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- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that the fixed Rs. 5 retail margin on rice is inadequate for retailers in areas farther from production centres, such as Gampaha or Marandagahamula, due to additional costs including packaging. He said this has discouraged retailers from purchasing rice, contributing to shortages in the market, and distinguished the issue from wholesale pricing. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister replied to an adjournment question on rice price controls, explaining that the Rs. 5 margin between wholesale and retail prices was set after considering inelastic rice demand, the absence of government buffer stocks, shortages, market supply issues, and Consumer Affairs Authority analysis. He said the Government set wholesale and retail prices after consulting millers and importers, noting that large millers control about 30–35 percent of the market while small and medium millers supply the rest, and that creating multiple price layers for intermediaries was not practicable. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad questioned the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development on the current rice shortage and high prices ahead of the festive season. He sought details on the basis for setting wholesale and retail price margins, the available stocks of Nadu rice and paddy, whether further imports are planned, and what measures will prevent future shortages and control prices. He also asked why rice imports were delayed and whether the Government intends to use buffer stocks or imports to regulate prices in future. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha argued that the proposed education allowance is a targeted, fiscally constrained measure to support schoolchildren facing shortages of food, clothing and learning materials, while noting that universal provision for about four million students would cost around Rs. 23 billion. He said eligibility issues under Aswesuma stemmed from technical data-collection problems and bank account gaps, and called for reviewing the 22 selection criteria and correcting unpaid cases. He defended the Government’s policy direction and debt restructuring approach as pragmatic given inherited debt and near-completed agreements, emphasizing stabilization of markets and expected improvement in the foreign debt rating. He also rejected claims that the Government had abandoned its policy commitments or entered disadvantageous agreements during the Indian visit. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister supported the supplementary estimate, highlighting the Government’s proposal to allocate Rs. 6.5 billion under Aswesuma to provide Rs. 6,000 each for school stationery and books to children from low-income families, citing survey data on the impact of the economic crisis on schoolchildren. He criticised the Opposition for focusing on personal qualifications instead of social issues and called for cross-party support for measures assisting vulnerable families. On energy, he stated that the Ceylon Electricity Board has proposed no tariff increase for the first six months of 2025 despite an estimated Rs. 39 billion shortfall, using prior additional income and management measures while addressing debts of about Rs. 333 billion. He said the Government’s aim is to provide reliable energy at fair prices for households and industry while avoiding future burdens through taxes or tariffs. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticised the Government’s rice import policy, arguing that import taxes have prevented consumers from receiving relief while both major mill owners and the Government benefit from high prices. He questioned the fairness of imposing a Rs. 65 per kilogram tax on imported rice amid rising hardship, malnutrition, and insufficient incomes. He urged the Minister to reduce the tax immediately rather than waiting for the next Budget, so that rice prices could be lowered for the public. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman stated that he does not object to Sathosa importing or supplying rice, but raised concern that having two procedures could delay rice reaching the market. His point focused on potential administrative delays affecting rice availability. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that rice imports are being handled through an orderly tender process, with arrivals expected from 19 December and clearance of imported rice having begun from 12 December. He said permits were issued from 4 to 20 December to allow importers sufficient time and space to bring in required stocks, and argued that awarding the tender to Sathosa does not obstruct private sector imports. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman questioned the fairness of the Rs. 65 per kilogram tax on imported rice, arguing that it burdens consumers at a time when rice is already unaffordable and the country may need about 200,000 metric tons per month until the next harvest. He said the Government should use Parliament’s powers to reduce the tax immediately rather than wait for promised concessions, and should allow private importers to bring in rice under the controlled price. He also argued that Sathosa tenders are unnecessary and would only delay imports, risking shortages and benefiting large rice traders. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the relevant measure should be phased out in an orderly, systematic manner rather than removed abruptly. He argued that sudden removal could disrupt the supply of rice to the market and harm farmers, and said the approach should protect both farmers and consumers. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman questioned the fairness of imposing a Rs. 65 per kilogram tax on imported rice while maintaining a controlled maximum retail price of Rs. 220, noting that local millers also do not sell rice at that price. He argued that previous governments had not imposed import taxes above Rs. 10 per kilogram on rice and urged the Government to reduce the tax immediately rather than waiting until April, in order to provide relief to consumers. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman questioned the Government’s rice import policy and price controls, noting that imported rice costing about Rs. 150 per kilo in India becomes about Rs. 215 after taxes when landed in Sri Lanka. He asked how traders could sell white Kekulu and Nadu rice at the controlled price of Rs. 220 per kilo after accounting for transport and other costs. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman said the government had acknowledged the value of private assistance to schools after previously criticizing such initiatives by the Opposition Leader. He raised concerns over high rice prices despite controlled prices, citing Nadu, Keeri Samba and Red Kekulu being sold above official rates, and said the government had been unable to regulate major rice mill owners even after several discussions. He supported the decision to import rice to ease consumer prices but questioned the implementation of the approved 70,000 metric tons import programme and whether sufficient quantities would arrive within the stated deadline. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti argued that state procurement and support should be directed to state institutions and local producers to reduce costs for school supplies and revive domestic industries. He cited exercise books, shoes and matches as examples of policies and taxes disadvantaging local manufacturers against imports or unregulated alternatives, and said Treasury savings could be redirected to benefit students and keep children in school. He also urged the Leader of the Opposition to continue his school bus donation programme after the election period, stating that sustained implementation would show it was not merely a political campaign. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the Supplementary Estimate provides a Rs. 6,000 grant for school supplies to children from low-income families, using Aswesuma as the immediate delivery mechanism to avoid delays before the January school term, while the Education Ministry identifies other eligible children through schools. He emphasized that the programme should not be politicized and said coverage could be expanded, including through voluntary donations from better-off families. He linked the measure to improving revenue performance and outlined plans to reduce exercise book prices by reviving domestic paper production through waste-paper collection, the Government Printing Department, and the National Paper Company. He also said VAT relief on essential school supplies should be pursued as fiscal conditions improve, and criticized past election-period recruitment to state-owned enterprises. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj said the Government has allocated Rs. 6,500 million to provide a Rs. 6,000 grant from January 2025 for school supplies and books to children from economically distressed families. She linked the measure to rising school dropout rates, poverty, microfinance-related hardship among mothers, and the need to ensure free education includes equitable access to materials, nutrition, and support such as girls’ sanitary needs. Responding to Hon. Jeevan Thondaman, she stated that the grant is intended for all children without ethnic, regional, or occupational discrimination, with the longer-term aim of preventing dropouts and reducing the education burden on parents. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary M.K.M. Aslam supported the proposed Rs. 6,000 grant for schoolchildren, arguing that it responds to hardships faced by families during the economic crisis, including difficulties in buying school supplies, shoes, and paying education-related costs. He rejected claims of biased distribution and said the Government would treat children equally across all regions and communities. He also criticized those responsible for the economic crisis while calling for a humane Opposition and urged Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities to unite as Sri Lankans in support of children’s future. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah said the Government had not delivered promised reductions in prices, fuel, and electricity tariffs, and urged measures to control essential costs. He called for reconsideration of reduced rooftop solar purchase tariffs, citing PUCSL’s recommendation for an electricity tariff reduction and concerns that lower solar payments would undermine renewable energy targets and affect small investors. He supported school-supplies assistance under Aswasuma but requested that the full Rs. 6,000 per child be provided, or alternatively an interest-free loan for government servants, and urged caution on vehicle imports to protect the exchange rate. He also requested urgent central funding for the Eastern Provincial Council to repair flood-damaged schools and roads, particularly in Batticaloa. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha supported the Supplementary Estimate providing Rs. 6,000 for school supplies to children from poor families, arguing it would help school retention amid declining Grade 1 enrolment and significant dropout rates, particularly in Grades 9 and 10. He cited poverty, nutrition problems, resource gaps, and weak exam outcomes as interconnected challenges affecting education, and called for expanded school meal programmes, curriculum modernization, reduced reliance on rote assessment, and improved pay and service conditions for education-sector staff. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Jeevan Thondaman responded to remarks on the plantation community and welcomed the concern expressed. He clarified that although a Cabinet paper was submitted to include plantation people in the Aswasuma welfare scheme, current implementation benefits only children of estate employees, excluding children of estate residents working in the informal sector. He called for those children also to be covered. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →