Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Gampaha

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning

Profession: ---

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Speeches 368 #11 of 225·#5 in party

Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

368 speeches

22 May 2026 AI summary Clarifying earlier remarks, Dr. Anil Jayantha said he had referred to speculation amplifying externally driven exchange-rate movements under a managed float, not to “artificial” movements. He stated that there is no decision to ban vehicle imports, though private vehicle orders may be postponed temporarily to manage foreign exchange. He said the Government would avoid broad import restrictions that could constrain growth, keep interventions data-driven, and continue discussions on investment facilitation to expand the economy and attract investment. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: CESS Phase-out and Currency Depreciation Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary Fuel prices for the next month are based on the previous month’s costs, with CPC dollar outflows expected to exceed US$ 500 million by end-May compared with the usual US$ 100–150 million. Dr. Anil Jayantha said recent fuel price increases of over 50 per cent are now affecting domestic prices, but noted that declines in crude and refined diesel prices and additional supply from reserve releases may ease pressures. He stated that any future price adjustments will depend on market movements and that no further immediate change has been decided. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: CESS Phase-out and Currency Depreciation Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said the rupee’s depreciation was driven primarily by external geopolitical pressures, higher oil prices and a stronger US dollar, rather than domestic macroeconomic or fiscal policy. He outlined impacts on fuel imports, inflation, trade, tourism and consumption, and said the Government and Central Bank were responding through measured, data-based actions within the flexible inflation-targeting framework. He detailed an additional Rs. 100 billion relief package for fuel, Aswesuma beneficiaries, electricity users, agriculture, fisheries and other affected sectors. He also referred to BOI and Port City investment plans and said the IMF’s fifth and sixth reviews, worth about US$ 700 million, were expected to be considered on 27 May following stronger-than-expected programme performance. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: CESS Phase-out and Currency Depreciation AgricultureCost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
22 May 2026 AI summary The Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning requested additional time to provide an answer. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: CESS Phase-out and Currency Depreciation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 May 2026 AI summary Moved approval of three sets of regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act and tabled related Excise Ordinance resolutions, explaining that the measures refine HS and national sub-code classifications, clarify import licensing requirements, and set licence periods for specified rice imports. He said the changes are intended to facilitate imports, improve Customs administration, strengthen valuation and duty collection, and reduce evasion, with examples including separate codes for SriLankan Airlines tyres, Ayurvedic-use thippili, salt and printing machinery. He also outlined new Customs technology systems for cargo scheduling, e-settlement of vessel charges and remittance reconciliation, and reported that Customs had collected Rs. 1,020.5 billion by 18 May 2026, 46.2 per cent of the annual target. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha reviewed 2025 economic performance, citing 5 percent growth, per capita GDP above USD 5,000, lower lending rates, stronger exports, tourism and remittances, and a record current account surplus of USD 1.73 billion. He said fiscal management reduced the budget deficit, increased public wages and capital expenditure, supported private sector credit growth, and enabled a Rs. 500 billion response to the Ditva cyclone amid global shocks. Responding to Opposition claims, he rejected assertions of a Rs. 5 trillion debt increase, citing official debt figures showing total debt rising from Rs. 29.8 trillion at end-2024 to Rs. 31 trillion at end-2025 and falling to Rs. 30.82 trillion by April 2026, with external debt also declining by April 2026. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 EmploymentPublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha moved that Hon. Upul Kithsiri take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna left the Chair and Hon. Upul Kithsiri assumed the Chair. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary The Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning presented, under Standing Order 119(4), a report on the Ministry of Labour’s observations and actions taken regarding matters raised in the Committee on Public Accounts reports. He moved that the report be referred to the Committee on Public Accounts, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Ministry Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha moved that the amended Bill be read a Third time and requested leave to make consequential amendments correcting typographical, printing, grammatical and numbering errors. The House agreed, and the Bill was read the Third time and passed. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha moved an amendment to the Bill to replace the wording on page 51, line 16 with a reference to “the period ending on 31st March, 2025.” The amendment was agreed to, after which Clause 45 as amended, Clause 46, and the Enacting Clause and Title were ordered to stand part of the Bill, and the Bill was reported with amendments. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that he did not agree to the proposed amendment. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha moved amendments to Clause 31 of the Bill, including a proviso preventing production of a tax certificate where an administrative review or appeal to the Tax Appeals Commission is pending. He also amended wording to require matters to be determined or proceedings fixed expeditiously. The amendments were agreed to, and Clause 31 as amended, along with Clauses 32 and 33, was ordered to stand part of the Bill. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha moved amendments to delete specified lines on pages 27 to 29 of the Bill. The amendments were agreed to, resulting in Clause 28 being left out, while Clauses 29 and 30 were ordered to stand part of the Bill. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary During the Committee Stage consideration of the Bill, the Minister moved several amendments that were agreed to by the House. Clause 1 and Clause 11 were amended, while Clauses 4 and 9 were removed from the Bill after the relevant deletion amendments were approved. The remaining clauses, including Clauses 2, 3, 5 to 8, 10, and 12 to 27, were ordered to stand part of the Bill. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary The Labour Minister moved that the Bill be referred to a Committee of the whole Parliament following its Second Reading. Parliament agreed to the motion, and the Bill was then taken up in Committee with the Presiding Member in the Chair. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary The Minister said the Inland Revenue amendments are intended to make taxation fairer, simpler and more efficient, while broadening compliance and reducing evasion. He highlighted measures including raising the individual annual tax-free threshold to Rs. 1.8 million, facilitating voluntary instalment payments, strengthening related-party disclosure, clarifying tax treatment for insurance and seafarer income, simplifying estimated tax statements, expanding online payments and improving data sharing among State agencies. He also defended VAT and SSCL calculations, outlined SME-related relief through thin capitalization and capital allowance changes, and stated that litigation would be used only as a last resort after administrative steps. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Public Finance Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, formally moved that the Bill be read a Second time. The Chair then proposed the question and invited Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera to open the debate with a 12-minute allocation. Bills Presented: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill and Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the rupee’s recent movement, with an indicative rate around LKR 333 and a 4.8 percent year-to-date depreciation, should be viewed in the context of global dollar strength and short-term market pressures, rather than compared to the 2022 crisis. He said the Government expects stabilization within the week using available policy tools. He clarified that IMF inflows and external debt remain denominated in US dollars, so exchange rate changes affect rupee reporting values but do not increase the dollar value of external debt, while foreign exchange effects on domestic instruments and exposures will be managed in an orderly manner. Questions by Private Notice and Ministerial Statements Public Finance Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Gross Official Reserves were provisionally estimated at USD 6.8 billion at end-April 2026, with Net International Reserves rising from USD 2.487 billion in 2024 to USD 4.285 billion in 2025. Details were provided on reserve composition, swap liabilities with the People’s Bank of China, Reserve Bank of India and domestic banks, and the deployability of reserves. The statement also outlined audit arrangements under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, restrictions on resident-to-resident foreign currency transactions under the Foreign Exchange Act, and noted that CBSL does not collect data on losses through foreign payment gateways while card payment acquirers must be licensed under the relevant payment systems regulations. Questions by Private Notice and Ministerial Statements Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that specific issues concerning NDB were outside the immediate scope of the question but would be looked into. He explained that EPF governance is handled through the Monetary Board’s EPF Management Committee at the Central Bank, with administrative coordination by the Ministry of Labour, and said discussions are ongoing with the NLAC and CBSL on strengthening governance, including possible changes to investment policy and Board representation. Questions by Private Notice and Ministerial Statements EmploymentPublic Finance Read →