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- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that the Government had already explained its approach to addressing the economic crisis, emphasizing relief for affected people, stabilization, and rebuilding. He said the Government would not repeat past mistakes or impose avoidable hardship, and that Parliament had been mandated by the people to implement these solutions. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister, replying on behalf of the Finance Minister, stated that the IMF Extended Fund Facility was approved with the first USD 330 million tranche disbursed on 20 March 2023, and acknowledged public hardship from prior actions such as tax reforms, utility tariff increases, and targeted social assistance. He said the Government had introduced mitigating measures including a higher PAYE tax-free threshold, selected VAT exemptions, reduced export service levy, schoolchild allowances, increased fertilizer support, and fuel subsidies for fisheries. He added that social safety nets, including Aswesuma, are being expanded and reviewed, with the 2025 allocation raised to Rs. 232.5 billion, while further relief would be considered within fiscal constraints. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to state when Sri Lanka’s agreement with the IMF was signed and whether the Government recognizes the public pressure arising from its terms. He further asked whether the agreement would be amended to provide relief, what measures would be taken if so, and, if not, the reasons for not doing so. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 9 January 2025 Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayasinghe AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayasinghe said inflation had been reduced from the extreme levels of 2022 and 2023 to a disinflationary position, though not deflation, and argued that it must be kept under firm control without destabilising the economy. He highlighted that real wages in the public, formal private, and informal sectors had fallen sharply since 2021, making wage recovery and expanded assistance schemes important, with further wage increases to be considered in the Budget. He also said the Government was monitoring possible artificial shortages and cartel activity, particularly in essential goods such as rice, and would intervene where market behaviour created instability, while rejecting arbitrary price controls. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister rejected the Adjournment Motion’s claims that the Government was failing to address shortages, high prices and market distortions, arguing that the NPP had inherited a severely weakened economy requiring gradual and prudent corrective measures. He denied allegations that the Government had promised an immediate 60 per cent reduction in electricity tariffs, stating that tariff reductions must be calibrated to avoid harming production. He said recent price pressures should be assessed through inflation trends, noting that the previous administration had presided over very high food and headline inflation, while the current Government was working to stabilize prices, support production and implement structural reforms. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala said the Government should stop blaming past administrations and use its large mandate to address current hardships, particularly food insecurity, high rice prices, fuel taxes, electricity bills, public sector salary delays, and retirees’ deposit interest. He urged the Government to fulfil election promises, including reducing living costs and prosecuting corruption cases by correcting technical defects and refiling withdrawn indictments. He also questioned actions against audio equipment in three-wheelers and buses, warned against restoring taxes on essential food items, and called for urgent action on passport appointment delays to support foreign employment, study, remittances, and reserves. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan defended the 50-day-old Government against Opposition criticism, arguing that previous administrations were responsible for the 2022 economic collapse and that the new Government has a mandate to rebuild the country. He referred to the President’s Throne Speech roadmap, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, district and divisional coordination efforts, environmental protection, rural economic upliftment, and action on human-elephant conflict. He called for fair and constructive Opposition engagement while emphasizing the Government’s commitment to corruption-free, rules-based governance, economic democracy, and broad-based recovery. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam defended the National People’s Power Government’s early record, arguing that despite criticism over rice and coconut prices, public confidence, rule of law, and inter-communal safety had improved since previous administrations. He said the Government would ensure supplies for festivals, including green rice for Ramadan porridge, and provide a safe environment for Muslims during the fasting month. He also justified police action on unsafe vehicle body spare parts under the Clean Sri Lanka programme and requested special attention to rehabilitate the Kalugahathenna landslide-affected area in Dodangaslanda. He called for Government and Opposition cooperation to address shortages and rebuild the country. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Lasith Bhashana Gamage said the Government’s initial relief was removing what he described as corrupt elite family politics and addressing a bankrupt economy, collapsed production, and social hardship. He cited measures including increasing the fertilizer subsidy from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000, assistance to 186,500 fisher families, expanded Aswesuma benefits for vulnerable groups, and a Rs. 6,000 allowance for schoolchildren, beginning with Aswesuma beneficiary families and small schools. He said development and welfare work would continue through District and Divisional Coordinating Committees until local authorities are constituted, while acknowledging implementation issues in Aswesuma and price pressures linked to past decisions. He argued that the Government would manage issues such as rice and salt supply and continue its programme despite Opposition criticism. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB AI summary Deputy Minister T.B. Sarath rejected Opposition claims of unmanaged shortages in rice, salt, and coconuts, while acknowledging a scarcity of Nadu rice and alleging that major millers were influencing supply and prices. He defended the Government’s controlled consumer prices for rice, arguing that reducing import duties during harvest would depress farmgate prices, and said the policy aims to balance consumer protection with fair returns for farmers. He also stated that the fertilizer subsidy had been raised from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 per hectare, with Rs. 18 billion already paid or allocated, and said comprehensive farmer data would be presented within six months. The Deputy Minister maintained that the Government would address supply and pricing issues methodically and that results would be visible within one to three months. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala rejected the Opposition’s Motion on senior citizens’ deposits, taxation and the cost of living, arguing that the Government has been in office for only about 50 days and should be judged against its five-year mandate and stated policy programme. He accused former Ministers and MPs in the Opposition of lacking credibility, citing issues such as alleged misuse of vehicles, the President’s Fund, postponed local elections, and the “Krish” transaction. He said current Police vehicle operations are being conducted under a circular consistent with the Motor Traffic Act and that lawful businesses need not fear them. He also stated that rice imports had been arranged, that shortages should be reported to the Ministry, and that the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill had been presented to enable local elections to be held expeditiously. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof criticized the Government for continuing to blame past administrations and the Opposition despite holding the Presidency, premiership, Cabinet and a large parliamentary majority. He argued that the Government had not presented a clear roadmap for the promised “system change” and should state what concrete measures it will implement, including on prices, fuel costs, public sector salaries and political culture. He urged the Government to use its majority and new Members to meet public expectations rather than relying on accusations against the Opposition. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani attributed current rice and commodity issues to long-term economic mismanagement by previous governments, citing high food inflation, malnutrition, school dropouts, and the hardship faced by children, pregnant mothers, and families during the recent crisis. She said the government had taken measures within its first 100 days, including tax reductions on local dairy products, lower import duty on big onions, short-term imports of essential goods, and a Rs. 6,000 education grant for children in schools with fewer than 300 students. She also referred to past attacks on journalists in responding to Opposition comments on media freedom, and stated that the government’s priority under the Clean Sri Lanka programme is poverty reduction and rebuilding living standards. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan argued that hill country plantation communities remain among Sri Lanka’s most disadvantaged groups, citing lack of land, housing, education, basic facilities, and findings by FAO, WFP and Red Cross bodies. He urged the government, ahead of the March Budget, to set the basic daily wage of estate workers at Rs. 2,000 and called on plantation trade unions, including the All Ceylon Estate Workers’ Union, to act jointly on this demand. He also proposed imposing a cess on tea exports and using targeted support for value-added exporters to help fund wage increases, while noting that the Sri Lanka Tea Board lacks worker representation despite its mandate referring to plantation community development. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody defended the NPP Government’s early economic record, citing negative CCPI inflation in November and December 2024, expanded welfare and subsidy measures, pension and allowance increases, and a raised PAYE tax threshold for professionals. He argued that public confidence and indicators such as the stock market, tourism, and economic stability had improved despite Opposition criticism. On electricity, he said the Government had submitted proposals to the Public Utilities Commission to keep tariffs unchanged during an expected dry period that would raise generation costs, with the State absorbing the burden rather than passing it to consumers. He attributed high tariffs to past corruption, poor planning, and institutional weaknesses, including vacancies at the CEB, and said the Government was implementing corrective measures. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka raised concerns about small tea holders in his district, stating that green leaf prices have fallen from about Rs. 250 to below Rs. 200 per kilo and that access to suitable subsidized fertilizer remains inadequate. He urged the Minister to ensure a viable price and proper fertilizer supply, and criticized assurances that the rice issue is resolved, arguing that concrete relief is needed for affected people. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka raised concerns about the treatment of senior citizens, noting that a previous 15% special interest benefit for private-sector EPF holders had been reduced despite promises of an additional 5%, and was now at 7.5%. He also criticized continuing public queues, specifically for rice and passports, as evidence of unresolved service and supply issues. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned whether the Government had implemented promised tax relief, including removing VAT on school supplies, books, and medicines, despite having a two-thirds majority and more than 100 days in office. He argued that the Rs. 4,000 allowance for public servants was inadequate compared to the Rs. 15,000 requested by the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, and criticized the taxation of interest income, including the increase of Withholding Tax from 5% to 10%, as inconsistent with the Government’s stated commitment to senior citizens. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned whether rice was available to the public at Rs. 230 per kilo and criticized the Government’s handling of food availability within its first 100 days. He also raised concerns about VAT on school supplies and books, arguing that parents and public servants with children were burdened, and criticized welfare and insurance schemes linked to the Rs. 6,000 Aswesuma payment as creating divisions based on income. He referenced earlier policies such as free textbooks under J.R. Jayewardene and free uniforms under Ranasinghe Premadasa as examples of universal support. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned the Government’s administrative capacity, arguing that delays in importing rice and completing a tender raise doubts about its ability to handle larger tasks. Responding to interruptions, he stated that he had already explained the tender and import process and noted that 170,000 metric tonnes of rice were currently being brought in. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →