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- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary While expressing conditional support for the Clean Sri Lanka programme if its stated aims are genuine, the Member criticized the Government for unclear and contradictory communication, citing confusion over implementation dates and police actions, and requested a comprehensive explanation of the programme at the end of the debate. He questioned inconsistencies between election pledges and current positions on the fuel levy and electricity tariffs, and urged clarification on whether further tariff reductions and renewable energy expansion would be pursued. He alleged obstruction within the Ceylon Electricity Board and related energy interests against solar, wind and other renewable projects, calling for scrutiny of coal procurement and warning that reversing renewable initiatives could raise costs and cause power shortages. He also referred to previous COPE concerns over Sri Lanka Cricket and questioned whether promised institutional reforms were being pursued. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha supported the Clean Sri Lanka programme in principle, describing it as a national effort for ethical conduct, environmental cleanliness and social responsibility, but said it had been poorly communicated, citing police action against three-wheelers and buses as an example. He urged the Government to ensure the programme is equitable, addresses poverty, loan sharks and access to concessional credit, and reforms under-resourced institutions including the courts, Police and Attorney General’s Department. He also called for an investor-friendly approach, anti-corruption measures, and bipartisan participation, arguing that the Government should involve the Opposition and bureaucracy to turn the programme into practical national change. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman said the Clean Sri Lanka programme should address deterioration in culture, politics, the economy and ecosystems through long-term national policies and public participation. He argued that the Government had begun changing what he described as a degraded political culture, including by reducing misuse of public resources, and linked the programme to economic revival, sports governance, road safety, disaster prevention and environmental restoration. He cited annual road deaths, disaster displacement and relief costs, and degradation of river basins as areas requiring planned, community-based action, noting that related initiatives had begun in Badulla District. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar welcomed the Clean Sri Lanka programme if it addresses substantive failures, but urged it to investigate alleged fiscal fraud, citing reports of around Rs. 5 billion in unpaid VAT and levies on imported crude coconut oil refined and sold locally after the VAT exemption ended on 1 January 2024. He referred to correspondence involving the Fiscal Policy Department, Inland Revenue Department, and Sena Mills Refineries, and asked that tax enforcement be applied as seriously as other clean-up efforts. He also argued that following the Public Utilities Commission’s 20 per cent reduction in electricity tariffs, water tariffs should be reduced because they had previously been increased in response to electricity price hikes. On Meethotamulla, he accepted that relocation may be necessary for UDA development land but criticised the manner of evictions, water disconnections, and unaffordable rehousing terms, requesting UDA housing in Kolonnawa with a lower initial payment and instalment scheme for affected low-income families. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha welcomed the PUCSL decision to reduce electricity tariffs and urged that the resulting relief be passed on to households, industries and consumers through lower prices. She defended the Clean Sri Lanka Programme as an organized effort to improve environmental conditions, civic conduct and social ethics, citing pollution, inadequate public facilities, unsafe public transport for women, poor food practices and weak tourist amenities. She said consultations with local institutions and community groups had identified needs such as public toilets, drinking water points, clean food outlets and accessibility for persons with disabilities, and called for short-, medium- and long-term action leading to value-based social change. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that electricity tariffs had been reduced with effect from midnight on 17 January 2025, with revised domestic unit rates across consumption bands to appear in the next bill. He said the average reduction would be 21 per cent for domestic consumers and 31 per cent for industry and hotels. Oral Question: Kinniya CEB Consumer Service Centre - Power Disconnections (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary The member supported the Clean Sri Lanka initiative but raised objections to a proposed liquor outlet in Periya Neelavanai, citing a protest by more than 500 residents at the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat. He said the outlet had previously been closed after public opposition and that moves by 660816 Beverages Company Limited to reopen it would harm schoolchildren and daily wage earners. He urged the Government to uphold its pledge to cancel new liquor licences and take legal steps to prevent the shop from opening. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera defended the National People’s Power Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme as a five-year effort to rebuild the country through physical, environmental, social and moral reform. He argued that previous administrations had damaged public ethics, health, the environment and governance, and said the programme would address corruption, profiteering, narcotics networks and other harmful practices. He rejected Opposition criticism of the programme, cited the dispute over the cost of its launch ceremony, and called on MP Chamara Sampath to resign if the Government’s stated cost of Rs. 900,000 was correct. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka urged the Government to act without mismanagement and to fulfil pledges made during its election campaign. He specifically called for swift legal action against major fraudsters, those implicated in the Central Bank bond scam, and cases referred to in the alleged 400 corruption files. He also asked the Government to deliver promised reductions in electricity tariffs and fuel prices by curbing ministerial commissions. