act (Q.1505/2025) Religion & CultureLand & Housing Read →
  • 22 November 2025 AI summary Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi acknowledged practical difficulties arising from long-standing leases and informal transfers of properties attached to Buddhist sacred places, affecting matters such as school admissions and bank mortgages in districts including Kurunegala and Ratnapura. He stated that the Government is working to amend the Viharas and Devalagam law, particularly Sections 41 and 42, with guidance from the Maha Sangha, and that a draft has been sent to the Legal Draftsman. He added that further solutions would require consultations with religious authorities and local communities, not legal amendments alone. Oral Question: Lands Coming Under Buddhist Temporalities Act (Q.1505/2025) Religion & CultureLand & Housing Read →
  • 22 November 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to a question on lands belonging to Buddhist sacred places, stating that the Buddhist Temporalities (Amendment) Act, No. 34 of 2013 does not specify land extents, while such lands are governed under the Viharas and Devalagam Ordinance, No. 19 of 1931. He said information on land extents is held by the relevant chief incumbents and trustees of 12,971 sacred places, and that temple lands may be leased or rented under Section 29(1) but cannot be mortgaged, sold, alienated, or sub-leased contrary to the Ordinance. Any unlawful sale or transfer is invalid, and action would be taken under the provisions of the 1931 Ordinance. Oral Question: Lands Coming Under Buddhist Temporalities Act (Q.1505/2025) Land & HousingReligion & Culture Read →
  • 13 November 2025 AI summary The Minister supported the Second Reading of the 2026 Budget, arguing that the Government had moved the country out of a “lost decade” through fiscal stabilization, improved revenue collection, legal reforms and attention to inherited liabilities such as incomplete infrastructure contracts. He highlighted allocations for persons with disabilities under Aswesuma and for accessibility improvements in public institutions, as well as spending on education, Mahapola and bursaries, professorial units, medical facilities, the Ratnapura railway line and Rs. 21 billion for research and development. He also responded to criticisms on Hindu affairs by citing initiatives including the National Thaipongal festival in Jaffna, gazetting the Sabarimala Ayyappan pilgrimage, kovil and religious education funding, and the allocation for a National “Sri Lankan Day” festival. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) EducationReligion & CulturePublic Finance Read →
  • 13 November 2025 AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs moved that Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran take the Chair. The House agreed to the proposal, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Kodeeswaran presided. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 12 November 2025 AI summary Clarified that the apparent reduction between the 2025 and 2026 figures was due to Rs. 1,130 million recorded in 2025 as income from an Indian grant, not Treasury funds. Stated that steps had already been taken to spend those grant funds and that there was no reduction in the Ministry’s allocation. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Public Finance Read →
  • 12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi provided figures on allocations related to Buddhist affairs, stating that Rs. 1,620 million was allocated under the Ministry, Rs. 463 million from the Department of Buddhist Affairs, and Rs. 70 million from the Buddhasasana Fund. He said these amounts total Rs. 2,154 million, apparently in response to the Leader of the Opposition. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Public Finance Read →
  • 12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi outlined allocations for Buddhasasana-related programmes, stating that a project on over 25 acres of allocated land was progressing well and expected to show strong financial and physical progress by the third week of December. He said the total allocation was Rs. 2,154 million, comprising Rs. 1,620 million under the Ministry, Rs. 463.5 million under the Department of Buddhist Affairs, and Rs. 70.3 million from the Buddhasasana Fund. He detailed major allocations including religious activities, Punya Grama, development of places of worship and rural temples, and solar power facilities for temples, and stated that no heads under the Department had been reduced. He tabled annexures setting out the allocations requested by the Leader of the Opposition. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Religion & CulturePublic Finance Read →
  • 12 November 2025 AI summary Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Government is acting on matters concerning monks and anti-Sasana activities in line with the guidance of the Mahanayaka Theros of the Three Nikayas, including through the establishment of a Buddhasasana Council. He said Cabinet approval has been obtained to amend Sections 41 and 42 of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, with draft amendments sent to the Attorney General for observations. He also reported that Rs. 3,484 million was allocated for 2025, with Rs. 968.82 million in financial progress by 30 September, noting that commitments including the India-funded solar power project are expected to raise financial and physical progress above 90% by December. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Religion & CulturePublic Finance Read →
  • 12 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that authorities are already intervening in the matter, working with the Department of Archaeology and relevant agencies including the Kolonna Divisional Secretariat, Land Reform Commission, Department of Survey, and Ministry of National Heritage. He said a structured inquiry would be completed swiftly and reported, with the aim of safeguarding the monument and surrounding landscape under archaeological regulations and restoring it properly to the nation. Oral Question 1347/2025: Takeover of Maduwanwela Walawwa by Department of Archaeology Corruption & Governance ReformReligion & Culture Read →
  • 12 November 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to concerns about a historically significant site in Ratnapura, stating that he had inspected it and obtained reports from archaeological officials. He noted issues over land excluded between two Gazette notifications, alleged sale of a nearby plot, ongoing private construction, and unresolved questions about intermediary resales. He said the inquiry and government intervention are continuing, and that he would report the final position with the aim of protecting the monument and its surrounding landscape according to its declared status. Oral Question 1347/2025: Takeover of Maduwanwela Walawwa by Department of Archaeology Religion & CultureLand & Housing Read →
  • 12 November 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to a question on Maduwanwela Walawwa, stating that the property developed from a pre-1700 residence into a historically significant Walawwa completed in 1905, and was handed to the Department of Archaeology in 1978. He detailed the ownership, land extent, compensation paid, and Gazette notifications that vested the property and later declared part of it an Archaeological Reserve with a 400-yard buffer zone. He also acknowledged a discrepancy between the 13 acres 3 roods 13 perches handed over in 1978 and the 7 acres 23 perches declared as a reserve in 2006, noting that inter-agency discussions have occurred but no final decision has been reached. Oral Question 1347/2025: Takeover of Maduwanwela Walawwa by Department of Archaeology Religion & CulturePublic Finance Read →
  • 8 November 2025 AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs tabled the 2020 and 2021 Annual Reports of the Buddha Sasana Fund, the 2024 Performance Report of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Department of National Archives. He moved that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour and Human Resources, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 24 October 2025 AI summary Responding for the Government to an adjournment motion on reforms to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, the Minister said the 1931 law is outdated and that Cabinet has approved work on amendments to several statutes, including current draft amendments to Sections 41 and 42 concerning monastic disciplinary matters. He stated that the Government has no objection in principle to granting women voting rights in relevant elections, but noted that Section 40 currently refers to “a male person” and said changes affecting institutions such as the Dalada Maligawa should proceed with the guidance of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chief Prelates and the Tri-Nikaya Maha Sangha. He also outlined existing legal provisions on the Diyawadana Nilame’s ten-year term and age-related qualifications, and called for broad public consultation before further reforms. Adjournment Motion: Voting Rights for Female Divisional Secretaries at Diyawadana Nilame Election Women & ChildrenReligion & CultureLaw & Order Read →