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- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that earlier implementation of reforms such as BOO schemes, commercialization or privatization of SriLankan Airlines, and other policy changes could have addressed current economic pressures. He called for dedicated support for exporters and protection for consumers, citing high taxes, interest rates, utility costs, transport costs, wage increases, and land and property taxes as burdens on SMEs and entrepreneurs. He urged the Government to create space for business activity while noting the need to raise Rs. 5 trillion for expenditure under the new fiscal framework and warning of payment difficulties if fiscal discipline is not sustained. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe explained that guaranteed paddy prices are set with input from farmer organizations and stakeholders, with Rs. 120 per kg for dry paddy and Rs. 102 per kg for moist paddy reflecting drying losses. He noted supply-chain pressures including limited Paddy Marketing Board storage, private storage dependence, industrial use of paddy, population and dietary changes, and said the Government is providing Rs. 40 billion in seasonal credit while helping small and medium millers access bank facilities. He stated that rice imports are considered only when local supply is inadequate and that the Government is working with the Consumer Affairs Authority to stabilize the market, particularly for Keeri Samba. Ministerial Statement: Government Policies on Paddy Purchase and Rice Import Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government is using minimum wage legislation to protect private, estate, and informal sector workers while supporting investment, exports, and domestic job creation. He stated that the Minimum Wage Amendment consolidates earlier budgetary relief allowance laws to establish a single minimum wage of Rs. 30,000 and requires EPF/ETF contributions to be calculated on that basic amount. He also referred to export-sector challenges, including US tariffs and dumping, and said the Government would seek new markets, adjust input tariffs, advance Port City sustainably, and use anti-dumping legislation to protect local producers. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara supported the Bills to increase wages but argued that the proposed minimum wage of Rs. 27,000, rising to Rs. 30,000, remains inadequate compared with calls for Rs. 50,000 for a family of four. He questioned delays in raising estate workers’ wages to the promised Rs. 1,700 or Rs. 2,000 and cautioned that wage increases must be balanced with the financial capacity of private employers amid distress caused by parate executions. He also demanded action on issuing freehold land grants under the “Urumaya” programme and sought clarification on alleged long-term tax concessions granted through July 2025 gazettes to Port City-related companies without clear Cabinet disclosure. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake - Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Gamagedara Dissanayake supported the Bills to raise the private sector minimum monthly wage, stating it would increase from Rs. 17,500 in 2024 to Rs. 27,000 in 2025 and Rs. 30,000 by January 2026. He argued that increasing the basic wage, rather than relying on allowances, would improve linked benefits such as EPF and ETF, and rejected claims that workers in security, cleaning, manpower and other sectors would be excluded. He criticized legal challenges and Opposition arguments as delaying worker benefits, while noting that the Government is also discussing with the ILO ways to regularize informal sector employment. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga said the Government had achieved a private-sector wage increase alongside the public-sector increase through consensus among trade unions, employers and the State, presenting it as part of its working-class mandate and economic recovery programme. She argued that higher basic wages would strengthen household incomes through EPF, ETF, gratuity and bonuses, encourage youth employment, improve productivity, and support macroeconomic stability, while noting lower inflation, a stronger rupee and reduced PAYE burdens. She also cited increased foreign direct investment, approval of 57 projects in six months and an expected 14,000 additional private-sector jobs as evidence that the Government’s policies were expanding employment and investment. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka welcomed measures to increase private-sector wages through amendments to the Budgetary Relief Allowance laws and National Minimum Wage framework, particularly the absorption of the Rs. 3,500 relief allowance into basic salary. He cautioned that abolishing the separate allowance could exclude private-sector workers from future budgetary relief and worsen wage disparities, especially for informal workers lacking wage protections, pensions, safety measures, or reliable data coverage. He also criticized the Government over rising taxes and living costs, unfulfilled promises on fuel, electricity, VAT reductions, pensions, estate workers’ wages, and raised concern over increasing shootings and national security issues. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Welcoming amendments to the Budgetary Relief Allowance of Workers Act and the National Minimum Wage of Workers Act, the speech states that the Government is extending wage relief to private-sector workers, including a proposed minimum daily wage of Rs. 1,700 for categories such as garment, shop, and domestic workers. It contrasts this with previous governments’ handling of worker issues and says discussions are under way with plantation companies to raise plantation wages in line with the cost of living, with further measures expected in the next Budget. It also refers to Government plans to provide plantation workers with permanent housing, 10-perch land plots, and fixed addresses, while noting a delay in the planned commencement. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan welcomed the Bill increasing the national minimum wage for private-sector employees, but argued that plantation workers remain underpaid and pressed the Government to implement a daily plantation wage of Rs. 1,700 or Rs. 2,000 as previously pledged. He questioned why the Government, despite its parliamentary majority, had not secured this increase and said a motion would be brought seeking support. He also called for Youth Clubs to be created according to estate areas rather than only GN divisions and warned against political interference through local authority leadership. He further welcomed Indian-assisted plantation housing plans while urging faster implementation, and asked that promised Government takeovers of estate hospitals be completed to ease pressure on district and urban hospitals. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi welcomed the wage-related Bills for private sector workers but argued that the proposed relief is inadequate for workers and small entrepreneurs facing high living costs. He questioned unmet election promises, including higher estate-sector wages and jobs for graduates, and urged the Government to state openly what it can deliver and seek practical proposals from others. He criticized continued reliance on blaming previous governments, alleged misconduct such as double fuel allowances and political inducements at local level, and called for credible economic plans as debt servicing resumes. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan stated that plantation communities are a marginalized section of society. The remarks highlight concern for the status and treatment of plantation people, without specifying a particular proposal or legislative demand. Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan briefly challenged a prior claim about what beneficiaries or recipients receive, stating that the stated amount or entitlement does not reflect the actual payment or benefit delivered. Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody — Minister of Energy AI summary The Minister of Energy explained that fuel price calculations are based on the actual international price on the discharge date, while tenders determine only the premium. He said the relevant cargo was discharged when international prices were higher, leading to the adjustment, and added that price increases had been limited despite higher warranted increases, including diesel being sold at about an Rs. 8 loss that month. Oral Question: Sale of Petroleum (Q.2/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the Minister to publish fuel price formula details on the relevant website, noting that updates had not been posted since April. He questioned the 1 July fuel price increase, arguing that global crude prices had declined and existing stocks and earlier orders at lower exchange and crude rates did not justify raising petrol by Rs. 12 per litre and diesel by Rs. 15 per litre. He asked why consumers were burdened with increases that would also raise transport and food costs. Oral Question: Sale of Petroleum (Q.2/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody — Minister of Energy AI summary The Minister of Energy provided monthly figures for petroleum-related tax income and profits from September 2023 to September 2024, reporting total tax income of Rs. 284,431.80 million and profit of Rs. 52,312.23 million. He said investigations into alleged frauds in fuel sales during the period are ongoing and that no definitive conclusion can be given until they are completed. In response to supplementary questions, he stated that the fuel premium component had fallen sharply through tendering, explained the Rs. 50 per litre surcharge linked to Treasury-assumed debt, and said its removal could be considered after the debt is settled. He also justified the July 1 price revision by reference to international prices at cargo discharge and noted diesel was still being sold at a loss despite a partial price increase. Oral Question: Sale of Petroleum (Q.2/2024) Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri seconded Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s Private Member’s Motion, urging stronger alignment between education, vocational training and entrepreneurship. He called for skills and entrepreneurial mindsets to be developed from primary education, greater social recognition for skilled trades and agriculture, and policies to localize manufacturing through assembly and capability-building. He also asked the Government to present practical programmes addressing income pressures and the rising cost of living. Private Members' Motion No. 4: Making Every Youth Gainfully Employed Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government aims to increase daily milk production from about one million to three million litres through a dairy sector plan including value-addition centres in every veterinary range, starting in Anuradhapura in 2025, expanded farm targets, improved evening milk collection, cold-chain support, and better breeding stock through sexed semen imports rather than unsuitable cattle imports. He said Sri Lanka currently produces about 40 percent of its milk requirement and that a formal programme launch is planned for the 20th of the month. On poultry, he outlined measures to support egg and meat production by supplying concessional maize directly to small producers, promoting maize cultivation on fallow lands, setting fair purchase prices, and establishing State-backed parent stock farms to provide chicks at reduced prices while reducing intermediary influence. He also noted plans to strengthen goat breeding and referred to the impact of a severe viral outbreak on the swine industry and wild boar. Private Members' Motion No. 3: Livestock Sector Enhancement Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara supported the motion and raised concerns over a surplus in egg production, particularly affecting small poultry farmers in Kurunegala, with farm-gate prices falling to Rs. 20–22 despite production costs of around Rs. 32–35 per egg. He attributed the crisis to uncontrolled hatchery and breeder hen expansion and urged regulation of breeding, action on feed and input costs, and stabilization of farm-gate prices to prevent smallholders being displaced by larger operators. He also requested that kurakkan imports be avoided during local harvesting periods and that farmers receive at least Rs. 150–160 per kilogram. Private Members' Motion No. 3: Livestock Sector Enhancement Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is committed to protecting domestic producers of big onions, potatoes, and red onions in key districts, while balancing farmer and consumer interests. He noted that local production accounts for about 10–15% of national demand and said policy measures would ensure it is not undermined. A detailed response on the matter was promised for Friday. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised, under Standing Order 27(2), concerns over declining up-country and horticultural cultivation in Jaffna District, citing climate impacts, disease, high labour and input costs, lack of seed potato supply, and depressed prices for small red onions. He questioned the Government’s failure to impose harvest-time import duties on small onions for the past three years, asked for compensation for farmers affected by continuous rains and crop losses, and sought measures on disease control, soil and water testing, and introduction of quality seed varieties. He also asked how the Government would verify heavy metals in imported onions and why a 10:1 culling ratio is applied only to Northern Province produce while not applied to Dambulla or imported onions. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →