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- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary The President presented a Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate following a recent disaster, arguing it is necessary to restore livelihoods and support the economy without increasing the 2026 borrowing limit. He said the Government’s fiscal position remains stable, citing a positive Treasury balance, higher-than-estimated revenue, a low deficit, a 3.8 percent primary surplus, and strong remittances, tourism, and export projections. He acknowledged inflation and exchange-rate risks from the spending and said funds would support both relief and production capacity, while the Government seeks rapid IMF support of US$200 million and additional World Bank, ADB, and foreign exchange financing. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged faster and more consistent disaster relief following widespread damage in several districts, stating that fishers, farmers, salt producers, small cultivators, and displaced families had suffered severe livelihood and property losses. He criticized delays and inconsistent procedures in distributing announced payments of Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000, and called for Divisional Secretaries and local institutions to facilitate immediate disbursement and infrastructure repairs. He also warned against politicizing relief distribution, thanked religious groups, citizens and foreign governments for assistance, and called for proper planning, effective use of aid, stronger laws and long-term measures to prevent future disasters. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof expressed condolences for those affected by Cyclone “Titva” and urged the Government to provide prompt and fair relief and compensation to fishers, farmers, livestock keepers, daily wage earners and others whose livelihoods were disrupted. He questioned the basis for the Rs. 25,000 grant recipient lists in Muttur and Kinniya, arguing that all affected parties must be properly identified and assisted. He also objected to criticism of Opposition members providing relief and said excessive meetings and pressure on officials were hampering relief work. He requested urgent action to restore transport access in Telthotam and Kalaha in the Kandy District, including identifying alternative routes and addressing related health and economic issues. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara argued that the Government should focus on systematic flood management and immediate disaster recovery rather than politicizing past river and Mahaweli-related development. He questioned why 6,000 affected families in Anuradhapura were excluded from the Rs. 25,000 grant and asked that all eligible victims be paid, while also proposing relief or waivers for high December water bills incurred by flood-affected households cleaning their homes. He called for better handling of partial agricultural damage compensation, criticized ceremonial distribution of death certificates, and alleged irregularities in a Police procurement of plates and cups at inflated prices. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Welcoming the Rs. 500 billion supplementary allocation for disaster relief, Hector Appuhamy said all five electorates in Puttalam were affected by floods and urged the Government to develop a structured recovery plan for damaged industries, exporters, and workers facing loan, leasing, and livelihood pressures. He highlighted severe impacts on coconut, coir, prawn, salt, and horticulture sectors, including prolonged inundation in Kalpitiya that could leave labourers without income during the Christmas and New Year period. He also requested a special mechanism to manage, audit, and fairly distribute overseas donations, citing a 5,876 kg consignment from Alberta, Canada that remained in warehouses, and called for investigation into reported irregularities in relief distribution. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson reported that 2,622 milch cows had died in Polonnaruwa and that 1,328 cowsheds had been affected. He requested fair and maximum relief for dairy farmers impacted by these losses. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir AI summary Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir requested that relief supplies, including food items reportedly held in kachcheries, be distributed fairly and promptly before Christmas. He noted that many Catholics living along the coastal belt were facing hardship and said timely distribution before 25 December would assist those communities. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah expressed condolences for those affected by the recent disaster and acknowledged Government relief efforts, but said assistance, payments, road clearing and basic services had not reached many affected areas due to local-level administrative lapses. He urged the Government to ensure funds and facilities reach communities, expand capacity for housing damage assessments, and provide a permanent building for Pottuvil Osmania Junior School after its collapse. He also welcomed Dubai investor Essa Abdulla Al Ghurair to Parliament and invited long-term investment in sectors including infrastructure, education, renewable energy, tourism and technology. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad said recent flooding in Mirigama, Divulapitiya, Katana and Negombo was linked to Ma Oya overflowing, and called for comprehensive irrigation schemes for Ma Oya and Attanagalu Oya, including diversion of water to drought-affected regions. He proposed updated flood benchmarks, systematic maximum flood-level markings, river reservation demarcation, national land-use zoning, and support for households in risk zones to undertake mitigation works. He also urged faster implementation of disaster assistance circulars, protection for affected tenants, concessional finance or moratoria for damaged businesses, and a clear resettlement and housing policy, including possible multi-storey housing near urban areas. He further criticized the absence of digital tools for geo-tagged reporting by Grama Niladharis and asked the Digital Economy Ministry to address this gap. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 18 December 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned whether the Rs. 250 billion Supplementary Estimate is sufficient for post-disaster infrastructure damage, noting that RDA national roads alone may require about Rs. 190 billion and that wider provincial, local, utility and water-sector losses remain unclear. He urged the Government to prepare a comprehensive national damage assessment, present it internationally, convene a donor conference, and seek additional assistance and debt deferment rather than relying on inadequate domestic allocations. He also criticised delays in flood relief and cleanup in Kolonnawa, stating that many affected families had not received the promised Rs. 25,000 payment and calling for urgent waste clearance, faster payments, and use of local officials and state resources to verify and assist affected households. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked the Government to clarify whether the Rs. 600 per person per day allocation for three meals in relief centres is continuing after floodwaters receded. He noted that many displaced persons still lack cooking facilities and that some areas remain without adequate food access despite private-sector assistance, and requested details on if and when the support would be stopped. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Ramanathan Archchuna criticized the Government’s flood relief response in the Northern Province, arguing that the uniform Rs. 25,000 assistance was inequitable for victims with differing levels of loss, including those whose homes were destroyed. He recounted being rescued during the floods by Navy personnel and praised the armed forces, while warning against downsizing them and alleging inadequate safety equipment such as life jackets for rescue teams. He also objected to expenditure on new parliamentary vehicles and urged that such funds be redirected as larger payments to families who lost homes. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan described severe disaster impacts in Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Kandy and plantation areas, citing deaths, missing persons, displaced families in camps, damaged roads, power and water interruptions, and delays in promised relief funds. He urged immediate GN-level assessments, delivery of relief, income support, restoration of infrastructure, and safe resettlement with 10–20 perches of land or government-built housing for families whose homes are destroyed or unsafe. He also called for compensation and concessional support for devastated vegetable farmers, urgent rehabilitation of the upcountry railway to restore tourism access to Ella and Badulla, and possible Indian assistance for rail repairs. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan referred to the recent disaster, citing deaths, missing persons, displacement, and extensive damage in Batticaloa and the Eastern Province, and called for non-partisan relief efforts and permanent resettlement of landslide-prone communities. He urged urgent electricity supply to elephant-affected villages, prompt and corruption-free relief for farmers, fishers, daily wage workers and drivers, and the construction of multi-storey refuge buildings in flood-prone villages such as Vettruchenai and Pirambaditheevu. He also proposed longer-term development measures for the North and East, including more industries, rebuilding productive farms, a bridge between Padubannankarai and Eluvankarai, and flood-mitigation works such as the Mundeni Aru development and expansion of tanks and bunds. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the Budget debate was necessarily being shaped by the recent natural disaster and outlined the Government’s focus on urgent relief, temporary measures, and longer-term reconstruction under the “Rebuild the Nation” programme. He reported uneven impacts in the Northern Province, with limited damage in Jaffna, some flooding and access issues in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya, and severe flooding in Mannar and Mullaitivu, particularly Mannar where 83 camps were operating and about 150 of 162 GN divisions were under water. He noted that MPs, officials, volunteers and district authorities were coordinating relief and recovery efforts. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera expressed condolences over the disaster deaths and displacement, and questioned whether earlier warnings had been acted on adequately. He urged the Government to present a clear recovery and resettlement plan, rapidly assess landslide-risk areas with technical officers, and distinguish between families who can return home and those needing new land and housing. He called for transparent compensation procedures for household losses, acceptance of photographic evidence, and relief for affected urban, estate and plantation communities, including damaged roads, power supply and factory operations. He also asked that exporters affected by flooding be included in compensation measures and requested temporary SVAT relief due to delayed VAT refunds. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa urged that immediate relief and restoration of normalcy take priority over political blame. He called for protecting lives and property, ensuring food for affected people without politicized or bureaucratic distribution, helping entrepreneurs restart, reaching villages, supplying hospital medicines, and supporting those in distress. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the absence of a dedicated parliamentary debate on the cyclone disaster and cited official figures on deaths, missing persons, displacement and property damage, proposing at least a National Day of Mourning. He paid tribute to security forces, public officials and others involved in relief work, and said the Opposition was seeking international assistance while urging transparent and efficient distribution. He called for a “6 Rs” response covering relief, rehabilitation and rebuilding, including support for affected families, farmers, MSMEs, tourism, public health needs and infrastructure, with moratoria on loans and leasing, relaxed administrative circulars, and immediate price controls. He also questioned failures in disaster preparedness and warning dissemination, urged inquiry into why an emergency was not declared earlier, and renewed his longstanding demand for a proper Doppler radar network, including sites such as Gongala, Puttalam and Pottuvil. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha discussed the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Votes, noting large allocations for 2025 and 2026 and arguing that farmers still face unfair prices, import pressures at harvest time, and excessive middleman margins. He urged the Agriculture and Trade Ministers to improve market systems so farmers receive fair returns and consumers pay reasonable prices, and called for action on chemical treatment and wastage of fruits. He also proposed establishing a domestic pepper oil processing plant to increase export value and farmgate prices, and requested stronger measures on paddy storage, wildlife damage, compensation, and effective wildlife management. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. 1.13. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply AI summary The Deputy Minister addressed the Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Votes, first noting the Government’s disaster response to adverse weather and saying the President had discussed emergency measures before deciding to mobilize the armed forces, Police, disaster officials and District Secretaries rather than declare a State of Emergency. He rejected Opposition claims on agricultural spending and potato self-sufficiency, and argued that current guaranteed prices for big onions and paddy are fair relative to production costs, citing current and past cost and price data. He said the Government’s policy is to improve farmer incomes mainly by increasing yields, with a target of raising per-acre paddy yields by 2028, including expanded Keeri Samba cultivation to stabilize prices. He also stated that flood compensation had been paid within the season, that rice would be imported if necessary to prevent market manipulation, and that the Government aims to end rice imports by 2028. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →