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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 June 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that four Israeli religious centres have been identified in Pottuvil, Weligama, Thimbirigasyaya, and Ella. He said the Weligama and Ella centres are registered with the Registrar of Companies as of 21 April 2022, while the Pottuvil and Thimbirigasyaya centres are not registered. Regarding Pottuvil, he noted that officials could not obtain details from a responsible person during inspection, but public information indicated it is private property used by Israeli nationals, particularly during the tourist season, for religious activities. Oral Question: Israeli Religious and Cultural Centres Established in Sri Lanka (Q.632/2025) Religion & Culture Read →
  • 4 June 2025 AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs tabled the 2021 Annual Report of the National Library and Documentation Services Board. He moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour Force and Skills Development, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi said Sri Lanka’s theatre infrastructure, including the John de Silva Memorial Theatre and other Colombo venues, is in serious need of repair, while many outstation auditoriums used for drama are not suitable for that purpose. He stated that the Government and his Ministry are addressing these issues, including plans to equip the National Art Gallery and establish a proper state-supported venue for paying final respects to cultural figures. He also outlined a programme to provide properly equipped theatre facilities for groups of districts, with planning to be formalized through the next Budget. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment Religion & Culture Read →
  • 9 April 2025 AI summary The Minister explained that the proposed multi-functional cultural centres would differ from existing cultural centres by providing facilities such as proper sound and lighting systems, training spaces, food and beverage areas, and limited accommodation. He said the Government intends to begin establishing a regulatory-level network in four areas, including Jaffna, the Eastern and Western Provinces, and Matara, to enable artists outside Colombo to access training and facilities locally before attending national competitions or state festivals. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment InfrastructureReligion & Culture Read →
  • 9 April 2025 AI summary The Minister responded that questions relating to art centres under Provincial Cultural Departments fall within Provincial Council responsibility and were therefore not included in his answer. He stated that Rs. 6.74 million was spent in 2024 as grants of Rs. 20,000 each to 337 Divisional Secretariats for divisional-level national competition activities, but acknowledged that this allocation is inadequate. He said the Department had provided the maximum possible within Treasury limits and indicated that, with a larger Rs. 3.5 billion allocation to the Ministry this year, he hopes to direct more funds toward cultural centre development. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment Public Finance Read →
  • 9 April 2025 AI summary There are 220 cultural centres, which provide free and subsidized arts, cultural, language, and skills development programmes, including dance, music, drawing, early childhood development, and martial arts. They also provide local cultural services such as dance troupes, costume rental, hall and library facilities, commemorative and entertainment programmes, theatre workshops, traditional performances, and ritual services. The Minister stated that these centres also create opportunities for local children to participate in national cultural events such as Independence Day celebrations and the National Vesak Festival. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment Religion & Culture Read →
  • 9 April 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that there is currently no formal training centre for Arabic school teachers or Imams, but the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs conducts annual training programmes for Arabic school teachers. He said a new curriculum for Arabic schools is in the final stages with the Department of Education, and teacher training will be integrated once it is approved. He added that Imams trained through Arabic schools are assigned to schools and mosques, and that he will give special attention to establishing a dedicated training centre, noting that no prior allocations had been made for one. Oral Questions: Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs; Foreign Employment EducationReligion & Culture Read →
  • 8 April 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the 2023 Performance Report of the Department of Cultural Affairs and the 2023 Annual Performance Report of the Department of Archaeology. He proposed that both reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour and Human Resources Advancement, and the House agreed. Papers: Annual Reports and Institutional Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 March 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer stating that details requested in parts (a)(i) and (ii) are provided in annexes. He said cadre shortages have been referred to the Department of Management Services and the committee reviewing public sector recruitment, while physical resources are procured through annual budget allocations. The subsequent part was deemed not applicable. Oral Questions 2-5: Second Round (Multiple Questions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary At the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill 2025, Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi moved an amendment relating to Head 101, Programme 02. The statement was procedural and did not include substantive argument or details of the proposed change. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Amendments Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary At the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill 2025, an amendment was moved on behalf of the Minister of Finance relating to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The amendment proposes substituting the recurrent expenditure allocation on page 9, line 14 with Rs. 8,600,000,000. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Amendments Public Finance Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi concluded the Committee Stage debate on his Ministry’s Budget Heads by outlining plans to establish institutions including a National Film Conservation Archive, a Cinema School, an International Theatre School, and an International Visual Arts Centre. He thanked Members, parliamentary officials, and Ministry staff for their contributions and stated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the Government’s broader aspirations for national prosperity and improved living standards. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Religion & Culture Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary The Minister outlined the broad remit of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and highlighted Budget provision for artist and media professional housing, including 108 units within the Chinese-assisted Kottawa housing project. He cited the distribution of donated Saudi dates to 2,700 mosques, the National Maha Shivaratri event in Ratnapura, and Hajj arrangements, including efforts to reduce the Rs. 2.1 million recommended fee and improve pilgrim services. He emphasized religious and ethnic harmony, rejected abusive conduct in Parliament, and said the Ministry is planning further 2025 initiatives such as an International Performing Arts Centre, Artists’ Academy, multicultural centre network, and an institute for spiritual and philosophical studies. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Public FinanceEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionReligion & Culture Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the National Security Council noted shortages of Tamil-speaking Archaeology Department officers in the North and East, and that remaining vacancies would be filled with attention to work that does not disrupt local communities. He said an expert committee has been appointed on the Kurundi Vihara issue, with excavations suspended there pending an amicable resolution, and that issues at Wadunagala arose from actions beyond departmental recommendations. He also noted Rs. 36 million allocated for infrastructure related to the Kochchikade Hindu Kovil and explained funding through the Hindu Cultural Fund, while confirming attention to finding suitable land for the Mahara Prison mosque closed after the 2019 Easter attacks. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Justice & Human RightsReligion & CultureSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi responded to Opposition concerns about religious and archaeological interventions in the North, including Buddha statues, Tissa Viharaya in Jaffna, land issues, and resettlement. He said the current Government has not initiated the cited interventions, many of which occurred earlier, and clarified that the Ministry of Buddhasasana has no authority to alienate land. He stated that issues such as land regularization in Thondamanaru/Thayiddy should be examined and resolved with harmony and patience, while rejecting claims that the Government is fostering hostility towards minorities and noting Budget emphasis on Northern development and inter-community harmony. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Religion & CultureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary The Minister opened the debate on the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Budget Head, arguing that religious, cultural, artistic and heritage work is central to social norms and national development. He outlined a total 2025 allocation of Rs. 13,725 million, including funds for the Ministry and departments covering Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian affairs, archaeology, museums, archives and cultural institutions. He said the Government would support religious education, festivals, worship-site development, solar projects, and the forthcoming public exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, while also investing in cultural heritage research such as work related to the Fahiengala human remains. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment EducationReligion & CulturePublic Finance Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary Most registered mosques have Imam and Muadhdhin positions, though some do not, and their establishment depends on each mosque’s income. The Minister stated that no decision has been made on a minimum wage for these positions and that a fixed wage cannot be set because mosques are not income-generating institutions and rely mainly on varying local monthly contributions. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Religion & Culture Read →
  • 12 March 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer stating that 5,085 archaeological sites have been identified, with the full list placed in the Library. He outlined protection measures including declarations under the Antiquities Ordinance, conservation and excavation work, regional maintenance arrangements, and public and school awareness programmes. The response noted that further details under part (b) were not applicable. Oral Question: Scarcity of Coconuts and Archaeological Site Protection (Q.92/2024, Q.210/2024) Religion & Culture Read →
  • 12 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs tabled the Report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The report concerned the 2016 Annual Report of the Central Cultural Fund, the 2023 Performance Report of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, and the 2023 Annual Performance Report of the Department of National Archives, and was ordered to lie upon the Table. Opening and Papers Presented Parliamentary ProcedureReligion & Culture Read →
  • 11 March 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled an answer stating that registration of Arabic colleges is handled by the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, while individual colleges currently conduct their own final examinations and issue certificates. He said a revised syllabus and curriculum have been drafted and sent to the Ministry of Education for approval, after which a unified examination system for Arabic colleges will be implemented, with related annexures placed in the Library. Oral Questions: Moulavi Certificate and Regidale Estate Religion & CultureEducation Read →