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. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Welcoming the proposed Rs. 6,000 grant for children from low-income families to buy educational materials, Chanaka Madugoda argued that the debate should also recognize past education-related welfare measures such as school meals, uniforms and the “Suraksha” insurance scheme. He urged the Government to revise the criteria for identifying low-income households so that children are not excluded solely because a parent is a public servant, and to assess actual family circumstances, including the number of school-going children. He further said current education costs, including tuition for Advanced Level students, far exceed Rs. 6,000 and called for higher support in line with the Government’s previous commitments on education funding. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Ms.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne used her maiden speech to argue that the new Government inherited a severely weakened education, health, and agriculture sector from the previous administration and should be judged on its performance over the next five years. Referring to the education allocations under discussion, she said concerns about limiting the school stationery allowance to Aswesuma beneficiaries had been addressed by the President, who indicated that consideration would be given to extending support to all children. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe supported the Supplementary Estimate to provide Rs. 6,000 for 2025 school supplies to eligible students, arguing it addresses hardship faced by families and should be viewed as an initial empowerment measure rather than a vote-oriented handout. He criticised previous poverty alleviation and beneficiary identification programmes, including Janasaviya, Samurdhi and Aswesuma, as ineffective in eradicating poverty. He also rejected Opposition concerns raised over International Sovereign Bond restructuring, stating the Government expects the economy to strengthen by 2028. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera argued that the proposed Rs. 6,000 school supplies allowance should not be limited to children in Aswesuma beneficiary families because the Aswesuma selection process is flawed and discretionary, and proposed instead that it be granted universally to all schoolchildren. He also questioned the lack of detailed disclosure on the President’s visit to India, particularly regarding physical, digital, and energy connectivity proposals, and sought clarification on the proposed multi-product energy pipeline, its financing, conditions, and the role of the UAE. He further stated that the Government appeared to be continuing the previous administration’s policy direction and, in response to a personal matter raised by the Minister of Justice, clarified his professional status as Counsel under Act No. 26 of 2023 while tabling related campaign material. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The President AI summary The President announced an agreed phased extension of the loan moratorium for SMEs, citing Rs. 1,385 billion in non-performing loans across 752,896 borrowers as of 30 September 2024, with 99% below Rs. 25 million, and said the approach seeks to balance borrower relief with protection of depositors and banking stability. The moratorium is extended to 31 March 2025, with restructuring timelines set according to loan size: up to 15 December 2025 for loans below Rs. 25 million, 15 September 2025 for Rs. 25–50 million, and 15 June 2025 for loans above Rs. 50 million, subject to borrowers indicating consent by 31 March 2025. He also outlined forthcoming Budget relief measures and related legislative needs, including the Rs. 3,000 pensioner allowance, fertilizer subsidy payments up to Rs. 25,000, fuel support for fishers, and a Rs. 6,000 school supplies allowance for children in Aswesuma beneficiary households, with an additional process to address beneficiary selection concerns. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka - President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka defended the Government’s debt restructuring position and rejected claims that renewed debt payments in 2028 would lead to another bankruptcy, stating a target of USD 15.1 billion in foreign reserves by that year. He outlined revisions negotiated during the IMF third review, including PAYE tax relief, VAT exemptions for domestically produced fresh milk products, reducing the proposed services export tax from 30% to 15%, and raising withholding tax to 10% with safeguards for low-income retirees. He also announced a phased reopening of vehicle imports from December 2024 to February 2025, saying the policy was coordinated with the Central Bank to manage dollar outflows while supporting economic activity. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concerns about the safety and quality of imported rice, noting that some containers had reportedly been sent back after checks by the Health Ministry’s Food Control Administration Unit. He urged the authorities to urgently verify whether the rice is fit for consumption and its age, and said that in an emergency the Government should prioritize importing rice for public consumption over collecting the 15 per cent tax. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government had restructured STC with a new Chairman and Board and opened tenders to import rice, including a 20,800 MT tender closing the next day and an initial 5,200 MT consignment expected on the 19th. He stated that Cabinet had approved importing 70,000 MT, while import restrictions were relaxed from the 6th to the 20th to allow private importers, with about 12,000 MT released from port by the previous day. He said local millers holding around 300,000 MT had released stocks slowly, but following discussions led by the President they had agreed to supply Sathosa about 300 MT per day and increase market releases to address the shortage. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake argued that, given the current shortage of rice before the harvest, priority should be given to consumers while also recognizing farmers’ difficulties. He urged the Trade Minister not to rely solely on state entities such as the STC for imports, citing past delays, and said experienced private importers should have been used earlier. He asked the Government to ensure imported rice reaches consumers at controlled prices, while noting that farmers still lack confidence in support schemes and often sell to moneylenders. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe – Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development AI summary The Minister stated that Cabinet approvals on 25 November and 2 December 2024 authorized rice imports by Lanka Sathosa, the Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation and the private sector, with imports beginning after the market was opened on 4 December. He reported that by 17 December about 12,000 metric tonnes had been cleared, and that maximum retail prices had been gazetted at Rs. 210 per kg for kekulu, Rs. 220 for nadu and Rs. 230 for samba. He also cited Consumer Affairs Authority data showing about 300,000 metric tonnes of rice stocks in 416 mills across 20 districts by 5 November, and said imports were intended to address shortages, stabilize prices and support food security through Sathosa, co-operatives, supermarkets and limited private-sector participation. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne said early paddy harvesting would begin by the end of next month, with other varieties following through February, and that arrangements were being made for government paddy purchasing. He stated that production costs per kilogram would be calculated to set a guaranteed price giving farmers a fair margin, while also establishing controlled rice prices to protect consumers. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concerns over rising rice prices and questioned the effectiveness of government imports in stabilizing the market. He argued that the Rs. 65 tax on imported rice keeps import prices aligned with domestic prices, while paddy prices have risen above Rs. 9,000 per 50 kg bag. He asked whether the Government would maintain prices when the next harvest enters the market to ensure farmers receive a fair price. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D.V. Chanaka said the Opposition would hold the Government to the promises in its “A Prosperous Country and a Beautiful Life” manifesto rather than allow them to be forgotten. He credited the previous administration and officials, including Basil Rajapaksa, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Shehan Semasinghe, the Central Bank Governor and Treasury officials, for initiating and implementing the IMF programme. He argued that politicians who previously opposed the IMF and criticized measures such as electricity tariffs and fuel pricing are now following the same path, and cited past claims that electricity tariffs could have been reduced further. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi argued that Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and 2022 debt default resulted from past mismanagement, corruption, unproductive borrowing, weak revenue administration, and failure to build a sound economic base. She stated that the National People’s Power Government would not abandon its manifesto, “A Prosperous Country and a Beautiful Life,” and would pursue its own stabilization and recovery programme rather than continue a previous administration’s plan. She defended responsible borrowing, said the Government would follow a realistic “middle path” including in relation to the IMF, and invited the Opposition to support national recovery while assuring that people would receive a fair share of economic gains over the next five years. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the sovereign debt restructuring process, arguing that it has helped restore financial stability, lower interest rates, and preserve social welfare measures such as increased Aswesuma payments. He highlighted longstanding poverty, housing, land, health, education, wage and employment issues affecting the hill-country estate community, noting that many still live in old line rooms without proper addresses. He said the Government, through measures such as the Hatton Declaration and anti-corruption efforts, would address land and welfare issues, and requested assistance from India and Tamil Nadu in resolving estate community problems. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development AI summary The Acting Minister said the Government continued the international sovereign bond restructuring process because prior agreements, creditor comparability concerns, and significant advisory costs made withdrawal likely to create further instability. He outlined the inherited debt and economic crisis, noted the role and costs of advisers appointed by the previous Government, and argued that stabilization measures had contributed to lower inflation, energy and fuel costs, interest rates, and improved reserves. He said the Government had expedited Aswesuma payments, fisheries relief, fertilizer support, and measures to revive business activity, while pursuing reforms, rural development, MSME support, and a growth path to 2030. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Government’s position on India-related agreements and projects, including ETCA, the IL/UCC agreement, the proposed oil pipeline, the Adani project, Trincomalee oil tanks, and the Sampur 500 MW plant, and called for a detailed report to Parliament on investments, security implications, and trade effects following the President’s visit to India. He also asked whether the Government had negotiated with the IMF for reductions in VAT, PAYE tax, electricity tariffs, and water tariffs, noting concerns over the reported ISB haircut and revenue collections. He urged the Government to state whether promised tax and tariff relief, especially for young professionals, would be implemented or used instead to support debt-restructuring targets. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar welcomed the Government’s stationery allowance for students but urged that benefits be provided without distinctions among children, as with earlier universal textbook, uniform and meal programmes. He demanded disclosure to Parliament of the number and locations of Muslim COVID-19 victims forcibly cremated, while accepting that names may be withheld on ethical grounds. He called for detailed parliamentary reporting on the President’s India visit, including positions on ETCA/UCC, oil pipelines, the Adani project, Trincomalee oil tanks, Sampur power plant, investment values, national security and trade implications. He also questioned whether the Government had discussed VAT, PAYE, electricity and water tariff relief with the IMF in light of ISB restructuring and higher tax revenue, and asked for the Government’s position on PUCSL recommendations to reduce electricity tariffs. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the supplementary allocation presented by the Prime Minister as Minister of Education is intended to help children from Aswesuma-recipient families purchase educational materials, with consideration for other hardship cases as well. He argued that the measure responds to wider shortages in schools, including lack of teachers, facilities and administrators, and said no child should be treated unfairly. He also raised allegations concerning Namal Rajapaksa’s Law College examination and later university application, calling for an investigation and justice in relation to alleged misuse of political influence. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe supported the supplementary education allocation for assistance to students from low-income families under the Aswesuma scheme, and requested that rural poor children outside the scheme and orphaned children living with middle-income relatives also be included. He raised concerns that 102 untrained teachers recruited in six subjects had been sent to Kopay for training despite the existence of the Addalaichenai Teachers’ Training College, and asked the Minister to reconsider, noting Kopay lacked an Islam course. He also urged the immediate appointment of 230 needed lecturers to under-staffed Teachers’ Training Colleges to avoid recurring private lecturer costs, and requested expedited action to establish two education zones in Pottuvil, Ampara District. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →