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- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi requested that relief measures be extended to those currently not receiving them and implemented through Divisional Secretary-level mechanisms. He also urged the Minister to ensure that cooperatives can continue providing services to poor and vulnerable communities. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that Aswesuma beneficiaries have already received increased allowances, while over 800,000 people who have applied for but are not receiving Aswesuma have received no support. He said the Government decided to provide relief specifically to that group. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi requested the Minister to establish a five-member selection committee of relevant state officers in each Grama Niladhari Division to identify poor households fairly. He said VAT reductions may lower prices generally, but relief schemes often fail to reach the poorest because benefits are distributed according to outdated lists. Referring to the proposed Sinhala and Hindu New Year package of goods worth Rs. 5,000 for Rs. 2,500, he urged that it be extended to all poor and vulnerable people during the current difficult period. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Dilip Wedaarachchi raised concerns about the selection process for Aswesuma welfare benefits, stating that many preselected beneficiaries are not poor. He said this has caused problems and implied the need for a review of beneficiary eligibility. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi urged that the Hambantota Saltern be managed without political interference and through a proper programme, noting it as a national resource that generates revenue. He raised concern over a Rs. 50 increase in milk powder prices and called for an investigation into the decline in production and cattle numbers at the Ridiyagama NLDB Dairy Farm. He requested that officers be appointed to properly manage both the saltern and the dairy farm, suggesting that improved management of the farm could support a programme to provide milk to schoolchildren in Hambantota District. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi urged the Government to take stronger policy decisions on food security, arguing that poverty and rising prices for rice and coconuts make current living-cost estimates unrealistic. He said the state paddy storage mechanism had failed and requested a proper system to maintain rice reserves for emergencies such as a future pandemic or disaster. He also called for measures to address coconut shortages, including control of monkey populations affecting crops, and referred to the rising cost of basic items such as salt. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the Government’s record under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, rejecting Opposition allegations on corruption, milk powder prices and rice or paddy interests. He said the Government had improved MILCO by increasing payments to dairy farmers, restoring employee benefits, settling part of its bank debt and pursuing fresh milk self-sufficiency. He alleged past irregularities in Sathosa, Ministry premises works and cooperative purchases, tabling an investigation report on the “Umangdawa Green Hut” premises and citing specific procurement and rent-payment concerns. He urged the Opposition to abandon what he described as old political practices and accept the new Government’s approach. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister JJB AI summary Plans are underway to establish 150 new Sathosa outlets this year and expand the network from about 450 to 1,000 outlets within three years, including through large, medium, regular and franchise-type small outlets where viable. The Minister also said recruitment and training will resume for the Department of Co-operative Development, which had previously been earmarked for closure, with efforts to strengthen cooperative banks and consumer societies and integrate them into the national retail network while safeguarding depositors. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath urged the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development to strengthen food security and cooperative institutions in Batticaloa, citing pressures from past shortages, current price increases, and limited access to fair-priced goods. He requested approval for fuel allocations to cooperative-run stations in Vavunathivu, Vakarai, and Valachchenai, increased funding and lending capacity for cooperatives through Provincial Councils, and investment support for dryers, warehouses, and rice mills. He also called for more Sathosa outlets in Batticaloa, noting only three serve a district of about 600,000 people, and asked that shortages of Cooperative Development Officers and delays in permanent appointments be addressed. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged reforms to company registration and SME incorporation, proposing a reduced Rs. 10,000 fee and rapid online registration for companies with paid-up capital under Rs. 500,000 to improve access to credit and growth. He called for the Consumer Affairs Authority under Act No. 9 of 2003 to be digitized and reoriented toward effective consumer protection, including action on monopolistic or oligopolistic pricing in essential sectors. He also discussed the Mahapola Trust Fund and SLIIT issues, stating that any dues to Mahapola should be examined, and advocated stronger national branding, export expansion, and pragmatic use of open-economy policies. He supported the President’s USD 36 billion export target by 2030, stressing the need for FTAs with countries such as India, Singapore, Thailand and China to build market access and reduce external risks. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Biyanwila JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Biyanwila defended the Government’s conduct and budget priorities under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, stating that Government MPs had not sought personal privileges and that tax revenue, including the Rs. 65 rice tax, would be directed to public services such as health and education. He argued that market prices for key commodities were declining, public sector salary increases would support economic growth, and the Government had begun strengthening paddy procurement through warehouse preparation, funding, farmer support, and cultivation of fallow lands. He also said the Government intended to depoliticize and rebuild the cooperative sector and Sathosa, including transforming cooperatives beyond retail functions into production-oriented institutions linked to grassroots communities and local products. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri criticized the Government for failing to deliver promised relief and anti-corruption action, particularly on rice prices and alleged frauds, despite pledges to end market manipulation quickly. He urged the Minister to arrest at least one person accused in corruption files, arguing that public expectations to punish “thieves” remain unmet. He also called for further reductions in rice and fuel prices and for savings from government cost-cutting to be directed to poor households. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Government’s failure to deliver promised VAT relief on food, education and health, arguing that food prices have not fallen six months after the President assumed office. He demanded action to recover over Rs. 6 billion in alleged unpaid VAT and SSCL on imported crude coconut oil refined and sold locally, citing replies from the Prime Minister, the Inland Revenue Department and Fiscal Policy Department, and asked what steps would be taken against three companies allegedly involved. He also raised concerns over paddy storage losses, burnt warehouses and the Government’s dependence on private rice millers, calling for measures to curb the “rice mafia” while protecting both farmers and consumers. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Government’s rice import process, citing media reports of credit terms, inspection requirements, and four failed tenders. He argued that imports made at an exchange rate of Rs. 292 still resulted in higher retail rice prices than in 2023 when the dollar was Rs. 320, causing losses to consumers. He also alleged that the President’s decision to raise millers’ margins by Rs. 10 per kilogram for 100 days gave millers Rs. 6.5 billion in additional profit at the public’s expense. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Minister on rice price controls, noting that varieties such as Keeri Samba were being sold above the controlled price and warning that similar increases had preceded wider price spikes. He argued that household rice expenditure from October to January had risen by about Rs. 16 billion compared with the previous year, placing an additional burden on the public. He also asked whether, during an estimated 70,000 MT shortfall, the Indian High Commission had proposed a Government-to-Government rice supply arrangement and whether the Government had imposed conditions on it. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said rice supply remains strained because government stocks were empty when the administration took office and the Maha harvest is now expected to fall from 2.98 million to about 2.4 million metric tonnes due to weather and floods. He stated that although the Government’s policy is not to import rice except in a natural calamity or disaster, imports may be required if shortages affect the market, while prices will be kept within controlled levels. He outlined measures to stabilize the market, including State bank loan facilities of Rs. 10 billion for small and medium millers and Rs. 15 billion, potentially rising to Rs. 45 billion, for large millers, alongside government purchasing of paddy as harvesting begins in major producing districts. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Minister’s handling of rice price controls, arguing that the Government’s claim about lacking paddy or rice stocks did not justify continued price increases and that coordination with the PMB and Sathosa was required. Citing Department of Census and Statistics weekly price data, he compared late 2023/early 2024 prices with late 2024/early 2025 prices and said Red Nadu, White Kekulu, and Red Kekulu had risen substantially since the current Government took office. He asked how prices could be controlled with only Rs. 5 billion allocated for paddy procurement and alleged that actual procurement covered only a very small share of national rice needs, while some varieties were already being sold above controlled prices. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan said the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development has a central responsibility to ensure continuous, safe food supply at fair prices, in line with the NPP policy programme. He argued that institutions such as Sathosa and the cooperative sector had been weakened by losses, fraud and mismanagement under previous administrations, citing Sathosa’s Rs. 2 billion losses, 66 disputed transactions, and examples from Puttalam, Arachchikattuwa and Wennappuwa. He said the Government would rebuild and regulate Sathosa and cooperatives, use initiatives such as “G 88000” to deliver relief, organize supply chains including fisheries, investigate wrongdoing, and hold those responsible accountable. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to extend Budget relief beyond Aswesuma beneficiaries by reducing VAT on essential goods as promised, and criticised its handling of the rice market, including delayed imports, retention of import duties during shortages, and price controls that he said benefited large millers. He called for stronger state market intervention through institutions such as Sathosa, Lak Sathosa and the STC, and asked the Government to present concrete three- and six-month progress reports on its economic programme. He also rejected allegations made against Hon. Sajith Premadasa regarding cement privatization, questioned the presentation and funding of investment zones such as Bingiriya, and predicted strong Samagi Jana Balawegaya performance in upcoming local government bodies. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe tabled details of proposed essential food packs, outlining three variants containing combinations of rice, flour and other staples. He stated that a standard pack would weigh about 15–17 kg and include items such as Nadu rice, onions, potatoes, dhal, salmon, sugar, wheat flour, Samaposha and soya meat. He said Sathosa would sell the packs at cost while absorbing Rs. 751 from its margin, with the Government covering about Rs. 1,800 per pack from a Rs. 1,500 million allocation, enabling distribution of around 833,000 packs. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →