Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· National List

Deputy Minister of Economic Development

Profession: ---

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Speeches 59 #82 of 225·#37 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

59 speeches

20 March 2026 AI summary The Minister said the Government recognizes farmers’ difficulties and will intervene to support them. He stated that the Ministry of Finance has already begun procurement for driers, though delivery will take time, and that steps are being taken to ensure adequate fertilizer and fuel for production and harvesting. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera stated that the Ministry of Finance is addressing support for farmers and noted that the 2026 Budget allocated funds for threshing and related equipment. He said the Government would continue to support such measures. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Deputy Minister stated that the Warehouse Receipts Financing Project aims to provide quality storage for farmers and enable bank pledge loans using stored grain as collateral. He said three centres were built in 2015 with World Bank support and three more in 2018 with domestic funds, while the Embilipitiya centre was later transferred to the Spices and Allied Products Marketing Board, leaving five centres currently operating. He reported that 4,187 farmers are registered, with additional unregistered daily users, and that the centres are managed by the Regional Development Bank under District Secretary supervision with district-level advisory committees. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project AgricultureInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera proposed that Hon. M.K.M. Aslam take the Chair during the proceedings. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act Regulations Approval Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera said the technical correction to land parcel and street classifications forms part of broader reforms to facilitate investment. He argued that attracting FDI is central to achieving the Government’s medium-term growth targets, noting USD 1.057 billion in FDI in 2025 and a target of around USD 2 billion in 2026. He outlined measures on stability, infrastructure, digital systems, skilled labour, and tax incentives, including the National Single Window, Colombo Port City Act amendments, and proposed Investment Protection and Investment Promotion Bills. He also stated that the Government would ensure uninterrupted power supply and infrastructure support for investors. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act Regulations Approval Public FinanceInfrastructureForeign Affairs Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister presented six items under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act for approval, stating that they are intended to remove impediments to investment and accelerate investor attraction. The proposals include allocating additional land for electricity supply to Phase II, permitting higher buildings with authority approval, reducing retail land allocation from 30 per cent to 5 per cent for urban beautification, making a technical correction on open coastal spaces, and amending the usage classification matrix. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act Regulations Approval Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, describing it as a response to abusive app-based and unregulated lending practices involving excessive interest, unsolicited loans, data misuse, and harassment of borrowers. He said the Bill aims to regulate microfinance institutions, protect borrowers, cap excessive interest rates, prevent debt traps, and bring unregulated lenders under a single authority, while excluding cooperatives, Samurdhi community banks and societies, and organisations under the Agrarian Development Act. He outlined borrower-protection requirements, including clear agreements, repayment-capacity assessments, transparent interest disclosure, statements on request, and fair treatment, and noted that licensed banks are already regulated by the Central Bank. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Cost of LivingJustice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera stated that the Government had provided tax relief by raising the personal income tax threshold from LKR 12 million to LKR 18 million and adjusting the first rate slab to begin at LKR 10 million. He also cited reductions in VAT on milk-related products and changes to withholding tax on interest, limiting it to taxable persons. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Public Finance Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera responds to a claim that the Government had not reduced taxes, stating that this is incorrect. He says the Government reduced three categories of taxes that had been imposed by the previous Government and indicates he will identify them. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Public Finance Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister sought approval for regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act, a Customs Ordinance resolution, and Motor Traffic Act orders, explaining changes to levies on imported mandarins to comply with the Pakistan–Sri Lanka trade agreement, maintain protections for potatoes and onions, provide cyclone-related food relief, extend levies on 62 commodity categories, and reduce the levy on donated dates during Ramadan. He cited 2025 economic indicators including export, tourism, remittance, FDI and current account figures, and said the Government’s tax policy was aimed at reform and efficiency rather than general tax reduction. He also stated that revenue agencies had exceeded targets and rejected claims of inadequate “Dittha” cyclone relief funding, saying payments and a supplementary allocation were in place subject to verification. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Cost of LivingPublic Finance Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera requested two weeks to provide a detailed reply to the matter raised. Procedural: Question Under Standing Order 27(2) - Gross Official Reserves Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, Nishantha Jayaweera requested two weeks to provide the reply. Private Notice Questions: MSMEs and Kalmunai Massacre Site Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Chairman of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Deputy Minister presented the Committee’s report on the 2023 Annual Report of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka and the 2023 Annual Performance Report of the Inland Revenue Department. The reports had been referred to the Committee and were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Annual Reports and Orders Parliamentary Procedure Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera said the first supplementary question would be considered, while noting that a second issue concerning licences issued during the previous Government is before court. He stated that the licences were allegedly issued irregularly to associates during an election period and subject to conditions, but argued that further discussion of the procedure would be inappropriate because the matter is sub judice. Oral Question: Liquor Licensing and Tax Revenue (Q.912/2025) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister, Nishantha Jayaweera provided figures on liquor licensing, production facilities, excise duty, revenue and sales. He stated that 142 new Sri Lanka Tourism Board-approved liquor licences were issued in 2025, covering hotel, restaurant, and beer/ale/wine on-premises categories, with licence-holder details tabled in annexes. He also reported 23 distilleries or manufacturing facilities, an excise duty of Rs. 1,832 on a 750 ml bottle of local arrack at 33.5% ABV, total liquor excise revenue of Rs. 213.389 billion, and 2024 sales quantities by bottle size and product type. Oral Question: Liquor Licensing and Tax Revenue (Q.912/2025) Public Finance Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera ruled that the member’s follow-up question was not a valid supplementary because the original question concerned vehicle permits, while the new issue related to foreign reserves. He clarified that Sri Lanka’s reserves stood at USD 6.8 billion as of 31 December, not USD 6 billion, but declined to answer further under that question as it was outside the relevant subject matter. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera clarified that the figure of over 20,000 related to general permits, not retirement concession permits, which are one-time benefits limited to eligible designations. He stated that the retirement concession provides duty relief in bands equivalent to Rs. 12 million, Rs. 16 million and Rs. 22 million, and said the Government is considering options for eligible retired officers amid ongoing economic stabilization and major disaster-related expenditure. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Public FinanceEmployment Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Nishantha Jayaweera provided details on the concessional motor vehicle permit scheme for high-ranking retired officials, introduced in June 2000 under Public Administration Circular No. 22/99 and subsequent amendments. He tabled annual permit issuance figures from 2015 to 2025, noting a rise to 729 permits in 2024 and 563 in 2025, and stated that eligible designations are those specified in the relevant circulars. He also confirmed one queried point under part (b), with the remaining sub-questions and part (c) not arising. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Public Finance Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera stated that Hon. Ananda Wijepala would provide further clarification. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera stated that matters raised by Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe have been referred to the CID and that investigations are ongoing. He said support for a forensic audit will be provided in line with the Auditor General’s guidance, and that the CID is proceeding accordingly. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →