Sitting of Thursday, 20 March 2025

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

1. 1 Opening Opening of Parliament 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Regulations 3 speeches ▸
3. 3 Committee report Public Finance Committee Report and Procedural Exchanges 6 speeches ▾
   • The Hon. Harsha de Silva SJB

     AI summary Harsha de Silva tabled several Committee on Public Finance reports relating to excise duties, special commodity levies, a tax treaty protocol with India, and the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill. He clarified that the Committee initially withheld approval for a proposed cigarette tax change pending further analysis but later approved it due to the need to proceed with the Appropriation Bill. He argued that Sri Lanka’s cigarette taxation method is flawed compared with WHO and UNDP best practice of taxing about 75 per cent of the retail price, noting that government revenue growth has lagged industry profits and that current adjustments create brand-level discrepancies. He proposed that Parliament make a fresh decision on cigarette taxation, with the Committee on Public Finance participating constructively.

     Public Finance Full speech →
   • The Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning

     AI summary Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma clarified that the relevant approval was not granted simply to facilitate passage of the Budget. He said the Committee had considered data, regional comparisons, and historical context before reaching a consensus that the current effective tax share was reasonable, and that approval was given only after sufficient satisfaction of the Committee.

     Public Finance Full speech →
   • Mr. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • The Hon. Harsha de Silva SJB

     AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva, speaking as Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, sought a brief clarification in Parliament. He referenced his 15 years of experience serving on such committees to contextualize his intervention.

     Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
   • Mr. Speaker procedural
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   • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB

     AI summary The Minister said the issue should be addressed constructively within the Committee, noting agreement with Hon. Harsha de Silva’s approach and clarifying that the Deputy Minister had not opposed cigarette tax reform. He tabled an IPS policy paper on raising tobacco taxes, highlighting its estimate that a unified cigarette excise could have generated an additional LKR 23.6 billion in 2021. He stated that the cigarette tax structure showed signs of manipulation and urged the Committee to consider recommendations benefiting revenue and public health.

     Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
4. 4 Petitions Citizens' Petitions 3 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question 1: Government Institutions - Security Companies (Q.1/4/2024) 6 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Questions 2-5: Second Round (Multiple Questions) 5 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory 16 speeches ▸
8. 8 Procedural Procedural Motion: Sitting Hours 1 speeches ▸
9. 9 Debate Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate 63 speeches ▸
10. 10 Procedural Insolvency Bill - Postponement of Committee Stage 2 speeches ▸
11. 11 Papers Papers Presented: Finance Act Regulation and Annual Reports 4 speeches ▸
12. 12 Debate Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading 25 speeches ▸
13. 13 Adjournment Adjournment 2 speeches ▸