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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
  • 11 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne raised concerns about job losses in aluminium-related industries in Kaduwela, stating that 3,000 to 4,000 family members are affected by the current crisis. She asked the Deputy Minister whether the Government will enforce the legal requirement of 35% value addition for raw material exports, alleging that aluminium blocks are being exported without regulation despite complaints to the Ministry of Industries. Oral Questions - First Round EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
  • 30 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne moved a motion seeking cross-party support for the Fiscal Strategy Statement presented under the Public Financial Management Act as a medium-term public finance roadmap for 2026-2030. She said the statement aims to prevent a recurrence of the economic crisis by strengthening transparency, accountability, fiscal discipline and parliamentary oversight under Article 148 of the Constitution. She highlighted targets including maintaining a primary surplus of at least 2.3 per cent of GDP, raising revenue above 15 per cent of GDP from 2026, limiting primary expenditure, reducing public debt below 95 per cent of GDP by 2032, and lowering the overall deficit below 5 per cent by 2028. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
  • 18 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne responded to Opposition criticism over local government procedures, arguing that non-binding guidelines cannot override statutory duties under the 2012 Act and citing a 14 June 2025 ministerial clarification directing Commissioners to act according to law. She then supported the Orders under the Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, No. 49 of 2024, stating that designating 53 countries would facilitate enforcement of foreign civil judgments, including divorce and monetary decrees, and assist the diaspora. She linked the measure to efforts to reduce court backlogs, noting broader work on staffing, resources, infrastructure and digitization, and welcomed the Opposition’s requested special debate. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 20 May 2025 AI summary Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne said Sri Lanka’s post-war reconciliation efforts had been inadequate and called for a credible transitional justice process covering truth, justice, reparations, non-recurrence, economic justice, remembrance rights, constitutional reform, and action against extremist ideologies and hate crimes. Addressing the Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act and Gazette No. 2421/42, she proposed revising excise duty bands for electric vehicles while keeping them below comparable petrol, diesel, and hybrid rates. She said the policy aims to raise transparent public revenue, support social justice, encourage domestic EV production, reduce foreign exchange outflows, promote environmental benefits, and be complemented by stronger public transport investment. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Public FinanceEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionEnvironment Read →
  • 9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne clarified proceedings of the Committee on Public Finance regarding the Singapore Free Trade Agreement, citing the 7 January 2025 report to state that the Committee sought stakeholder consultations before proceeding. She said the Agreement was subsequently approved at the next Committee meeting, and argued that the Opposition-held Committee chairmanship should not be used to misrepresent the Committee’s decisions in the House. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 9 April 2025 AI summary Kaushalya Ariyarathne disputed claims that her side opposed discussion of the Singapore FTA at the Committee on Public Finance, saying they only requested more time and later agreed to proceed. She clarified tax and welfare issues, stating that WHT on interest would not apply below Rs. 1.8 million annual interest income upon filing with banks, denied rumours about taxes on remittances and small deposits, said VAT was not increased on eggs, and urged dairy producers to pass on VAT removals for milk and yoghurt. She also said Aswesuma coverage is budgeted to expand to 1.7 million families, with the Welfare Benefits Board reviewing exclusions and new applications. On the PTA, she said the Government opposes its misuse, intends to repeal and replace it with new legislation, but is currently using existing law for investigations pending that framework. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
  • 8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ms. Kaushalya Ariyarathne briefly reiterated that the Act would enable recovery of stolen or crime-derived property, including assets transferred to relatives of offenders. She stated that such property would be returned to the people and noted that the Minister of Justice would explain the implementation steps. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Kaushalya Ariyarathne criticized Opposition figures facing CID inquiries and court cases, arguing that such involvement should not be treated as a point of pride. Referring to alleged properties linked to members of the Rajapaksa family, she said the Government would use the powers in the bill under debate to recover stolen assets and return them to the public. She emphasized the need for strong implementation and public awareness after the bill is passed, with further steps to be outlined by the Minister of Justice. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 8 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Kaushalya Ariyarathne expressed condolences on the passing of Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayawira and then supported the Proceeds of Crime Bill, thanking the Justice Minister, officials, and expert committee involved in preparing it. She said the Bill consolidates scattered provisions on illicit asset recovery into a comprehensive framework informed by domestic, international, and comparative legal sources. Addressing concerns about retroactivity under Clause 4(1), she argued that the Bill targets property currently held as proceeds of crime even where the underlying offence occurred earlier, in line with the Government’s mandate to recover stolen public wealth. She also highlighted provisions on electronic evidence, offences relating to retaining or destroying stolen proceeds, and the admissibility of foreign expert reports under Clause 39. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ms. Kaushalya Ariyarathne objected to a point of Order raised earlier by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, stating that it was erroneous and violated Standing Orders 91(c) and (e). She protested what she described as misuse of parliamentary procedure and conduct by some Opposition Members that undermined parliamentary traditions and wasted the House’s time. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 March 2025 AI summary The speech content provided contains only the opening address to the Deputy Chairperson and no substantive remarks. No policy position, proposal, question, or demand can be identified from the excerpt. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 15 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Kaushalya Ariyarathne raised a point under Standing Order 75 during the debate on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. She responded to earlier criticism by Hon. S. M. Marikkar about government attendance, stating that government Members were present and participating, while only one Opposition Member was present, and urged the Opposition to address its own attendance rather than make public criticisms. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 15 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne addressed migrant worker issues during the debate on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, citing COPE revelations on underage domestic workers, fraudulent certification, untrained placements, and institutional malpractice involving recruitment networks. She said the Government would strengthen Missions, implement the National Policy on Migration for Employment, amend the SLBFE Act, address trafficking, and establish migration policy and resource mechanisms. She outlined plans to increase skilled migration, support returnees through social protection and enterprise assistance, and use SLBFE allocations for training, loans, scholarships, housing support, and export-oriented businesses. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Justice & Human RightsEmploymentForeign Affairs Read →
  • 14 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne presented a petition to Parliament on behalf of Mrs. J.K.M. Darshani of Hokandara North, Malabe. No further details of the petition’s subject were provided in the speech. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 12 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne took the Chair after the Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair. No substantive speech, argument, proposal, or policy issue was recorded in the provided excerpt. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne spoke on the Education Ministry Vote, emphasizing that the Rs. 619 billion allocation must address not only qualitative reforms but also basic infrastructure for safe and accessible learning environments. She highlighted substandard and unfinished school buildings, unused smart boards procured under a 2024 China-supported project, sanitation and water shortages, menstrual hygiene needs, and underused teacher-training facilities, outlining allocations for building completion, safety, provincial facilities, special education, assistive equipment, teacher training, and water and toilet improvements. She also cited major infrastructure and accessibility problems across universities, including incomplete buildings, inadequate laboratories and hostels, unsafe conditions, and lack of disability access, and noted funding for selected health sciences and medical faculty projects. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Public FinanceInfrastructureEducation Read →
  • 8 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne assumed the Chair as proceedings continued. She called the House to order and recognized Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, allocating him 15 minutes to speak. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne presented three petitions from residents of Radachana, Battaramulla, and Moratuwa. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne assumed the Chair as Presiding Member. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne argued that prison policy should address groups excluded by social and economic structures, citing severe overcrowding, the high number of remandees and drug-related detainees, and the low educational attainment of inmates. She outlined Budget allocations for prison infrastructure, sanitation, software, vocational training, staff salaries, recruitment, and the Pallekele Prison Complex, and referred to the Government’s prison policy based on the Nelson Mandela Rules. She also highlighted the Criminal Procedure Code amendment to allow audio-visual testimony, plans to recruit 1,000 probation officers to expand community-based corrections, and measures for children in custody, including separate transport and funding for probation, reform, and child-care institutions. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →