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- 13 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised concerns that rice import decisions, except in relation to Keeri Samba shortages, can undermine local farmers when other domestic varieties are available. He alleged that millers and traders buy Keeri Samba paddy at low prices, stockpile it, and later sell rice at higher prices, including through supermarkets, and requested action to ensure proper availability and prevent such practices. He also urged timely official paddy price-setting before harvests in the North and East, arguing that delayed pricing harms farmers and weakens national production. Private Notice Question: Paddy Prices and Rice Imports (27(2)) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that Sri Lanka’s annual rice requirement is about 2.7 million metric tons and that Yala 2025 production data show a surplus of Nadu but a shortfall in Keeri Samba and other Samba varieties. He said Cabinet approved imports of Ponni/GR-11 rice as substitutes for Keeri Samba after CAA and Lanka Sathosa monitoring indicated shortages, with about 63,000 metric tons imported by 13 November 2025 and controls placed on shipment timing and importer quantities. He outlined current maximum retail prices, CAA enforcement actions including raids and fines, and said government intervention is limited to addressing unaffordable prices, hoarding, or black-market practices. He also cited longer-term measures such as encouraging diversified cultivation, supporting farmers, re-establishing the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment, distributing rice through Sathosa and cooperatives, providing paddy dryers in 2026, and registering millers for oversight. Private Notice Question: Paddy Prices and Rice Imports (27(2)) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development regarding recent issues in rice distribution and pricing. He requested data on annual demand and domestic production by rice variety, especially any shortfalls, and asked how alleged stockpiling and black-market pricing of Keeri Samba could be controlled. He also sought details on imports of equivalent varieties such as Ponni and others, and asked whether new measures could support farmers, producers, consumers, regional millers, price stability, and uninterrupted supply. Private Notice Question: Paddy Prices and Rice Imports (27(2)) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth asked whether additional deep tube wells could be constructed in the Heda Oya riverbed as an interim measure until the Heda Oya Project begins. He said villages including Komari, Pottuvil, Panama and Lahugala, as well as the tourism area of Arugam Bay, face severe drinking water shortages, with about 5,000 families receiving only one hour of water per day from the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. Oral Question: Heda Oya Water Supply Project Status (1395/2025) Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy criticized the 2026 Budget debate for focusing on allocations rather than implementation and outcomes, arguing that poverty now affects middle-class public servants as well as rural communities. He called for targeted relief for collapsed SMEs, including interest reductions and support for assets auctioned by banks, and urged the Government to suspend the proposed SVAT change unless timely refund mechanisms are guaranteed for exporters and import-dependent SMEs. He also proposed that the Government absorb the cost of purchasing smallholder crops such as potatoes and onions at fair prices instead of passing costs to consumers, and raised concerns that politicization and intimidation in public administration are weakening state functions. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Jagath Vithana argued that the 2026 Budget has not provided real relief to citizens, citing high prices, imports during local harvests, and concerns over vehicle imports for parliamentarians despite past promises to reject perks. He stated he would refuse the double-cab vehicle offered to him and tabled related documents, while questioning the Government’s claims on Treasury strength and foreign reserves, noting limited reserve growth and a current account deficit. He also raised concerns about drug trafficking exposed by media in Colombo and criticized the alleged non-implementation and underfunding of the Anti-Corruption Act and CIABOC. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Ashoka Gunasena JJB AI summary Ashoka Gunasena supported the 2026 Budget, arguing that it continues the government’s post-2025 direction of economic stabilization, production-led development, and social wellbeing across age groups. He contrasted it with previous budgets, which he said relied on short-term promises and failed to build production, citing unpaid government obligations to banks for promised interest on retirees’ deposits and noting that the new Budget provides for those payments. He also rejected Opposition criticism on IMF-related issues and VAT on health equipment, stating that the government had ended corrupt COVID-era antigen test procurement practices and was pursuing a non-corrupt approach to health and public finance. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath defended the NPP Government’s 2025 record, arguing that since appropriations began only in May, it had used the first months to rebuild public finances while expanding targeted welfare. He listed increases to Aswesuma, CKD, elderly, education, nutrition, scholarship, Mahapola, preschool, vocational, and housing benefits, as well as measures such as banning child labour from 1 July and adding 150 ambulances to Suwaseriya. He also highlighted housing grant increases, title regularization, continued foreign-assisted housing, and a higher fertilizer subsidy, while criticizing previous housing projects built in unsuitable locations such as elephant corridors. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi criticised the Government’s handling of the cost of living, agriculture, fisheries, education and health, arguing that campaign promises on tax relief, school supplies, vehicles and support for farmers and fishers had not been fulfilled. He said prices of essentials, utilities, transport, medicines and school materials had risen, while hospitals lacked medicines and patients were being made to buy drugs and surgical items privately. He contrasted this with programmes under the previous Government and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, including school buses, smart classrooms, free cardiac surgery, cancer drugs and reduced medicine prices, and asked whether the Government would restore or allow those initiatives to continue. He also alleged that no meaningful relief had been allocated for fishers despite promises, and claimed that shortages and imports of items such as salt, rice, onions and potatoes benefited private interests through commissions. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi supported the Government’s second Budget, describing it as an economic work programme aimed at stabilizing the macroeconomy, improving living standards, and implementing six policy pillars including sustainable growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty eradication, productivity, and digitization. She highlighted measures such as the estate workers’ wage increase with public funding, the increase of the Mahapola scholarship to Rs. 10,000, and a Rs. 100 million allocation for street dog welfare as examples of people-focused governance. She also noted forthcoming legal reforms, including the Public-Private Partnership Bill and Investment Protection Bill, as steps to attract investment, and called for cross-party and public cooperation in national development. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan requested that the House be brought to order and asked to be allowed to speak without interruption. He indicated that his remarks would concern people living under severe hardship. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika defended the Government’s expenditure management and said the 2025 Budget is on track, with key fiscal indicators expected to improve by end-December. He said the March Budget focused on relief and household economic recovery through measures such as a major public sector salary increase, expanded school meal funding, and higher social protection allowances. He described the current Budget as a development Budget centred on six strategic objectives, including sustainable growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty eradication and digitization. He argued that the Government has begun reversing the debt cycle by increasing revenue, reducing expenditure and narrowing the Budget deficit while maintaining relief for the public. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika argued that the Opposition had not engaged substantively with the 2026 Budget’s revenue, expenditure, and policy proposals, unlike in previous debates where it raised claims such as alleged salary cuts. He said the Budget sets the Government’s political and economic direction, and defended its priorities while rejecting claims that poverty had tripled, citing figures of 14.3 percent in 2019, about 25 percent in 2023, and around 22 percent at present. He also began to respond to criticism that 20 percent of capital allocations had gone unspent, placing it in the context of typical annual capital expenditure implementation rates. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna defended the Budget allocation for estate workers, stating that Rs. 5,000 million is sufficient to provide the proposed Rs. 200 benefit because Labour Ministry figures show 87,600 registered RPC estate workers, not 140,000. He argued that the Government inherited major unpaid obligations, including EPF/ETF, gratuity arrears, senior citizens’ interest subsidies, and stalled State projects, and said the Budget allocates funds to address these issues, make multipurpose workers permanent, and complete projects such as the Dambulla cold store and the Badalgama MilkCo plant. He said there are no new taxes and that improved revenue collection and targeted transfers to workers, persons with disabilities, children, and other groups would help resolve social problems and stimulate the economy over the Government’s term. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake stated that the issue being raised was not personal to him but had been brought forward by companies and citizens from Sinhala, Buddhist, Tamil, and Muslim communities. He argued that the concern was not about small monetary amounts such as Rs. 100 or Rs. 200, but about losses to the country, and questioned why similar issues were not arising in countries such as India. Adjournment: Termination of Driving Licences for Foreign Tourists (Three-wheelers) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala seconded the Adjournment Motion on three-wheeler licensing, noting that three-wheelers require distinct handling skills and that issuing licences without adequate training could contribute to accidents. He also raised tourism-sector concerns, arguing that the removal of minimum room rates has led some five-star hotels to sell rooms at very low prices, reducing national revenue. He proposed reconsidering a price floor for five-star hotel rooms to prevent underpricing and encourage higher tourist spending in Sri Lanka. Adjournment: Termination of Driving Licences for Foreign Tourists (Three-wheelers) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage criticized the 2026 Budget, arguing that the Government has departed from earlier JVP/NPP promises on debt, transparency, official privileges, salaries, and anti-corruption. He questioned how debt repayments would be managed after current IMF, World Bank and ADB inflows, and asked what investment or export diversification plans would generate future revenue. He raised allegations and concerns over salt procurement, rice imports, the release of 323 containers, narcotics-related accountability, and the proposed procurement of 1,700 vehicles, calling for transparent action and withdrawal of the vehicle proposal if unnecessary. He also accused the Government of using northern development politically and contrasted its housing claims with projects initiated under Sajith Premadasa, including an Indian-assisted housing scheme in Rakwana. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha said the Government had intervened to address marketing and pricing problems arising from increased potato and big onion production, including Sathosa purchases, import duties, and plans to set next season farmgate guaranteed prices of Rs. 150 per kilo for big onions and Rs. 220–240 for potatoes. He argued that consumer prices may need to reflect these farmer support prices, while targeted adjustments would be needed for those unable to afford them. He also linked agricultural problem-solving to strengthening the public service, citing salary increases, proposed recruitment of 75,000 public servants, recent appointments in surveying and GIS, and a Cabinet-approved plan to regularize 9,800 long-term casual workers in ministry institutions. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Upul Kithsiri defended the Government’s Budget and economic management, rejecting Opposition predictions that the administration would collapse, the rupee would depreciate sharply, or shortages and queues would return. He cited reductions in fuel, electricity, and selected essential goods prices since 2024, and said the exchange rate had remained broadly stable. He also supported the proposed wage increase for estate workers, arguing that their current earnings are insufficient, and said the 2026 Budget is guided by goals including sustainable inclusive growth, export diversification, and debt sustainability. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana argued during the 2026 Budget debate that the Government’s 2025 Budget implementation was weak, citing claims that less than half of allocations were spent and attributing this to public officials’ fear of making decisions. He said rising living costs and protests by farmers, teachers, graduates, fisherfolk, and three-wheeler drivers indicate public dissatisfaction, and warned that recent cooperative election losses are an early sign of declining government support. He stated the Opposition would support genuine development initiatives such as Colombo congestion relief projects and Port City investment, but questioned whether the Government genuinely intends to hold Provincial Council elections without clear budgetary allocations. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Read →