Sitting of Friday, 21 February 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1740809173064396 ·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 Parliament Opening and Tabling of Special Committee Report 1 speeches
- 2 Petitions Petitions Presented by Members 8 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) 15 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lankans with E-8 Visa Leaving for Jobs in South Korea (Q.386/2025) 2 speeches
- 5 Oral question Question by Private Notice: Plans for Achieving Foreign Reserve Targets and Debt Servicing 5 speeches
- 6 Procedural Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: Shooting Incidents in Colombo Magistrate's Court and Middeniya 29 speeches
- 7 Procedural Business of Parliament: Scheduling Orders 5 speeches
- 8 Debate Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) 88 speeches
- The Hon. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that Budget 2025 does not reflect the Government’s electoral mandate and instead follows restrictive fiscal targets under the Public Financial Management Act and IMF-related debt sustainability framework. He said the Government had abandoned pledges to renegotiate for a more people-centred approach, warning that expenditure caps, primary surplus targets, and optimistic growth and revenue assumptions could undermine growth, social protection, and debt repayment capacity by 2028. He called for urgent renegotiation of IMF, bondholder, and fiscal targets, justice for EPF/ETF members affected by domestic debt restructuring, and a poverty-reduction strategy based on production, jobs, savings, consumption, and exports rather than handouts alone.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha defended the National People’s Power Government’s first Budget, arguing that current economic difficulties resulted from previous governments’ failed policies, fiscal mismanagement, corruption, and reliance on IMF-led recovery after bankruptcy. She said the Budget aims to stabilize the economy, prevent further restructuring, strengthen domestic production and exports, and allocate development support across regions and sectors including agriculture, fisheries, industry, infrastructure, and urban issues. She highlighted proposals such as Rs. 11.3 billion for agricultural and agro-industrial productivity, including cinnamon, tea smallholders, coconut, and rural women’s participation, while rejecting Opposition criticism that the Budget is merely a “handout” budget.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha described the 2025 Budget as women-centered, citing allocations for pregnant mothers’ nutrition, Thriposha, rural hospitals, school breakfasts, preschool teachers, scholarships, and student athlete nutrition. She highlighted a proposed five-year national programme for children with neurological conditions, beginning at Lady Ridgeway Hospital with Rs. 200 million, and support for children without birth certificates or parental protection, including birth registration and a Rs. 5,000 monthly allowance. She argued that these measures address burdens often borne by mothers and women, including in vulnerable families and communities affected by crime.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK
AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran welcomed several Budget proposals, including those on the digital economy, production, exports, agriculture and dairy, but said allocations and implementation plans for Tamil areas in Ampara District and the Eastern Province remain unclear, particularly regarding proposed Indian assistance. He requested that Indian-funded development address local priorities such as the neglected Thirukkovil Base Hospital, citing severe shortages of doctors, specialists, facilities and past exclusion from major health investments, and also urged implementation of pending projects such as the Kalmunai cultural hall. He called for protection of dairy farmers by restoring the 4,000-acre Vattamadu area, gazetted in 1976 as pasture land, to grazing use after its later inclusion within a forest boundary led to access restrictions, arrests and inadequate pasture for livestock.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara JJB
AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara supported the 2025 Budget as a response to Sri Lanka’s economic collapse and argued that it provides a path to recovery while protecting democracy and prioritizing ordinary citizens. Focusing on education, he said the Budget reflects the State’s duty to guarantee every child’s right to education and addresses disparities between under-resourced rural schools and well-equipped popular schools. He highlighted allocations including over Rs. 619 billion for education, increased Mahapola and bursary payments, Rs. 135 billion for university quality and research, and funding for sports schools and libraries, while rejecting Opposition criticism and presenting the measures as genuine “system change.”
