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- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe (on behalf of the Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage) JJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development regarding expired food items reportedly accumulated at the CWE Welisara Warehouse Complex. It sought clarification on whether the Minister was aware of the stock, why it had been stored there, why it had expired, and what action would be taken against officials responsible for allowing such a large quantity of food items to expire. Oral Questions: Azad Maulana Easter Attacks Statement and Government School Constructions in Monaragala (Tabled Answers) Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody asked whether the Government has considered measures to protect children’s right to education amid competition among preschools that has led to costly practices and financial burdens on parents. He noted that such costs can cause some parents to withdraw their children from preschool and sought clarification from the Deputy Minister on the issue. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran urged the release of privately used lands, including houses, fields, and roads, distinguishing this from requests to clear forest areas. He asked that affected people be given livelihood relief until their lands are released, stating that their families, including children, are facing hardship. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma said the Government aims to provide services at fair prices through a cost-recovery pricing mechanism. He stated that independent institutions, including the Public Utilities Commission, will review agency data and make recommendations or decisions, rather than the Government directly determining pricing levels. Ministerial Statement: Macroeconomic Targets for Debt Payment Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa asked for clarification on reports that receipt of the next IMF Extended Fund Facility tranche is conditional on an 18% increase in electricity tariffs. He specifically asked whether electricity tariffs will be raised by 18% and when the next EFF tranche is expected to be received. Ministerial Statement: Macroeconomic Targets for Debt Payment Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan said fertilizer price increases and shortages are affecting small and medium farmers cultivating over 16,000 acres. He argued that the resulting use of chicken manure and other substitutes has contributed to a severe mosquito problem in the peninsula, raising health concerns. He requested fertilizer support to reduce reliance on such substitutes. Oral Question: Kalpitiya Agricultural Flooding (Q.585/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Ajith Gihan raised a supplementary question on agricultural losses in Kalpitiya, noting that farmland remains flooded for months and that losses in 2024 exceeded Rs. 1,000 million. He requested targeted relief and compensation for key vegetable crops in the area, citing wasted inputs and damage to farmer livelihoods. Oral Question: Kalpitiya Agricultural Flooding (Q.585/2025) Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana said his side supported the regulations introduced under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe but criticised the Government’s governance record, particularly the appointment of the Auditor General, alleging that merit and seniority had been disregarded. He questioned progress on implementing Easter Sunday Commission recommendations and raised concerns over shootings, underworld activity, cost-of-living pressures, electricity tariffs, and shortages including salt and medicines. He also called for action to retain health professionals, support local pharmaceutical manufacturing, protect professionals from harassment, and ensure youth programmes are continued without political interference. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka thanked voters for the SLPP’s improved performance at the local elections, arguing that the party had recovered significantly from its low vote share at the presidential election despite limited organization and representation. He alleged that rival parties were seeking support from independents to form local councils and criticized the Government for politicizing village security structures through Civil Defence or Public Security Committees involving Development Committee Chairmen. He also raised concerns about shortages and price increases in essentials, particularly salt, questioning delays in imports despite domestic production capacity and alleging irregularities in the import process. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran questioned the Government’s economic direction after seven months in office, arguing that reliance on foreign and IMF borrowing is unsustainable and calling for concrete plans on productivity, investment, poverty reduction, exports, and cost-of-living pressures. He urged the Government to act against corruption without using past administrations’ failures as a substitute for current economic policy. He also raised concerns over changes to Hindu religious traditions linked to the Kataragama Pada Yatra and Aadi Vel festival, and requested action against obstruction of a temple entrance arch at the Sri Sindhayathirai Pillaiyar Temple in Veeramunai. He further called for land, housing, roads, and basic facilities for displaced families in Pottuvil and for the return of disputed lands in Sainthamaruthu/Thottachchinungivattai to documented rightful owners. