Sitting of Thursday, 20 March 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1746596381071973 ·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 of Parliament 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Regulations 3 speeches
- 3 Committee report Public Finance Committee Report and Procedural Exchanges 6 speeches
- 4 Petitions Citizens' Petitions 3 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question 1: Government Institutions - Security Companies (Q.1/4/2024) 6 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Questions 2-5: Second Round (Multiple Questions) 5 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question by Private Notice: Withholding Tax on Senior Citizens' Deposits and Valaichchenai Paper Factory 16 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns under Standing Order 27(2) about the impact of reduced deposit interest rates and taxation on ordinary senior citizens who depend on interest income for basic needs such as healthcare and nutrition. He asked the Government to clarify the current withholding tax rate on deposit interest, whether the Budget proposes an increase, whether all senior citizens’ deposits are subject to the tax or threshold exemptions apply, and what mechanism exists for seniors to reclaim withheld tax, noting practical difficulties faced by many elderly depositors.
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Asked whether the Government will simplify procedures for reclaiming withholding tax, including on children’s savings accounts, and clarify whether such deposits are exempt. He urged the reintroduction of a 15 per cent interest rate for senior citizens’ deposits up to Rs. 2 million, as provided under previous governments, arguing that the proposed effective rate of 10.5 per cent is insufficient. He also sought a mechanism for senior citizens to obtain medicines at concessional prices from state pharmacies and, if possible, private pharmacies.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB
AI summary The Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on withholding tax, stating that it is a method of collecting income tax at source rather than a separate tax, and explaining that the withholding rate on interest income has been raised from 5 percent to 10 percent in line with revenue and IMF programme commitments. He said individuals below the Rs. 1.8 million annual tax-free threshold can reclaim the deduction or avoid it through a declaration to banks, with the same facility available for children’s savings through guardians. He also outlined Budget 2025 measures for senior citizens, including an additional 3 percent interest on fixed deposits up to Rs. 1 million from 1 July 2025 and existing concessions on medicine purchases at state pharmacies.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition, briefly sought clarification from the Chair. No specific issue, proposal, or policy matter was raised in the recorded statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB
AI summary Sajith Premadasa sought clarification on a ministerial response regarding a tax increase from 5 to 10 percent. He argued that tax efficiency is achieved through improved mechanisms within the tax system, not by raising tax rates, and requested the Minister to acknowledge and correct the statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB
AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha clarified that 2025 revenue projections rely on both improved tax efficiency and a broader, fairer tax base, and said his earlier remarks had been misinterpreted. He defended the proposed tax refund mechanism, stating that persons earning below Rs. 1.8 million would avoid withholding through declarations while higher earners could claim credits, with technology used to address implementation issues. He also explained that fixed interest schemes such as the previous 15 percent rate are not permanent and depend on macroeconomic conditions, arguing that the current additional three percent support is a targeted and affordable measure as rates decline.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development about the long-closed Valaichchenai Paper Factory in Batticaloa, noting its former role as a major employer and the potential for youth employment if revived. He sought details on the land extent, reasons for the failure to fully restart operations, whether alternative industrial uses have been studied or planned, and an explanation of previous revival attempts and why they failed.
- The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Valaichchenai paper factory, occupying 330 acres and inactive since 2014, has resumed operations after machinery repairs and the appointment of a new Board. He stated production is about 200 tons per month, with targets of 300 tons from April and 500 tons within the year, while the factory has reached break-even or operating profit. He outlined plans for a packaging materials plant through the Industrial Development Board, multi-product zones, and technology upgrades through public–private–people partnerships to expand employment beyond the current 120 workers.
- The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan proposed modernizing a 330-acre factory site to recycle waste paper and plastic into raw materials and paper products, creating large-scale employment. He noted that technologies already exist globally, including the use of banana fibre, and argued that local raw materials in Batticaloa District could support renewed paper production.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK
AI summary Between 2015 and 2019, former MP Seeniththamby Yogeswaran and current MP Srinesan pursued efforts on the matter under discussion. Sivagnanam Shritharan requested the relevant Minister’s cooperation to ensure those efforts succeed now.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe JJB
AI summary A Cabinet decision has been made to direct state institutions’ paper requirements to the relevant factory. The member stated that plastic and other waste recycling is a priority emerging industry and part of a national environmental protection programme, and said the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development would provide maximum support for such proposals from Batticaloa.
- 8 Procedural Procedural Motion: Sitting Hours 1 speeches
- 9 Debate Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate 63 speeches
- 10 Procedural Insolvency Bill - Postponement of Committee Stage 2 speeches
- 11 Papers Papers Presented: Finance Act Regulation and Annual Reports 4 speeches
- 12 Debate Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading 25 speeches
- 13 Adjournment Adjournment 2 speeches