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

9 January 2026 AI summary Central Bank figures are managed by the relevant CBSL bodies, and any irregularities would be addressed through the appropriate processes. The member stated that conclusions should not be drawn based on suppositions alone. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Public Finance Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha rejected a claim that there was Rs. 6 trillion, stating that the figure was incorrect. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary An oral question raised on 21 August 2025 was addressed procedurally, with the Minister indicating that the detailed answer was available. He sought permission to table the answer rather than read it out. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha clarified that the EPF consists of workers’ funds held under the Central Bank, with administration by the Department of Labour, and that integrating the two related databases must be done carefully to avoid harming the Fund. He said policy decisions would be reported to the House once finalized. He also rejected media speculation that EPF lump-sum withdrawals would end or be converted into an annuity, stating only that broader social protection options, including possible annuity choices requested by workers, were under discussion with no decision made. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the relevant Code is too lengthy to read in full during the sitting and indicated that it is available on the website for reference. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question from Hon. Ravi Karunanayake regarding Treasury Bill and Bond issuance and the Employees’ Provident Fund. He said the transfer of government securities issuance from the Central Bank to the Ministry of Finance under the Finance Act and PDMO Act was to be completed on 1 January 2026, and that no final policy decision had yet been taken on related matters. He provided EPF asset and investment figures as at 31 October 2025, noting that most assets were held in government securities due to the fund’s scale and risk profile, and said EPF returns generally exceeded selected market indicators except in 2022. He also outlined EPF governance, reporting and IT modernization measures, stating that Cabinet approval had been obtained for a new EPF IT solution and that existing systems allow online contributions and account access. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Public FinanceEmployment Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that further information would be obtained regarding the matter raised. He said that if irregularities, errors, fraud, or corruption are found, the necessary investigation would be conducted based on the gathered information. Oral Question: Gas Imports and Emergency Procurement (Q.9) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Cabinet had presented the relevant powers, and the existing legal-regulatory procurement framework already provides for such action. Financial calculations could be undertaken to determine whether any loss resulted and, if so, its extent. Oral Question: Gas Imports and Emergency Procurement (Q.9) Public Finance Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the action in question was taken within permitted procurement provisions, not outside the procurement process. He argued that awarding the initial tender at USD 1,290 would have created financial concerns, while officials also had to consider the wider risks of a possible gas shortage at the time. Oral Question: Gas Imports and Emergency Procurement (Q.9) Public Finance Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha provided a written-style response detailing Litro Gas Lanka Limited’s LPG import volumes for 2022 to 2024 and the procurement processes followed. He stated that procurements were handled through the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee with Cabinet approval, but the 2022 economic crisis and foreign exchange constraints prevented required letters of credit and led to interim supply arrangements. He outlined subsequent awards and contract extensions, including supplies from OQ Trading, Siam Gas, and Geogas Trading SA, and said all procurements received the necessary approvals with final authority resting with the Cabinet of Ministers. Oral Question: Gas Imports and Emergency Procurement (Q.9) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
9 January 2026 AI summary The Minister of Labour presented the report of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour regarding a regulation made on 12 December 2025 under Section 66 of the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act. The report, which had been referred to the Committee, was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha moved a procedural motion proposing that Hon. Upul Kithsiri take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha vacated the Chair and Hon. Upul Kithsiri assumed it. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha rejected claims of a contradiction in prior answers and said the matter was unrelated to the EPF. He clarified that the 5 per cent inflation figure is a flexible three-year target, not a fixed rate, and said it can be reviewed at the next scheduled review if global conditions warrant. He also stated that the Government is operating within the inflation framework and disputed debt figures presented by others, arguing that foreign currency debt has remained broadly stable and that the presentation was misleading. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Public Finance Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the review process for the inflation target for the next three years will commence soon, referring to the response given to Question No. 7. He noted that parts of the lengthy answer had been omitted orally and tabled the full answer in Parliament. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Public Finance Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary The Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question by explaining that the 5 per cent inflation target was chosen to suit Sri Lanka’s status as a small open developing economy exposed to external shocks, supply disruptions and exchange rate volatility. He stated that historical inflation trends and quantitative analysis support a target around 5 per cent, while a lower target such as 2 per cent could require tight monetary conditions, reduce investment, slow recovery and increase unemployment. He added that, under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023 and the Flexible Inflation Targeting framework, monetary policy is guided by domestic price stability and wider macroeconomic conditions, with the exchange rate largely market-determined. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the Government is targeting sustained economic growth, noting recent quarter-on-quarter growth above 8 per cent and an increase in GDP per capita from about USD 3,000 to around USD 4,500. He said poverty and inequality remain concerns, citing a Gini coefficient above 0.45, and highlighted the Rs. 25 billion Prajashakthi Programme in 2026 for village development and empowerment. He clarified that the Rs. 500 billion supplementary allocation for cyclone “Ditta” is separate from the Rs. 1,480 billion foreign-funded capital expenditure programme, which he said has not been stopped, diverted, or reduced. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Public FinanceCost of Living Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary The Minister provided expenditure and progress updates for 2025, stating that Rs. 1,315 billion had been allocated, with about 70 per cent disbursed so far and over 90 per cent expected after year-end revisions. He reported that Rs. 215,650 million had been provided for 54 proposals, with detailed financial progress, current account figures, and foreign-loan-funded project progress tabled in annexes, and said further percentage aggregates could be submitted. He also stated that FDI inflows reached USD 827 million by end-September 2025 and that a 2026 investment attraction programme under the BOI and relevant agencies would target multiple sectors. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Public Finance Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary The Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question raised on 24 October 2025 regarding the 2025 Budget and capital expenditure. He stated that there are 54 Budget expenditure proposals for 2025, with allocations and progress reported through annexes, and that monitoring responsibility rests with relevant Chief Accounting Officers across ministries and other public bodies. He reported that, as of December, expenditure stood at Rs. 956 billion, with around Rs. 10 billion more expected through external-project adjustments. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Public Finance Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that strategic reforms are underway to improve the collection, coordination, and interoperability of data across agencies such as the Department of Census and Statistics, the Ministry of Finance, and the Central Bank. He said the Government is moving towards digitalizing and integrating data systems to reduce manual recompilation, linkage problems, and delays in releasing timely and relevant information. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Public Finance Read →
8 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that he had not previously looked into the matter and had no current details. He said he could make inquiries, based on the information provided, into whether the alleged actions occurred and whether any investigation had been conducted. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →