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- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya tabled answers on the national poverty alleviation initiative, outlining an inter-agency “People’s Empowerment” framework involving new national bodies, reorganised district and divisional coordination structures, and Community Development Councils to prepare participatory Grama Niladhari Division development plans. She identified shortcomings in past approaches, including fragmented programmes, weak community participation, poor targeting, dependency, political influence, skills gaps and inadequate data. The new approach is presented as an empowerment- and livelihood-based model aligned across ministries, linked to the Government’s “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” policy and the Sustainable Development Goals, with a target to reduce poverty below 5 percent by 2030. Ministerial Statements: Poverty Alleviation and Industry Development Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary Minister Chrishantha Abeysena supported regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act to impose maximum price ceilings for medicines by generic category, arguing that excessive mark-ups and brand-driven practices have burdened patients and undermined the health sector. He said price control must be accompanied by stronger quality testing, better laboratories, support for domestic manufacturers, and action against officials or practices that delay registrations or create shortages. He also addressed wider health workforce issues, opposing expansion of private medical colleges on the grounds of limited internship capacity and fiscal constraints, and called for balanced strengthening of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and allied health cadres. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah called for stronger consumer awareness by making approved medicine lists and Maximum Retail Prices easily accessible online and in pharmacies. He urged closer coordination between the NMRA, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation to ensure islandwide supply of affordable essential drugs, including through bulk purchasing and generic substitution. He requested support for legislative and administrative measures to strengthen the NMRA’s independence, modernize its operations and improve medicine price regulation. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara supported the NMRA Act reforms, stating that the amendments and Gazette No. 2446/34 of 21 July 2025 empower the NMRA to set maximum ceiling prices and pricing formulas for medicines imported or manufactured in Sri Lanka. He argued that this would allow price caps across pharmacological groups and reduce costs for the public, framing the measure as part of the Government’s wider welfare-oriented reforms in health, education, transport and justice. He also referenced the establishment of the Criminal Proceeds Investigations Division as part of efforts to address misuse of state resources and recover public assets. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe supported the Health Ministry’s medicine price-control regulations, arguing that a transparent pricing formula is necessary because Sri Lanka relies heavily on imported medicines and patients cannot assess pharmaceutical quality or resist arbitrary pricing. He said the formula should account for CIF costs, levies, and supply-chain margins while ensuring timely access to safe, quality medicines at fair prices, particularly for chronic and emergency patients. He also called for expanded local manufacturing, stronger laboratory quality assurance, rational prescribing and public awareness, and continuous monitoring to prevent high out-of-pocket health costs. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana welcomed the NMRA Regulations, arguing that they should help prevent medicine shortages, ensure quality, and keep prices fair amid risks of profiteering and malpractice in the pharmaceutical sector. He asked the Health Minister to give special attention to deficiencies in Kalutara District hospitals, including Nagoda Hospital and rural facilities such as those serving estate communities, citing shortages and lack of basic infrastructure. He also urged Health Ministry action against unjustified private-sector medicine price increases and requested clarification on public confusion caused by reports about bans on professional designation stickers on vehicle windscreens. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government has set Yala 2025 minimum paddy purchase prices based on district-wise production costs plus a 30 per cent margin, with the Paddy Marketing Board and private buyers purchasing through supervised mechanisms to secure fair farmer prices while keeping rice affordable. He reported that the PMB had procured 48,705.984 metric tons by 17 September 2025 and said rice imports remain controlled by permit, with imports considered only on Food Policy and Security Committee recommendation and Cabinet approval if shortages or unaffordable prices arise. He addressed varietal pricing, fertilizer availability, yield trends and production costs, arguing that reduced fertilizer prices have lowered cultivation costs and that current minimum prices provide farmers a margin above cost. He added that consumer protection measures, price controls, Lak Sathosa sales, cooperative channels and improved cultivation practices are being used to stabilize the rice market and meet the national annual requirement of about 4.8 million metric tons. Ministerial Statement: Fair Prices for Paddy Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody raised a supplementary question on sharp agricultural price volatility, citing green chilli prices falling from about Rs. 1,400 to Rs. 80 per kilogram within months. He asked whether a mechanism exists to stabilize prices in a way that protects both consumers during price increases and farmers during price declines. Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Farmers’ living conditions and profitability were acknowledged as priorities in a reply on behalf of the Agriculture Minister, citing 2023/24 Maha cost-of-production and net-profit data for paddy, potato, onions and chillies. The reply stated that recent food prices had stabilized after sharp increases during the economic crisis, with detailed CPI data tabled in the Library. It also noted that market intermediaries provide logistics and employment but said the Ministry is implementing measures to improve productivity, seeds, technology, cooperatives, cold storage, packing centres, infrastructure and lower-intermediary marketing channels. Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation whether the Government accepts that farmers face high production costs and inadequate returns, while consumers pay high prices and intermediaries earn excessive profits. He sought confirmation that the existing marketing system should be changed and asked whether a policy or course of action will be formulated to protect the interests of farmers, traders and consumers. Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that 2,056 houses are being built this year with Indian assistance and that Rs. 1,300 million from the Treasury is being used for infrastructure development, including 456 houses. He said 50 families displaced by the 2023 Kabaraagala, Haldummulla landslide, who had been housed in a closed factory for two years, are now receiving houses with roofing work and construction support from the Tri-Forces. He also stated that the Government is increasing estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,700 to better meet living standards. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe said the Government is implementing the pledges in its “A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life” policy statement, including measures against corruption, crime, drugs, and public service weaknesses. He cited independent tracking by PAFFREL, the March 12 Movement, and Verité Research across 1,333 policy actions, and referred to progress on PAYE tax reform through the Inland Revenue Act No. 2 of 2025, social protection payments, senior citizens’ allowances, chronic illness assistance, plantation wages, and ministerial rationalization. He rejected Opposition allegations of broken promises as unsupported and said the Government would continue implementing the programme while engaging with independent scrutiny. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Final Speeches Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha said the Government’s policy statement sets a long-term direction for achieving broad-based prosperity and a dignified standard of living, and argued that progress should be judged against stabilization and direction rather than a complete transformation within 100 days. He stated that the Government has stabilized the economy after crisis conditions, citing returning growth, low inflation within the flexible inflation-targeting framework, improved fiscal discipline, and strengthened revenues. He contrasted this with what he described as unfulfilled pledges, corruption, debt accumulation, and economic collapse under previous administrations. He also said stalled projects such as the Central Expressway are being restarted through renegotiation and loss minimization, while rejecting claims that the Government accepted higher-cost financing from China Exim Bank. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Final Speeches Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan argued that economic recovery should not rely on higher taxation alone but on increased production, exports, and measures to improve incomes, particularly for poor, middle-class, plantation, and rural communities. He welcomed anti-corruption efforts and improvements in tourism and housing, but said these were insufficient without policies to reduce poverty, support small industries facing high electricity and tax costs, and ensure genuine guarantees for plantation housing. He also questioned rice price controls, arguing that enforcement against retailers is unfair unless mill-level prices are regulated, and requested a response on the New Villages Development Authority for Plantation Region. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka argued that, one year after the President and NPP received a large mandate, many election pledges remain unfulfilled. He cited promises on reducing fuel prices, electricity tariffs, VAT on essential and agricultural items, rice imports, paddy prices, fertilizer subsidies, teacher-principal salary anomalies, senior citizens’ interest rates, and local school access, alleging that outcomes have differed from campaign commitments. He also criticized the handling of issues such as the former Speaker’s qualifications, the wildlife census on crop damage, and the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, and said the Opposition had brought the adjournment debate to remind the Government of these commitments. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage said the “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” policy statement was developed through consultations since 2018 and reflects post-Aragalaya demands for anti-corruption governance, rule of law, and national unity. He argued that the Government has reduced political corruption, applied the law equally, and built cross-community trust through its electoral mandate across most districts. Responding to Opposition criticisms, he cited projected poverty reduction, lower fuel prices, increased public sector salaries and tax thresholds, and tourism growth, while emphasizing multidimensional poverty measures. He outlined social protection and rural development measures, including a new Rural Development Agency, 184 village projects, higher elderly and disability allowances, increased Aswesuma payments, and expanded student support. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D.V. Chanaka argued that the Government should be held to its first-year promises, particularly on initiating abolition of the executive presidency, reducing electricity and fuel costs, raising estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,700, and building 4,000 houses. He questioned tariff increases after the election and cited economic indicators, FDI shortfalls, rising inflation, higher essential food prices, and farmer protests to argue that the Government’s management of agriculture, industry, and cost-of-living issues had fallen short. He also criticized underuse of cold storage facilities in Dambulla and said governance should not depend on whether public protests emerge. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister argued that political decay, corruption and poor governance were the root causes of Sri Lanka’s wider economic and social collapse, and said the Government’s first priority has been to stabilize governance and change the political culture. He claimed the administration had ensured peaceful elections without reprisals or violence and created conditions for policy implementation under a corruption-free framework. On agriculture, he said the Government had intervened to secure fairer prices for paddy and big onion farmers, including through duty adjustments and purchases by Sathosa and supermarket chains, and highlighted the “Yaya 500” programme to improve productivity through coordinated irrigation, fertilizer and agronomic support. He stated that reduced public agitation reflected public confidence in Government action, and rejected calls for another immediate election after recent presidential and local authority polls. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka responded to an Adjournment Motion calling for implementation of the NPP policy statement “A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life,” arguing that the Government is acting consistently with it and that any remaining issues concern timing rather than policy deviation. He rejected claims that the Government had promised to cancel the IMF programme, citing the policy’s commitment to re-discuss implementation with the IMF while protecting poor and vulnerable groups. He listed welfare and education measures, including increased Aswesuma benefits, school vouchers and supplies, Mahapola allowances, Suraksha insurance allocations, and higher social welfare expenditure. He also cited increased Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise collections as evidence of progress in tax administration and public financial management. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana questioned whether the Government had delivered on its promise of “A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life,” citing World Bank poverty figures, rising public debt, and continued borrowing. He argued that promised reductions in fuel prices, electricity costs, VAT on essentials, fair prices for farmers and fisherfolk, affordable vehicles, and collateral-free youth loans had not materialized. He called for Provincial Council elections to be held promptly in 2026 so voters could assess the Government’s performance, and criticized what he described as the Government’s focus on weekly political themes rather than implementation. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers Read →