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

6 August 2025 AI summary The response clarifies that the question raised did not specifically cover the matter of salt containers. It states that if a separate, specific question is submitted on salt containers, an answer can be provided, and notes that issues relating to the release of containers of various goods fall under the authority of the Department of Customs. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Customs - Release of Containers without Inspection (Q.1/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the committee examining the release mechanism during congestion had met 14 times and that its details and report would be tabled in Parliament. He said a separate committee was appointed in response to public allegations, its report had been given to the Secretary to the Treasury, and details of the relevant containers would be provided. He also noted that a Criminal Investigation Department inquiry and an internal audit were ongoing. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Customs - Release of Containers without Inspection (Q.1/2025) Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Responding on behalf of the Finance Minister, the Minister said Sri Lanka Customs established a Steering Committee on 23 July 2024 to manage congestion by identifying low-risk containers selected for examination that could be released using alternative criteria. He stated that the Committee met 14 times up to 18 January 2025 and approved the release of 2,527 import containers after reviewing documentation, duty payments, risk alerts, scanning, valuation, and other specified conditions. He added that Customs does not release containers without risk-assessment procedures, and that post-clearance audits and CID inquiries into the released containers are under way. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Customs - Release of Containers without Inspection (Q.1/2025) Public FinanceLaw & Order Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary The Minister outlined the rules governing fees on card and QR payments, stating that merchants generally cannot pass Merchant Discount Rate charges to consumers except for limited fees on fuel purchases and certain government services. He said consumers can complain through their issuing financial institution or QR account bank if unlawful surcharges are imposed, and noted that the Central Bank has issued notices and guidance on the matter. He also said digital payment adoption is growing but is constrained by low public awareness, uneven internet and digital infrastructure, and a continued preference for cash, while the Central Bank is studying possible fee reductions and other measures to promote digital payments. Adjournment Questions Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary CBSL’s autonomy was defended as operating within a statutory framework that includes accountability through mandated, data-based reporting. The Minister said deviations from targets can be questioned through established report streams, and that the 5 per cent inflation target is based on the 20-year average and current conditions. He noted that inflation had fallen from crisis levels of around 70 per cent to near zero at times, and argued that the resulting price and financial stability should now be used to support growth and development. Standing Order 27(2): Central Bank Accountability and Medicine Procurement Delays Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Minister stated that recent inflation fell below target mainly due to supply-side deflation from administered price reductions in electricity and fuel, while the Central Bank had reduced policy rates by 8 percentage points between June 2023 and July 2025. He said the Central Bank Act grants CBSL independence, prohibits monetary financing, and establishes the Governing Board and Monetary Policy Board to operate a flexible exchange rate and flexible inflation targeting framework. He outlined the 2023 Monetary Policy Framework Agreement setting a 5 per cent inflation target with a ±2 per cent band until 2026, and described coordination, IMF review, parliamentary reporting, and public communication mechanisms for accountability when inflation deviates from target. Standing Order 27(2): Central Bank Accountability and Medicine Procurement Delays Security & DefencePublic Finance Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that vehicle imports under official permits are temporarily suspended, while officers retain the right to apply for permits. He provided annual permit figures, noting that larger numbers were issued in previous years, and argued that the current Government should not be blamed for the accumulated issue while it is working to stabilize the economy. He also urged the Opposition not to emotionally incite officers over the matter. Oral Question: Import of Vehicles Under Duty-Free Permits (Q.508/2025) Law & OrderPublic Finance Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Permits are currently temporarily suspended, and the Ministry of Finance has not taken any decision to resume them. Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that decisions made by the previous government do not bind the current administration, which he said will manage public finance independently while stabilizing the economy. Oral Question: Import of Vehicles Under Duty-Free Permits (Q.508/2025) Public Finance Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary As at 30 June 2025, 25,508 persons were recorded in relation to the matter raised in the question. The Minister stated that no decision had yet been taken on the relevant issue, that the process was temporarily suspended, and that subsequent sub-questions were therefore not applicable. Oral Question: Import of Vehicles Under Duty-Free Permits (Q.508/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha responded to a question on Employees’ Provident Fund investments in the share market since 2015, stating that only 5–7 per cent of EPF assets are invested in shares and that he had provided answers on investments, gains and losses. He said EPF investment decisions are handled through the Central Bank’s Investment Committee, while the Labour Ministry is involved in administration, and argued that the member was raising matters outside the scope of the question. