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- 3 March 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka argued that recent fuel and electricity issues were caused by management and implementation failures rather than actual shortages, citing the previous administration’s handling of fuel queues, CPC profitability, demurrage reductions, and non-political appointments. He rejected claims that Ministers protected filling stations, explaining the COPE-related recovery of Rs. 37 billion and the related court proceedings, and requested clarification on delays in connecting solar systems installed at 5,000 religious sites under an Indian credit line. He also discussed the Trincomalee oil tank and Hambantota refinery processes, stating that earlier EoIs and RFPs led to current negotiations, and urged the Government to introduce tariffs for solar-plus-battery systems to address grid balancing and reduce reliance on imported coal. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on campaign pledges by the President and JVP/NPP to reduce fuel prices by removing levies and taxes, asking why these measures had not been implemented and whether the current pricing formula would continue under IMF conditions. He also asked when the remaining promised reduction in electricity tariffs would be granted, noting that only about 20 per cent of the promised one-third cut had occurred through the PUCSL process. Referring to the recent nationwide blackout, he demanded a transparent explanation of its cause and warned that unclear public accounts could harm industry, consumers, foreign investment, and debt-servicing prospects. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ministry had analyzed the reasons behind the closure of 408 industries, particularly in the context of COVID-19 and the economic crisis. She sought clarification on whether the Ministry had intervened to support viable closed industries to restart operations. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Sri Lanka - Current Status (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra rejected Opposition claims of a fuel supply disruption, saying Government Ministers had provided distribution figures and that panic buying was caused by misinformation and some media reporting. She defended the Minister of Justice and argued that access to justice should be expanded despite fiscal constraints, including more targeted legal aid for workers and people near industrial zones. She highlighted increased 2025 allocations for alternative dispute resolution, including a 30 percent increase for the Debt Conciliation Board with two new branches, and a 118 percent increase for Mediation Boards with specialized boards in several districts. She also called for a more efficient and sensitive justice-system response to crimes against women and children, with future budgetary support. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa addressed concerns over fuel distribution and urged the public not to panic-buy. He provided figures for diesel and petrol released on the previous day and by 5.00 p.m. that day, stating that releases were above normal daily levels. He also said distributors who had threatened action had nevertheless collected or paid for fuel loads, and assured that sufficient fuel was being supplied. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi supported prioritising a new court in Panadura and argued that rebuilding confidence in the rule of law requires an exemplary judiciary, impartial judges, and effective justice institutions. She highlighted the Legal Aid Commission’s role under the Legal Aid Law, No. 27 of 1978, noting its 77 offices, staffing vacancies, inadequate facilities, and proposed expansion to additional court areas. She linked crime and social problems to poverty and inequality, citing the Budget’s public sector pay increase as part of addressing root causes, and clarified that the President’s remarks about lawyers abetting crime were not directed at the legal profession as a whole. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan moved the customary Rs. 10 cut to the relevant expenditure heads and urged the Ministry to treat national integration, social justice and equality as priorities alongside economic recovery and anti-corruption efforts. He called for constitutional reform and meaningful devolution within a united Sri Lanka, including strengthening the 13th Amendment, and asked the Government to dispel doubts about its commitment to devolution. He also emphasized full implementation of official language policy, proposing stronger use of the Official Languages Commission, Department of Official Languages and NILET to train and deploy language-skilled public officers and teachers so citizens can receive services in Sinhala or Tamil across the country. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Media JJB AI summary The Minister stated that fuel queues had appeared in some locations due to panic-buying following misinformation about distribution problems, but said there was no fuel shortage. He reported that 19 million litres had been ordered, dealers were ordering above usual levels, and the CPC was continuing distribution. He said fuel orders would be accepted throughout the day, and possibly on Sunday if necessary, and urged the public and sectors such as tourism not to queue or over-purchase. Debate: Fuel Supply and Energy Crisis (Discussion under Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake stated that the Opposition does not seek to undermine or bankrupt the Government, but raised a practical concern about fuel availability in Ella. He noted that with only one petrol station in the area and the following day being Sunday, tourists were unable to refuel, implying a need for immediate attention to fuel supply in the tourist destination. Debate: Fuel Supply and Energy Crisis (Discussion under Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that court determinations on fuel dealer commissions must be respected and that disregarding them would amount to contempt. He argued that commissions should be calculated on the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s actual cost, not on tax-inclusive retail prices, describing the previous method as a longstanding error already