Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala, M.P.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)· Kurunegala

Profession: Politician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 62 #81 of 225·#26 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

62 speeches

10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala argued that the Government’s economic management had led to factory closures, job losses, rising inflation, increased poverty, and a weakening rupee. He cited the closure of MAS Holdings in Thulhiriya, Hirdaramani in Nivitigala, and other small and medium factories, and questioned whether the Acting Labour Minister was aware of the scale of job losses. Referring to Rules under the Central Bank Act, he warned that tighter controls on exporters’ foreign exchange earnings resembled measures seen in 2002 and during the end of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration, indicating further economic strain. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution EmploymentCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala joined the condolence motion for six former Members of Parliament, recalling Chandradasa Galappaththi’s service to Ampara and Digamadulla through local government, Parliament, and the Eastern Provincial Council, particularly in infrastructure development. He also paid tribute to Nandana Gunathilake’s role in rebuilding the JVP, later parliamentary and mayoral service, and Prof. Tissa Vitarana’s contributions as a scientist, LSSP politician, MP, and Minister. He further acknowledged the public service and regional contributions of S.C. Muthukumarana, Janak Mahendra Adhikari, and T. Kanagasabai, and conveyed condolences to their families. Statements of Condolence: Six Former Members of Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala, during the debate on the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review 2025, argued that the weakening rupee and rising dollar rate were increasing import costs, inflation, and hardship for households, and questioned the Government’s claim that the economy had stabilized. He said tourism arrival figures should be judged by actual foreign exchange earnings, comparing them unfavourably with pre-Easter attack levels. He also raised concerns about public officials being reluctant to take decisions following a remittance error involving USD 2.5 million, and criticized delays in post-“Ditva” cyclone housing and land allocation, urging the Government to focus on delivery rather than blaming the Opposition. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala criticized the Government’s continued extension of emergency measures after the Ditha cyclone, arguing that affected families still lacked housing, land, rental support, and repaired access roads in areas including Mawathagama, Hiriyala, Mirissala, and Bambarakanda. He questioned official claims of rehabilitation progress and demanded justice and relief for cyclone victims six months after the disaster. He also alleged broader Government mismanagement, citing coal procurement losses, rising fuel, electricity and gas costs, increased poverty, and irregularities involving a USD 2.5 million Treasury incident, Postal Department payments, and relief overpayments in Kurunegala and Kegalle. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Cost of LivingInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
7 April 2026 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala criticized the Government’s relief efforts, saying promised assistance after the “Ditsa” cyclone, especially for damaged houses, had made little progress and urging that newly announced relief not suffer the same fate. He argued that poverty has risen, public servants and low-income groups are struggling ahead of the New Year, and repeated tax, fuel, gas, and electricity price increases have worsened pressures on SMEs and manufacturers. He also raised concerns over alleged low-quality coal procurement, unannounced power cuts, inadequate support for farmers, and called on the Government to use its parliamentary majority to implement a livelihood-support programme, while stating the Opposition would cooperate to reduce public hardship. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) EmploymentCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala noted that Sri Lanka’s foreign income sources, including exports, tourism, and migrant worker remittances, were already under pressure before the recent Middle East conflict. He said over one million Sri Lankan workers are in Middle Eastern countries, listing major host countries, and warned they may face exploitation, hardship, or expulsion similar to situations during the pandemic. He urged the Government to act urgently through Sri Lankan embassies to protect these workers and address their problems, with particular attention to reports from the UAE. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy EmploymentForeign Affairs Read →
6 March 2026 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala opposed the motion to extend the emergency, arguing that the Government had not presented concrete reasons and that normal laws and administrative mechanisms were sufficient for public security, disaster relief, and service delivery. He alleged that the extension was intended to suppress public demands, trade union action, and democratic dissent, including concerns raised by village-level officials following the “Dittu” cyclone, and tabled a related letter. He also urged the Government to address substantive issues such as alleged substandard coal imports affecting the Norochcholai power plant and the risk of a wider power crisis. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Law & OrderJustice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Arguing against the Parliamentary Pensions (Abolition) Bill, J.C. Alawathuwala said the Opposition’s position is that MPs should receive a pension and challenged the Government to test public opinion through Provincial Council elections under the previous system. He cited examples of former MPs, including members associated with the Government’s party, who he said depended on parliamentary pensions for basic needs such as medicine and rent. He argued that many MPs do not qualify because of early dissolutions and short terms, and urged the Government instead to address disparities among the wider pensioner population while at minimum retaining pensions for those who served 10 years. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala presented a petition to Parliament on behalf of Mrs. H.M.T.M. Kularathna of Weerabugedara, Pahala Huruggamuwa, Kandehenawatta. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala criticized Government members for focusing on attacks on the Opposition during a disaster debate rather than explaining relief measures undertaken. He defended the Opposition Leader’s “Husma” programme, citing medical equipment donations to several flood- and cyclone-affected hospitals, and said Opposition representatives had provided food and essentials to isolated villages in Kurunegala. He questioned the Government’s disaster preparedness and water management, referring to heavy-rain forecasts, Kotmale and Deduru Oya operations, and called for examination of failures and implementation of the President’s promised assistance programmes. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Public FinanceInfrastructureHealthcare Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala stated that he would speak only briefly, limiting his remarks to about 30 seconds. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the excerpt provided. Oral Question No. 3 (1009/2025) - Government reparations and compensation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala requested a brief clarification from the Minister regarding the Minister’s reply. Oral Question No. 3 (1009/2025) - Government reparations and compensation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala rose on a point of order. No substantive issue or argument was recorded in the quoted speech. Oral Question No. 3 (1009/2025) - Government reparations and compensation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala supported regulations under the Motor Traffic Act targeting narcotics-related driving, arguing that immediate testing, strict enforcement, and protection for Police are necessary to reduce accidents involving alcohol, drugs, fatigue, and untrained drivers. He called for improved road infrastructure and traffic controls, including functioning traffic lights and visible stop signs, with action by road and local authorities. He also raised concerns about worsening poverty and post-cyclone relief, saying current assistance is insufficient and urging clear housing and resettlement plans, as well as an international aid conference to mobilize wider support. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Law & OrderCost of LivingInfrastructure Read →
3 December 2025 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala expressed condolences to victims of recent floods and landslides and thanked security forces, officials, health workers and local communities involved in rescue and relief. He questioned the adequacy of early preparedness, warning dissemination and reservoir management, citing advance rainfall forecasts and the opening of Deduru Oya and Kotmale reservoirs as factors that may have worsened downstream damage. He urged the Government to clarify what pre-disaster actions were taken, improve communications and access to affected villages, avoid using emergency regulations to restrict criticism, increase compensation for deaths, and amend procedures if necessary to address cases of persons buried in landslides who remain classified as missing. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Law & OrderPublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
28 November 2025 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala said the country was facing an unfortunate situation and argued that declaring a State of Emergency under Article 155 of the Constitution would legally empower the Tri-Forces, Police and District Secretaries to maintain essential services. He noted that the Leader of the Opposition had raised the matter the previous day and requested the President to declare an emergency to facilitate relief to the public. Motions at Commencement of Public Business - Emergency Response Coordination Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala urged the Government to prioritize stalled and delayed transport infrastructure, including the Kadawatha–Mirigama expressway section, the remaining Pothuhera–Galagedara road works, and the Kurunegala–Dambulla corridor, noting prior land acquisition and compensation. He recalled former President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s housing programmes and international recognition of shelter initiatives, while also asking the National Housing Development Authority to comply with a Labour Tribunal order to reinstate employees. He further raised concerns about proposed changes to expressway advertising structures affecting businesses and landowners, and criticized the summoning or harassment of media editors, calling for reporting concerns to be addressed through clarification rather than intimidation. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Land & HousingInfrastructure Read →
21 November 2025 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala argued that MSMEs, which he said contribute about 52 percent of GDP, remain severely affected by COVID-19, the economic crisis, high interest rates, and parate enforcement, and called for stronger relief measures including attention to concerns raised by MSME chambers. He criticized the proposed reduction of the VAT registration threshold from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 million, saying it would burden small producers and raise prices, and tabled documents outlining ten key issues faced by the sector. On rural development and social protection, he called for time-bound pathways to lift beneficiaries out of poverty, contrasting Janasaviya’s graduation model with the later Samurdhi programme, and also urged attention to the declining economic position of middle-class public servants. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day EmploymentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
19 November 2025 AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala moved the standard Cut-off Motion for the Committee Stage heads of expenditure and emphasized the wide administrative scope of the relevant Ministry, including Provincial Councils, local authorities, Divisional Secretariats and Grama Niladhari divisions. He criticized Government claims about the state of the economy when it assumed office, citing GDP and per capita income figures to argue that the crisis predated the current administration and that recent nominal growth reflected exchange rate effects. He raised concerns over delays and alleged irregularities in constituting local authorities after the Local Government elections, including defeated budgets and disputes in bodies such as Seethawaka, Anamaduwa and Mawathagama. He also urged the Government to proceed with Provincial Council elections, noting past errors under the Yahapalana administration and referring to the Attorney General’s view that a return to the previous electoral system could be enabled through Parliament. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala argued that foreign employment and tourism are critical foreign-exchange sectors and urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take a more active, structured role in managing them. He questioned whether the 2025 target of sending 350,000 workers abroad is achievable, calling for stronger regulation of employment agents, engagement with stakeholders, worker and family welfare programmes, and implementation of a migrant worker pension scheme first proposed in 2015. On tourism, he noted that arrivals may recover to 2018 levels but revenue remains significantly lower, and called for analysis of tourist markets, higher-yield strategies, and better support for operators. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) EmploymentForeign AffairsPublic Finance Read →