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana said the first NPP Budget’s impact would only be clear after implementation, and urged the Government to provide transparent details on the promised phased public-sector salary increases and not reverse them after elections. He warned that the projected Rs. 325 billion salary cost could rise with new recruitment and said revenue targets from excise, customs, inland revenue, exports, and tourism must be managed carefully to avoid future tax increases. He also called for revising vehicle import tax structures to reduce burdens on small cars while taxing luxury vehicles more, and urged the Government to protect both farmers and consumers through fair paddy prices, limits on routine rice imports, and action against exploitative milling and harvesting practices.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rose to a point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided extract.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that he represents the people of the North and questioned why the Prevention of Terrorism Act has not been repealed if, as another Member said, LTTE leader Prabhakaran was eliminated in 2009. His intervention sought clarification on the continued justification for the PTA in that context.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe objected to another Member’s intervention, arguing that it was not a genuine point of Order but an attempt to initiate an unnecessary debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana’s contribution consists only of the address to the Deputy Speaker. No substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy position is recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF
AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana rejected the claim that he had referred to Prabhakaran as anyone’s “leader” and asked that the Hansard be checked. He stated that Prabhakaran was, and remains, a terrorist. The sitting was then suspended for lunch until 1.30 p.m.
Security & Defence Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rose to raise a point of order, but no substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna objected to a pre-lunch statement which he said targeted the Tamil community by alleging that Prabhakaran stopped the Mavil Aru anicut in 2006. He indicated that he wished to clarify that matter in the context of the earlier remarks.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Raising a matter under Standing Order 92(2), Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna indicated that he was addressing Parliament pursuant to that procedural provision. No substantive issue, proposal, or demand is included in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna requested one minute to speak, identifying himself as a Party Leader and appealing to the Chair for permission.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna objected to the application of Standing Orders, claiming that Tamil minority Members are treated more strictly when attempting to raise points of Order. He requested that they be allowed to speak, noting that another Member had recently been permitted to do so.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary The Minister said the 2025 Budget was framed without additional tax burdens and was intended as an initial recovery platform after economic bankruptcy, with allocations for education, healthcare, SMEs, rural development, vulnerable groups through Aswesuma, and development in the North and East. He said the Government would implement the Clean Sri Lanka programme, including action on narcotics, road discipline, institutional strengthening, legal reforms, and restoration of the rule of law. Responding to Opposition claims, he cited increased revenue collections by Inland Revenue, Customs, and Excise in late 2024 as evidence of improved administration rather than new taxes. He also stated that public sector salary increases are provided for in the Budget, with Rs. 110 billion allocated for the first-year enhancement in addition to the existing salary bill, and that related circulars would follow.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage JJB
AI summary Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage defended the Budget’s public-sector salary increases, stating that Rs. 5,000 would be added to basic salaries in 2025 with further 35 per cent tranches through the 2026 and 2027 Budgets, while also improving pensions, loan eligibility and allowances. He argued that the Budget reduces privileges for political office-holders and redirects resources to citizens, with major allocations for education and health and an increased PAYE threshold of Rs. 150,000. He contrasted these measures with past expenditure he characterized as wasteful and said the Government’s approach aims to protect real incomes through price stability and investment in rural communities and industries.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Thanura Dissanayake supported the Budget as a structural and inclusive programme intended to change political culture, reduce waste, and integrate all regions, including the North, into the economy. He argued that the Government had already delivered relief measures such as increased fertilizer support, school supplies, and a Rs. 3,000 pension increase before the Budget. He outlined priorities including rural poverty reduction, digitalized public services, reduced bureaucracy, improved social protection and transport, the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, and basic public facilities. He also stated that the Government would not sell national assets, citing enterprises such as Milco, and would instead pursue a production-based economy.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne defended the Government’s first Budget, saying it should be assessed over the full five-year mandate and four remaining budgets, and argued that it does not burden the general public. He listed increased allocations and benefits for education, health, agriculture, welfare, irrigation, vocational training, fertilizer subsidies, public sector salaries, reduced fuel and electricity prices, and the proposed development bank to support rural livelihoods. He contrasted the Budget with previous administrations’ budgets, stating that ministerial and presidential privileges, official residences, vehicle use, and large vote-head allocations have been curtailed as part of a promised change in political culture.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Chanaka Madugoda said the Opposition viewed the Government’s inaugural Budget with cautious optimism and asked that its criticisms be used constructively, while welcoming measures such as public sector salary increases, welfare enhancements, digitization funding, and some agricultural allocations. He questioned whether proposed private sector wages, estate worker daily wages, graduate recruitment commitments, and funding for export crops and smallholders were adequate, and argued that allocations for “Sri Lankan Day” and “Clean Sri Lanka” appeared duplicative. He also urged attention to Galle District needs, including the Greater Galle Water Project Phase II, MCC Road, central Galle development, and Wakwella Bridge, and raised concerns about practical transport facilities for MPs from modest backgrounds.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake supported the Government’s first Budget, arguing that it prioritizes the public interest and future generations, particularly through what he described as a historic Rs. 619 billion allocation for education. He highlighted specific provisions to develop the Jaffna Public Library and other regional libraries, linking them to the need to repair past damage to education and reconciliation after the 1981 burning of the Jaffna Library and the subsequent conflict. He criticized past administrations over alleged misuse of youth and public funds, and endorsed the proposed “Sri Lankan Day” allocation of Rs. 300 million as a measure to promote national unity, tourism, and economic recovery.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB
AI summary Lt. Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga defended the Rs. 100 million allocation for a feasibility study on using rail to transport agricultural produce from Thambuttegama and other hubs, arguing it could reduce post-harvest losses, prices, and road congestion. He rejected claims that a recent High Court incident reflected a national security failure, stating suspects had been arrested and that the 2025 Budget’s Rs. 404 billion security allocation, including aircraft and patrol craft procurement, was adequate because wasteful security deployments had been curtailed. He highlighted allocations for poverty relief and social empowerment, including increased Aswesuma payments and extended transitional assistance, alongside major health and education funding. He argued that anti-corruption governance, fiscal management, and support for a production economy would help attract FDI and achieve growth.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe argued that past misuse of public funds enriched political elites and connected business interests while leaving ordinary citizens indebted and underserved. He supported the Budget’s allocations for health and education, citing Rs. 604 billion for health, Rs. 185 billion for medicines and supplies, recruitment of about 10,000 health personnel, Rs. 619 billion for education, school restructuring funds, increased Mahapola stipends, and graduate recruitment to public sector vacancies. He acknowledged fiscal limits in a bankrupt country but said salary and allowance increases for health workers had been provided, with scope for future improvements, and called for action on crime and narcotics-linked underworld allegations while inviting cooperation in rebuilding the country.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB
AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka criticised the 2025 Budget, arguing that the Government was claiming credit for an economic recovery that official reports show began in 2023, and questioned the medium-term plan to manage the primary balance given recurrent expenditure exceeding revenue. He said the Budget relies heavily on increased indirect taxes that burden poorer households while providing a smaller allocation for public sector salary increases, and warned that planned new borrowing of Rs. 4,000 billion would add future burdens. He acknowledged some expenditure control but raised concerns over agriculture, paddy prices, fertilizer support, and the feasibility of the Government’s rice market interventions.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB
AI summary Hon. Chrishantha Abeysena moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair during the sitting. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara assumed it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB
AI summary Hon. Krishnan Kalaichelvi supported the budget, stating that it was the first national budget to explicitly recognize the hill-country Tamil community and address long-standing estate-sector issues. She highlighted allocations for estate housing and infrastructure, vocational training and livelihoods, smart classrooms in hill-country schools, and the proposed Rs. 1,700 daily wage for plantation workers. She criticized previous governments and hill-country representatives for failing to secure rights and basic services, and said the National People’s Power Government would deliver solutions incrementally through national policy.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake informed the Chair that the Government would allocate an additional three minutes of its speaking time to another Member.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB
