Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya, M.P.
Profession: Politician
Speeches 17 #187 of 225·#125 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 7 speeches
Last spoke 22 May 2026 in Adjournment
Activity by sitting
16 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- 22 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya questioned the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply about the incomplete “Visal Water Scheme” in Galigamuwa, Kegalle, which was initiated in 2021 to serve 13,000 households but has provided only 4,037 connections. He stated that funding shortages, inadequate distribution lines, terrain-related coverage gaps, and continuing shortages in resettlement areas such as Rakshapura have left about 9,000 households without sufficient water. He asked for the aggregate water demand, whether the Ministry acknowledges the unmet need, details of completed and ongoing projects, their progress and outcomes, and future plans to meet the full demand. Adjournment Questions Land & HousingInfrastructure Read →
- 19 May 2026 AI summary Amendments to the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017 were presented as measures to simplify tax administration, reduce evasion, and improve compliance without increasing tax rates or imposing new burdens. The speech highlighted relief measures, including the earlier increase of the PAYE threshold, removal of tax for senior citizens earning below Rs. 60,000 per month, and provisions for carrying forward large crisis-related donations by businesses. It also defended enforcement against tax defaulters, rejected Opposition criticisms, and linked the Government’s fiscal approach to support measures such as fuel subsidies and disaster relief, including assistance and housing reconstruction in Kegalle District after the “Ditta” cyclone. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya asked the Minister of Finance about the Colombo Stock Exchange’s growth since the Government took office, citing a rise in the ASPI from 11,096.81 on 23 September 2024 to 23,958.51 and an increase in market capitalization from Rs. 4.04 trillion to over Rs. 8 trillion. He sought clarification on a recent questionable trading incident, including whether it had been resolved, who was responsible, and what safeguards would prevent recurrence. He also requested details on measures to attract more investors, broaden market activity, increase IPOs, and set targets for 2026, while arguing that market data reflected investor confidence despite Opposition claims of instability. Adjournment Debate: Stock Exchange Activity and Ministerial Response Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
- 20 November 2025 AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya defended the Government’s power and energy programme, arguing that stalled infrastructure and energy projects are being restarted and implemented while maintaining public ownership. He said the Ceylon Electricity Board would be restructured into four state-owned companies instead of being privatized, and reiterated the Government’s aim to reduce electricity tariffs by 30 per cent. He cited a new wind power procurement price of US cents 3.77 per unit compared with a previous 8.26 cents, and said future plans include meeting projected electricity demand growth, green hydrogen and ammonia production, transport electrification, and related legislation. He requested support for approving the Ministry’s Head of Expenditure for the coming year. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Public FinanceInfrastructureEmployment Read →
- 10 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya defended the 2026 Budget and the Government’s 2025 expenditure record, arguing that implementation was delayed by local government election restrictions but that substantial work had since begun, including agricultural infrastructure projects and housing in Kegalle. He said the Government had strengthened the Treasury by reducing corruption, delivered the public sector wage increase, and halted the New Year relief pack due to Opposition complaints to the Election Commission. He also clarified that proposed vehicle imports were for state institutions and temporary use by MPs, not permits, and highlighted health-sector plans including upgraded divisional hospitals and expanded local medical coverage. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
- 26 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya formally seconded the motion under consideration. The House then put the question to a vote, and it was agreed to. Standing Orders Amendment (Standing Order 120) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 26 September 2025 AI summary The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya presented two public petitions from named citizens in Dewalegama and Happawara. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions, after which proceedings moved to oral answers to questions, beginning with a question on proposals to control delays in releasing containers. Citizens' Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya informed Parliament that he was accepting a petition from Mr. C.H.K. Mageenath of “Sekkue Gedara,” Holombuwa, Thunthota. Opening and Speaker's Certificate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya presented a petition from Mr. N.C. Saman Kumara of Rambukkana, Beligodapitiya. The petition was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 August 2025 AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya supported the sports regulations being approved under the Sports Law alongside other Bills and regulations, arguing that they would place 73 sports associations under a clearer legal framework, limit key office-bearers’ tenures to eight years, and reduce politicization in sports administration. He cited examples from Kegalle District of politicians holding multiple sports association posts, contending that this had affected talent selection and discouraged genuine athletes. He also highlighted provisions for women’s representation and inclusion of persons with disabilities, and briefly defended the Government’s broader economic initiatives in agriculture, dairy and coconut cultivation against Opposition criticism. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Women & ChildrenCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya supported regulations under the Convention against Doping in Sport Act, No. 33 of 2013, stating that Sri Lanka must align with the annually updated WADA Prohibited List to protect athletes and the integrity of sport, including disciplines such as equestrian events. He said the regulations distinguish between substances prohibited at all times and those restricted near or during competition. He also responded to Opposition protests by referring to the Colombo Municipal Council mayoral vote, defending the secret ballot process and linking it to broader claims about NPP electoral support and government policy, including electricity tariffs. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Law & Order Read →
- 6 June 2025 AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya paid tribute to the late Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, outlining his education, student activism, local government service, and roles in the JVP/NPP and Socialist Youth Union in Kegalle. He highlighted Jayawira’s leadership in campaigns against environmentally harmful oil palm cultivation and his contribution to mobilizing youth and community groups in the district. Welipitiya noted Jayawira’s 2024 General Election performance and his reputation among parliamentary staff, and conveyed condolences to his family and associates. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 March 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mr. T.M.S. Thennekon of 3/16, M.D., Dovalagama, Beruwala. No further details on the subject of the petition were provided in the speech. Papers: Vocational Training Authority Report and Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 March 2025 AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya defended the Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry, arguing that problems inherited from previous governments cannot be resolved within four months and asking the Opposition to allow time for results. He highlighted Budget allocations for youth programmes, including Rs. 7 million to identify district-level artists and relaunch the National School of Drama in 2026, Rs. 12 million for domestic youth exchange to promote ethnic coexistence, Rs. 10 million for a Youth Film Festival, and Rs. 40 million for National Youth Awards. He also said the Government intends to revive the Belwood Aesthetic Resort under the National Youth Services Council as a centre for rural youth talent development. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionEducationPublic Finance Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya supported the Second Reading of the Budget, presenting it as the NPP Government’s first Budget and a foundation for national rebuilding, while noting the Government had been in office only a few months and would more fully implement its programme in 2026. He highlighted expenditure reductions for the President, Ministers and MPs, including lower presidential allocations, fuel entitlements and insurance cover, and plans to move ministries into state-owned buildings. He said the Budget retained and expanded public benefits, citing salary and pension increases, a proposed Rs. 1,700 estate worker daily wage, higher elderly allowances, student and nutrition support, vocational trainee allowances, and increased Mahapola and bursary payments. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Public FinanceEmploymentEducation Read →
- 21 February 2025 AI summary Two petitions were presented for acceptance: one from Mr. B.S. Wijekon Kulatunga of Ihala Kalugala, Beligala, and another from Mr. W.D. Wickramanayake of Mattamagoda, Kotiyakumbura. Petitions Presented by Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya supported Regulations under the Intellectual Property Act to establish a stronger geographical indication regime as part of the Government’s production-oriented economic programme. He argued that GI protection would help Sri Lankan products such as tea, cinnamon, pepper, blue sapphires and Ruhuna buffalo curd gain recognition, premium prices and export competitiveness by legally linking quality and origin. He contrasted Sri Lanka’s limited progress with countries such as China, Germany, Georgia and India, and said the Government’s policy aims to use GIs to expand rural producer incomes and export opportunities. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →