Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj, M.P.
Profession: Politician
Speeches 24 #156 of 225·#94 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution 7 speeches
Last spoke 21 May 2026 in Adjournment
Activity by sitting
18 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
24 speeches- 21 May 2026 AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj welcomed the Adjournment Motion on land and housing rights for the Malaiyaha plantation community, linking it to May Day struggles and ongoing demands for “land ownership” and “house ownership.” He cited the NPP’s 2023 Hatton Declaration, stating that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had pledged dignity, land and housing ownership, and equal rights for plantation people, and said the Government was prepared to implement those commitments. He criticized previous generations of Malaiyaha political leaders for failing to resolve the line-room housing and land issues, and asserted that the current Government would advance programmes to grant land and housing rights to estate workers. Adjournment Debate: Integration of Malaiyaha People into National Mainstream Land & HousingEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionEmployment Read →
- 6 March 2026 AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj indicated support during a division and confirmed that no further Members were unable to record their votes. The electronic vote was then concluded, with the result announced as 106 Ayes, 8 Noes and no abstentions. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 March 2026 AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj supported the extension of the Emergency, arguing that it is needed to respond to the aftermath of Cyclone “Ditwah”, floods, and wider global pressures including the Middle East conflict affecting Sri Lankan workers abroad. He distinguished the measure under the Public Security Ordinance from the PTA and said it was being used for relief, rehabilitation, and stability rather than repression. He also highlighted the role of public officers in disaster response, proposed enhanced allowances for their additional work, and cited government assistance to plantation workers and housing for landslide-affected families in Poonagala as examples of support to vulnerable communities. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Cost of LivingSecurity & Defence Read →
- 18 February 2026 AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj supported the Special Commodity Levy regulations, Customs resolution, and Motor Traffic regulations, arguing that the NPP Government had restored economic stability, increased exports, and enabled measures such as vehicle imports after the earlier crisis. He cited export growth, service export earnings, and sectoral improvements as evidence of progress toward a production economy. He also highlighted the abolition of parliamentary pensions, wage increases for estate workers, and programmes for workers’ welfare, while rejecting Opposition criticism. He said the Government was promoting ethnic, religious, and linguistic harmony through support for major religious and cultural observances, and framed its agenda around building a “prosperous country” and improving citizens’ lives. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Public FinanceEmploymentEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 18 February 2026 AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj formally raised Question No. 4 (1576/2025) for consideration in Parliament. No substantive details of the question or accompanying argument were provided in the recorded statement. Oral Questions: Stood Down (Q.4, Q.5) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj raised concerns that many estate cooperatives providing loans to workers are not being audited. He asked whether the Government would audit these estate co-ops and submit the audit reports to Parliament. Oral Question No. 8 (Deferred) and Question Stand Down EmploymentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj noted that many estate co-operative shops had been closed, particularly during Senthil Thondaman’s tenure as Uva Provincial Minister of Co-operatives. Citing that co-operatives fall under the 13th Amendment, he requested that details of the closed estate co-op shops be submitted to Parliament in the future. Oral Question No. 8 (Deferred) and Question Stand Down Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 20 November 2025 AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj’s contribution was expunged on the order of the Chair. The only remaining remark indicates he was responding to or characterizing another Member’s speech, with no substantive argument or proposal preserved in the record. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj briefly rose on a Point of Order. No substantive issue, question, or proposal is recorded in the provided excerpt. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj supported the Second Reading of the 2026 Budget, highlighting the Government’s decision to raise plantation workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,750, including a Rs. 200 basic wage increase and a Rs. 200 Treasury-funded attendance allowance. He contrasted this with past wage struggles and previous increases under estate-sector political leadership, and challenged criticisms by Hon. Jeevan Thondaman regarding the wage measure. He also noted Budget allocations for estate-region infrastructure, including water supply, roads, transport, and tourism development, and thanked the President and Government on behalf of plantation workers. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Public FinanceEmployment Read →
- 23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj supported the National Building Research Institute Bill, arguing that strengthening the NBRO is essential for landslide risk reduction and public safety in the hill country. He cited past disasters including Meeriyabedda, Kabaragala, and continuing risks in areas such as Haldummulla, Passara, Kanavarella, and Meedumpitiya, while noting unresolved permanent housing needs for affected families. He urged the Opposition to support the Bill in the national interest and also referred to future legislation against narcotics and underworld activity, particularly in relation to concerns about Tangalle. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill InfrastructureEnvironmentLaw & Order Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj responded to the Minister’s reference to political interference, stating that Mr. Haridaran is not an heir and that any court case claiming ownership in his name would be an improper abuse requiring judicial intervention. He also said that about 19 families had suffered injustice and requested relief for them. Oral Question: Bungalow in Kalugalle Estate - False Ownership (Q.?/2025) Land & HousingJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure about alleged false ownership claims over a 53-acre tea land and bungalow in Kalugalle Estate, Ella, where the purported owner is said to be in India. He sought clarification on whether the Government recognises forcible entry and tea plucking on the land as illegal, and whether the State can acquire the property given the disputed ownership. Oral Question: Bungalow in Kalugalle Estate - False Ownership (Q.?/2025) Land & HousingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 22 August 2025 AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj supported the Adjournment Motion, framing it as part of addressing Sri Lanka’s long-standing ethnic question and its effects on harmony, human rights, and development. He emphasized the rights of Hill Country Tamils, citing the NPP’s Hatton Declaration, proposals to recognize “Malaiyaha Tamils” as Sri Lankan citizens, provide legal land rights, and improve education through targeted reforms and funding. He also urged that future measures include support and recognition for former LTTE combatants, particularly disabled and destitute individuals. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Justice & Human RightsEducationEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 21 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj stated that the Government would implement the laws presented for the welfare and benefit of the people. He concluded by affirming the Government’s commitment to carrying out its public duties. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Public Finance Read →
- 21 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj supported the proposed Customs Ordinance measures on vehicle imports and regulations under the Construction Industry Development Act, arguing they are part of restoring economic stability and reviving sectors affected by the previous import ban and construction downturn. He said the legal updates would align taxation for new-technology electric vehicles with earlier treatment of hybrids and provide some relief to the middle class. He also referred to the Chemmani issue, stating that the Government had promised fair investigation and accountability, and urged Northern and Eastern leaders to prioritize economic development over communal rhetoric. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Public FinanceEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionInfrastructure Read →
- 22 July 2025 AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj supported the National Minimum Wage of Workers (Amendment) Bill, citing serious wage, welfare, housing and basic service issues faced by private-sector and plantation workers. He argued that past estate privatization and Collective Agreement mechanisms had failed plantation workers, and said the Government had shifted wage-setting to the Wages Board while working toward longer-term landownership or stakeholder arrangements for workers. He stated that the Government had set a Rs. 1,700 minimum daily wage for plantation workers and was negotiating to secure a Rs. 2,000 daily wage. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Public FinanceEmployment Read →
- 11 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj supported the motion, noting that domestic milk production had fallen from about 81% of national needs before 1977 to around 40%, which he attributed to increased milk powder imports by multinational companies after 1977. He said the Government is taking national measures, including strengthening coordination through regional veterinary offices, to rebuild the dairy and livestock sector and move toward self-sufficiency. Private Members' Motion No. 3: Livestock Sector Enhancement Agriculture Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj directed Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara to take his seat, indicating a procedural intervention to maintain order during proceedings. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 May 2025 AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj supported the Motion on improving public transport, arguing that estate communities in the plantation highlands have faced inadequate transport links for decades despite the establishment and restructuring of national transport bodies. He cited continuing difficulties for workers and students in Badulla District, including the unresolved aftermath of a serious SLTB accident on the Poonagala–Bandarawela route. He said past governments failed to use available mechanisms, including under the 13th Amendment, to improve inter-provincial transport, and endorsed the current Government’s plan to strengthen public transport with modern buses and better estate-to-town connectivity. Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications Law & OrderInfrastructure Read →