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) Public Finance Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the original question concerned EPF investments and that he had explained the basis of the investments and resulting profits or losses. He said issues relating to worker engagement or labour matters should be directed separately to the Labour Ministry, while assuring that workers’ rights would not be undermined and that the Government sought to maintain industrial peace under proper labour regulations. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) Public FinanceParliamentary ProcedureEmployment Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the supplementary question was not related to the original question and clarified that the EPF does not apply in the circumstances as framed. He noted that Colombo Port City is governed by a separate Act under which certain labour law exemptions apply, and said no decisions have been taken contrary to existing rules and regulations. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) EmploymentLaw & Order Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha provided a tabled reply on the value and performance of listed shareholdings, stating that the total stood at Rs. 11,313,183,637 as of 30 June 2025. He said the detailed tables set out holdings, unrealized gains or losses, dividends and realized results by company, including Balangoda Plantations PLC and other listed entities, with relevant methodology and period notes. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) Public Finance Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha clarified the distinction between unrealized and realized gains or losses in company investments, citing examples of significant unrealized gains and losses based on the difference between average cost and current market price. He stated that aggregate unrealized gains amounted to Rs. 43.9 billion, while realized gains from dividends and sales produced about Rs. 3 billion in total profit, with specific company-level profits and losses provided. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) Public Finance Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary The Minister answered Question No. 217/2024 on Employees’ Provident Fund investments in the share market since 2015, stating that Rs. 11.38 billion had been invested. He said the investments covered many companies, including examples such as Access Engineering PLC and John Keells Holdings PLC, and noted that some shares had since been sold. He added that a detailed list of companies accompanied the answer and could be read out if required. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) Public Finance Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that microfinance covers a broad and varied range of activities, including by banks, non-bank financial institutions, and other entities whose classification may be unclear. He said the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance are working to introduce proper financial discipline and better management of lending and borrowing, with steps already underway to bring the sector into a more structured system. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Public Finance Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary The Minister answered questions on the Credit Information Bureau, stating that only Central Bank-regulated banks and non-bank financial institutions may exchange credit information through CRIB, while cooperative societies, Samurdhi Banks and rural banks operate under separate laws. He requested more time to provide quantitative answers on two specific institutions, and reported that CRIB is to be treated as a state institution subject to the Financial Management Act, Treasury guidelines, audit oversight, and potential COPE scrutiny. He tabled a 2025 management audit report on CRIB’s financial administration, procurement and overall management, emphasizing the need to balance confidentiality of credit information with accountability and fiscal discipline. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Law & OrderPublic Finance Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that importers had violated existing regulations and were seeking an amendment to the Gazette to regularize earlier irregularities. He said the Government was investigating past documentation issues, including vehicles released subject to post-audit, and had ordered the relevant audits. He argued that amending the Gazette to permit release would amount to changing the law to accommodate a breach, which he said was not feasible. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Law & OrderPublic Finance Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha clarified that the 300–400 vehicles reportedly detained at the port are being held due to violations of import regulations, not administrative inefficiency. He said the 2025 Gazette permits imports under cross-border LCs, but used vehicles must have proper certification and a Certificate of Cancellation of Registration, which some imports lack. He noted that past releases despite breaches should not be repeated and stated that importers acknowledge the violations while seeking a resolution. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Law & OrderInfrastructure Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha said the Government is transitioning from multiple existing processes to a single digitalized refund system without creating a gap, supported by investments including RAMIS integration. He stated that timely, risk-based refunds to exporters should enable them to pay deemed exporters, and that the Inland Revenue Department cannot justify exporters failing to pass on funds. He added that the objective is to ensure the refund system functions properly, with simulations currently underway. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Simplified VAT (SVAT) Abolition Public FinanceEmployment Read →