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- 12 March 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha highlighted problems across agriculture beyond paddy, including high input costs for vegetable and fruit farmers, crop losses, wildlife damage, marketing failures, and the lack of fertilizer support outside paddy cultivation. He questioned whether rice could be maintained at around Rs. 220 per kilogram given current paddy purchase prices, and urged measures to protect both farmers and consumers. He called for action against chemical fruit ripening, better marketing and price support for banana, cinnamon, pepper and clove producers, and an investigation into the closure and debts of the Spices and Allied Products Marketing Board, while expressing support for effective government programmes for farmers. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan clarified that he had not urged the Government to bring Indian teachers, but had only referred to a past 2017 proposal that was opposed by the JVP. Speaking during the Agriculture Ministry debate, he urged attention to Upcountry farmers in Nuwara Eliya, Badulla and Welimada, including better management of vegetable seed supply and prices, soil pH testing, protection of local potato farmers through import controls or higher taxes during harvest, and support for common livestock sheds. He also requested more veterinary services in milk-producing areas such as Maskeliya and Bogawantalawa. He thanked Minister Bimal Rathnayake for prompt action over a Hatton bus incident involving a student, including suspending the officer concerned and obtaining an apology. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson urged relief for farmers affected by poor Maha-season conditions, proposing that at least 50 per cent of cultivation loans be waived where full write-offs are not possible. He called for protection and staffing of state seed farms, citing the 498-acre Polonnaruwa seed farm and the lack of permanent worker recruitment for a decade. He also proposed providing quality fertilizer through Agrarian Service Centres at Rs. 5,000 per bag and regulating pesticide costs to stabilize paddy and rice prices, while warning against allowing mill owners and traders to control prices, including for Keeri Samba. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson raised concerns that flood-affected farmers in Polonnaruwa have not received the compensation they were promised and said many were misled into expecting Rs. 100,000 per hectare for any crop damage. He clarified that the scheme is scaled according to the extent and duration of crop loss, and requested that officials communicate this through Agrarian Service Centres or a designated team. He cited extensive crop destruction in Medirigiriya, Gal Amuna, Pamburana, Palliyagodella and Dimbulagala, and said some affected areas had not yet been visited by officials. He also urged action on rising harvesting costs caused by wet conditions, which he said had increased from about Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 50,000–60,000 per hectare. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on the Northern Coconut Triangle project, stating that it began in 2023 in the Northern Province, has planted about 10,000 acres so far, and targets 50,000 acres by 2027 with expected production contributions by 2030. The answer set out objectives including increasing annual production by 135 million nuts, improving food security, raising export revenue by USD 70 million, supporting northern livelihoods, attracting investment, and promoting intercropping. It also detailed current coconut production and a range of short-, medium- and long-term measures, including controlled imports for re-export and oil production, concessional fertilizer and pest-control support, rehabilitation and replanting, irrigation, consumer supply through state channels, expansion into non-traditional areas, concessional industry finance, and preparation of sectoral strategic plans. Oral Question: Scarcity of Coconuts and Archaeological Site Protection (Q.92/2024, Q.210/2024) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns about the poultry industry, noting its importance to ordinary people and the growth shown in available data despite some imports. He asked whether the Ministry has a stable programme to control arbitrary price increases by traders, resolve industry issues to reduce import dependence, and promote poultry exports. Oral Question: Chicken Production and Supply in Sri Lanka (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Geetha Herath supported the 2025 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, stating that it contains more deliverable measures for women’s safety, recognition, and economic empowerment. She cited allocations including Rs. 63 million for women’s entrepreneurship and highlighted concerns such as low female economic participation, poverty among plantation and rural communities, women-headed households, and the rising number of women prisoners with limited education. She outlined planned programmes for low-income urban women, widows, cottage industries, plantation women, families of migrant women, girls leaving care institutions, and protection from exploitative microfinance, linking these measures to the Government’s “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” policy framework. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda used the debate on the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Votes to call for practical support for women and children, including safer micro-credit through Samurdhi banks to counter predatory microfinance debt and stronger local-level development of female leadership. He urged higher allowances, training, early detection responsibilities, and retirement benefits for preschool teachers, and proposed more family-like and open child care models, citing SOS Children’s Villages. He also asked for State support for prenatal anomaly scans for vulnerable mothers, better arrangements for severely disabled children, relaxed welfare rules for widows living in extended households, and more efficient Sathosa pricing to reduce household costs. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary On International Women’s Day, Sajith Premadasa highlighted the impact of food inflation, poverty and malnutrition on women and children, citing the Ninth Parliament’s Special Committee report on malnutrition and calling for a coordinated, depoliticized national plan. He referred to UNDP and UN Women findings on women’s vulnerability, workplace discrimination, low labour force participation, digital access gaps, underrepresentation in senior positions and STEM, and high levels of underreported violence against women and girls. He urged stronger implementation of international conventions and domestic protections, and proposed amending the Constitution’s Fundamental Rights Chapter to explicitly include women’s and children’s rights. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Jeevan Thondaman urged cross-party cooperation in response to risks from the global geopolitical and trade environment, including potential inflation and reduced demand for Sri Lankan exports. He proposed establishing an inter-party action committee for parties to meet, discuss issues, and develop solutions for the public. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on rice imports, stating that 49,621.6 metric tons were imported by the private sector during the queried period, while no government imports occurred in that overall period. He further stated that from 21 September 2024 to 26 February 2025 the Government imported 10,400 metric tons and the private sector 180,653.5 metric tons, with imports used as a temporary measure in late 2024 due to lack of buffer stocks, market concentration, reduced production, weather impacts, and diversion of rice to other uses. The response also cited controlled consumer prices under Gazette No. 2414/04 of 9 December 2024 and listed applicable duties and levies on imported rice categories. Oral Questions (Q.1-4) Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development for detailed data on rice imports between 14 November 2023 and 13 November 2024, including separate quantities imported by the Government and the private sector. He also sought information on any rice imported after the 2024 Presidential Election, the reasons for importation, import costs, market release and consumer prices, and taxes levied on the imported rice. Oral Questions (Q.1-4) Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Concluding the debate on his Ministry, the Minister said the Aswasuma data system would be updated within a year in line with the Government’s policy statement and would be used to determine benefits this year. He stated that the Samurdhi Development Department had been re-strengthened, with higher office allowances for officers and managers, proper duties and allowances for graduates in Samurdhi Banks, and promotion schemes introduced across several grades. He also noted a Cabinet decision to allow eligible long-serving Samurdhi officers to retire, and said the elderly allowance had been increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 while expanding beneficiaries from about 857,000 to 1,020,000. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa defended the Budget’s use of existing lawful data systems and said a fuller scientific database on vulnerable groups had not been developed by previous governments. He outlined the Ministry’s 2025–2029 community empowerment programme targeting two million families, with circulars issued and officers briefed to prepare family development plans. Citing data on elderly persons, persons with disabilities, informal workers, drug addiction, mental health issues and families of prisoners, he argued that welfare spending such as Aswasuma must shift from dependency relief to economic and social empowerment through locally based livelihoods, youth employment and coordinated field work by ministry and Samurdhi officers. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake urged the Indian Government and the Tamil Nadu Government to address the recurring fisheries-related problems affecting northern Sri Lankan communities, particularly in areas such as Mannar, where he said livelihoods have been severely reduced. He argued that assistance to post-war communities should focus on enabling people to sustain themselves rather than only providing relief or cash support. He also commended the Fisheries Ministry and requested that the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation be strengthened and its retail outlets expanded to provide affordable, quality fish to the public. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir raised concerns that recent actions in Kalmunai, reportedly citing “Islamic extremists,” risk stigmatizing the wider Muslim community, while affirming the community’s cooperation against threats to national sovereignty. He questioned funding for sustaining the former “Saubhagya” production villages, sought clarification on savings of Samurdhi beneficiaries excluded from Aswesuma, and requested Divisional Secretariat-based selection mechanisms for fairness. He urged greater development of fisheries, including dredging and operationalizing Oluvil Harbour, establishing an ice factory in Sainthamaruthu or Kalmunai, restoring the deep-sea telecom tower, and acting on the Danish geotechnical study. He also requested increased allocations for inland fisheries development in tanks across Akkaraipattu, Nintavur, Pottuvil, and Irakkamam. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the Government’s use of statistics, stating they were drawn from sources such as UNICEF, the World Bank, the Central Bank, and the Department of Census and Statistics, while criticising Opposition claims on governance and the economy. He highlighted rural and estate poverty, income inequality in Polonnaruwa, and human–elephant conflict, citing recent local deaths and hardships. He argued that the Budget addresses earlier Opposition concerns by providing 30,000 jobs, expanding Aswesuma by 400,000 beneficiaries with Rs. 233 billion allocated, and increasing the preschool meal allowance from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100, concluding that it was a successful Budget of the National People’s Power Government. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha reviewed rural poverty alleviation programmes since 1948 and said Aswesuma, while covering over 1.2 million households, has not always selected the most deserving beneficiaries. He requested a clear GN division-based verification process involving local State officers to reduce omissions. He also called for targeted infrastructure, sanitation, education, healthcare, and water-access improvements in disadvantaged districts, particularly Ratnapura and estate areas, and urged progress on the Ruwanpura Expressway and restoration of the Avissawella–Opanayake railway line to improve connectivity and transport of produce. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe outlined Trade Ministry plans to improve access to affordable fish through processed, frozen packs sold via Sathosa in collaboration with the Fisheries Corporation, with a target of expanding the retail network by 1,000 outlets over three years. He also addressed longstanding administrative and pension issues affecting Samurdhi/Divineguma/Aswesuma staff, including unresolved appointments, delayed pensions, unsettled funds, and the status of 1,100 Samurdhi Banks. He said a Cabinet Paper has been submitted on the disputed recovery of 60 per cent Government EPF/ETF contributions, related surcharges, pending appointments, and retirement benefits, while implementation would proceed subject to the outcome of ongoing court proceedings. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara JJB AI summary The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara supported the Budget allocations under the Ministries of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, saying the Government aims to assist vulnerable groups including the poor, sick, mentally distressed, elderly and differently-abled. He responded to Opposition questions on promised graduate employment by stating that recruitment for 30,000 graduates would follow proper application and interview procedures rather than arbitrary appointments. He highlighted the growing needs of the elderly, citing numbers of indigent elders in homes and cases of residents lacking identity documents or family support, and called for structured measures to ensure their dignity and access to services. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →