Hon. Jagath Vithana, M.P.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)· Kalutara

Profession: ---

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Speeches 43 #108 of 225·#31 in party

Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

43 speeches

5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana challenges the limitation on his ability to add further remarks, stating that the matter involves a serious allegation. He seeks recognition of his right to respond or provide additional information in that context. Privilege Matter: Alleged Weapon Possession Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana began to state that, if he were arrested in relation to a particular case, a consequence would follow, but the excerpt ends before he completed the point. No specific proposal, demand, or substantive argument is recorded in the provided text. Privilege Matter: Alleged Weapon Possession Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana raised a question of privilege under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, alleging that Government Chief Organizer Nalinda Jayatissa made defamatory public statements linking him to illegal weapons. He said the remarks caused public disrepute, obstructed his duties as an MP, and referred improperly to an ongoing court matter involving his son. He requested that the statements be treated as a breach of parliamentary privilege, citing the absence of charges or convictions against him or his family. Privilege Matter: Alleged Weapon Possession Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana raised concerns about the plantation sector, stating that the earlier chemical fertilizer ban, higher income tax on planters, and lack of fertilizer relief had harmed tea production, with many factories closing, and requested VAT relief or a subsidy for fertilizer. He then described the arrest and remanding of his son over a vehicle he had purchased from another MP, arguing that the vehicle had been formally registered and financed and that he should have been contacted or held responsible instead. He asked for fairness, restraint in enforcement, and caution in public statements about ongoing legal matters, while also urging continued industrial peace in the plantation sector. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Law & OrderAgricultureJustice & Human Rights Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana criticized the handling of salt imports, arguing that delayed action and later permission for unlimited imports by selected companies led to excess stocks and large trader profits while retail prices remained high. He also opposed rice imports during the harvest season, saying they undermine farmers’ ability to sell paddy. He alleged unfair political conduct in local authority formations in Kalutara and questioned the Government’s alliances with controversial political figures, urging it not to abuse its parliamentary mandate. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Corruption & Governance ReformCost of LivingAgriculture Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Jagath Vithana opposed the regulation under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, arguing that sharply increasing taxes on electric vehicles undermines the shift to environment-friendly transport and may reduce demand rather than raise revenue. He proposed alternative revenue and industry-support measures, including temporarily suspending sugar imports to sell Kantale Sugar Factory stocks and importing copra or raw nuts instead of coconut oil to support local mills. He also called for EV charging points at fuel stations and urged practical policymaking in transport, referencing the recent fatal bus accident and rejecting proposals to require passengers to change buses mid-route as impractical. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) EnvironmentLaw & OrderPublic Finance Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Jagath Vithana stated his opposition to theft, corruption, and arbitrary conduct, alleging that collusion between officials and politicians had contributed to the situation under discussion. He called for all responsible persons, irrespective of party affiliation, to be punished and for misappropriated money to be recovered. He expressed full support for the Proceeds of Crime Bill and said he was willing to appear before any committee or inquiry on the matter. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana alleged that funds were provided during the 2015 presidential campaign on the condition that Arjuna Mahendran be appointed Central Bank Governor, and claimed those funds were subsequently multiplied through the bond transactions. He stated that campaign organizers had widely received money, including from Sathasivam, and questioned why he had not been called to give evidence. He urged that the bond scam be pursued fully and said he was prepared to testify on his claims. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana said he was willing to assist the Government on transport matters, starting in Kalutara with a small team and without vehicles or perks, but suggested the proposal had not yet received approval. He alleged corruption in the Sri Lanka Transport Board, referred to past excess payments and bus acquisitions, and said he had received a file on alleged corruption from the head of Lanka Ashok Leyland. He also requested time to speak further on the bond scam, including in the presence of Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana briefly requested additional speaking time, noting that the presence of the Leader of the House would be helpful. No substantive policy or legislative issue was raised in the excerpt. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Welcoming the anti-corruption Bill, Jagath Vithana said it was a delayed but necessary measure to restore public confidence and pursue alleged hidden funds and past corruption files. He argued that regular investigations under the law could help reduce foreign debt and make Parliament more accountable. He also raised a complaint about alleged irregularities during the nomination process at the Kalutara District Secretariat, tabled a complaint, and called for an investigation into the conduct of officials involved. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
