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

23 July 2025 AI summary The Minister said the decision to end SVAT followed long-term review and is part of a move to a unified VAT administration with strengthened Inland Revenue Department systems. He stated that a digital, risk-based refund mechanism will classify claims as low, medium or high risk, with low and medium risk refunds paid within 45 days and high-risk claims subject to basic verification. He said deemed exporter cash-flow concerns would be addressed during the transition, accurate e-submissions would be required, IMF recommendations were already tabled and published, and necessary provisions would be introduced through an amendment to the Act. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Simplified VAT (SVAT) Abolition EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Institutional Reforms and Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha tabled a written answer stating that vehicle imports for public servants ceased from 22 May 2020. As no such vehicles have been imported since then, the remaining sub-questions were marked not applicable and the subsequent part as not arising. Oral Question: Second Round Questions (Q.1, 2, 3/2025 – Second Round) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary The Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development presented the Ministry of Labour’s 2024 Performance Report to Parliament. He proposed that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour and Human Resources Development, and the proposal was agreed to. Papers: Annual Reports and Performance Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha moved new clauses to the Bill prohibiting employers from reducing workers’ wages or allowances because of the increase to the national minimum wage, including allowances under the relevant Minimum Wage and Budgetary Relief Allowance Acts. He also proposed empowering the Commissioner-General to direct employers, principal employers, intermediaries, and contractors to implement the wage increase. The clauses were added, the Bill was reported with amendments, and he moved its Third Reading while seeking leave to correct language and formatting errors and make consequential amendments. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary The Government stated that it does not agree to the amendment moved by Hon. Radhakrishnan. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary The motion moved the Bill for Second Reading, which Parliament agreed to without objection. The Bill was then referred to a Committee of the whole Parliament, where Clause 1 was approved, and a recorded vote showed 181 votes in favour with no votes against or abstentions. Proceedings then moved to an amendment to Clause 2 proposed by Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Moved that the Bill be read a Third time. Also sought leave to correct typographical, grammatical, or numerical errors and language inconsistencies, and to make consequential amendments. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Moved that the Bill be read a Second time, initiating the next stage of parliamentary consideration. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Moved that the Bill be read a Third time. He also sought leave to correct typographical, grammatical, and numerical errors or inconsistencies in all three languages and to make consequential amendments. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary The Minister moved the second reading of three Bills amending the National Minimum Wage of Workers Act and two Budgetary Relief Allowance of Workers Acts. He said the Government, following public sector salary increases in Budget 2025 and tripartite discussions through the reactivated National Labour Advisory Council, proposes to raise the private sector monthly minimum wage from Rs. 17,500 to Rs. 27,000 from 1 April 2025 and to Rs. 30,000 from 1 January 2026, with corresponding daily rates of Rs. 1,080 and Rs. 1,200. He explained that the existing Rs. 3,500 budgetary relief allowances would be absorbed into the basic wage rather than removed, and that the Bills are being taken together to expedite delayed implementation despite court-noted sequencing concerns. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Public FinanceParliamentary ProcedureEmployment Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Assurance was given that any additional facts would be examined, particularly in relation to complexities such as fund transfers. The remarks emphasized that investment would not be discouraged, while acknowledging that some projects have stalled due to issues arising during implementation and need to be rescued alongside progressing new projects. Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the proposed Milleniya EPZ involves 166 acres of the 244-acre Neuchattlewatta land in Millaniya, but further progress has been constrained by a pending court case relating to compensation. He said Rs. 91.5 million had been allocated for acquisition, with Rs. 91.2 million already paid, including full payments with interest for 27 of 45 identified parcels among 115 parcels. He added that further provisions have been requested, noted past fund reallocations since 2017, and said the Government would review any changed circumstances, gather accurate information, and proceed with development as soon as possible. Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) InfrastructurePublic FinanceLand & Housing Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Anil Jayantha stated that land acquisition for the proposed Milleniya Investment Promotion Zone has been temporarily halted pending a Court of Appeal case filed by Horana Plantations PLC. He reported that Rs. 91.2 million has been paid in compensation so far, including payments for 45 of 115 lots acquired for the proposed Palpola interchange, and outlined planned spending for roads, water supply, and electricity. He said the Road Development Authority has prepared plans for the Palpola interchange and Milleniya–Palpola road development, but a decision on proceeding will be taken after the court judgment. Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Land & HousingInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha raised a procedural objection, stating that the supplementary question introduced a matter unrelated to the original question. He cited the Standing Orders to argue that supplementary questions must arise directly from the original question and requested the Leader of the Opposition to avoid raising unrelated issues. Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the national minimum wage cannot alter wage-setting mechanisms under the Wages Boards regime, but said discussions on wages are continuing across sectors. He acknowledged that current wages do not meet a living standard, while arguing that the Government has stabilized the economy after collapse and must now focus on increasing production, attracting investment, and strengthening employer-worker cooperation. He urged the Opposition to support these next steps rather than create uncertainty or weaken investor confidence. Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages Public FinanceEmployment Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha clarified a wage calculation, stating that multiplying Rs. 1,350 by 25 working days amounts to Rs. 33,750, excluding any interruptions. The intervention was focused on explaining the arithmetic behind the figure. Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages Public Finance Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that his remarks were limited to numerical or arithmetic considerations and not an assessment of fairness. He requested the opportunity to explain the calculation underlying the matter under discussion. Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Workers covered by the National Minimum Wage Act exclude plantation workers and some other sectors, whose wages are set through Wages Boards. Dr. Anil Jayantha said discussions are continuing with workers and employers on improving plantation wages, currently set at Rs. 1,700 per day, made up of Rs. 1,350 plus Rs. 350 for overtime or extra work. He noted that while the general monthly minimum wage is Rs. 30,000, a plantation worker earning Rs. 1,700 for more than 25 days would exceed that amount. Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages Employment Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Cabinet approval has been obtained to digitize and regularize EPF-related processes to improve transparency, with work being expedited. The Minister said fund management currently lies with the Central Bank while administrative oversight is nominally with the Ministry of Labour, and this structure is being regularized. He acknowledged that employees, as the real owners of the fund, should have access to information through a digital platform, while noting that no special forensic audit has currently been initiated. Oral Question: Active Accounts in Employees' Provident Fund (Q.4/2024) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary The reply provided year-wise EPF member interest rates from 2015 to 2024, noting that rates are determined mainly by distributable profit after investment income, expenses and taxes are assessed against member balances. It outlined measures to strengthen the EPF, including investment diversification, risk and performance management systems, digitization with Cabinet approval for a new platform, faster recovery of evaded contributions, and a proposed tripartite governance mechanism involving trade unions, employers and the Government. A detailed reply was tabled, and the remaining part of the question was stated not to arise. Oral Question: Active Accounts in Employees' Provident Fund (Q.4/2024) Public Finance Read →