Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Kurunegala

Profession: ---

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Speeches 10 #211 of 225·#149 in party

Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

10 speeches

19 December 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana presented two petitions from named constituents, Mr. P.L.H. Wijewardhana and Mr. R.M.G. Jagath. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions for consideration. Petitions Presentation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana outlined increased health allocations, citing Rs. 604 billion in 2025 and Rs. 654 billion proposed for 2026, as part of a policy goal to move health spending towards 5 per cent of GDP. He said the Ministry would focus on efficient and transparent use of funds, digitisation of health information and pharmaceutical agencies, and reforms to address Sri Lanka’s declining health system ranking. He highlighted a primary health care pilot to establish local units serving 5,000–10,000 people with family doctor teams, aimed at managing non-communicable diseases and reducing OPD congestion. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Healthcare Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. P. Dinesh Premarathna of No. 379/1, Nachathalwatta, Bowala, was tabled for the attention of Parliament. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana stated that the backlog of registration dossiers has been expedited at the NMRA. He said the authority is now functioning more democratically with the aim of improving public health outcomes. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Healthcare Read →
10 October 2025 AI summary Dr. Jagath Gunawardana supported the Private Member’s Motion on ensuring the proper functioning of the National Medicines Quality Assurance Laboratory, outlining its role under the NMRA in testing medicines and medical devices for quality, safety and efficacy. He alleged that previous administrations weakened regulatory controls through special exemptions and irregular procurements, citing cases involving Human Immunoglobulin and Rituximab that allowed substandard medicines to enter the system. He stated that the current government has introduced reforms, including infrastructure upgrades, additional analyst posts, expanded laboratory capacity, new equipment, and more efficient pre- and post-marketing testing. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory HealthcareCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Economic improvements were said to be yielding benefits to the public, with an expectation that further benefits would be delivered by 2026. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Public Finance Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana supported the Supplementary Estimate and amendments to the National Audit Act, citing improved fiscal stability, higher revenues, increased remittances, tourism, exports, and foreign direct investment. He focused on the Supplementary Estimate for maternal nutrition, stating that funds previously allocated for subsidized New Year nutrition packs would be redirected to undernourished pregnant mothers. He said about 160,200 beneficiaries would receive Rs. 45,000 over ten months, with an additional one-time Rs. 5,000 nutrition pack in December alongside the existing Rs. 4,500 allowance for pregnant and lactating mothers. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate HealthcarePublic Finance Read →
17 June 2025 AI summary Dr. Jagath Gunawardana supported the regulations under the Convention against Doping in Sport Act, No. 33 of 2013, stating that they are needed to protect fair competition, clean sport, and Sri Lanka’s sporting reputation. He highlighted the rising use of banned substances, including among school athletes, and noted that SLADA conducts awareness programmes for athletes, coaches, and teachers. He said Sri Lanka currently relies on urine testing but plans to introduce blood testing as well, and called for stronger deterrence, border controls on prohibited stimulants, and implementation of the 2025 prohibited list gazetted in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations HealthcareLaw & OrderEducation Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana supported the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, outlining the history of VAT rate increases and stating that the 2024 increase to 18 per cent was made by the previous administration. He said the amendments aim to address gaps in the VAT regime, raise revenue toward a 2025 target of 15.1 per cent of GDP, and align with the Government’s policy framework. He highlighted exemptions for employer-provided meals and transport, and for domestically produced liquid milk and yoghurt from 1 April 2025, arguing these would support worker welfare, reduce prices, strengthen local dairy production, reduce imports, and assist nutrition. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Cost of LivingPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. H.D. Ranjan of Welpalla, Gannankate, was presented to Parliament. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →