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

11 July 2025 AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha stated that Rs. 2,250 million has been allocated in 2025 under the Decentralized Programme, equivalent to Rs. 10 million per MP, but that funds will be implemented through District Coordinating Committees rather than as individually directed cash allocations. He said the approach, set out in Finance Ministry Circular MF/02/2025, prioritizes district-based economic development, entrepreneurship, empowerment, group cohesion, and integrated projects. He also tabled past allocation details from 2015 to 2025 and explained that District Coordinating Committees are intended to identify local needs through links with Divisional Secretariats and local authorities. Adjournment - Fishing Practices in Trincomalee and Parliamentary Decentralized Funds Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary The Minister supported the motion on financing and empowering entrepreneurship, arguing that economic stabilization, confidence, good governance, and industrial harmony are necessary for investment and growth. He said entrepreneurship should focus on productive value addition and integration into value chains, while labour laws should be consolidated into a modern framework to improve workplace relations. He outlined existing SME and concessional loan schemes, noted geographic disparities and misuse of some funds, and said the Government would use data, training, credit guarantees, ADB-supported credit lines, and ultimately a Development Bank and regional finance mechanisms to support viable businesses nationwide. Private Members' Motion No. 4: Making Every Youth Gainfully Employed EmploymentCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha said co-operative rural banks are not licensed “banks” under the Banking Act unless they conduct banking business with Central Bank authorization, and warned that excessive involvement in finance without safeguards has created risks. He stated that the Government has Cabinet approval for a committee to examine how to broaden co-operative activity, including finance, while strengthening regulation through provincial authorities and the Department of Co-operative Development. He also rejected claims about the scale of co-operative funds, referred to ongoing work on US tariff negotiations, and said the Government’s aim is to expand co-operatives within a stable fiscal and monetary framework. Private Members' Motion No. 1: Co-operative Rural Banks Supervision Public FinanceForeign AffairsAgriculture Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary The Minister clarified that the US trade measure was part of a general global policy based on a common formula tied to trade gaps, not a bilateral tariff decision targeting Sri Lanka. He said Sri Lanka was among the earliest countries to engage in talks and, among 25 countries sent courtesy letters, received the largest reduction, from 44 per cent to 30 per cent. He stated that the matter would continue to be handled diplomatically in the national interest, rather than through association-level positions or separate side discussions. US Tariff Duties - Member's Attention Matter and Discussion Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary Sri Lanka’s apparel exports to the United States were clarified as accounting for about 69–70 per cent, higher than the previously cited 60 per cent. The Minister said the matter had been discussed the previous day, further meetings with industry stakeholders were scheduled, and the Government would continue addressing it through diplomatic engagement. US Tariff Duties - Member's Attention Matter and Discussion EmploymentForeign Affairs Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to Opposition remarks on US tariff measures, saying the issue reflects a broader global US trade posture rather than a bilateral matter that can be solved through informal political interventions. He stated that Sri Lanka’s reduction from 44 per cent to 30 per cent was achieved through state-to-state trade diplomacy and was the best outcome among 25 notified countries. He also clarified that India had not received a formal tariff reduction notice, and that the cited 26 per cent figure referred only to an earlier general calculation, not an applied reduction. US Tariff Duties - Member's Attention Matter and Discussion Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
11 July 2025 AI summary The Minister outlined Sri Lanka’s negotiations with the United States following the imposition of a 44% tariff on Sri Lankan exports on 2 April, noting that a committee was appointed and officials held discussions in the US on a possible bilateral trade agreement and the trade imbalance. He stated that, after negotiations, the US notified Sri Lanka that a reduced 30% tariff would apply from 1 August if no agreement is reached, describing this as the largest reduction among countries receiving similar letters. He said the Government will continue diplomatic negotiations to further reduce the tariff and improve trade relations. US Tariff Duties - Member's Attention Matter and Discussion Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
9 July 2025 AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha said the Easter Sunday attacks were an organised and networked crime requiring a comprehensive investigation, not a narrow attribution to a few individuals or extremist labels. He argued that past failures of governance had created public distrust in justice processes, and said the NPP Government would not obstruct investigations or allow the matter to be buried. He linked the attacks to “fear politics” and the pursuit of political power, citing severe economic, social and democratic consequences, and called on the Opposition to cooperate with investigative agencies rather than undermine or leak information. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformSecurity & Defence Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Inland Revenue Department and the Ministry of Finance are consulting relevant stakeholders on the matters raised. He said the discussions aim to ensure that implementation mechanisms are fair. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Public Finance Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is examining how VAT applies to digital platform services such as PickMe and Uber, noting that platforms argue tax should apply only to their local value addition. He said the Inland Revenue Department’s position is that VAT should capture the full taxable value added to the supply, and discussions are underway with platforms to ensure fair treatment and address gaps where parts of the supply chain are not legally connected in Sri Lanka. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Public FinanceEmployment Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister moved approval of Gazette Extraordinary No. 2437/04 under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act to temporarily relax salt import restrictions following a weather-related domestic shortage. He said the measure allowed household and industrial salt imports without licences for consignments shipped before 10 June 2025, helping end market queues, contain prices, and restore supply. He noted reported regulatory breaches by some importers, pending Customs entries for about 29,900 metric tonnes, and quality testing of containers by standards authorities, with non-compliant or irregular stocks liable for re-export. He also stated that the Government would support accelerated domestic salt production, mechanization, quality improvement, and export-oriented value addition with private sector participation. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary Moved approval of a Regulation under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2437/04 of 19 May 2025 and presented to Parliament on 17 June 2025. He stated that the motion was made on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, with Cabinet approval already granted. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that the Government has not introduced new taxes or removed concessions specifically for lithium-ion batteries, noting that general levies such as VAT, Customs Duty, PAL and SSCL apply, while existing exemptions remain for batteries used in grid-connected large-scale renewable energy storage. He said the 15 per cent duty waiver, non-application of CESS and PAL relief are available under existing schedules where eligible use is confirmed. He also said electricity costs are central to industrialisation and growth, and that tariff reviews for solar projects should address issues such as WACC and inflation while prioritising least-cost, reliable power and reducing tariffs over time. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order EnvironmentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the relevant matter would be duly tabled in Parliament and there was no need for argument over the procedure. He said it should be studied and debated properly, emphasizing that the Government intended to proceed through due process. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the Government has no objection to tabling the official report, but said Parliament should not debate a version circulated on social media due to questions about authenticity. He noted that the report includes summaries and details on the number of containers, their contents, and consignments, and said a debate could be held after the report is officially tabled if necessary. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 July 2025 AI summary The Minister said officials were allowed to manage Customs container releases at the Port under existing procedures, including risk management, after the Government took office amid congestion. Responding to Opposition allegations of political interference in the release of 323 containers, including references to the Western Province Governor, he stated that a five-member committee appointed by the Finance Ministry Secretary had submitted its report to the Secretary and the President, and denied any political interference or politically motivated release. He said the Government was willing to table the report through proper procedure for Members to examine and discuss, while CID inquiries were also ongoing. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Fiscal Policy Statement was presented as required under the State Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, and argued that it sets out the Government’s stabilization framework, including revenue mobilization, expenditure control, deficit reduction, risk management, transparency, and accountability. He rejected Opposition claims that debt was rising without a plan, stating that the Government is targeting sustained primary surpluses and managing borrowing within a ceiling of about Rs. 4,000 billion in 2025, with limited foreign borrowing and a greater reliance on domestic financing. He also said recent debt figures had been misrepresented, citing central government debt levels from 2023 to May 2025 and attributing some changes to exchange rate movements. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary A procedural clarification was made that the matter or document under discussion consists of both Part I and Part II. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary The speech states that the Statement presents a four-year medium-term plan, including targets, identified risks, and mitigation measures. It frames the plan as a structured policy document for the relevant period. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Public Finance Read →
30 June 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the necessary provisions are contained in the Public Financial Management Act and that debt sustainability indicators are set out in the Annual Borrowing Plan and related documents. He said the Government’s Fiscal Strategy Statement targets reducing debt to 95 per cent of GDP by 2032, with debt sustainability analysis scenarios indicating it could approach 90 per cent. He added that further details would be provided in the corresponding statements. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Public Finance Read →