Topic
Cost of Living
1,181 speeches · 246 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P. JJB | 83 |
| 2 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 78 |
| 3 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 42 |
| 4 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 27 |
| 5 | Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, M.P. SJB | 27 |
| 6 | Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage, M.P. JJB | 24 |
| 7 | Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P. JJB | 24 |
| 8 | Hon. S.M. Marikkar, M.P. SJB | 21 |
| 9 | Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, M.P. NDF | 20 |
| 10 | Hon. Mujibur Rahman, M.P. SJB | 18 |
Speeches
1,181 on this topic- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, describing it as a response to abusive app-based and unregulated lending practices involving excessive interest, unsolicited loans, data misuse, and harassment of borrowers. He said the Bill aims to regulate microfinance institutions, protect borrowers, cap excessive interest rates, prevent debt traps, and bring unregulated lenders under a single authority, while excluding cooperatives, Samurdhi community banks and societies, and organisations under the Agrarian Development Act. He outlined borrower-protection requirements, including clear agreements, repayment-capacity assessments, transparent interest disclosure, statements on request, and fair treatment, and noted that licensed banks are already regulated by the Central Bank. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, arguing that Sri Lanka has long lacked an effective regulatory framework for a sector affecting poor and rural borrowers, despite previous debates in 2016, 2019 and 2024. He cited reports of widespread harm from microfinance debt, including adverse effects on about 2.9 million people and suicides, and said the Bill would establish a regulatory authority, require licensing, protect clients, investigate compliance, penalize violations and limit deposit-taking. He said concerns regarding community-based organisations could be addressed through amendments, and described the Bill as a measure to prevent unauthorised deposit-taking, exploitative interest rates and unethical recovery practices while protecting financial stability and the public. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam argued that the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, reportedly linked to an Asian Development Bank loan condition, is drafted too broadly and may bring small post-war NGOs, women’s savings groups, and social lending schemes under strict regulation while leaving banks, leasing companies, and finance companies able to charge high rates. He warned that CRIB restrictions and inadequate rules on debt recovery could push poor and rural borrowers toward unregulated moneylenders, and called for explicit exemptions, clearer recovery safeguards, and mandatory women’s representation in the Authority. He also raised related concerns about electricity billing access, fuel shortages in the North, East and estates, and the absence of clarity on promised plantation worker wage increases, urging protective amendments to the Bill. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition criticized the Government’s proposed microfinance-related measures, arguing that they would disadvantage community-based lending groups, women-led credit programmes, and poor and informal-sector borrowers while favouring banks, finance companies, and licence-holders. He said regulation should target loan sharks, online illegal lenders, and large institutions that commercialized microfinance and contributed to debt distress, rather than grassroots organizations such as community credit groups and funeral aid societies. He called for amendments to the Bill to protect women, women-headed households, rural self-employed people, estate and North-East communities, and other vulnerable borrowers. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa challenged the Minister’s assessment that a closure of the Strait of Hormuz would not seriously affect Sri Lanka, citing reduced shipping traffic, rising oil prices, and Sri Lanka’s dependence on Middle Eastern crude and related supply chains. He argued that impacts could extend to LNG, tanker insurance costs, transport routes, tourism, remittances, and tea exports, given Sri Lankan workers in the region and trade exposure. He urged the Government to provide clearer answers and plan on a pessimistic scenario rather than underestimating the risks. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne — Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government had repaired and reopened Paddy Marketing Board stores that were closed or damaged, with Army assistance, to enable paddy purchasing. He stated that producer prices were increased based on official production costs, with Nadu bought at Rs. 120 per kilo, Samba at Rs. 130, and Keeri Samba at Rs. 140, and that over 13,000 MT had already been delivered to PMB stores. He added that while the PMB cannot legally buy wet paddy, drying facilities have been arranged, including dryers in Thalawa and Ampara, to support farmers. Oral Questions: Paddy Marketing Board and Fertilizer Subsidies Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka questioned whether the Government has a concrete plan beyond Paddy Marketing Board purchases to ensure a fair paddy price for farmers in the current season. He argued that PMB purchasing has been insufficient, noting that paddy prices had fallen from earlier levels of Rs. 120–130 per kilo to Rs. 75–80, and raised concerns about alleged market manipulation by large millers. Oral Questions: Paddy Marketing Board and Fertilizer Subsidies Read →
- 4 March 2026 Hon. S. M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar said the compensation arrangements for recent flood damage were inconsistent with the President’s earlier statement that Rs. 10 billion would be provided immediately. Referring to the 2016 floods in the Kolonnawa DS Division, he argued that all inundated houses should be compensated rather than limiting assistance to about 3,000 houses out of roughly 30,000 affected. He requested a review of the guidelines, including the narrow definition of “fully damaged” as requiring a house to have collapsed. Oral Question: Cyclone Ditcha Relief and Compensation (Q.1368/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake warned that escalation of the Middle East conflict, including Israeli strikes on Iran, could harm vulnerable countries such as Sri Lanka, and linked this to concerns about national intelligence and the handling of Easter attack-related arrests, including Pilleyan and Azath Salley. He questioned why some former security officials were later promoted while others were detained, and argued that wartime intelligence contributors, including Muslim officers, should be assessed fairly. He also raised practical grievances on possible gas and fuel supply pressures, taxes and licensing burdens on beedi rollers, restrictions affecting small papad producers, alleged non-enforcement against an ice cream factory despite health and court concerns, procurement issues involving backhoe machines, and excessive salary deductions from police officers’ quarters in Galle. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne defended the President’s remarks and the Government’s cyclone relief response, citing payment and reconstruction figures, before supporting regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act to further relax capital outflow limits. She said the measures reflect stronger reserves and economic expansion under the IMF-supported programme, with increased revenues from vehicle imports and customs helping fund welfare, disaster relief, wages, health, education and transport. She also highlighted external risks from the Middle East conflict and said Rs. 47.6 billion has been allocated to expand and rehabilitate fuel storage capacity, including tanks, pipelines and new storage facilities. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the continuation of emergency regulations after the “Ditsa” cyclone, citing large numbers of displaced families still in shelters or temporary accommodation and alleging insufficient government action after three months. He criticised fuel distribution management, referred to conflicting CPC statements on stocks, and urged the Government to investigate the cutting and sale of Kolonnawa storage tanks as scrap while also raising concerns about Trincomalee tank farm development delays and earlier court actions by unions. He warned against allowing global fuel supply risks to become a domestic crisis, questioned recent fuel price revisions and gas procurement decisions involving Laugfs, and briefly referred to a stalled USD 12 million Maliban Textiles investment in Nikaweratiya expected to create 4,000 jobs. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka’s heavy reliance on imports makes the economy highly vulnerable to rupee depreciation and interest rate increases, citing substantial cost impacts from both. He urged the country not to rely solely on IMF guidance but to undertake its own economic reassessment, improve competitiveness, and attract investment. He also cautioned against escalation of conflict, calling for prudent leadership and policies that improve living standards for Sri Lankans. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the Regulation under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act was being debated against a backdrop of global conflict affecting Sri Lanka’s economy and workers in the Middle East, and stated the Government’s position that world leaders should intervene to stop the war and protect lives. He rejected Opposition claims on rising poverty by citing Official Poverty Line figures and argued that recent reductions reflected inflation control and price moderation. He detailed Government measures to secure LPG and fuel supplies, including import volumes, vessel schedules, daily cylinder distribution, action on companies failing to supply the market, possible cylinder exchanges, and plans to expand storage through new LPG and fuel tank farm projects. He urged the public not to panic-buy, stating that fuel and gas supplies were adequate and that recent shortages were easing. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that state policy is flawed if it assumes a person can live on Rs. 16,000–18,000 per month, and called for stronger protection mechanisms through Sri Lankan embassies for over one million migrant workers, particularly in the Middle East. He urged the Government to use the regional crisis to rebuild confidence in Sri Lanka, attract foreign direct investment, and convene an international donor conference, saying an earlier opportunity after the “Ditcha” cyclone had been missed. He proposed an all-party discussion and a two-day parliamentary debate on the international war situation and its impact on Sri Lanka, with the President’s personal intervention. He also condemned attacks on Iran and Gulf states, citing violations of the UN Charter. President's Address on Middle East War Impact and Opposition Response Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Condemning the attack on Iran as a breach of international law, the Opposition Leader urged Parliament also to condemn retaliatory strikes on Gulf states and called for Sri Lanka to take a clear, principled position. He said the Government should revisit the IMF programme and Debt Sustainability Analysis in light of disasters, geopolitical shocks and projected external debt servicing, and offered support for a more people-centred adjustment. He criticised the failure to allow his Standing Order 27(2) question on coal quality, said renewed queues reflected lost public trust and inadequate communication on fuel and gas stocks, and called for contingency planning for energy supplies amid Strait of Hormuz risks. He also questioned official poverty and cost-of-living data, arguing that policy should be based on more realistic statistics to protect livelihoods. President's Address on Middle East War Impact and Opposition Response Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake — President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined Sri Lanka’s assessment of the Middle East conflict, warning of possible effects on fuel, gas, migrant workers, tourism, remittances, shipping and aviation, while stating that current fuel stocks and confirmed shipments indicate no immediate crisis. He detailed available reserves for diesel, petrol, Jet A-1 and crude oil, and said contingency planning would continue if the conflict escalates. He also announced medium-term investments exceeding Rs. 30 billion to expand storage, pipelines, refinery capacity, automation and Trincomalee tank rehabilitation, arguing these measures are needed to strengthen energy security and prevent a repeat of past shortages. President's Address on Middle East War Impact and Opposition Response Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana asked about Government support for fishers, noting that the kerosene subsidy had been provided only once in the past one and a half years. He also sought an update on the outcome of discussions following protests by fishers outside the Presidential Secretariat over permission to continue beach-seine operations using winches. Oral Question: Generators Facilitating Cooling at Norochcholai Power Plant (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the original question concerned insurance, while the supplementary related to kerosene for fishers. He stated that the Government reinstated the kerosene subsidy after taking office, enabling small fishing boats that had been pulled ashore due to high fuel costs to resume operations. He added that the current fuel issue linked to the war was expected to ease within one or two weeks, and that further measures would be considered if fishers continued to face difficulties. Oral Question: Generators Facilitating Cooling at Norochcholai Power Plant (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana asked what mechanism the Government will use to ensure uninterrupted diesel and kerosene supplies for fishers amid panic buying and restrictions on issuing fuel into cans and barrels. He noted that fishers depend on fuel from harbours and portable containers, and sought clarification on arrangements for both the current stock period and after new consignments arrive, recalling the severe impact of past fuel shortages during the economic crisis. Oral Question: Generators Facilitating Cooling at Norochcholai Power Plant (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman questioned why a coal supply agreement had not been cancelled despite alleged breaches of tender conditions relating to substandard coal and delayed deliveries. He cited a CEB report estimating losses at Rs. 7.6 billion, warned that further shipments could increase the loss, and argued that the proposed 13% electricity tariff increase would pass the cost to the public. He also alleged that the tender had been structured to favour a blacklisted company without sufficient coal supply capacity and demanded accountability for the decision. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →