Sitting of Friday, 14 November 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22848 ·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 and Announcements: Use of Unparliamentary Language 1 speeches
- 2 Committee report Committee Report: Public Finance Committee on Appropriation Bill 2026 1 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions Presentation 3 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Questions: Q.1-Q.5 (Questions stood down) 16 speeches
- 5 Procedural Procedural Matters: Standing Order 91(k) and Points of Order 23 speeches
- 6 Papers Bills Presented: Strategic Development Projects (Amendment) Bill 2 speeches
- 7 Procedural Procedural Motion: Suspension of Standing Order 88 2 speeches
- 8 Debate Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day 85 speeches
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB
AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi argued that the 2026 Budget demonstrates improved fiscal discipline compared with earlier years, citing the movement from persistent budget and primary balance deficits to positive balances in 2024 and 2025. He emphasized that a primary surplus creates room to reduce debt, service interest costs, and support future productive expenditure. He also stated that improved fiscal performance is strengthening Sri Lanka’s creditworthiness, lowering borrowing costs, and reducing inflationary pressure by lessening reliance on deficit monetization.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB
AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi argued that improved external balances, stable exchange rates, low interest rates, and avoiding supplementary estimates had strengthened policy credibility and investor confidence. Citing the President’s Budget Speech, he said maintaining revenue at 15.3–15.4 percent of GDP would support debt service relief and claimed the government was working to repay debts incurred by previous administrations. He criticized Opposition remarks on taxation and questioned complaints made about a Rs. 200 daily travel allowance for estate workers, asking whether this reflected the SJB’s policy.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB
AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi made a procedural request to the Chair for a short extension of speaking time.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB
AI summary Chandima Hettiaratchi, in a procedural capacity, allocated the next speaking turn to Hon. S.M. Marikkar and stated that he had 22 minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar said his party supported the Rs. 200 allowance for estate workers and broader redress for Tamil communities, but criticised the Budget as a liberal programme that relies on asset sales, higher taxes, utility charges and reduced expenditure. He argued that the Government was narrowing the deficit by overtaxing the public while failing to implement allocated development projects, citing unspent highway funds and stalled infrastructure work. He also questioned increased borrowing and debt levels, and accused the Government of abandoning promises on education spending, VAT relief, fuel and electricity price reductions, youth loans and tax thresholds. He further cited losses in several State-owned enterprises as evidence of mismanagement and said the Budget offered inadequate relief to households, pensioners, patients and schoolchildren.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB
AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar briefly indicated that he was concluding his remarks and thanked the Chair.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Sarath Kumara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Sarath Kumara supported the 2026 Budget, arguing that the Government had restored macroeconomic stability, advanced debt restructuring, improved fiscal indicators, and regained investor confidence during 2025. He cited increases in exports, remittances, tourism receipts, revenue and grants, and the primary balance, and said the Budget prioritizes inclusive growth, public-private partnerships, value-added industrialization, export diversification, debt sustainability, poverty reduction, and digitalization. He also highlighted proposed recruitment and regularization in the public service, resumption of pensions, planned debt servicing, and provisions for governance and anti-corruption reforms.
- Mr. Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB
AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana defended the Government’s Budget, stating that it advances the state rebuilding programme begun under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in 2024. He rejected claims that there was no provision for Kelani flood mitigation, citing a Rs. 250 million allocation for integrated flood management in areas including Colombo and Gampaha, and said past technical plans were being reviewed under the Prime Minister’s leadership. He also disputed allegations of underused capital funds and inadequate housing allocations, stating that 58 percent of capital funds had been spent and that Rs. 15 billion was allocated for 3,000 Colombo housing units, with broader targets of 10,000 houses this year and 50,000 over three years. He further said the Government was rebuilding the public service through salary funding, recruitment exams, and Cabinet-approved appointments across multiple services.
