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 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticised the Government’s economic management, arguing that the rupee depreciation, rising cost of living, inflationary pressure and increased borrowing show that the country is returning to crisis conditions similar to 2021-2022. She questioned the effectiveness of the Central Bank and its Governor, alleging that political leadership lacks the capacity to respond to economic risks and that public confidence in the Government’s ability to manage the economy is declining. She also raised district-level concerns in Matale, citing unresolved resettlement and relief issues after Cyclone “Dittha” and tabling data on relief payments and deaths, while referring to a District Secretariat circular showing limited progress in housing assistance for high-risk beneficiaries. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri argued that the Government is claiming credit for economic indicators, such as reserves, remittances, the balance of payments and the primary balance, which he said were largely achieved under the previous administration before the current President and Parliament took office. He accused the Government of failing to fulfil election promises on matters including fuel and electricity prices, public sector salaries, prosecutions, Easter attacks investigations and compensation pledges, while cost-of-living pressures remain severe. He also said policies previously criticised by the NPP, such as Sajith Premadasa’s sanitary pad initiative and smart education tools, had since been adopted or left unaddressed, and called for “true intellectuals” to join in building an alternative economic, political and social programme. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara criticized the Government’s presentation of the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review, arguing that claimed economic improvements are not felt by the public amid rupee depreciation, higher taxes, and rising prices of essentials. He compared the situation to the Gotabaya Rajapaksa period, questioned the Government’s record on production, reserves, and completed development projects, and said farmers are facing higher fertilizer costs, shortages, and inadequate crop prices. He further alleged politicization of public administration, underutilization of capital allocations, rising poverty, and policy uncertainty, while warning that agricultural output may decline. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala, during the debate on the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review 2025, argued that the weakening rupee and rising dollar rate were increasing import costs, inflation, and hardship for households, and questioned the Government’s claim that the economy had stabilized. He said tourism arrival figures should be judged by actual foreign exchange earnings, comparing them unfavourably with pre-Easter attack levels. He also raised concerns about public officials being reluctant to take decisions following a remittance error involving USD 2.5 million, and criticized delays in post-“Ditva” cyclone housing and land allocation, urging the Government to focus on delivery rather than blaming the Opposition. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana criticized the Government for alleged incompetence, corruption, and misuse of public funds, citing reported cases involving immigration systems, fuel procurement, misdirected payments, container releases, coal imports, social welfare payments, and other public sector transactions. He argued that these failures have increased costs for fuel, utilities, construction materials, medicines and essentials, worsening the burden on taxpayers and the economy. He also urged the Government to address post-cyclone housing hardships, especially in the hill country, and called for the appointment of a Catholic nun as principal of Nayakakanda Good Shepherd Girls’ School in line with requests from the Catholic community and Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Urban Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara, speaking on the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review 2025, argued that recent economic indicators show progress under the Government, citing increases in GDP, per capita income, remittances, revenue, reserves, and the primary surplus, alongside a reduced budget deficit. He acknowledged challenges including global energy pressures, rupee depreciation, poverty support, and disaster recovery after “Ditva,” while stating that the Government maintained fiscal discipline and continued development programmes. He rejected Opposition allegations regarding vehicle letters of credit and economic mismanagement, and called for collective support to rebuild the country. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage stated that the Central Bank’s 2025 Annual Economic Review showed economic stabilization in the NPP Government’s first full year, citing projected 5 percent real GDP growth, low inflation, a current account surplus, higher tourism earnings, remittances, FDI, and improved revenue collection. He defended increased fertilizer subsidies for farmers, saying the subsidy rose to Rs. 30,000 per hectare and that fertilizer for the Yala season had been imported, while rice prices remained relatively stable. He also noted debt repayments, the reopening of vehicle imports, and allocations for social welfare, including relief for damage from the “Ditva” cyclone and support to cushion global energy price shocks. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised concerns about a fertilizer shortage affecting paddy farmers in Polonnaruwa, stating that farmers had paid Rs. 23,875 but were not receiving the promised quantity of fertilizer. He urged the Government to release the funds or fertilizer immediately through farmer organizations and questioned how farmers could meet recommended fertilizer requirements if only part of the needed amount is supplied. He said delayed fertilizer support threatens Yala cultivation, rice supply, and the wider economy, and proposed ensuring that quality fertilizer is available in the market by the Maha season, referring to the Opposition’s proposal to provide a fertilizer bag at Rs. 5,000 rather than free fertilizer. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha argued that the Government had stabilized and improved the economy after the 2022 crisis, citing resumed foreign debt payments, GDP growth above 5 percent, higher per capita GDP, growth across agriculture, industry and services, and recovery in tourism and worker remittances. He said the Treasury position had improved from a large overdraft to a surplus, enabling the Government to allocate around Rs. 500 billion for relief after the “Ditva” cyclone. He also contrasted current conditions with the crisis period, stating that fuel and gas queues and power cuts had ended despite global economic pressures. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan reviewed the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s Annual Economic Review 2025, highlighting improved growth, higher per capita income, lower inflation, stronger revenue collection, a primary surplus, declining external debt, increased FDI, remittances, tourism earnings, reserves, and lower unemployment. He noted that the trade deficit had widened and that poverty remained high at 24.5 percent, with Sri Lanka ranked 89th on the Human Development Index. He argued that the economy had recovered from contraction in 2023 and sustained growth through 2024 and 2025, with per capita income exceeding USD 5,000 as a key indicator. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi supported the Adjournment Debate on the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review 2025, stating that 2025 marked a major economic recovery after the 2022 crisis. He cited reduced fiscal deficit, a current account surplus, improved revenue performance, and a shift from a Treasury deficit to surplus as evidence of fiscal discipline under the Government’s 2025 Budgets. He argued that these achievements addressed economic distress, changed public pessimism about state finances, and formed part of a broader political and social renewal following the people’s struggle. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa criticised the Government’s economic record, alleging it had failed to deliver promised reductions in electricity and fuel costs, support for farmers and fisherfolk, poverty alleviation, health services, education reforms, and cheaper vehicle imports. He claimed a sudden 50 percent import surcharge had been leaked to connected parties who opened letters of credit for vehicles in advance, causing major losses to the State. He also questioned the Government’s position on a USD 2.5 million payment to a fraudulent account, citing the Central Bank Governor’s statement that responsibility lay with the Ministry of Finance rather than the independent Central Bank. He urged the Government to fulfil the promises in its policy statement and said the Opposition would continue to stand with the public. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih - Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih said the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review 2025 reflected a national recovery marked by returning confidence, stronger remittances, a current account surplus, improved banking sector stability, and expanding private sector credit. He emphasized that reforms such as digital payments, stronger supervision, and anti-money laundering measures must continue alongside fiscal discipline and policy consistency. He cautioned against complacency given global risks, energy price volatility, and climate vulnerability, and called for inclusive, people-centred growth with social protection, youth opportunities, institutional strengthening, and national unity. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar objected to language used by the Leader of the House and asked the Chair to expunge improper words. He criticized the Government’s economic management, citing rupee depreciation, rising debt, increased electricity tariffs, vehicle import restrictions, low FDI, and alleged payment and banking irregularities, and called for investigations into reported vehicle import LC approvals. He argued that the Government had failed to deliver on promises to reduce electricity bills, taxes, fuel costs, prices, and recover stolen assets, and said the Opposition would take these issues to the public. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha argued that the Government inherited a severely weakened economy in 2024 due to past policy failures, citing the 2022 crisis and declines in growth, revenue, reserves, and living standards. Referring to the Central Bank’s 2025 Review, he said the first two Budgets and improved management had stabilized key indicators, increased GDP and per capita income, strengthened reserves and the banking sector, expanded tourism, remittances, private credit, and revenue, and reduced the fiscal deficit. He urged support for the Government’s economic programme despite natural disasters and global shocks. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson raised concerns that farmers had not yet received the promised fertilizer subsidy of Rs. 30,000 per hectare for the Yala season, despite water being released for paddy cultivation on 20 April. He said farmers had also paid through farmer organizations for two and a half bags of urea, which had not been delivered, and questioned the failure to provide the previously promised five bags per hectare. He urged the Deputy Minister to intervene immediately and asked whether the fertilizer already paid for would be supplied to farmers without further delay. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara compared economic indicators under Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe, citing reductions in inflation, improved reserves and primary balance, and a shift from negative to positive growth. He warned that if the exchange rate again reaches around Rs. 360–370 per US dollar, the country could return to a previous crisis situation, and alleged that efforts were being made to form governments by attracting members from other parties. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill introduces criminal penalties for tax-related non-compliance for the first time and warned that, with a broadened tax base and lower thresholds, ordinary taxpayers could be affected without receiving any corresponding benefits or priority services. He contrasted current tax enforcement with earlier efforts to recover unpaid taxes and criticized past statements by government figures on tax compliance. He also raised concerns over incomplete RTI responses on fuel procurement, alleged inflated fuel pricing, and the 50 per cent surcharge on vehicle imports, while additionally commenting on the conduct of war hero commemorations and the need to recognize all civilian suffering during past conflicts. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal supported the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it aims to broaden revenue, improve tax administration, curb evasion, and create a stable fiscal base while providing concessions and taxing profits rather than ordinary livelihoods. He attributed the present tax burden to past failures in asset management, borrowing, and weak domestic production, and said expanding exports and production is necessary to reduce taxes over time. He also raised flood damage in Puttalam District following the “Tithwa” cyclone and recent rains, requesting urgent action on a drainage system for Puttalam town and repairs or widening of damaged bridges in Karaitivu, Mundal, Kanamulla, and near Pulichchakulam School. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir criticized the Finance Ministry’s tax proposals, arguing that bringing small traders and fuel station operators into the tax net effectively passes indirect taxes on to ordinary consumers while the Government later presents subsidies as benefits. He requested relief for local distributors, particularly fuel station operators facing reduced margins and lower sales under QR rationing despite higher turnover values caused by price increases. He also warned against policies aimed at conserving dollar reserves if they restrict essential inputs, citing past fertilizer import limits, and raised concerns that farmers in Ampara lack timely fertilizer and cannot sell stored paddy at viable prices. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →