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- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka supported the Opposition’s adjournment motion on rising essential prices and shortages, arguing that the Government has not delivered promised reductions in water, electricity and fuel tariffs despite receiving a strong mandate. He compared the current administration’s first 100 days with measures taken by the Yahapalana Government, including salary increases, fuel and electricity price reductions, price controls on essentials, the Right to Information Act and independent commissions. He focused on the rice shortage, questioning the availability of promised stocks, the effectiveness of controlled prices, reliance on Sathosa, and the Government’s decision to import rice despite earlier pledges against doing so. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary The Minister outlined additional sources of rice demand, including ornamental fish feed, rice flour milling, beer production, poultry, and fisheries, noting that these uses contributed to perceived market shortages. He said the Government had inspected miller stocks in several provinces and, from 8 December, arranged the daily release of 350 MT of rice through Sathosa to stabilize supply and maintain the controlled price. He also stated that data discrepancies among relevant agencies were being reconciled and that PMB and Sathosa would be integrated for procurement, with guaranteed prices for farmers and fair prices for consumers to prevent future shortages and avoid imports. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said the shortage of red rice was partly due to distribution to people who did not need it. He pointed to the poultry industry’s use of about 300,000 metric tons of paddy annually and called for government departments to reduce reliance on domestic harvests for poultry feed. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected Opposition claims that the Government was inactive on cost-of-living issues, saying its public-sector pay policy would be announced in the forthcoming Budget and challenging allegations about salary increases in state boards. He said the Government was using the 448-outlet Sathosa network to intervene in essential goods markets, including potatoes, onions, sugar, dhal, rice and canned fish, and cited a reduction of the controlled price of a 425g canned fish tin to Rs. 380 after consultations with local producers. Addressing rice prices and imports, he said Sri Lanka should have sufficient domestic production based on recent output and consumption figures, and argued that the issue lay in market governance rather than an inherent production shortfall. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla rejected Opposition claims that the Government had broken its promises, citing increased allowances for elders and CKD patients, continued foreign investment interest, no seizure of private property, and correction of welfare benefit allocations. He argued that the previous governments left widespread poverty, neglected rural infrastructure and education in areas such as Mahiyanganaya, and failed to rebuild agricultural systems and paddy storage facilities. He stated that current rice supply issues could not be resolved immediately after taking office because the Paddy Marketing Board and its stores had been weakened or repurposed under earlier administrations. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara JJB AI summary Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara defended the Government’s performance during its first 49 days, citing measures on fertilizer subsidies, paddy purchasing and storage, support for small millers, fisheries fuel relief, Aswesuma benefits, school supply assistance, pensioner support, and tourism targets. He called for an investigation into alleged misuse of the President’s Fund and accused the Opposition of criticizing government measures for electoral reasons. He also invited Opposition support for the Clean Sri Lanka programme and poverty alleviation initiatives while stating that implementation would be strengthened and accelerated. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Jagath Manuwarna JJB AI summary Jagath Manuwarna said the Government had been in office for about 50 days and could not resolve long-standing poverty and economic problems within that period. He criticized political and media actors for using shortages and poverty for spectacle, and referred to past misinformation and communal allegations, including the case of Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen. He clarified that “Clean Sri Lanka” was broader than traffic-law enforcement, noting discussions with bus operators and a three-month grace period to regularize vehicles, and urged police to act calmly while asking the Opposition and public to allow the Government time to address inherited crises. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister cited accident statistics for SLTB and private buses in 2024 and urged Members to use factual data in debate, while requesting that a derogatory term used against the Opposition be expunged from Hansard. He defended the Government against allegations about its past role in government and current investigations, stating that legal processes would be followed and that the Government would not be destabilized by media or Opposition tactics. He argued that the new administration had begun changing political culture despite limited time in office, said inflation had eased, and outlined planned measures including the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, public sector salary increases, expanded Aswesuma benefits, education support for children, and other relief measures in the forthcoming Budget. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella seconded the Adjournment Motion and compared the Government’s first 100 days with earlier “100-day” programmes, citing price reductions under the 2015 Yahapalana Government. She argued that the current administration’s promises to reduce or abolish VAT on essentials such as food, medicine and school supplies have not been implemented, noting that VAT remains at 18 per cent and Special Commodity Levies continue on several goods. She also raised concerns about shortages of essential medicines in state hospitals and the cost burden on patients, and condemned social media defamation targeting two women Members of Parliament. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Amila Prasad moved an adjournment motion calling for an immediate programme to reduce the cost of living, citing high prices, shortages, failed price controls, higher fees, and reduced senior citizens’ deposit interest. He argued that the Government should move from allegations about past corruption to concrete action, including recovering stolen funds, earning dollars and rupees, and restoring living standards after the economic crisis. He criticized aspects of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative and transport-related measures as ad hoc and potentially harmful to small businesses and the middle class, and urged the Government to set clear economic targets on income, GDP, services, and tourism. 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 Minister Anil Jayantha rejected the view that government should be run on a private business profit-and-loss model, arguing that policy must prioritize public welfare, domestic production, and anti-corruption safeguards. He said the Orders under the Export Development Act and Special Commodity Levy Act are intended to correct market distortions, protect local producers and small farmers, and stabilize prices, including through limited rice imports during emergencies. He also stated that Aswesuma benefit extensions are being made while correcting selection issues and linking welfare to economic empowerment, and that the Colombo West International Terminal Order supports Sri Lanka’s trading hub and investment strategy. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged the Government to move beyond criticism of past administrations and act on current public needs, including fair prices for essential commodities, unresolved flood damage and farmer compensation in Mannar, and an alternative site for waste dumping near Salambakulam in Vavuniya. He requested reviews of the gazetting of 18,900 hectares in Mannar under wildlife and forest conservation, the stalled EU-funded drainage project, delayed teacher training certificates from Kopay, and pay anomalies affecting university library assistants under UGC Circulars 975 and 985. He also raised concerns about Myanmar/Rohingya refugees rescued off Mullaitivu, calling for access for MPs and NGOs, provision of basic supplies, UNHCR involvement, third-country resettlement where possible, and no forced return in violation of international law. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister referred to Section 9 of the Welfare Benefits Act, No. 24 of 2002, and presented the Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Order, citing survey and poverty data to contextualize the economic impact on households. He stated that two welfare benefit categories due to expire on 31 December 2024 were extended to 31 March 2025, while monthly payments for the Poor and Extreme Poor categories were increased from January 2025. He said the Government’s five-year programme prioritizes poverty eradication through cash transfers, empowerment of two million vulnerable and extremely poor families, and integrated rural development including community-based microfinance and savings initiatives. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti rejected claims that the Government is continuing Ranil Wickremesinghe’s policies, arguing that in its first 100 days Ministers had not undertaken costly foreign trips or faced concrete allegations of corruption. He said programmes such as Clean Sri Lanka were being implemented without corruption and invited Members to raise any allegations through COPE. He clarified that a kabook export item in a Gazette had been carried over from earlier Cabinet decisions and would be corrected, and stated that Sathosa had reduced prices on 20 of 38 selected items, including an 8 per cent reduction over the previous four months. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister defended the continued use of Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, stating that six-monthly revisions are necessary in current economic conditions to balance farmer and consumer interests despite past abuses associated with the levy. He tabled a Sathosa report on 38 SCL-related consumer items, arguing that prices of 25 items had fallen between January 2024 and January 2025, with an average reduction of about 19 per cent, including decreases in big onions, chickpeas, dried chillies, green gram, cowpea, potatoes and sprats. He acknowledged ongoing rice supply concerns but said separate action was being taken by the Trade Minister, and noted that the Government had been in office for only 49 days. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister explained that a regulation under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, published in Gazette No. 2400/25, was being presented for parliamentary approval within the required four-month period. He said the regulation includes a Rs. 1 per kilogram cess reduction on imported clinker, conditional on a Rs. 2 per kilogram reduction in cement retail prices, with the aim of lowering a 50 kg bag by about Rs. 100 and supporting the construction sector. He also noted concerns over a pilot proposal to permit the export of one million metric tons of black stone blocks, stating that domestic construction needs must be considered and that no export applications had yet been received. He further referred to Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, describing the SCL framework as intended to protect farmers and consumers from VAT and other tax burdens. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that Ranil Wickremesinghe had served as President for more than two and a half years since July 2022 but had not increased salaries during that period. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary At the upcoming Budget, the Government will provide a significant salary increase for public servants in response to current living conditions. The Deputy Minister stated that the increase has already been announced, will be visible when the Budget is presented next month, and is not affected by the IMF agreement. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the Government’s delay in reducing electricity tariffs, citing the President’s commitment to reduce tariffs by more than 30 per cent “in the near future.” He argued that tariff revisions in October, December, and subsequent concession opportunities had been missed, while the PUCSL had identified errors in pricing inputs from the Ministry and CEB. He further disputed claims of losses, referring to a reported Rs. 167 billion surplus in 2024, Treasury assumption of debts, and high hydro generation, and asked when relief would be provided to consumers. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody clarified that the Government’s commitment is to reduce electricity bills, not supply, through a phased three-year plan rather than immediate cuts. He said the CEB faces about Rs. 332 billion in debt and legacy issues including high-cost power purchase agreements, making ad hoc tariff reductions impractical. He stated that while calculations indicated a possible 37 per cent tariff increase, the Government avoided major increases and aims to reduce bills by around 35 per cent by stabilizing costs and moving toward a least-cost regional benchmark. Oral Questions Read →