Hon. Amila Prasad, M.P.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)· Gampaha

Profession: Teacher

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 73 #68 of 225·#23 in party

Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

73 speeches

11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad denied the Prime Minister’s allegation that he had threatened a woman Member, stating that his remarks were not insulting or threatening and were made in response to his microphone being taken while he was speaking. He said his comments were a protest against obstruction of his speech and asked that the matter not be turned into a political issue. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad raised a point of order, stating that his name had been mentioned in the proceedings. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported removing excessive entitlements under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act but argued that the office of President must retain necessary dignity, security, and protection after retirement while the Executive Presidency continues to exist. He said the Government should abolish the Executive Presidency through a new Constitution rather than remove privileges piecemeal, and criticised attacks on former Presidents associated with the 1978 Constitution. He cited threats from drug mafias, the assassination of Janaka Perera after security was withdrawn, and unrest in Nepal to argue that former Presidents and their families may remain vulnerable because of decisions taken in office. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
21 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported revenue and reform measures in principle but questioned whether increased taxation and Customs revenue were improving public services or reducing living costs. He raised concerns over remittances linked to Sri Lankans in the Russia–Ukraine war, tourist driving permits affecting local employment, Customs delays increasing consumer costs, and proposed CEB engineering recruitment despite internal candidates. He also called for redeploying staff from downsized state entities to services such as the Postal Department, adjusting teacher transfer timing and benefits to avoid disruption, and considering leadership capacity, not only qualifications, in appointments to major schools such as Bandaranaike College, Gampaha. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) EmploymentCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad asked the Government to outline the action plan for achieving the President’s reserve targets of US$7 billion in 2025 and US$15 billion by January 2028, emphasizing that such questions should receive constructive answers rather than political accusations. He also questioned whether projected Customs revenue growth would be adequate if vehicle imports resume, citing increases from US$600 million in 2022 to a projected US$2.3 billion in 2025 despite the previous vehicle import ban. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Public Finance Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad asked the Government to disclose the full cost structure of the new Sathosa-branded rice programme to assess whether Treasury-funded costs or below-cost pricing could distort competition with private traders. He expressed support for the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, citing earlier gambling legislation and the need to secure tax revenue, while questioning how entry fees, winnings taxes, licensing, online betting enforcement, and investor confidence would be managed. He urged that casino regulation be oriented toward attracting foreign high-spending tourists, supported by international expertise and a fully digitized reporting and tax platform. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill as a timely measure. He then questioned the Minister about recent rice imports, asking whether the imported stocks were distributed only through Sathosa or also sold as animal feed, to bulk buyers, or wholesale outside Sathosa. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Public Finance Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad presented a petition to Parliament on behalf of Ms. Y.M.C. Podimanike of Thawalampitiya, Madugahawatta, 2nd Cross Road, Mirigama. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad expressed concern that current actions against medical professionals are creating fear among doctors and could undermine their ability to perform surgeries based on professional judgment. He compared the situation to the “Dr. Shafi” controversy and criticized social media attempts to justify the decisions. He also alleged that prison guards made derogatory remarks to a doctor’s daughter visiting the prison, arguing that professionals must be protected when necessary. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Justice & Human RightsHealthcare Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported the Public Finance Management legislation as important to addressing past fiscal weaknesses, while arguing that Sri Lanka’s economic crisis also arose from tax cuts, lost foreign exchange inflows, conflict, political interference, and overreliance on debt. He urged the Government, beyond IMF conditions, to set clear targets and new measures to reduce the debt-servicing burden, raise revenue before repayments resume in 2028, and avoid returning to a debt-driven model. He also called for greater transparency in public finance, including disclosure on customs containers, international economic agreements, MPs’ salary arrangements, government vehicle auctions, and a shift to an online transparent tender system to curb corruption. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
3 June 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported the data protection Bill in principle but urged stronger safeguards, clear public remedies for misuse of personal data, and assurances on the independence and capacity of the PDPA Authority. He questioned the Government on responses to recent cyber breaches, technical readiness for secure data systems, availability of skilled personnel, timelines for full implementation, and compliance arrangements for large legacy data holders. He also sought clarity on penalties and appeals, interaction with the RTI and Computer Crimes laws, special protections for health data, public awareness measures, and how the right to erasure would be balanced against public-interest records and accountability. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad criticised the increase in electric vehicle taxes from 15 to 30 percent, arguing that it treats vehicles as revenue instruments rather than supporting long-term energy and foreign-exchange savings. He said the policy contradicts climate and carbon-neutrality goals, burdens lower-income users such as three-wheeler drivers, and may increase future fuel imports. He called for lower EV taxes, support for solar-powered home charging, affordable electric three-wheelers, reduced recurrent expenditure, higher capital investment, and restructuring of loss-making State entities such as SriLankan Airlines and addressing corruption and losses in the Ceylon Electricity Board. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Public FinanceEnvironmentCost of Living Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Amila Prasad asked the Prime Minister about student protests at the Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine over alleged inadequate facilities, requesting clarification on the identified problems, reported comments that the university is unsuccessful, possible use of nearby premises for non-Indigenous Medicine faculties, and the findings of an appointed expert committee. He also raised unrest over the appointment of a Principal to Bandaranaike College, Gampaha, and urged urgent attention to prevent harm to the school’s reputation. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Education Read →
21 March 2025 AI summary Amila Prasad raised sector-specific concerns affecting betel cultivators, the pottery industry, cashew growers, cane/bamboo crafts, cooperative investors, digital scam victims, and coconut oil-related revenue fraud, asking relevant ministries to ease regulations, investigate abuses, provide training and inputs, and introduce legislation where needed. He questioned the Government’s approach to revenue generation, dollar inflows, and IMF-related policy, while crediting the previous administration’s role in stabilizing the economy. He also warned that new US-China trade tensions could affect Sri Lanka through increased competition from Chinese goods and higher input costs, and urged the Government to outline concrete trade and economic responses, including bilateral and free trade arrangements. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Public FinanceAgricultureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad raised concerns about the impact of AI on Sri Lankan freelancers earning foreign income and called for reskilling and upskilling programmes with dedicated funding. He supported the proposal for VAT-registered businesses to use POS machines but urged rural training, cost support, and trust-building, while also calling for ICTA to be either comprehensively reformed or replaced. He opposed introducing a new tax on IT freelancers at this stage, arguing that investment and sector growth would generate more revenue and employment, and urged the Government to convert its digitalization commitments into national policy. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Corruption & Governance ReformEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Amila Prasad argued that digitalization of public administration cannot be effectively implemented while maintaining an oversized and redundant workforce. He stated that some job reductions are inevitable, as seen in other countries, but said this could be managed through higher salaries, pensions, retirement, and private sector opportunities. He urged that the impact be assessed after the digitalization process is completed and presented the reforms as overdue rather than politically motivated. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Public FinanceEmployment Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported the Ministry’s digitalization agenda, arguing that public awareness, stronger legal frameworks, and clear data protection safeguards are necessary, especially for biometric and core identity systems. He said the Rs. 300 million allocation for awareness is inadequate but should be used effectively, and urged expansion of online commerce and job creation through digital platforms. Citing delays in issuing licences, police certificates and birth certificates, he called for urgent digitization of public services, including Parliament as a possible pilot. He also stated that digitalization would make some public-sector posts redundant and urged the Government to manage this openly through redeployment or fair early retirement with pensions, while pressing it to implement reforms boldly over the next five years. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) InfrastructureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
10 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that Sri Lanka’s education system must be reformed to prepare children for future labour markets, particularly the period after 2045, rather than focusing only on current curricula or past expenditure. He highlighted past education initiatives by right-of-centre governments, defended the Opposition Leader’s “Sakwala” programme as a non-election initiative supporting ICT access and schools, and called for acknowledgement of such efforts. He urged reconsideration of the 1982 Education White Paper’s proposals, including wider scope for private and vocational education while preserving free education, and questioned the efficiency of spending in small schools compared with larger schools. He also raised concern over shortages of science and mathematics teachers at A/L level due to salary pressures. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage EducationEmploymentPublic Finance Read →
3 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that reliable, affordable energy is central to economic growth and that Sri Lanka cannot depend solely on variable renewable sources such as wind and solar, but should combine them with LNG and improved grid capacity. He emphasized that transmission and distribution weaknesses require state-private investment and regulatory changes, including wheeling arrangements through the CEB to supply industrial users from dedicated renewable projects. He proposed accelerating battery storage and EV-related technologies to manage excess rooftop solar and provide nighttime power, and also suggested pursuing an electricity interconnection with India to create export opportunities. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that debate on the President’s and Prime Minister’s expenditure heads should distinguish necessary institutional and functional spending from personal luxury, while scrutinizing whether the Government is delivering on campaign pledges such as increased education funding and anti-corruption action. He questioned progress on recovering alleged stolen assets, returning Arjuna Mahendran, and strengthening CIABOC, proposing greater resources, coordination with the Attorney-General and CID, divisional-level offices, and regular reviews. He tabled a citizen proposals report on Budget 2025, called for digitizing parliamentary processes, strengthening independent commissions and the Election Commission, and sought clarification on reported procurement and port container release issues. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →