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- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the functioning of deputy and state ministerial roles, arguing that some ministers fail to delegate responsibilities and that deputies are left without meaningful work. He said opposition criticism should be treated as a means of identifying and correcting government errors, citing his past opposition to the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government’s fertilizer policy. He urged the Government to meet public expectations by ensuring proper supply of essential goods such as salt and rice. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa criticised the Government for moving electricity generation toward higher-cost sources and transport back toward petrol and diesel, saying this would raise tariffs and burden households. Marking War Heroes Day, he argued that military veterans from all communities who sacrificed for the country should be recognised as heroes, not treated as ordinary citizens or compared favourably with terrorists. He also referred to the Batalanda Commission Report, warning that accusations against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe could implicate others, and affirmed his support for war veterans. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad criticised the increase in electric vehicle taxes from 15 to 30 percent, arguing that it treats vehicles as revenue instruments rather than supporting long-term energy and foreign-exchange savings. He said the policy contradicts climate and carbon-neutrality goals, burdens lower-income users such as three-wheeler drivers, and may increase future fuel imports. He called for lower EV taxes, support for solar-powered home charging, affordable electric three-wheelers, reduced recurrent expenditure, higher capital investment, and restructuring of loss-making State entities such as SriLankan Airlines and addressing corruption and losses in the Ceylon Electricity Board. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government would prefer to pay pensioners the same cost of living allowance as serving public officers, but noted that pensioners have historically received a lower allowance, citing the 2024 increases to Rs. 6,025 for pensioners and Rs. 17,800 for serving officers. He said differences may reflect work-related costs borne by serving officers, but affirmed that pensioners should receive a fair pension and allowance to live with dignity, with steps to be considered in future Budgets. He also stated that reductions in medicine prices would benefit both pensioners and serving officers. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala raised the hardship faced by pensioners following the economic downturn and pointed to the disparity between cost of living allowances paid to serving public officers and pensioners. He asked what steps had been taken to fulfil the pre-election promise to equalise those allowances, noting that both groups face the same prices for essential goods. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha supported the Motion but argued that importing only luxury buses would not address rural and hill-country transport needs because such vehicles are costly and unsuitable for some routes. He requested concessions for private bus operators to purchase compliant buses, noting their significant role in passenger transport alongside SLTB. He also called for improvements to poor road conditions, citing the Embilipitiya–Sooriya Kanda and Colombo–Ratnapura–Embilipitiya roads, and urged SLTB to deploy more buses for rural communities and schoolchildren. Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary The Hon. Rohana Bandara accused the Government of denying political appointments while allegedly appointing a defeated Colombo District candidate as Ambassador to Cuba, and challenged it to answer truthfully. He argued that the Government was relying on blame, hatred, and publicity rather than addressing economic and administrative failures, warning of electoral consequences at future Provincial Council Elections. He said the Opposition’s role is to point out shortcomings on behalf of citizens and consumers, and urged the Government to face reality and correct its failures instead of blaming previous administrations. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Supported the motion but argued that policy should prioritize strengthening domestic agriculture and distribution rather than relying on imports of essential foods. Citing the “Shakthi Sahal” programme and the Paddy Marketing Board’s limitations, he proposed State-backed buffer stocks and support for both large and small millers, including cooperative and private-sector participation. He also referred to the Dambulla “Prabashwara” cold storage project and called for farmer training in Good Agricultural Practices so produce can be stored properly to reduce price volatility. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB AI summary Champika Hettiarachchi said the Government was implementing NPP manifesto commitments on national food security, including domestic production of locally producible foods and maintaining three-month buffer stocks. He cited measures to strengthen Sathosa, Lak Sathosa and co-operatives, improve transport, staffing, storage, digitization and port clearance, and reduce prices and post-harvest losses. He also referred to broader efforts to curb alleged profiteering in imports, strengthen agriculture and industry, and end what he described as previous practices favouring cronies. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha supported the Private Member’s Motion on food security while urging greater attention to vegetable and fruit farmers, who he said receive low farmgate prices despite high consumer prices and significant post-harvest waste. He raised concerns about chemical ripening of fruits in Ratnapura District and called for regulation and cold storage facilities, particularly for banana farmers in Embilipitiya facing unsold and rotting produce. He also questioned the reliability of the wildlife census on crop-damaging animals and requested a practical plan, including regulated support through farmer organizations, to protect cultivation from peacocks, toque macaques, porcupines and other animals. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara moved a resolution calling for a government programme to increase State intervention in importing and supplying essential foods, medicines and other items, arguing that control by a few traders has contributed to shortages, hoarding and price volatility. He cited recent shortages of rice, coconut and salt, and said the Government failed to ensure timely fertilizer subsidies, fair paddy purchasing and adequate buffer stocks, leading to weak State procurement and reliance on imports. He urged priority for boosting local agricultural production, including timely provision of TSP and other inputs for the Yala season, and questioned government spending, tender procedures and possible corruption in procurement processes. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera said the local election results showed a significant public message, noting that Sarvajana Bala received nearly 40 percent of the vote in contested local bodies and that the NPP had lost support compared with the general election. He urged the Government to interpret the public mandate honestly, engage in constructive dialogue, and end political mudslinging and online “fake-comment” campaigns. He called for a frank national discussion on the economic crisis, national security, living costs, revenue shortfalls, and the need to create new wealth rather than rely on borrowing or salary increases without revenue growth. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha defended the Government’s economic management and criticized Opposition figures for relying on alleged falsehoods and for not objecting to costly foreign travel by former Presidents during the economic crisis. She said vehicle imports had been restarted in phases after rebuilding reserves and stability, with controls to protect inflation, the trade balance and foreign reserves, which she cited at about US$6.5 billion. She highlighted increased exports, expected gains from investment and tourism, and a US$1 billion World Bank package for sectors including agriculture, tourism, regional development and jobs. She also referred to recent local authority results and described the conduct of elections and normal functioning of schools afterward as evidence of civic normalcy. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government’s current fiscal approach is intended to protect reserves, stabilize the currency, and support economic recovery while providing relief as growth improves. He cited record first-quarter tourism revenue in 2025 and the plantation sector’s best first-quarter production and income in 11 years, and defended the increase in vehicle-related revenues from 20 to 30 per cent as a necessary decision within available means. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva challenged the Government’s economic projections, arguing that forecast growth of 3.5 per cent in 2025 and 3.1 per cent in 2026 contradicted promises to raise growth and reduce poverty, and questioned the claimed shift to a new economic model. He asked the Government to clarify whether electricity tariffs would rise in June, citing IMF-related commitments on quarterly tariff adjustments and urging that any excess CEB profits from lower actual costs be returned to consumers through tariff reductions. He also criticised assumptions used for the proposed Sahasdanavi combined-cycle plant and the related reduction of solar tariffs, questioning cost estimates based on exchange rates and fuel prices, and argued that the Government was overly constrained by IMF requirements. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim questioned the Government’s vehicle import revenue targets, noting that Rs. 428 billion had been cited at the Committee on Public Finance. While accepting revenue collection from luxury vehicles, he argued that steep price increases for motorbikes, three-wheelers, and small cars unfairly burden ordinary users, and proposed reducing duties on small-vehicle categories. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that maximum retail prices for rice and guaranteed prices for paddy are intended to protect both consumers and farmers. He said market opening with duties would be limited to what is necessary, noting that current stocks are adequate, farmers have received good prices, and the Government will ensure an uninterrupted rice supply. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued from the consumer perspective that rice pricing should reflect paddy costs, noting that a retail price of Rs. 260 per kilogram can be assessed by dividing by 1.6 to estimate the paddy cost. He suggested imposing an excise if necessary to address concerns over end use, while allowing market forces to determine the sector’s direction. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written reply to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s Standing Order 27(2) question on rice supply, prices and imports. The reply stated that the Maha 2024/25 paddy harvest is forecast at 2.6 million metric tons, with reduced Nadu cultivation and possible Samba/Keeri Samba shortages, while 103,409.8 metric tons of rice were imported in the first quarter of 2025. It noted that intermediaries and high private purchase prices may affect market prices, and said the Government is using guaranteed paddy prices, monitoring by the Consumer Affairs Authority, and selective short-term private imports under maximum retail prices to stabilize supply and prices. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma outlined government responses on fiscal and tax administration matters, stating that electricity tariffs will continue to follow IMF-agreed cost-recovery procedures, with the CEB and PUCSL handling the next revision. He explained plans to replace SVAT with a risk-based VAT refund mechanism, including backlog clearance, added Inland Revenue Department capacity, and 45-day refund payments for eligible exporters, including SMEs meeting the export threshold. He also detailed VAT application to cross-border digital services from 1 June 2025, a senior citizens’ fixed deposit interest support scheme from July to December 2025, withholding tax rules and relief procedures for minors, and ongoing TIN issuance through online, regional office, and bulk registration methods. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Read →