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister clarified the status of Sathosa rice procurement tenders for 5,200 metric tons, stating that the first tender was not rejected but could not proceed because the two bidders did not individually meet the requirement to supply the full quantity under government procedure. He added that the second tender received no bids and the third was rejected on quality grounds, disputing claims that tenders had been repeatedly rejected. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said the Clean Sri Lanka Project is part of the Government’s mandate to reform political culture and public administration, rejecting Opposition claims that the programme or the Government would fail. She cited recent measures including debt servicing, economic stabilization, increased Aswasuma benefits, fertilizer subsidies, pension increases, schoolbook support, and reduced ministerial expenditure as evidence of progress. She also referred to stronger excise revenue collection and enforcement against tax defaulters, arguing that the Government would continue efforts to curb waste, corruption, and divisive political campaigns. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha defended the Clean Sri Lanka programme against Opposition claims that it is unclear, arguing that any ambiguity should be clarified while proceeding with its broader social, economic and political reform aims. He linked the programme to the Government’s electoral mandate, saying it seeks to address economic collapse, social problems, corruption of political culture and public discontent inherited from previous administrations. He also cited recent peaceful elections and restraint in the use of official privileges as evidence of a changed political culture, and rejected Opposition criticism on issues such as rice and paddy as politically motivated. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara defended the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme, arguing that it should address conduct within Parliament as well as public sanitation, school facilities, transport behaviour, tourism needs, and social attitudes. He said the Government had implemented the PUCSL electricity tariff decision, was building 4,000 estate houses, would not issue bar permits through ministers, and was strengthening the Paddy Marketing Board by reviving abandoned storage facilities. He also cited increased fertilizer support, reduced medicine prices and lower cement prices as Government measures, while accusing previous administrations and opposition figures of creating or neglecting current problems. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the Clean Sri Lanka programme is intended as a long-term national effort, not merely an environmental campaign, and that the Government is conducting a month-long awareness programme through the Presidential Task Force to change public attitudes and practices. He argued that the new Government, in office for only two months, has begun by reducing waste and political privilege, allowing public institutions to function without interference, and implementing measures such as fertilizer assistance, fisheries fuel relief, and electricity tariff reductions based on PUCSL recommendations. He also referred to alleged political corruption involving payments for parliamentary seats and said such matters should be investigated if complainants come forward, presenting anti-bribery and institutional integrity as part of the Clean Sri Lanka agenda. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha questioned the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, arguing that its definition, scope, vision, mission, and funding have not been clearly presented to Parliament or the public. He asked whether the programme includes locality-specific plans, upgrading estate line rooms and poor urban housing, and ensuring timely fertilizer supply to farmers. He also sought details of any agreements from discussions with India and China on an oil refinery, including whether benefits would accrue to Sri Lankans or mainly to exports, and called for such agreements to be shown to Parliament if public support is expected. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa stated that the electricity tariff has already been reduced. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to act on alleged corruption and profiteering, citing a medicine reportedly reduced from Rs. 76,000 to Rs. 370 and the delayed tabling of the bar licence list promised within 48 hours. He said the Government, with its parliamentary majority, should stop blaming past administrations and directly address any “mafia” or wrongdoing. He also raised concerns about alleged manipulation within the Ceylon Electricity Board, particularly system-control practices and the influence of union figures, comparing it to the former diesel mafia. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Responding to a reference to his name, Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa addressed claims that a medicine formerly priced at Rs. 76,000 is now sold at Rs. 370. He suggested that further details, including the ownership of the company and the reasons for the price change, should be sought from the Member for Alawatuwala in the relevant district. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha questioned the Government’s vision, scope and funding mechanism for the Clean Sri Lanka programme, stating that officials and the public appear to lack a common understanding of its activities and objectives. He asked for a clear activity list and raised concerns about practical implementation, including waste disposal after clean-up activities and enforcement against vehicle accessories. He argued that the programme should address issues he described as political and economic “mafias,” including liquor licence allocations, trade agreements such as ETCA and the Singapore agreement, the rice market, electricity tariffs, and the pharmaceutical sector. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma said large losses had arisen from opaque and poor management practices. He argued that pricing should follow a cost-recovery basis, taking account of both production costs and legacy financial obligations, while minimizing burdens on the public. He added that institutions should be properly managed and relief extended where feasible, rather than allowing unsustainable losses to be transferred to the public. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →