Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney at Law, M.P.
Profession: Attorney-at-Law
Speeches 17 #187 of 225·#125 in party
Attendance 3/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 6 speeches
Last spoke 9 January 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
15 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
17 speeches- 9 January 2026 AI summary Mrs. Hiruni Wijesinghe said disaster relief measures announced by the President apply nationally and rejected claims of discriminatory treatment of Malaiyagam people, citing assistance and housing initiatives in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala. She criticized the Opposition for diverting debates from the Orders before Parliament, then supported amendments under the Shops and Office Employees Act allowing women in specified hotel and hospitality roles to work evening and night shifts with safeguards such as rest facilities, transport, and welfare measures. She said these changes, along with Sri Lanka’s ratification of ILO Convention C190 on violence and harassment at work, are intended to remove legal barriers, improve workplace dignity and safety, and increase women’s labour force participation. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment EmploymentPublic FinanceWomen & Children Read →
- 18 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe raised a matter of privilege concerning remarks made by Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe during the Budget debate on 10 November 2025. She said he directed an insulting and irrelevant comment at her while visitors, including schoolchildren, were present and proceedings were being broadcast, causing her discomfort and amounting to verbal harassment. She demanded an apology and requested that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges under Standing Order 118. Privilege: Remark Made by Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe on 10.11.2025 Women & ChildrenParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 14 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe objected to statements made by a fellow female Member, alleging they were false and misleading to the House. She said Hon. Lakmali had spoken on her behalf, that she had prepared documents to present to the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, and that she intended to raise a matter of privilege with the Speaker, suggesting the video record could verify the incident. Procedural Matters: Standing Order 91(k) and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 14 November 2025 AI summary Raising a Point of Order, Hiruni Wijesinghe objected to another Member’s statement as false. She referred to Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe’s recollection of the Member’s prior actions and alleged that the Member was attempting to cover them up. Procedural Matters: Standing Order 91(k) and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe defended the 2026 Budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, arguing that the Government had restored economic conditions to 2019 levels within a year and improved indicators such as poverty and unemployment. She highlighted allocations for poverty eradication through Praja Shakthi, district-level development, education, housing, children leaving care, rail gatekeepers’ allowances, and support for vulnerable groups. She also rejected Opposition criticism, stating that the Budget demonstrated fiscal discipline and that public funds would be managed for public benefit. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Public FinanceCost of LivingEducation Read →
- 22 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe defended the Government’s agricultural pricing measures, citing the guaranteed paddy price, expanded Government storage, Sathosa sales at concessionary prices, and increased import levies on big onions and potatoes to support local farmers while maintaining consumer access. She argued that concerns over Ponni Samba and Keeri Samba affected only a limited segment of consumers and could be addressed through imports. Supporting the Special Commodity Levy Order and Excise-related Rules, she outlined revised excise payment deadlines, a 3 per cent surcharge for late payment, and licence cancellation after 90 days of non-payment, saying these measures would strengthen revenue collection. She also urged the Excise Department to join the national “Ratama Ekata” operation against illicit liquor and drugs. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
- 24 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe supported the Bill to prohibit punishment and humiliation of children, linking it to Sri Lanka’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and earlier Penal Code amendments on child protection. She argued that despite existing laws, children continue to face abuse, including in contexts of poverty, migration of parents for work, conflict-related orphanhood, and criminal environments. Referring to proposed amendments to Section 308A, she defended the inclusion of non-physical acts causing humiliation and cited examples such as publicly branding a child a thief, stating that such provisions are necessary to protect children’s dignity. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human RightsWomen & Children Read →
- 24 July 2025 AI summary Two public petitions were presented for parliamentary consideration: one from Mr. R.M.P.J. Perera and Mrs. J.M. Malani Hemalatha of Nagavila, Adigama, and another from Mr. W.P.R.E. Fernando of the Buildings Division, Sri Lanka Railways, Nattandiya. Petitions: Citizens' petitions presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 July 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mr. W.H.A. Kumar Thamel of No. 137/18, Aluth Watta. Presentation of Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe supported the regulations under the Convention against Doping in Sport, stressing that doping violations have cost Sri Lankan athletes medals, careers, and the country’s reputation. She argued that, because Sri Lanka has a limited pool of elite athletes, stronger anti-doping safeguards and support systems are needed to protect national sporting talent. She also noted the Ministry of Sports’ scholarship programme for 900 high-performing schoolchildren and called for the restoration and upgrading of neglected sports facilities across the country. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Law & OrderInfrastructureEmployment Read →
- 3 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe presented a petition from Mr. C. A. N. R. Seneviratne Perera of Madampe. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe supported the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, stating that it provides a legal framework for remote testimony and court participation, including for overseas witnesses, elderly and disabled persons, children in care, prisoners, police officers, and persons living far from court. She argued that the measure advances the Government’s commitment to digitizing the justice sector, reduces costs and delays, and improves safety in light of recent shootings and attacks connected to court and prison transport. She described the Bill as an initial step toward a digital court system and requested cooperation from the Bar and the public for its implementation. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 22 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe asked whether the Government could set a fixed monthly date for payment of the Rs. 7,500 Mahapola scholarship allowance to university students. She noted that students currently face uncertainty and delays of one to two months, a problem she said had continued under past governments, and argued that a predictable payment date would help students manage their expenses. Oral Question: University Hostels and Student Allowances (Q.8/2025) EducationPublic Finance Read →
- 22 May 2025 AI summary Asked whether the Government is taking steps to expand hostel facilities for University of Colombo students, noting the loss of the Muttiah Girls’ Hostel and the limited accommodation available. She highlighted the higher accommodation costs faced by outstation students, including those from families of public servants, and asked whether existing or ongoing Government buildings could be used to provide a new hostel for the university. Oral Question: University Hostels and Student Allowances (Q.8/2025) EducationCost of Living Read →
- 9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe supported the Motion to put unused buildings from past development projects into public use, arguing that many were built without assessing local need, access, or economic value and have since remained abandoned. She cited unmet needs in education and health, including unfinished multi-storey structures at Chilaw General Hospital, and said the Government had cancelled problematic PPP-style agreements and allocated funds to complete such facilities. She also referred to reusing abandoned paddy stores, identifying underused ministry buildings, and creating a national inventory and data system for state-owned buildings, with funds allocated to bring halted projects to usable standards. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects InfrastructurePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 15 March 2025 AI summary The member welcomed the creation of a unified Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and commended its work in strengthening foreign relations, attracting investment and promoting tourism. She highlighted tourism as the third-highest foreign exchange earner, cited targets of over 3 million tourist arrivals in 2025, allocations of Rs. 600 million for tourism-zone infrastructure, and rising tourism investment in early 2025. She proposed expanding beyond traditional destinations through ecotourism, geotourism, medical and research tourism, including development of sites in the North Western Province, old forts, canal routes, Kalpitiya, Puttalam and a new Wilpattu access point via Eluwankulama. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Foreign AffairsInfrastructureEnvironment Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe supported the regulations and orders under debate, arguing that they reflect a more people-centred legal approach and can advance investment, public welfare and consumer protection. She endorsed measures under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act to vest management of common property in the Commission, saying this would help attract investment, support construction, create jobs and increase foreign exchange inflows. She also supported new import control regulations bringing items such as whole red lentils, cosmetics, soaps, plastic bottles, lamps and toys under SLS certification, enabling testing, rejection and re-export of substandard goods to protect health and consumer rights. Debate: Orders and Regulations (continued) Public FinanceLaw & OrderCost of Living Read →