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri criticized the Government’s Budget, arguing that it is implementing policies it previously opposed, including MCC-related work, digital ID, devolution-linked arrangements, and investment measures, and called for the tabling of recent Indo-Lanka agreements. He questioned the Government’s anti-corruption position, citing past allegations on the bond issue, sugar tax, palm oil taxes, and released containers, and demanded accountability for any political involvement. He warned that lowering the VAT registration threshold would burden small businesses and consumers, urged lawful and verified payment of the estate workers’ allowance with consideration of an increase to Rs. 500, and alleged inconsistency over vehicle procurement and official privileges.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order objecting to repeated references linking him to certain containers, stating that he had already gone to court and the CID over the matter. He claimed the containers were released during Minister Bimal Ratnayake’s tenure and referred to documents received in Europe alleging weapons in “Container 323.” He requested the appointment of a committee to investigate the matter and said he was prepared to answer any authority, including Interpol.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB
AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda supported the Government’s second Budget, arguing that Opposition criticism was politically motivated and contrasting it with what he described as past fiscal mismanagement and corruption under previous administrations. He highlighted allocations for agriculture and related sectors, and for sustainable transport reforms, and said revenue performance and the projected deficit showed improved fiscal management. He specifically welcomed Rs. 1,500 million to resume the Ruwanpura Expressway works from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya and to pay long-delayed compensation to landowners, noting that over 800 families in Kahathuduwa were awaiting payment.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani defended the Government’s 2026 “Citizens’ Budget” as building on claimed macroeconomic stabilization in 2025, citing 4.8 per cent growth, stronger reserves, exchange rate stability, a primary surplus, and debt reduction targets to 2026 and 2030. She said the Budget aims to exceed 7 per cent growth through export development, MSME support, rural infrastructure, digitalization, and improved access to education, health and essential services. She specifically defended the proposed Rs. 200 Government-paid attendance incentive for estate workers, criticizing Opposition efforts to challenge it before the Bribery Commission and arguing that the measure is justified relief for a long-neglected workforce.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Hon. Hizbullah welcomed the 2026 Budget as supporting post-crisis recovery, debt servicing from 2028, investment promotion, anti-drug measures, assistance for seriously ill patients, estate worker wage support, and allocations for projects in the Eastern Province, including the Nintavur Cultural Hall and Valachchenai Fisheries Harbour. He commended recent efforts to attract investment from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, while emphasizing that revenue growth alone would not be sufficient to meet future debt obligations. He urged reconsideration of the reduced VAT registration threshold, arguing it would burden small rural businesses and consumers, and raised concern that no allocation had been made to upgrade Puttalam Hospital to District General Hospital status despite a presidential pledge.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Provincial Councils were described as having previously supported better administration, while their current inactivity has left governance under officials and adversely affected the North and East. The member urged the Government to use the Budget allocations provided for Provincial Council Elections and proceed with holding those elections.
- The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB
AI summary Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu rose on a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah indicated he was concluding his remarks and had no objection to another member being given time afterward. However, he clarified that he did not wish to allocate any of his own speaking time to that member.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah urged the Government to hold Provincial Council Elections without delay. He argued that democratic representation is necessary for addressing public needs and that leaving governance entirely to officials is not democratic.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC
AI summary Called for Provincial Council Elections to be held without delay so the Councils can be operationalized. He argued that elected representatives are needed to address public needs through a democratic process.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB
AI summary No substantive speech content was provided beyond the address to the Deputy Speaker, so there are no policy points, proposals, questions, or arguments to summarize.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB
AI summary The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu, identifying himself as Chairman of the District Coordination Committee, intervened to seek clarification from the previous speaker. He stated that although his name had not been mentioned, he wished to ask one question in that capacity.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer defended the Budget, specifically the Rs. 200 attendance incentive for estate workers, and argued that opposing the Budget would signal opposition to relief for a community central to Sri Lanka’s tea industry. He said earlier Opposition warnings about economic collapse had not materialized, and maintained that the Government was rebuilding investor confidence, restarting development, and managing capital expenditure responsibly. He also responded to criticism over vehicle allocations, stating that procurement was intended to improve State and local authority services after years of underinvestment.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary The Minister defended the 2026 Budget as a stability and recovery plan built around inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty reduction, digitalization, and public service reform. He cited increases in exports, remittances, tourism earnings and revenue, rejected claims of impending default, and said Sri Lanka is preparing to resume external debt repayments from 2028. He highlighted allocations for the Praja Shakthi programme, estate worker wages, public sector vehicles, EPF/ETF arrears, housing loan interest relief, public sector salary increases, and repurposing underutilized State buildings. He also rejected Opposition criticism over Treasury management, MPs’ vehicle and fuel arrangements, and asserted that the Government is changing past practices and strengthening the public service.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam said ITAK would abstain on the Second Reading of the 2026 Budget, arguing that it lacks sufficient commitments to Tamil political rights, constitutional reform, Provincial Council elections, land issues, accountability, and targeted development in the North and East. He questioned low utilization of previous Northern allocations, the handling of Eastern Province funds under a Governor, Mahaweli land alienation, and the absence of clear commitments to develop Palaly, Batticaloa, KKS and Trincomalee infrastructure. He said ITAK would support measures against drugs and corruption but not the Budget on the basis of feasibility studies, and raised concerns that estate worker wage and housing proposals did not adequately address dignity, land and secure housing for Malaiyagam Tamils.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam stated that his party would abstain from voting on Budget 2026 as a signal of willingness to engage with the Government. He warned that they may oppose the next Budget if no action is taken by next year, and said the decision to abstain was based on the President’s agreement to meet them the following week.
Public Finance Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala defended the 2026 Budget, stating that the NPP’s policy promised a Rs. 200 State-funded attendance incentive for Malaiyagam Tamil workers, not a Rs. 2,100 wage increase, and said this is being implemented. He argued that the Government had stabilized public finance, acted against corruption, narcotics and organized crime, and restored institutional independence since the 2025 Budget. He highlighted the Rs. 704 billion allocation for education, including support for estate schools in Kegalle District, and said the 2026 Budget builds on the foundation laid in 2025 toward the Government’s policy goals.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne described the 2026 Budget as an inclusion-focused and “feminist” Budget aimed at supporting historically excluded groups through welfare, education, housing, nutrition, pensions, eldercare, disability support and targeted subsidies. She highlighted allocations for school kits, daycare centres, children with disabilities, wage top-ups for employers hiring persons with disabilities, MSMEs, women’s livelihoods, rural economies, water schemes and farmer support. She defended the Rs. 200 attendance incentive for estate workers, rejected certain Opposition objections as procedurally misplaced, and said the Government’s ideological basis is equity and leaving no one behind.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB
AI summary B. Ariyawansha said the 2026 Budget includes some relief measures, including support for increasing estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,750, but argued that wages alone will not address long-standing housing and livelihood issues in estate communities. He proposed allocating underutilized land near estates to unemployed residents for productive use and potential export income. He also raised concerns about shortages of essential medicines, long waiting lists for cardiac surgery, lack of ophthalmic equipment, and rural hospital deficiencies, specifically citing the absence of a technician for the X-ray unit at Kolonna Base Hospital.
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB
AI summary The Minister said the Government had stabilized an inherited bankrupt economy through fiscal discipline and presented the Budget as part of its policy framework for continued stability. He emphasized Government action for the Sri Lanka Malaiyaha plantation community, citing the Hatton Declaration and commitments on housing, land, wages, education, health and infrastructure. He said the Budget provides for land allocation, housing support including projects under Indian credit lines, firm land titles, and a Rs. 200 Treasury-funded attendance incentive in addition to a Rs. 200 wage increase agreed by estate owners, amounting to a Rs. 400 increase for plantation workers.
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara - Deputy Chairperson of Committees JJB
AI summary Hon. Hemali Weerasekara supported the 2025 Budget, presenting macroeconomic indicators and revenue, export, remittance, tourism and stock market performance as evidence of improving stability and growth. She highlighted budget proposals for MSME concessional and collateral-free lending, tourism development, public service recruitment and benefits, regularization of certain public employees, and expanded support for persons with disabilities. She also reported on 2025 Budget implementation, stating that national financial progress had exceeded 50 per cent and that Gampaha District projects showed over 85 per cent physical progress, with allocations expected to be fully utilized.
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that the Budget is primarily aligned with IMF programme conditions, particularly revenue measures, tax compliance, and restrained spending, and said the Government should present economic data honestly rather than use selective claims about the 2022 crisis. He questioned capital expenditure execution, alleging that only a limited share of allocations had been effectively spent while recurrent spending increased, and warned that rushed tendering to use funds could create irregularities. He called for an updated poverty survey and a structured poverty-alleviation programme, while criticising proposed vehicle purchases, low allocations for public transport, education, health, pensions, and public-sector pay commitments.
- Mr. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair during the sitting. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Nanayakkara presided.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep defended the Budget’s plantation wage proposal, stating that the daily wage will rise to Rs. 1,750 from January through Rs. 200 contributions each from companies and the Government, and framed it as part of the Government’s commitment to Malaiyaha workers’ dignity, land, housing and rights. He criticized Opposition figures for challenging the Government’s Rs. 200 support before the Bribery or Corruption Commission and accused past political actors of using plantation wages for trade union and electoral politics. He also noted that the Government had obtained Cabinet approval and issued a Gazette recognizing the Ayyappan pilgrimage to India as a sacred pilgrimage.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Raising a point of order, the Member criticized the Government over the cost of living, citing a loaf of bread priced at Rs. 160. He questioned the adequacy of relief measures such as providing bread and bananas and called instead for wage increases of Rs. 1,000 or Rs. 2,000.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB
AI summary Hon. Dinesh Hemantha defended Budget allocations by stating that the LKR 12,500 million vehicle provision is for 2,700 vehicles to address shortages in public institutions, with only MPs lacking pickups receiving them, and that the LKR 500 million for public servants’ property loans is for an interest subsidy rather than loan principal. He argued that the Government has exceeded revenue and fiscal targets in 2025, citing improved deficit figures, higher revenue collection, tourism, remittances and Customs income. He also called on Opposition MPs, particularly those representing plantation communities, to state whether they support the Rs. 200 plantation wage top-up and to reflect that position in the vote.
- The Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake defended the 2026 Budget as the Government’s second budget and as a continuation of measures begun after the National People’s Power assumed office in 2024. He argued that the Budget maintains stability without new burdensome taxes or new borrowing, and said Opposition criticism lacked policy substance, citing vehicle procurement claims as misleading because the allocation covered 2,700 public sector vehicles rather than vehicles for MPs. He also stated that proposed state-owned enterprise reforms would protect workers’ EPF, ETF and gratuity entitlements through Treasury support where closures or divestments occur.
- The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB
AI summary Chathura Galappaththi noted the retirement of Parliament’s Director (Administration) M. M. M. Iqbal and then criticized the President and Prime Minister for not attending the World Marketing Forum hosted in Sri Lanka, which he described as an important opportunity to engage ambassadors, business leaders and investors. He stated that the Leader of the Opposition attended the event and was invited to address the Singapore Economic Forum, while suggesting that the President was prioritizing party and ministerial matters over economic forums. He then indicated he would turn to the Budget presented by the President as Finance Minister.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB
AI summary Chathura Galappaththi criticized the length and content of the 2026 Budget speech, arguing that despite its duration it contained few genuinely new proposals and insufficient allocations for development. He questioned the Government’s legislative performance, noting that only about 10 new Acts were attributable to the current administration in 2025 compared with higher numbers in previous years. He argued that improved revenue figures were mainly due to high taxation, particularly on reopened vehicle imports, and underutilized capital expenditure rather than stronger economic fundamentals. He also questioned the sharp increase in the President’s expenditure head and suggested excessive concentration of funds under the President and Ministry of Finance.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB
AI summary The MP argued that the Budget proposal to pay plantation workers an additional Rs. 10,000 per month conditional on 25 days’ attendance is impractical due to weekly holidays, monthly holidays, work quotas, weigh-cut systems, and shorter months. He said his side supports increasing plantation workers’ pay, including raising the daily wage to Rs. 1,750, but called for removal of the rigid 25-day condition and stated they cannot support the overall Budget.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana supported the Budget, stating that economic stabilization had enabled programmes such as Clean Sri Lanka and digitalization to target rural development and poverty reduction. He rejected claims that preschool education was neglected, citing increased teacher and meal allowances and a new National Policy on Preschool Education to standardize curricula, teacher qualifications, governance, and regulation across provinces. He also outlined support for institutionalized children, including monthly assistance, improvements to care institutions, and a Rs. 2,000 million allocation to provide up to Rs. 2 million each for eligible youth leaving care to obtain land or housing.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB
AI summary He cited a Gunadasa Kapuge song to argue against divisions based on ethnicity, religion, and region. He said the Budget should treat all communities across the North, South, and East equally as citizens of one country.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Gayan Janaka JJB
AI summary Hon. Gayan Janaka supported the 2026 Budget, arguing that the Government is restoring the economy after the 2022 bankruptcy caused by long-term macroeconomic, fiscal, structural, and governance failures. He said capital expenditure implementation had reached 58 per cent by 30 October and was expected to exceed 80 per cent by year-end, contrasting this with previous governments’ performance. He stated that the Government had stabilized macroeconomic fundamentals, recovered some losses from the crisis, targeted 7 per cent medium-term growth, and provided wage increases, scholarships, and social support.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Rohana Bandara
AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara criticized the Budget as failing to implement the Government’s election manifesto and questioned whether previous year allocations had been spent or development targets achieved. He challenged claims of a Treasury surplus amid rising debt and higher costs, and argued that unspent allocations and increased taxation had masked inaction. He called for a lawful and workable framework for increasing plantation workers’ wages, including smallholder workers, and criticized agricultural proposals on youth agripreneurs, paddy procurement and onion support as inadequate and ad hoc. He also urged the Government to hold Provincial Council elections promptly.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara JJB
AI summary Padmasiri Bandara defended the 2026 Budget as a stable and deliverable programme, contrasting it with what he described as inconsistent and theatrical criticism from the Opposition, including on the proposed Rs. 200 daily attendance incentive for plantation workers. He said the Government represented a different and educated parliamentary cohort and rejected claims that its “People’s Power” programme was politicized, arguing that it addressed rural economic aspirations. He highlighted major allocations for education, health, and transport, and urged Members to support the Budget at the vote.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB
AI summary The Minister defended the 2026 Budget, arguing that it maintains fiscal discipline, broadens the tax base, accelerates digitalization, and prioritizes production, MSMEs, investment promotion, wage adjustments, anti-corruption, anti-narcotics measures, and social welfare. He said the Budget includes around Rs. 1,400 billion in capital projects beyond the President’s speech, urged critics to read the full document, and cited measures such as bank-card payments for bus fares and increased assistance to poor hill-country families. He also criticized the Opposition and some plantation-sector political actors, while stating that reforms, including action on informal economies and pavement trading, would be implemented gradually with alternatives.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Mujibur Rahuman argued that the Government is allowing the NPP party office in Pelawatte to influence state administration, citing the Colombo Municipal Council as an example. He criticized the Budget as a continuation of revenue measures introduced under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, including higher VAT, levies, and IMF-linked policies, despite the NPP having opposed them in Opposition. He alleged that taxes on essentials, school supplies, vehicles, rice, and salt have increased the cost of living, worsened poverty, and reduced purchasing power, and called for VAT on school items to be removed. He also accused the Government of failing to support potato and onion farmers during market gluts and said many Budget proposals were recycled from previous policies.
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman questioned the Government’s post-IMF programme roadmap after the final review due in March 2027, arguing that the Budget lacks proposals to increase exports, attract investment, strengthen the labour market, or advance trade and investment agreements. He demanded disclosure of agreements signed with India, the United States and China, and criticized the reduction of VAT and Social Security Contribution Levy thresholds from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 million as harmful to small and medium traders. He alleged the Budget favours large business interests, citing liquor licensing and the Mannar wind power project, and asked what practical support had been provided to ordinary small businesses beyond schoolchildren’s vouchers. He also tabled the U.S. Department of State’s “2025 Sri Lanka Investment Climate Statement,” highlighting concerns about investor confidence, absence of a unified foreign investment policy, red tape, electricity costs, non-implementation of the Economic Transformation Bill, and lack of a unified tax policy.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticised the Government’s anticipated 2026 tax policies, arguing that repeated taxation would worsen poverty, widen social inequality, and deepen class divisions. He warned that public protests could follow and stated that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya would join and lead such public action.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- 9 Debate Debate Conclusion and Division: Disposals Bill 2026 – Second Reading 11 speeches
- 10 Procedural Committee Referral and Adjournment 3 speeches