14 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana urged the Government not to permit any expansion of oil palm beyond the already completed 2,000 hectares, citing environmental concerns, worker safety issues, alleged violation of a banning circular, and legal cases he faces after opposing plantation expansion in Kalutara. He raised concerns about substandard tea plants being sold to small growers and asked why funds from the Tea Promotion Levy could not be used to support proper planting material and assist factory owners. He tabled photographs and documents relating to tea and rubber factories in Kalutara District destroyed during the conflict period, asking that they be assessed, repaired, and used for development with investors. He also criticized past distribution of LRC lands to businessmen and called for state land to be allocated in smaller plots to ordinary people for productive use. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) AgricultureEnvironmentJustice & Human Rights Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana called for measures to expand long-distance bus services from Matugama to destinations such as Trincomalee, Badulla, Haputale and Ampara, noting that passengers currently have to travel via Colombo and make multiple transfers. He proposed calling tenders or establishing an annual quota mechanism for new routes, and said removing VAT on buses could encourage more operators to enter the sector. He stated that both the private sector and the SLTB could provide these services, offered to pilot improvements in the Kalutara District, and said he would submit further proposals in writing through the Transport Ministry Advisory Committee. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) InfrastructureEmployment Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana highlighted operational shortcomings in the public bus system, particularly in Kalutara, where depots lack basic maintenance facilities such as jacks, washing, servicing, and oil-changing equipment. He argued that SLTB buses lose passengers to private buses because of inferior amenities and called for improvements and additional cash flow to revive the service. He said his comments were intended constructively and acknowledged some positive actions by the current Government. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Infrastructure Read →
5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana urged the Government to reconsider the proposed salary structure for doctors and supplementary medical professionals before the Appropriation Bill is passed, noting possible industrial action and concerns about disadvantages in the new structure. He also referred to graduate protests outside Parliament and criticized past trade union leaders now in government for their role in mobilizing those groups. He raised a grievance about being discouraged from attending events at C.W.W. Kannangara Central College, contrasting this with other politicians’ participation in school functions, and said he would attend the forthcoming sports meet. He further questioned tax enforcement, alleging that several businesspeople pay no income tax and calling on officials to act to recover significant revenue. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 HealthcareEducationEmployment Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary A petition from Mrs. M.D. Chandralatha of National Housing 05, No. 03, Bellana Road, Agalawatta was presented for parliamentary consideration. Petitions - Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana criticized the Budget for lacking the VAT relief and fertilizer-cost reductions promised by the Government, arguing that rising prices and the absence of clear revenue measures leave the country’s direction unclear. He called for expedited justice mechanisms, including a special court and mandatory death penalty where murder is proven, citing delays in cases involving underworld violence and contract killings. He urged faster digitization linking Divisional Secretariats and banks to target welfare to genuinely needy recipients, while also raising concerns about practical facilities, insurance, and vehicle access for MPs and public servants. He welcomed private sector investment in luxury buses and requested relief for farmers, especially tea growers in Kalutara District, through fertilizer subsidies and price reductions. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Justice & Human RightsCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Jagath Vithana asked for the total value of the relief being discussed. The intervention sought a specific figure or quantified estimate in relation to the relevant relief measure. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Public Finance Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Asked the Deputy Minister to clarify whether the matter being referred to involved institutions or individuals, and requested that Parliament be informed accordingly. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana challenged the government’s claim that it inherited a bankrupt economy by citing the 2025 Budget, Economic and Financial Situation report, which records economic growth of 5.5 per cent in the third quarter of 2024. He also sought clarification on Annexure IV of the 2025 Budget Speech, which states that VAT arrears of construction contractors involved in tsunami projects will be written off. He requested details of the companies, beneficiaries, and amounts involved, noting concerns about the decision and its connection to projects from a period when the current President was a Cabinet Minister. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →