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

19 February 2026 AI summary The Minister tabled responses on the suspension of debt repayments, stating it was approved by the former President and former Finance Minister, with Parliament apprised, and noting that a related Fundamental Rights application was dismissed by the Supreme Court. He said there was no constitutional violation and referred to the Public Debt Management Act, No. 33 of 2024, and the Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, as part of the current debt and fiscal framework. He also stated that the IMF Extended Fund Facility was requested and approved in March 2023 without prior submission to Parliament, but that the current Government had renegotiated elements of the programme, including tax relief, support for local industries, protection of social spending, increased welfare allowances, and further talks to accommodate cyclone-related spending needs. Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha briefly confirms that the requested items or information are available. Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 February 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the April 2022 interim debt standstill was recommended by the Central Bank’s Monetary Board and announced by the Ministry of Finance in response to depleted reserves and external debt servicing difficulties. He said the decision was approved by the then President and Minister of Finance, later ratified by Cabinet, and Parliament was informed on 4 May 2022 during discussions on the economic situation and IMF negotiations. He added that the Central Bank had previously reported the country’s precarious financial position to former Finance Ministers under the Monetary Law Act, and that subsequent debt restructuring and IMF-related agreements were approved by successive Finance Ministers. Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Approval was moved for regulations made under sections 126 and 237 of the Motor Traffic Act, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2467/52 of 17 December 2025 and presented to Parliament on 6 February 2026. The motion was submitted on behalf of the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, with Cabinet approval notified, and was agreed to by the House. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Moved approval of regulations made under specified sections of the Motor Traffic Act, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2463/04 of 17 November 2025 and presented to Parliament on 6 February 2026. He noted that Cabinet approval had been notified, and the motion was agreed to. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha moved, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, for approval of a Resolution under section 10 of the Customs Ordinance relating to import duties. The Resolution had been presented on 05.02.2026, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2464/15 of 25.11.2025, and Cabinet approval was notified; the House agreed to the motion. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Moved approval of a regulation made under sections 2 and 5 of the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2469/12 of 31 December 2025 and presented to Parliament on 5 February 2026. The motion, submitted on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education with Cabinet approval No. 62760, was agreed to. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Moved approval of a regulation made under section 5 of the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007, as published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2465/16 of 04 December 2025 and presented to Parliament on 05 February 2026. The motion, moved on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, was agreed to by the House. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Several Opposition criticisms of the Special Commodity Levy regulations were rejected, with the Minister stating that the gazettes adjusted or extended existing levy structures rather than imposing new taxes. He said changes to citrus imports under the Pakistan–Sri Lanka FTA, extensions for potatoes and onions, relief exemptions after Cyclone “Ditva,” and concessions for fish and pharmaceutical salt were handled through institutional review, Cabinet approval and parliamentary tabling. He also argued that import data showed no abnormal stockpiling and that the Government’s approach reflected due process and price-stability objectives. He linked these measures to broader economic stabilization, citing improved growth, lower inflation, continued budget discipline and reforms aimed at higher inclusive growth. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Cost of LivingInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha moved that Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake presided. Adjournment Debate: Stock Exchange Activity and Ministerial Response Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary The Minister said the proposed amendments to the Universities Act aim to improve administrative efficiency and democratic governance in universities, following consultations with university stakeholders. He explained that Deans would be elected from an expanded pool including Senior Lecturers Grade I, while Heads of Departments would continue to be appointed through broader and less subjective processes. He also linked the reforms to wider education policy, emphasizing vocational education, competency-based progression, and skills development as part of building human capital. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading EducationCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Moved the adjournment of Parliament. Adjournment Debate and Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha presented regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act to facilitate and control disaster-related imports by designating the Disaster Management Centre or other government institutions as accountable consignees, preventing misuse of donated goods, and allowing specified licence exemptions or approvals through Customs and relevant ministries. He cited 5,058 consignments worth Rs. 2,473 million received by 6 January 2026, including relief goods, medicines, ambulances, and other supplies, and noted provisions for standards testing and health-related imports such as Suwaseriya equipment. He also defended education reforms as necessary to shift from rote learning to skills, competencies, and student-centred education, linking human capital development to productivity and economic recovery. He stated that government revenue, reserves, exports, and the current account remained on track, with reserves around USD 6.8 billion and a medium-term growth target above 7 percent. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Public FinanceEducationLaw & Order Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary A procedural motion was moved proposing that Hon. Imran Maharoof take the Chair. The House agreed, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Imran Maharoof assumed it. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, approval was sought for regulations issued by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act. The regulations were published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2465/07 of 1 December 2025, presented to Parliament on 19 December 2025, and had received Cabinet approval. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary The Minister explained that the Order under the Shops and Office Employees Act permits women to work at night as food and beverage attendants, particularly to support longer operating hours in the hospitality sector, with safeguards requiring suitable rest accommodation or secure transport after duty. He said the change was requested by employers, employer associations and trade unions, and discussed at the National Labour Advisory Council. He also outlined broader labour law reforms, including a consolidated bill, ratification of ILO Convention C190 on violence and harassment at work, improved industrial relations, and measures to increase women’s labour force participation through safer workplaces, care economy support, and protections against discrimination. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Public FinanceEmploymentWomen & Children Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary The Minister moved for parliamentary approval of a regulation made under Section 66 of the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act, No. 19 of 1954, dated 12 December 2025 and presented on 18 December 2025, noting that Cabinet approval had been notified. The motion was put to the House, after which the debate was opened and the Chair was transferred to the Deputy Speaker. Debate: Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Regulation Amendment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Moved that Government Business be given first priority on the day’s Order Paper on behalf of the Leader of the House. The House agreed to the motion. Business of the Parliament Motion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said reserve accumulation remains a priority and outlined a diversified export-promotion approach, including tourism and remittances. He stated that the exchange rate operates under a flexible regime, with current volatility around 5.1 per cent, and said Central Bank interventions cannot be pre-announced due to market sensitivity. He maintained that the situation is being managed rather than indicating a crash, while noting links to interest rate dynamics and agreeing to consider the points raised. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary In reply to a question by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, the Minister set out export earnings targets rising from USD 23.6 billion in 2026 to USD 36 billion by 2030, with sectoral strategies aimed at higher value-added exports and access to new markets through FTAs, PTAs and improved existing agreements. He said the impact of new Trump tariffs would depend on bilateral negotiations and regional outcomes, while investment facilitation would proceed through the BOI and the amended Colombo Port City framework. He detailed MSME support measures, including concessional credit schemes, ADB programmes, and credit guarantees through NCGIL, with Rs. 96 billion budgeted across SME and related financing. He also stated that incentives remain rules-based under existing tax, strategic development and Port City laws, and that reserve accumulation is expected to support debt servicing after gross official reserves reached USD 6.82 billion by end-2025. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →