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- 14 November 2025 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. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 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. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 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. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 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. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 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. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 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. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 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. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 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. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 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. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 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. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. E.M. Basnayaka JJB AI summary Hon. E.M. Basnayaka supported the Budget as a comprehensive programme benefiting all communities and sectors, arguing that the Government had restored political stability, strengthened the economy, and upheld the rule of law since taking office. He rejected Opposition criticism of the Budget and disputed a social media claim about road carpeting in the Knuckles World Heritage area, inviting verification on the ground. He also condemned opposition to wage and welfare measures for Malaiyaha Tamil estate workers, stating that the Government would pursue housing, land, and livelihood improvements to move them out of line rooms. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister supported the 2026 Budget as a continuation of the Government’s stabilization and welfare-oriented programme, citing 2025 gains in growth, inflation control, interest rates, reserves, remittances, fiscal discipline, and revenue administration. She outlined 2026 priorities including inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, domestic production, rural poverty reduction, and digitalization. She highlighted measures such as attendance-linked top-ups for estate workers, public service and pension increases, women’s empowerment funding, concessional loans for overseas Sri Lankans, a Wages and Pensions Commission, health-sector strengthening, higher Mahapola scholarships, and Rs. 4,290 million for 2,000 plantation-sector houses under Indian-assisted housing efforts. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Dr. Radhakrishnan welcomed the Budget’s proposed Rs. 200 wage increase for plantation workers and urged the Government to ensure it is paid without restrictive attendance conditions, including to workers employed for fewer than 25 days. He appreciated allocations such as Rs. 500 million for easing traffic in Hatton, the improvement in economic growth, and anti-corruption efforts, while stressing that social justice and welfare must reach all communities equally. He also called on the Government, given its parliamentary majority, to address Tamil political grievances by holding Provincial Council elections as an initial step toward devolution and a broader solution for the North and East. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. Oshani Umanga supported the 2026 Budget, arguing that the Government’s first year had demonstrated fiscal discipline through deficit reduction, curbs on unnecessary borrowing, and preparations for orderly external debt repayment by 2028. She said allocations prioritize health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, transport, estate workers, housing, and women’s empowerment, including a proposed Rs. 200 daily allowance for estate workers, Rs. 440 million for women’s empowerment, and 230 completed houses in Kalutara District. She criticized Opposition objections to the estate worker allowance and urged support for the Budget, presenting it as targeted toward vulnerable communities and national development. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka argued that household food costs have risen sharply, placing public servants under financial pressure, and suggested the current cost may exceed Rs. 100,000. He said onion, pumpkin, potato, and finger millet farmers are unable to sell their produce and urged the Government to allocate funds and address these issues before a planned gathering in Nugegoda on the 21st. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman Hennayake - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Dinindu Saman Hennayake marked the anniversary of Rohana Wijeweera’s death and linked the NPP Government’s political programme to rule of law, social justice, and economic stability. He defended the 2026 Budget, citing improved reserves, exchange-rate stability, foreign investment, remittances, tourism arrivals, and upgraded credit ratings as evidence of recovery after the economic crisis. He emphasized Budget support for hill-country estate workers, including a proposed Rs. 200 Government contribution and Rs. 200 planter contribution in addition to the Rs. 1,350 daily wage, and rejected Opposition criticism of that measure. He also noted planned cost-sharing subsidies for Montessori teachers and for private-sector employment of persons with disabilities, and called for continued support for estate communities. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticised the Government’s second Budget, arguing that previous allocations had been poorly utilized, citing the Thambuttegama Economic Hub as an example, and saying the Budget relied on statistics without execution or substantive reform. He questioned the fiscal outlook, Fitch’s CCC+ rating, claims on FDI, and revenue increases linked to vehicle import relaxation, while warning that lowering the VAT registration threshold to Rs. 30 million would burden SMEs and consumers. He demanded restoration of vehicle permits for specialists, academics and executive-grade officers, and challenged the Government’s investment record, particularly its failure to attract new investment to the Bingiriya Export Processing Zone. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara criticised the Government’s Budget, arguing that it lacked meaningful allocations for key sectors and that the JVP–NPP had now adopted economic, foreign, and education policies it had historically opposed, including engagement with the IMF. He alleged that taxes, VAT, utility charges, and fuel prices remained burdensome despite prior promises to reduce them, while public spending was low and poverty had increased. He also challenged the President’s statement that public servants recruited after 2016 would not receive pensions, citing Public Administration Circular No. 21/2017 and appointment letters stating such posts were pensionable. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara framed the 2026 Budget as part of a long-term development and fiscal sustainability plan, arguing that debate should address underlying political and economic philosophy. He criticised the Opposition, linking the UNP, SJB and SLPP to a decades-long economic model he said had failed since the 1977 Budget’s employment proposals. He defended the Government’s approach as a “people’s participatory economy” focused on human capital, citing the proposed Rs. 1,750 estate wage increase and post-tsunami railway reconstruction as examples of valuing collective national labour. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that announced paddy prices include Nadu at Rs. 1,208, Samba at Rs. 1,258 and Keeri Samba at Rs. 1,328 per 5 kg, with a possible Keeri Samba revision to be discussed with the Minister of Agriculture on the 25th. He said Keeri Samba shortages stem from demand exceeding production, some stock aggregation by large millers, and black-market activity, and that the Government is importing GR-11 and Ponni/Chiru Samba as substitutes. He added that Keeri Samba cultivation under the Yaya 500 programme must increase from about 35,000–37,000 hectares to at least 50,000 hectares per season, and that instructions have been given to expand cultivation in assured-water areas. Private Notice Question: Paddy Prices and Rice Imports (27(2)) Read →