recognized by CPC and former Ministers. He said the Government would engage with dealers and take legal or administrative steps if needed, while assuring that there was no fuel shortage and distribution was continuing. Debate: Fuel Supply and Energy Crisis (Discussion under Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary There is no fuel shortage, and the Government will not allow one to occur, though queues have formed due to public sentiment and unusually high dealer orders. The Minister said the CPC is engaging directly with dealers and that reports of non-distribution came through social media rather than official channels. He defended the new fuel pricing formula, stating it was developed after consultation and modelling, gives dealers a fairer margin based on CPC costs excluding taxes, and that attempts to create a crisis appear politically motivated. Debate: Fuel Supply and Energy Crisis (Discussion under Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Government’s fuel pricing and taxation approach, arguing that a nominal 14 per cent tax has effectively risen to 36 per cent and that outdated cost calculations no longer reflect current conditions. He said costs had increased substantially over 11 years and urged the Minister to account for the practical realities faced by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation rather than relying on theoretical figures. Debate: Fuel Supply and Energy Crisis (Discussion under Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka asked whether the Government had discussed measures with fuel or essential goods dealers to prevent public queues. He sought clarification on the Government’s message to the public following the Minister’s explanation. Debate: Fuel Supply and Energy Crisis (Discussion under Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that recent queues at fuel stations were not due to a shortage of stocks but to panic created amid a dispute over dealer commissions. He explained that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation is implementing a revised commission formula, following audit findings and Court of Appeal proceedings, to prevent commissions being calculated on tax components of fuel prices. He said dealers had continued placing orders, but a small group appeared to have restricted distribution and spread concern through social media. He assured that the revised margins remain fair, with additional allowances for remote distribution, and that the Government will ensure uninterrupted fuel supply. Debate: Fuel Supply and Energy Crisis (Discussion under Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka raised concern over long queues at filling stations across the country, stating that they are seriously affecting the public and national activities. He asked the Government whether a solution is forthcoming, whether the situation will continue, and what measures are being taken to address it. Debate: Fuel Supply and Energy Crisis (Discussion under Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana raised concerns that low fuel stocks at Beruwala and other harbours were preventing multi-day fishing vessels from going to sea, warning that the situation would become serious if supplies were not restored. He also asked the Minister to address what he described as a monopoly in the import of VMS devices, noting that prices had risen sharply and requesting that vessel owners be allowed to import them directly. Oral Question: Fishery Harbours Development and Multi-Day Vessel Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, the Minister reported that Sri Lanka has 24 fishery harbours and outlined proposed development and maintenance allocations for fuel systems, harbour infrastructure, equipment, lighting, pumps, beacons and vehicles. He provided vessel figures, stating that 5,488 multi-day vessels and 929 one-day vessels are currently engaged or registered, with 182 multi-day and 24 one-day vessels not engaged in fishing. He detailed ongoing support measures including fuel reimbursement allowances for diesel and kerosene users, Chinese grant programmes for kerosene and fishing nets, artificial reef projects, FAO-supported efficiency pilots, online licensing and vessel monitoring systems, fisher health and first-aid certification, export facilitation, and a forthcoming enhanced pension scheme. Oral Question: Fishery Harbours Development and Multi-Day Vessel Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka asked the Government to explain the sudden emergence of long queues at fuel stations across the country. He requested clarification on the cause of the situation and the measures being taken to prevent or resolve it. Procedural: Opposition Whip Introduction Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana said the 2025 Budget’s success depends on whether the Government can raise the projected Rs. 4,990 billion in revenue against Rs. 7,190 billion in expenditure and deliver on its pledges. He questioned reliance on Inland Revenue, Excise and Customs, asked for disclosure on the 300 bar permits allegedly issued by the previous Government, and criticized unfulfilled promises on fuel tax cuts, electricity tariffs, Samurdhi payments, and collateral-free youth loans. He warned that public support could decline if economic hardship continues, particularly over high rice prices and festival-season shortages, and urged the President and Government to implement practical measures and keep their commitments. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticised the Budget for lacking a clear national vision and practical measures to uplift rural communities beyond limited cash relief. He argued that despite references to welfare and progressiveness, the Budget did not revive public hopes, support youth aspirations, or provide a direct plan for nearly three million struggling small and medium entrepreneurs. He said expenditure cuts alone were insufficient without capital formation and wealth creation, and called for open discussion on addressing the deficit and debt. He also objected to the reported 15 per cent tax on digital foreign earnings, including platform-based income, saying it undermined young earners who bring dollars into the country. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Read →