Sunil Handunnetti

Sunil Handunnetti (born October 19, 1971) is a Sri Lankan politician and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka who has served as the Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development since November 2024. A member of the National People's Power and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Matara Electoral District in 2024 Sri Lankan parliamentary election.He formerly contested 2010 parliamentary elections under the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), which is led by former army chief Sarath Fonseka and was re-elected to Parliament from Colombo District.

Hon. Sunil Handunnetti MP
සුනිල් හඳුන්නෙත්ති சுனில் ஹந்துநெத்தி
Handunnetti in 2023
Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development
Incumbent
Assumed office 18 November 2024
President	Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Prime Minister	Harini Amarasuriya
Preceded by	Harini Amarasuriya
Member of Parliament for Matara District
Incumbent
Assumed office 21 November 2024
Majority	249,251 Preferential votes
Member of Parliament for National List
In office 2015–2020
Member of Parliament for Colombo District
In office 2001–2015
Personal details
Born	(1971-10-19) October 19, 1971 Deniyaya, Matara, Sri Lanka
Political party	Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
Other political affiliations	National People's Power
Residence(s)	43/20 Nugagaha Place, Piliyandala Road, Maharagama
COPE Chairman

Entered politics by being a student in Sri Jayawardanapura University and became the Convener of the Inter University Students' Federation in 1995 and continued until 1996. Was an activity in the Socialist Students Union. Entered full-time politics in 1998 and was elected as a councilor of Colombo Municipal Council during 1998-1999 Was elected to the Central Committee of the JVP in 2000 and was appointed to the Political Bureau of the JVP in 2012 and was appointed as the Financial Secretary of the JVP. Elected to Parliament at the general election held in 2004 with the second highest number of preferential votes from Colombo District. In 2004 was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Rural Economic Affairs.

Electoral history

Election	Constituency	Party		Alliance		Votes	Result
1999 provincial	Colombo District		JVP			635	Not elected
2000 parliamentary	Colombo District		JVP			8,823	Elected
2001 parliamentary	Colombo District		JVP			9,438	Elected
2004 parliamentary	Colombo District		JVP		UPFA	152,942	Elected
2010 parliamentary	Colombo District		JVP		DNA	78,126	Elected
2015 parliamentary	Matara District		JVP			35,270	Not elected
2020 parliamentary	Matara District		JVP		NPP	37,136	Not elected
2024 parliamentary	Matara District		JVP		NPP	249,251	Elected

References

• "SUNIL HANDUNNETTI". Directory of Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka.