Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva

¶ 01 Public Finance Committee Report

¶ 02 Hon. Speaker, I present the Report of the Committee on Public Finance on the Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Policy Formulation, Planning and Tourism for the year 2024, which was referred to the Committee.

¶ 03 Ordered to lie upon the Table.

¶ 04 Hon. Speaker, we examined this in detail. In brief, for the period January to November 2024, performance in the public finance sector shows that total revenue and grants increased by 32.2 percent compared to 2023, while expenditure reflected a 19 percent increase. Of this, tax revenue increased by 34.2 percent, and non-tax revenue increased by 14 percent. The primary balance, which was Rs. 331.4 billion in 2023, has increased by 180 percent to Rs. 927.8 billion by January–November 2024.

¶ 05 From 2020, arrears have decreased to Rs. 1,217 billion, a reduction of 39.8 percent. Considering these, the Committee expressed concurrence regarding the Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report.

¶ 06 Hon. Speaker, I have two further matters. The National Audit Office has submitted its Work Programme for 2025. As Parliament was dissolved, we could not receive it before the 1st of January, and we approved it subject to conditions. The Committee will submit it to you in writing, as discussions with the Committee are needed to incorporate necessary amendments to the Work Programme. I have already informed the Auditor-General accordingly.

¶ 07 Another urgent matter: Hon. Speaker, I discussed this with you as well. The Committee on Public Finance needs technical officers. COPE and COPA are served by large numbers from the Auditor-General’s Department. The Prime Minister has already submitted about 15 documents to our Committee, which we observed, but we do not have even a single dedicated technical officer. I request that you recognize the necessity of such officers to carry out our duties. We have also approved, in the new Parliament, the establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office; this is essential. Hon. Speaker, I earnestly request that steps be taken to establish it as soon as possible. I have also spoken with the Secretary-General about this. We must establish the Parliamentary Budget Office. Until then, in collaboration with development partners like the UNDP as discussed in the last Parliament, we have identified a team of technical advisory analysts. I look forward to your attention to this matter. Thank you.