AI summary The member stated that the NPP Government has officially recognized hill-country Tamils as “Malaiyaga Tamil People” and is taking steps to address long-standing estate-sector hardships. She highlighted Budget allocations of Rs. 4,267 million for estate housing and infrastructure, Rs. 2,450 million for vocational training for hill-country youth, and Rs. 866 million for smart classrooms in Malaiyagam schools. She argued that these measures reflect a national-level commitment to improving education, employment, and living conditions in estate communities.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda supported the inaugural budget, describing it as a people-centred programme based on social justice, good governance, economic democracy, and fairer distribution of growth. She highlighted allocations for child nutrition, Triposha, pregnant mothers, preschool meals and preschool teachers, as well as a Rs. 200 million national programme for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and district-level care support over five years. She also noted funding for preventing violence against women, youth entrepreneurship, and support for children in care homes, arguing these measures would promote inclusive participation in the economy.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Fasmin Sharif JJB
AI summary Hon. Fasmin Sharif supported the 2025 Budget, describing it as inclusive and highlighting allocations for drinking water, welfare payments, public servants’ salaries, estate-sector housing and training, plantation wages, transport, agriculture, education, exports, and logistics infrastructure. He said Gampola had long been neglected despite its tourism potential and requested further funding for public facilities, water supply, hotels, spice gardens, and related development. He also raised concerns over alleged wasteful spending and poor official decisions linked to flood management in Akkurana, requesting ministerial attention and action.
- The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe welcomed the NPP/JVP Government’s mandate and shift toward a more liberal economic approach, while arguing that it represents a major departure from the JVP’s earlier ideology. He defended the development record of past UNP leaders, citing the Mahaweli project, the apparel sector and the open economy, and urged the Government to acknowledge those contributions while supporting key export industries. He also warned that the Opposition would scrutinize alleged wrongdoing, including the release of 300 containers and procurement issues in a wind power project, while supporting anti-corruption efforts.
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, addressing the Presiding Member, asked whether another Member required additional time to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe requested an additional two minutes of speaking time from Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka. No substantive policy argument or legislative issue was raised in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Opposition time was allocated for a two-minute intervention. No substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy issue was raised in this procedural statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe raised concerns about public and parliamentary security following reported shootings, including an incident at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court despite STF protection, and rejected assurances that there was no national security threat. He requested the Speaker to ensure adequate security for Members of Parliament. He also said the Opposition would act responsibly, avoid falsehoods and divisive politics, and support measures it considered beneficial.
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe rejected a claim regarding salary scales, stating that he had already explained the matter in detail previously. He cautioned the Member not to mislead Parliament or the country on the issue.
Employment Full speech → - The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe stated that the information he referred to was obtained from the Research Unit. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe briefly challenged the accuracy of figures being cited in the debate. He asked that they be compared with the figures issued by the Research Unit for clarification.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe referred to a document from the Research Unit and told the Deputy Minister that, if it was incorrect, he would accept that and submit it for correction. The remark was procedural, relating to verification and possible correction of the document’s contents.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe briefly notes that several ranges had been mentioned, appearing to seek clarification or respond to a prior statement. The remark is too limited to identify the specific policy area, proposal, or issue under discussion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe stated that he would provide a list obtained from Parliament. He indicated that any inaccuracies in the list should be attributed to the parliamentary source or be subject to verification.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe said earlier statements had caused public confusion about salary increases and that the Government had corrected the record. He stated that an Office Work Assistant’s salary would rise by Rs. 8,250 over 20 months up to January 2027, and rejected opposing claims that no increase was being granted or that the figures cited were accurate.
Employment Full speech → - The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe’s intervention was interrupted before any substantive argument, proposal, or question was recorded. No specific policy issue, legislation, or demand can be identified from the available text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe requested the Research Unit document before making his statement. The exchange included an interruption, but no substantive policy position or proposal was presented.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe said there was confusion over the relevant figures because the year-by-year increments were not clearly presented. He noted that even Parliamentary staff found the information difficult to interpret, indicating a need for clearer presentation.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe indicated that he would hand over a matter or document, amidst an interruption. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy position was presented in the recorded remarks.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe stated that the salary structure by grade is explicitly detailed in Annexure V of the Budget.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Requested that the staff be informed accordingly.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB
AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe stated that, due to limited time, he would not continue the argument but would calculate and explain the matter further. He requested the relevant Research Unit paper and said he would study it and publicly correct it if necessary.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB
AI summary Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala supported the 2025 Budget, describing it as citizen-centred and suited to current global political and economic changes. He emphasized the increase in public servants’ basic salaries, arguing that it restores dignity to labour and improves related entitlements such as pensions, overtime, and widows’ and orphans’ benefits. He also highlighted Budget measures for SME development through innovation and commercialization support, irrigation rehabilitation in schemes such as Rajangana, Minneriya and Huruluwewa, and Rs. 9 billion for Kelani Basin flood and disaster risk management.
- The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB
AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri defended the 2025 Budget as a forward development plan of a government in office for only three months, while noting that unpaid liabilities from past projects still constrain implementation. He highlighted salary increases, the procedure for Rs. 10 million decentralized MP allocations, expected foreign investment following visits to India and China, and new welfare measures for persons with disabilities and children in probation homes. He also cited allocations for mental health programmes, rural drinking water, rural roads, export agriculture, and value-added sectors such as gems and spices, while rejecting claims that districts such as Galle had been neglected.
- The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP
AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda raised a Point of Order after a reference to a Galle District MP, noting that he was the only Galle District Member present in the Chamber. The Chair and others indicated he had not been named and that there are multiple Galle MPs, after which Madugoda challenged them to specify what was being done for the Galle District.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported the 2025 Budget, arguing that it is designed to stabilize the economy, revive agriculture, and address long-neglected regional needs, including in the North. He highlighted allocations for agricultural modernization, small-scale agri-enterprises, seed production, livestock development, dairy self-sufficiency, environmental protection, education reform, and rural innovation. He said the Government’s approach is to build a productive, technology-driven economy with opportunities for youth, entrepreneurs, farmers, women, and other affected groups, rather than returning to previous policy paths.
- The Hon. Rohana Bandara
AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara praised the delivery of the Budget speech but criticized the Budget as unrealistic and inadequately funded, arguing that public sector salary increases were overstated and would shift fiscal burdens to a future government. He questioned the Government’s handling of national security, citing the recent court shooting and alleging failures in intelligence, arrests, and protection of MPs, while demanding stronger security for parliamentarians. He also argued that the proposed private sector minimum wage increase to Rs. 30,000 had limited practical effect because actual wages already exceed that level in many cases.
- Hon. Rohana Bandara
AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara urged the Government not to deduct ETF and EPF from wages while presenting minimum wage increases as a major achievement. He criticized the proposed allocation linked to a feasibility study for Thambuttegama railway station, arguing that Anuradhapura needs practical investments in schools, transport reliability, agriculture, sports, and local infrastructure rather than projects chosen for symbolic reasons. He also called for the resumption or replacement of the “Urumaya” land deed programme, saying farmers with Swarna Bhoomi and Jaya Bhoomi permits should be given clear land title through a simplified process.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB
AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s first Budget, arguing that the economic collapse and institutional weaknesses were rooted in past administrations and that the current priority is economic stabilization, productivity, exports, and rebuilding confidence. He said Rs. 20.9 billion has been allocated across government for science and technology, including funds for health testing, plantation crops, fisheries, farming, bamboo cultivation, and universities, with Rs. 5 billion to his Ministry. He also responded to criticism on public-sector pay, stating that past allowance-based salary adjustments created disparities and that the proposed increases would reach full implementation within one year and nine months from April 2025, without new taxes in the Budget.
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