Hon. Nimal Palihena, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Anuradhapura

Profession: ---

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Speeches 23 #163 of 225·#101 in party

Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

23 speeches

9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the approval of the Gazette Orders and Regulations, arguing that they protect revenue while offering relief and improving fairness for businesses. He said the changes under several tax laws mainly update HS codes to align with international classifications, rather than altering tax rates. He also argued that replacing the specific Cess on imported textiles with VAT and lowering the VAT registration threshold would reduce price distortions, allow input tax credits, and create neutrality between importers, domestic manufacturers, and exporters. Debate on Orders and Regulations (Items 1-5) Public Finance Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the amendments to the Inland Revenue Act, arguing that they seek to broaden the direct tax base, improve compliance, and create a fairer, more transparent and technology-enabled tax system. He highlighted measures including lowering the enhanced capital allowance threshold from USD 3 million to USD 250,000 to benefit SMEs, strengthening enforcement for non-filing or non-appearance, and increasing capital gains tax for individuals and partnerships to 15 percent for rationalization. He said taxpayers who pay at least 20 percent more than the previous year would receive relief from further scrutiny, and stated that RAMIS is integrated with banks, Customs and other state institutions to support revenue collection. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, arguing that, regardless of earlier criticisms of the project, the Port City should now be used to attract investment, tourism spending, and foreign exchange. He said the proposed duty-free rules would allow eligible travellers to make two transactions of up to USD 2,000 within a four-day period, increasing sales volume and the State’s 7 percent levy revenue. He also referred to amendments on employment contracts and termination in Port City operations, stating that these rules are intended to provide investor confidence while operating within the legal framework. Debate: Port City Economic Commission Regulations and Orders EmploymentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported amendments to the Universities Act aimed at reforming the appointment of Deans and Heads of Departments in state universities. He said the Bill broadens eligibility for Deans, introduces three-year terms renewable once, and transfers greater oversight of Head of Department appointments from Vice Chancellors to University Councils to improve transparency and limit concentration of power. He rejected claims of arbitrary removals or politicisation, while noting the Government is open to future reforms to strengthen independence in university governance. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading EducationCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Nimal Palihena supported the amendments to Act No. 11 of 2021, arguing that reform of the Port City framework is needed to realize its objective of attracting foreign direct investment after the initial US$ 1.4 billion land reclamation investment. He highlighted changes including a three-year transition for already-registered companies on employee personal income tax, standard tax treatment for new employees, reduced upfront application charges, and Central Bank oversight of offshore banking and related entities. He said the zone would target sectors such as IT, finance, professional services and tourism, operate in approved foreign currencies, and was expected to generate stronger investment inflows in 2026 amid improved economic conditions. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Nimal Palihena said the disaster had caused losses possibly amounting to 3–5 percent of GDP and exceeded existing contingency allocations, with the Treasury estimating an immediate need of about Rs. 72 billion for relief and protection of lives. He said the Government would reallocate year-end balances and reorganize 2025 budget heads for disaster response, while defending the Treasury surplus as the result of fiscal discipline and improved governance. He called for cross-party cooperation, referred to past warnings about unsafe construction in highland areas, and linked the scale of damage to environmental mismanagement and ill-planned development. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations EnvironmentPublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mr. Aruna Kumara Piyasiri of St. Joseph Watta, Hungamagoda, Kelaniya. No details of the petition’s subject matter were stated in the speech. Petitions: Five Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena presented two petitions from residents of Kahatagasdigiliya and Getalawa. The petitions were ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions before proceedings moved to Oral Answers to Questions. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Asked what measures the Ministry has taken, in coordination with the Department of Irrigation, to complete the remaining irrigation and related works needed to make the agricultural land suitable for cultivation. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District InfrastructureAgriculture Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena asked the Deputy Minister about compensation for people displaced by a dam project intended to support agriculture in the area. He sought clarification on the steps taken by the Ministry to complete compensation payments and the expected timeline for doing so. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District AgricultureJustice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Nimal Palihena asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation for detailed information on the Lower Yan Oya Project in Anuradhapura, including its commencement year, funding source and allocation, beneficiary areas, feasibility study status, and scheduled completion date. He also sought details on displacement and resettlement, including the number of affected families and land extents, identified relocation lands and procedures, outstanding compensation cases, and reasons for any delays. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Land & HousingAgriculture Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the Gaming Regulatory Authority Bill, the Foreign Exchange Act Order, and the Public Debt Management Regulations, arguing that all three establish frameworks needed for development and to prevent past policy failures. He said gambling, including online platforms, should be registered, licensed, taxed, and subject to social safeguards, with licences revoked for non-compliance. He also backed higher outward investment limits for listed and unlisted companies to help Sri Lankan firms earn abroad, and said the debt regulations would impose prudent controls on guarantees, approvals, and maturities following the 2022 default. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena presented two petitions to Parliament, one from Mr. P.A.P. Indrajith Wijekulasuriya of Maligagodalla Road and another from Mrs. P.K. Saumyalatha of Airport Road, Anuradhapura. Petitions Presented to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the amendments to the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, stating that they are intended to identify ultimate beneficial owners of companies and align Sri Lanka with international standards, including FATF Recommendation 24. He argued that stronger powers for the Registrar of Companies to obtain, maintain, and refer information are needed to prevent misuse of corporate structures for money laundering, terror financing, and unclear ownership. He said mandatory filings and beneficial ownership disclosure would improve public trust, investor confidence, and orderly business regulation, and requested cooperation to pass and implement the reforms. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the Gazette regulation under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act revising electric vehicle taxes, arguing that it narrows disparities with petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicle taxes while still leaving EVs at comparatively lower rates. He said the broader vehicle import policy is being reopened in stages to balance personal mobility and industrial needs against foreign reserve constraints, while also encouraging locally produced or assembled EVs. He linked the measure to the Government’s revenue requirements, IMF-related VAT commitments, and the need to restructure loss-making State enterprises, stating that contingency planning and limited imports may be necessary in sectors such as salt. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. R.M.T. Abeysinghe of Galenbindunuwewa, Kunugonewa was presented to Parliament. It was ordered to be referred to the Committee on Public Petitions. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary The debate concerned the Extraordinary Gazette of 27 January 2025, which relaxes import restrictions on motor vehicles while imposing related import duties. The remarks introduced the subject for parliamentary consideration without stating a further position or proposal. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Public Finance Read →
9 April 2025 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the amendments to the Value Added Tax Act, stating that they seek to broaden the VAT base, address gaps in digital services taxation, and improve revenue collection while creating parity between domestic and foreign providers. He said reforms to SVAT and refund mechanisms, including planned system improvements before implementation in October 2025 and a 45-day refund limit for exporters, are intended to reduce fraud, protect cash flow, and support employment. He also addressed concerns over U.S. tariffs, noting their potential impact on Sri Lankan exports and the need for bilateral engagement, while clarifying that the egg tax was not new and that employer-provided meals and transport would be zero-rated for VAT purposes. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Morning Session) Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the 2025 Budget allocation for cooperative sector development and argued that cooperatives, serving around 8 million people, should be strengthened as everyday service institutions rather than only crisis-response mechanisms. He called for government intervention, through education and qualified appointments, to address fraud, corruption, and ad-hoc governance in cooperative societies, with the National Institute of Cooperative Development expanding training in management, finance, audit, services, and ICT. He raised concerns about entities such as “Saubhagya” and “RCD Co-op Bank” soliciting deposits under the guise of cooperatives, posing risks to depositors. He also said the Registrar of Companies should guide more registered companies toward CSE listing and improve eROC systems to widen safe investment options and help businesses raise equity capital. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformAgriculture Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena defended the 2025 Budget as the National People’s Power Government’s first effort to address hardship through targeted welfare, poverty alleviation, agriculture, employment and tourism support, while acknowledging fiscal and administrative constraints. He cited planned expenditure of Rs. 8,835 billion, expected revenue of Rs. 4,990 billion, school supply and footwear grants for low-income children, and post-climate damage repairs in areas such as Anuradhapura. He argued the Government would follow principles of meritocracy, pragmatism and honesty, reject corruption, and strengthen public sector basic salaries while raising the PAYE/APIT tax-free threshold from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000. He also detailed salary increases for categories including university academics and medical officers, presenting them as fair adjustments based on analysis rather than agitation. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Public FinanceCost of LivingCorruption & Governance Reform Read →