Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, M.P.
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
Profession: ---
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- 7 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs presented the 2023 Performance Report of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs and the 2023 Annual Performance Report of the Hindu Cultural Fund. He proposed that both reports be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee, and the House agreed. Papers: Ministerial Reports and Performance Reports Parliamentary ProcedureReligion & Culture Read →
- 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi requested additional time to provide a comprehensive answer, noting that information must be obtained from several institutions, including the Ministry of Lands. He undertook to submit a full response in due course. Private Notice Question: Construction of Tissa Rajamaha Viharaya on Private Land in Thyiddy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2025 AI summary In a tabled answer, the Minister stated that 321 Arabic schools are registered and that a common curriculum issued in 2013 by the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs applies to them, with schools required to report any additional curricula. He said the curriculum is being revised following a 2020 Committee on Public Accounts recommendation, an expert committee appointed in 2022 has prepared a revised syllabus, and it has been sent to the Ministry of Education for review and approval before implementation. Oral Question 4: Arabic schools curriculum (Q.481/2025) EducationReligion & Culture Read →
- 4 March 2025 AI summary The Minister described the Regidale Estate in Kahapola, a 76-acre property donated for Buddhist purposes, as abandoned and overgrown despite an inauguration plaque and only about 5 per cent progress over three years. He outlined the complex administrative history of the land among several state institutions and noted that proper title transfer has not been completed. He said a Cabinet Paper was submitted on 20 December 2024 to regularize the situation and decide the next steps, given the site’s proximity to Colombo and the lack of planned development. Oral Question 1: Shakya Kingdom replica at Kahapola (Q.481/2025) Land & HousingCorruption & Governance ReformReligion & Culture Read →
- 4 March 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Shakya Kingdom reconstruction project, for which a foundation stone was laid in January 2017, used no government funds, with only land provided by the Ministry under an MoU with the Light of Asia Foundation. He said the Foundation failed to complete the work within the agreed three years, achieving only about 5 per cent progress, leading to cancellation of the MoU and suspension of the project. He added that about 5 acres, including existing constructions and adjacent land, are to be regularized for a proposed International Multicultural Centre, and that a Cabinet Memorandum has been submitted. Oral Question 1: Shakya Kingdom replica at Kahapola (Q.481/2025) Religion & Culture Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi expressed support for the Government’s first Budget, highlighting the Rs. 271 billion allocation for education. He argued that education is central to addressing past societal issues and said the Budget emphasizes building a humane, people-centred society. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Public FinanceEducation Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi argued that criticisms of the Budget had distorted the Minister’s statements and should be assessed against the detailed Estimates. He highlighted welfare allocations, including Rs. 441.3 billion for pensions and substantial payments to families of deceased and injured soldiers, as evidence that the Budget balances production and growth with social obligations. He also noted the Rs. 13.6 billion allocation to the Ministry of Digital Economy, saying it should support more efficient public services and reduce paperwork and administrative delays. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
- 19 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs presented the 2023 Annual Performance Report of the Department of National Archives. He proposed that the report be referred to the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee, and the House agreed. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Ministry Statements Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 February 2025 AI summary Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi moved that Hon. Prof. Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson left the Chair and Prof. Nanayakkara assumed it. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary The Minister outlined planned cultural sector programmes under the theme “A noble cultural life and a compassionate citizenry,” noting that inspections had identified incomplete large concrete structures at cultural centres, including an auditorium shell at the Kurunegala Jana Kala Foundation, which the Ministry intends to complete. He said the Budget-aligned proposals include a central Artists’ Residence in Colombo for regional artists, four fully equipped Multi-Cultural Centres including in the North and East, and an International Translation Centre to promote translation among Sinhala, Tamil and English works. He argued these measures are necessary to strengthen arts and culture as part of national development. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Religion & CultureInfrastructureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary The Minister reported that 220 Cultural Centres operate across all nine provinces, with 219 functioning satisfactorily, while the 11 centres in the Northern Province require further development. He said the Ministry has reviewed shortcomings, including inadequate staffing and programmes that depart from cultural objectives, and will introduce standards to ensure the centres better serve Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim cultural and artistic activities. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Religion & Culture Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Kaikawala Folk Arts Centre is not administered by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, but is on Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority land leased to the Southern Provincial Council, which built and opened it in 1991. He said related parts of the question were therefore not applicable and noted that a report from the Bentota Divisional Secretary had been placed in the Library. He added that his Ministry is reviewing the administrative status of folk arts and cultural centres, some of which fall under Provincial Councils, with a view to providing information, making necessary changes, and supporting development. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Religion & Culture Read →
- 24 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi tabled the Committee on Public Accounts report concerning observations and actions taken on the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and its institutions, under Standing Order 119(4). He moved that the report be referred to the Committee on Public Accounts, and the motion was agreed to. Tabling of Papers and Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs presented the 2023 Performance Report of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs. He moved that the report be referred to the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented Religion & CultureParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 3 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi emphasized the Government’s policy theme of “Raising the Cultural Human Being” within “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life,” arguing that economic development must be matched by socio-cultural development to build a compassionate citizenry. He said the mandate received across the country, including the North and East, showed a rejection of religious extremism, chauvinism, and divisive politics, and called for nurturing a Sri Lankan national identity alongside global citizenship. He also urged renewed attention to education, culture, and language policy as tools to prevent sectarian conflict and promote a more inclusive civic culture. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Religion & CultureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →