Politick Parliament. On record. For every citizen.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Hon. (Dr.)(Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Colombo

Deputy Minister of Mass Media

Profession: Attorney-at-Law

Roster profile ↗
Speeches 65 #77 of 225·#34 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 27 speeches
Last spoke 9 June 2026 in Debate

Activity by sitting

39 sittings · counts only, no scoring.

Topic focus

AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.

Speech history

65 speeches
  • 9 June 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne said the Government remains committed to pursuing justice for the Easter Sunday attacks and other serious crimes through independent investigative and judicial institutions, rejecting attempts to create public agitation over the investigations. She then addressed Orders under several tax-related laws, highlighting the Stamp Duty exemption on receipts for Government payments to people affected by natural disasters. Referring to damage caused by Cyclone “Ditti,” she said the Government had provided about Rs. 500 billion in relief and gave progress figures for grants, rent support, schoolbook assistance, and death compensation, noting some delays due to documentation and practical issues. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsEnvironment Read →
  • 20 May 2026 AI summary Responding to media reports, the Deputy Minister rejected claims that the Government was seeking to weaken the Right to Information framework, stating that discussions with civil society concerned strengthening the RTI Commission through staffing, digitization, improved allowances, premises, proactive disclosure, and possible legal amendments. She also defended the Government’s approach to media freedom and questioned opposition to a proposed National Media Policy. Turning to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s 2025 report, she highlighted growth, improved labour force participation, falling unemployment, and sectoral expansion, arguing that economic gains were driven by workers and supported by public spending on health, education, and transport. She called on the Opposition to engage constructively and avoid spreading inaccurate claims. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
  • 8 April 2026 AI summary Proposed that Hon. Upul Kithsiri take the Chair during the proceedings. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 April 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne stated that new vehicles were procured for the postal service last year and further purchases are planned this year. Responding on Mullaitivu’s allocation, she said she would consult the Postmaster General and report back on the current position and whether a vehicle can be reassigned. Oral Question: Mulliyawalai Post Office (Q.1/1318/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 April 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government is systematically releasing lands in the North and expects the relevant land to be released by July, noting that surveys have begun and earlier building and site plans are available. She stated that the Ministry would then seek to proceed quickly with a permanent office, including exploring construction next year. She also noted that 18 new post office buildings and 211 renovations had been completed islandwide in recent years at a cost of Rs. 1,200 million, with further construction and maintenance planned. Oral Question: Mulliyawalai Post Office (Q.1/1318/2025) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
  • 8 April 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, the Deputy Minister stated that the Mulliyawalai Post Office is operating in a rented private building and that its reserved land remains within an Army security fence, with an oral assurance of release by July 2026. She provided details of 24 Northern Province post offices operating in rented premises and their monthly rents as of January 2026. She said action is being taken to reacquire the Mulliyawalai land for the Postal Department, but no 2026 Budget allocation has been made because the land has not yet been formally released; construction funding may be considered in 2027 once it is cleared. Oral Question: Mulliyawalai Post Office (Q.1/1318/2025) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ms. Kaushalya Ariyarathne urged the public to respond responsibly to anticipated economic impacts, particularly in relation to fuel consumption. She called on both fuel station operators and citizens to use the QR code system properly, avoid panic, and conserve fuel during the crisis. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
  • 19 March 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne argued that the current fuel and energy pressures arise from a global oil supply chain shock, not the bankruptcy and purchasing-power crisis seen in 2022, and said the Government is seeking to minimize public hardship while preserving macroeconomic stability. She cited 2025 reserve, deficit and growth improvements and said four committees are monitoring energy security, public services, supply chains and vulnerable groups alongside the Economic Stabilization Committee. She urged mainstream and social media to report only verified, attributable information, warning that anonymous speculation and fake news about power cuts, fuel tankers or political incidents could create panic and damage confidence. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne stated that Sri Lanka’s proposed care policy would draw on international examples from countries that have recognized unpaid care work in law or policy. She said the Government would consult civil society organizations working in this area and requested constructive input from Members on both sides of the House. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Women & Children Read →
  • 5 March 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government has submitted an Adjournment Motion for a National Care Policy to recognize, reduce and redistribute unpaid care work and integrate it into the national economy, in line with its election policy commitments and the ILO’s 3R approach. She also addressed women’s representation and participation in the media, citing concerns over commodification, online abuse, harassment, and limited advancement into decision-making roles. She outlined planned measures including an Independent Media Commission, a Chartered Institute of Media Professionals, skills-development funding of Rs. 104 million, exploration of journalist insurance, and action to protect media workers affected by reported problems at the “Mawbima” newspaper. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Public FinanceEmploymentWomen & Children Read →
  • 4 March 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne moved a procedural motion proposing that Hon. Upul Kithsiri take the Chair. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 3 March 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne defended the President’s remarks and the Government’s cyclone relief response, citing payment and reconstruction figures, before supporting regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act to further relax capital outflow limits. She said the measures reflect stronger reserves and economic expansion under the IMF-supported programme, with increased revenues from vehicle imports and customs helping fund welfare, disaster relief, wages, health, education and transport. She also highlighted external risks from the Middle East conflict and said Rs. 47.6 billion has been allocated to expand and rehabilitate fuel storage capacity, including tanks, pipelines and new storage facilities. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Cost of LivingPublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
  • 3 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne formally proposed that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair during the sitting. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 February 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to criticism over delays at the Women’s Commission, stating that operational and technical issues had been corrected and rejecting claims that the Government was suppressing the Commission. She then supported approval of four Gazettes related to the economy, foreign relations and tourism, citing recent IMF remarks, international engagements, growth, inflation, reserves, debt servicing, tourism, remittances, FDI, exports and the current account as evidence of economic stabilization. She also said the Government had managed the economic impact of the “Ditwah” cyclone without revising the Budget and had negotiated to reduce the impact of US tariffs. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Public FinanceWomen & ChildrenForeign Affairs Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined measures under the Government’s media policy to develop a professional and equitable media sector. She stated that the Chartered Institute of Media Professionals Bill has received Attorney General’s clearance, is being processed by the Legal Draftsman, and is expected to be gazetted soon to strengthen journalists’ professional status and rights. She also said journalist scholarships will continue, and that the Ministry is exploring a contributory health insurance scheme with state support for regional journalists, with implementation targeted for the year. Oral Question: Media Institutions and Support for Journalists (Q.9/2025) Religion & Culture Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Government receives complaints from journalists about private media outlets, including closures, piece-rate work, non-payment, and lack of EPF/ETF benefits. She noted that private media companies fall under the Companies Act and labour law, limiting the Ministry’s direct authority over their employment practices. She said the Director General of Government Information issued a letter on 7 January 2026 requesting private media institutions to pay journalists properly and safeguard their professional dignity. Oral Question: Media Institutions and Support for Journalists (Q.9/2025) EmploymentReligion & Culture Read →
  • 17 February 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister answered on behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, stating that four state media institutions fall under the Ministry: the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Independent Television Network, and Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. Details requested on related matters were tabled in an annex, while salary payments for staff with official media identity cards follow Management Services Circular procedures and payments to freelance or provincial correspondents are made with the approval of the respective institutional boards. She stated that no irregularities had been reported, making the remaining parts of the question not applicable. Oral Question: Media Institutions and Support for Journalists (Q.9/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 9 January 2026 AI summary Cabinet approval has been obtained to clear 150 unregistered Indian-donated ambulances without airbags for the Suwaseriya Foundation, with regulations prepared for Customs clearance. The Deputy Minister said the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” fund has raised Rs. 4.1 billion in an audited Treasury account, and that legislation and a public website will be introduced to ensure parliamentary oversight and donor transparency. She cited housing projects and relief measures for disaster- and war-affected families as evidence of faster recovery, and also referred to the Bill to abolish parliamentary pensions as an election pledge. She criticised Opposition conduct, including alleged abusive language and disruptions in the House, and called for greater decorum in parliamentary proceedings. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
  • 9 January 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne presented Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act to expedite the clearance of relief goods sent after the “Dissa” cyclone, based on a Presidential Secretariat decision. The Regulations allow Customs release of donated goods to the Disaster Management Centre or Government institutions despite certain licensing controls, permit release of specified banned items received as relief, and allow some food items to be cleared with Food Policy and Safety Committee approval without SLSI certification. She also stated that the Government does not intend to close the “Suwasariya” ambulance service, but plans to expand and improve it to international standards. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Public FinanceForeign AffairsHealthcare Read →
  • 25 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne said education reforms would be prioritized through continued dialogue and debate. She emphasized reducing teachers’ burdens through supportive changes identified in training and linked these efforts to improving children’s education and national development. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Education Read →