Sitting of Tuesday, 21 January 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1737707091008005 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Opening 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented 5 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) 39 speeches
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to state when Sri Lanka’s agreement with the IMF was signed and whether the Government recognizes the public pressure arising from its terms. He further asked whether the agreement would be amended to provide relief, what measures would be taken if so, and, if not, the reasons for not doing so.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
AI summary The Deputy Minister, replying on behalf of the Finance Minister, stated that the IMF Extended Fund Facility was approved with the first USD 330 million tranche disbursed on 20 March 2023, and acknowledged public hardship from prior actions such as tax reforms, utility tariff increases, and targeted social assistance. He said the Government had introduced mitigating measures including a higher PAYE tax-free threshold, selected VAT exemptions, reduced export service levy, schoolchild allowances, increased fertilizer support, and fuel subsidies for fisheries. He added that social safety nets, including Aswesuma, are being expanded and reviewed, with the 2025 allocation raised to Rs. 232.5 billion, while further relief would be considered within fiscal constraints.
- Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando questioned the Government’s debt management commitments in relation to its policy manifesto “Prosperous Country, Beautiful Life.” He asked whether the Government’s acknowledgment of public pressure under the relevant Agreement amounted to an admission that its promised debt sustainability analysis and manageable debt-service targets were not accurate.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that the Government had already explained its approach to addressing the economic crisis, emphasizing relief for affected people, stabilization, and rebuilding. He said the Government would not repeat past mistakes or impose avoidable hardship, and that Parliament had been mandated by the people to implement these solutions.
- Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando questioned the Government on the increase in withholding taxes despite relief announced on PAYE. He highlighted delays and lack of awareness among eligible senior citizens seeking refunds under the mechanism limited to Sri Lankan resident citizens aged 60 or above with annual income not exceeding Rs. 1.2 million, and asked whether action would be taken with a clear timeline to address the bottlenecks.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma rejected claims about rate changes being implemented without approval, stating that any increases take effect only after parliamentary approval and due process. He asked for details of any entity acting contrary to regulations and said the matter would be investigated, while indicating that measures to provide relief to eligible persons would be presented.
- Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for details on the Kalutara District Sports Complex in Bandaragama, including its opening date, construction cost, and the current deterioration attributed to poor maintenance. He sought information on steps to upgrade the 400-metre running track and to develop adjoining land outside the security wall for vehicle parking. He also asked about an agreement between the Sports Development Department and Sri Lanka Cricket, and why proposed development of the ground for first-class cricket had not been implemented.
Infrastructure Full speech → - Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage responded to questions on the Kalutara District Sports Complex, stating that it was opened in 2017, the swimming pool in 2018, and Rs. 241.314 million had been spent. He said sports activities continue, management through an MoU with external parties is being considered, funds have been allocated for future works, and a technical report has been requested on the 400-metre track before further development. He added that steps will be taken with the Pradeshiya Sabha to provide parking on idle land, and that while no agreement exists with Sri Lanka Cricket, maintenance is currently supported by the Kalutara District Cricket Association pending formal vesting of the complex in the Sports Development Department.
- Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera thanked the Minister for inspecting the venue following his question, but outlined continuing defects at the sports complex, including damage to the 400-metre track, blocked drainage, poor pool maintenance, absence of changing rooms, lack of storage for provincial sports equipment, inter-agency coordination problems, and failing rainwater systems at the indoor stadium. He asked whether the Government would allocate funds to rectify these shortcomings and ensure cooperation between the Department of Sports Development and provincial officials.
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that repairs and restoration work are underway for damaged sports facilities, including the track and other affected areas. He added that a significant allocation has been included in the year’s Estimates for sports development.
- Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera asked whether the Minister would engage Sri Lanka Cricket to secure funding and support to upgrade the sports complex for first-class cricket. He noted that the eastern boundary is too short and that Sri Lanka Cricket had previously agreed to fund adjustments, including shifting the indoor facility, given the venue’s strategic location near Colombo.
Infrastructure Full speech → - Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that the Ministry has not yet consulted Sri Lanka Cricket on the proposed option but intends to consider it in future discussions. He affirmed that, irrespective of that process, the Ministry will intervene to develop the Complex.
Infrastructure Full speech → - Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to provide details on all Government-owned companies, corporations, and commercial establishments currently operating in Sri Lanka. He requested figures on their profits or losses, return on investment over the past 15 years, cumulative financial performance since commencement, and the value of short- and long-term capital and loan investments, or an explanation if the information cannot be provided.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
AI summary The Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning answered a question on state-owned commercial entities, stating that 90 are currently functioning, including 52 identified as strategically important. He said information on their profits or losses, return on investment, accumulated profit or loss, and capital and loan investments over the relevant periods had been tabled in annexes placed in the Library. He also noted that audited financial information was incomplete for several entities due to reasons such as recent commencement of operations, accounts not being prepared, non-operation, unavailable information, or inadequate recording of operations.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a procedural concern that when answers to parliamentary questions are merely tabled, Members cannot immediately review them in order to ask informed supplementary questions. He suggested providing copies of such answers in advance to avoid limiting Members’ ability to question the Government effectively.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that past ministerial mismanagement of relevant entities had been observed. He noted that the answer provided covers details relating to 90 entities over a 15-year period.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma responded to a request concerning 90 entities by asking whether the member wanted information on specific entities or on all 90. The intervention sought clarification on the scope of the requested response.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested discussion on several major state-owned and public service institutions: the Ceylon Electricity Board, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, SriLankan Airlines, the Road Development Authority, and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. The intervention appears to seek parliamentary attention to the performance, management, or policy issues relating to these entities.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that the list covers all 90 entities and spans about 10 pages, making it time-consuming to read out in full. He suggested that Members review the document and request any further details needed, which he undertook to provide.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake briefly referred to the Leader of the House’s statement about ensuring the provision of information. The intervention appears to seek or acknowledge a commitment that requested information would be made available.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that he had details available up to 2023 and indicated he would read from a list concerning Profit After Tax. The remarks appear to introduce or provide financial figures in response to a matter under discussion.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested information from the Deputy Minister on SriLankan Airlines, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and the Ceylon Electricity Board. He asked that the information be tabled and copied to him to enable a fuller discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma responds to another Member’s insistence by agreeing to identify the relevant entities within a list of 90. No substantive policy position or legislative proposal is presented in this brief exchange.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake informs the Deputy Speaker that he will raise Supplementary Questions after the Questions for Oral Answers are completed.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary The Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House stated that he would assist the Deputy Minister. He clarified that SriLankan Airlines was listed under row No. 28, likely in reference to a document or agenda item before the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma noted SriLankan Airlines’ financial turnaround, stating that the airline recorded a loss of Rs. 73.264 billion in 2022 but a profit of Rs. 3.8 billion in 2023. The remark highlighted the change in the airline’s reported financial performance between the two years.
Public Finance Full speech → - Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake urged that Members’ right to ask Oral Questions be protected within the limited one-hour period and cautioned against creating an impractical precedent. He sought clarification on which entities the Member wanted information about, noting that SriLankan Airlines had been requested and asking whether the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was also required, with reference to the relevant details in the document before the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma cited the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s financial turnaround, noting a Rs. 617 billion loss in 2022 and a Rs. 120 billion profit after tax in 2023. He indicated that further figures could be provided if required.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake stated that information relating to the Ceylon Electricity Board would be sufficient. The remark appears to conclude or limit a request for information to that institution.
Infrastructure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma cited the Ceylon Electricity Board’s financial performance, noting a loss of Rs. 298 billion in 2022 and a profit of Rs. 61.235 billion in 2023. He then asked whether there were any other entities to be discussed.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Deputy Minister on the financial turnaround of 90 state entities from a Rs. 820 billion loss in 2022 to a Rs. 784 billion profit in 2023, noting that three cited entities showed a shift from a trillion-rupee loss to about Rs. 200 billion profit. He asked whether this was due to earlier lack of fiscal discipline or the Government taking excessive profits, and, if so, when the promised Rs. 160 reduction in fuel prices would be implemented.
Public Finance Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma said large losses had arisen from opaque and poor management practices. He argued that pricing should follow a cost-recovery basis, taking account of both production costs and legacy financial obligations, while minimizing burdens on the public. He added that institutions should be properly managed and relief extended where feasible, rather than allowing unsustainable losses to be transferred to the public.
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF
AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake challenged the Government to clarify its policy on loss-making State-Owned Enterprises in the context of the IMF Agreement. He asked whether entities such as SriLankan Airlines would be commercialized or privatized, or whether the Government would retain them and continue absorbing their losses.
- Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma criticized past management of SriLankan Airlines, citing leased aircraft kept unused at a cost of nearly USD 1 million per month per aircraft, and argued that such losses were ultimately borne by the public. He stated that the Government’s policy is not to run public entities into losses and then sell them, but to improve efficiency through appointed boards, while considering options such as private investment and public-private partnerships where appropriate. He said boards have been directed to present alternatives and that progress would be reflected in future financial statements.
- 4 Oral question Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) 12 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) 28 speeches
- 6 Procedural Question of Privilege: Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan (Travel Ban) 5 speeches
- 7 Procedural Procedural: Sitting Hours and Withdrawal of Resolution 2 speeches
- 8 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme 185 speeches
- 9 Papers Answers to Written Questions: Landslide Risk Areas 10 speeches
- 10 Procedural Administrative Notices 3 speeches