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary During debate on the Bill to repeal the Foreign Loans Act, No. 29 of 1957, Sajith Premadasa asked the Government to provide details on foreign debt, IMF Extended Fund Facility conditions, creditor arrangements, repayment schedules and whether electricity tariff increases are linked to IMF review requirements. He argued that the Government had failed to honour its election pledge to conduct a new Debt Sustainability Analysis, and said an alternative DSA could have been used to renegotiate conditions and reduce the public burden. He questioned the proposed 18 per cent electricity tariff increase, sought assurance that water tariffs would not rise, and urged that reform-related costs be imposed on those able to pay rather than on low-paid parliamentary staff facing higher meal charges. He also welcomed the regularization of 4,500 Multi-Task staff and requested similar regularization for about 1,000 volunteer nature guides in the wildlife and eco-tourism sector. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka challenged the basis of claims about utility price increases, noting a prior prediction of a 35 per cent electricity tariff hike that resulted in an 18 per cent increase. He clarified that the current discussion concerned water and stated that there was no Ministry-level discussion to increase potable water tariffs, adding that he believed such an increase was unnecessary. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Procedural Matters and Opposition Questions Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government over utility tariffs, stating that the Opposition had earlier warned of an electricity price increase linked to IMF conditionality before it was officially announced. He noted that the Government had promised a 33 per cent reduction but was now raising electricity tariffs by 18 per cent, and asked the Minister to clearly state whether water charges would also increase or decrease. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Procedural Matters and Opposition Questions Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the Government is fulfilling its 2024 presidential election mandate to secure more favourable IMF and debt sustainability terms under the “A Rich Country – A Beautiful Life” manifesto. He requested details on bilateral and private creditor debt, annual debt servicing, macroeconomic targets, IMF EFF tranche conditions and amounts, and whether domestic debt restructuring affecting EPF/ETF funds was required by the IMF. He also asked whether proposed electricity and water tariff increases are linked to IMF conditionalities, arguing that the Government has a responsibility to reduce the public burden through more concessional terms. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Procedural Matters and Opposition Questions Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson asked whether the Ministry has fixed a specific repayment deadline for farmer loans. He said maize cultivators in districts such as Ampara, Polonnaruwa, and Anuradhapura are facing difficulties repaying loans because guaranteed prices have not been declared. Oral Question 10: Sarusara Loan Scheme (Q.441/2025) Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Raised concerns over delayed fertilizer cash grant payments even months after harvest in some areas, requesting the Deputy Minister’s attention. He also highlighted a severe shortage and price increase of seed paddy for the Yala season, citing unavailability at the Nikaweratiya Seed Production Centre and purchases from Polonnaruwa at about Rs. 5,500 per bushel, and asked what steps the Government would take to address the issue. Oral Question 1: Crop Damage and Compensation (Q.72/2024) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake supported the regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act relating to vehicle import procedures, saying the Government had reopened vehicle imports after a five-year halt while maintaining economic stability. He argued that, within seven months, the Government had stabilized the exchange rate, improved reserves, revived several state-linked industries, reduced prices of selected essentials, and increased tourist arrivals. He criticized the Opposition for focusing on issues such as salt shortages and for leaving the Chamber after speeches, and called for more disciplined parliamentary conduct. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri questioned who leads the NPP and urged its members to clarify responsibility for policy positions, warning them not to become an appendage of the JVP. He criticized the Government’s handling of shortages of essentials such as salt, rice, and coconuts after six months in office, and called on NPP members to work with the SJB to develop a fair and practical programme. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri criticized the Government over reported salt shortages and queues, alleging the existence of salt, container, and rice “mafias” and accusing ministers of failing to act after criticizing such issues while in Opposition. He urged Minister Sunil Handunnetti to hand over salt distribution or management to capable private traders, naming Raigam as an example, and questioned routing decisions involving Hambantota and Puttalam. He also called on the Minister of Justice to establish a process to investigate and act against alleged corrupt dealings, including those involving Government-aligned persons. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri criticized members of the NPP, alleging inconsistency between their anti-corruption statements and their associations with individuals they accused, including in relation to the Central Bank issue. He also disputed claims that the rice shortage or price problem had been resolved, stating that rice and coconut prices remained high and that people were reducing consumption out of necessity rather than due to government success. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →