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- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government would proceed within existing understandings, including with the IMF, while avoiding instability and implementing the NPP’s programme following its mandate. He referred to past debt accumulation and questioned the use of some loan proceeds, stating that forensic audits are being pursued. He said the short-term Vote on Account would be followed by a Budget under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, and addressed price pressures on essential goods. On rice, he said large millers with about Rs. 15 billion in state bank loans had been instructed to release stocks, with supplies now going to Sathosa and maximum retail prices notified for Nadu, Kekulu and Samba rice. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. K.S. Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Hon. K.S. Kugathasan highlighted flood-related damage in the Trincomalee District during comments on the Government’s policy statement. He said 23,463 acres of paddy were fully damaged, 10,525 acres partially damaged, 12,994 farming families affected, and 28 irrigation tanks breached fully or partially. He also noted income losses for 23,178 fishing families and flood impacts on 4,250 households, and requested necessary relief for all affected groups. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. (Ms.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Oshani Umanga thanked voters in Horana and Kalutara and framed the election result as a mandate to transform the country through cleaner governance, digitization, improved state productivity, and support for investment and SMEs. She highlighted increased women’s representation in Parliament and public office, including the re-establishment of the Women’s Caucus, and said the Government would prioritize women’s issues and participation in policymaking. She cited welfare and cost-of-living measures such as school supply grants, pension and Aswasuma increases, fertilizer subsidies, and fuel support for fishers, urging legal and financial backing to implement the “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Lives” programme. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Amila Prasad criticized the Government for expanding welfare programmes such as “Aswesuma” and child-related assistance while failing to deliver tax relief expected by the middle class. He argued that, despite accusing Sajith Premadasa of welfare populism, the Government had adopted similar welfare measures using public funds, whereas his party leader had used party funds for such assistance. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana urged the new Government to respect the role of the Opposition, avoid triumphalism despite its large mandate, and account to Parliament on how it will address corruption, economic recovery, education, health, and public relief in a bankrupt country. He questioned allocations under the Vote on Account, including presidential expenditure, travel, motorcades, and advisers, and said the Government’s current positions on borrowing, rice imports, taxation, and “mafia” claims differed from its earlier rhetoric. He also called for continued justice for Easter Sunday attack victims and warned that suspending Standing Orders in relation to the Vote on Account must comply with the Public Financial Management Act and proper parliamentary procedure. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. E.M. Basnayaka JJB AI summary Hon. E.M. Basnayaka marked his first speech as an MP for Ududumbara, noting the National People’s Power’s electoral gains in Kandy and the return of representation for Ududumbara/Hasalaka after many years. He highlighted severe drinking water shortages and kidney disease concerns in areas including Ududumbara, Teldeniya, Digana, Matale, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Ampara, as well as the human-elephant conflict in Hassalaka, Ududumbara, Mahiyanganaya, and Mahaweli-adjacent districts. He argued that previous governments and long-serving representatives had failed to address these issues, contributing to debt, economic decline, and youth migration, and stated that the NPP Government would prioritize resolving these problems and improving living conditions. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy, speaking on the Vote on Account and the President’s policy statement, rejected attempts to attribute past governments’ actions to the SJB and urged the Government to match its promises with delivery. He said many small-scale fishers had not received announced relief and criticised the Rs. 5 increase in kerosene prices, while also calling for compensation and assessments for repeated crop losses in Kalpitiya. He questioned the cost of debt restructuring advisers and asked that funds instead support fishers, farmers and consumers, urging programmes to reduce living costs ahead of Christmas and the New Year while offering Opposition support for beneficial measures. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala acknowledged the Government’s large mandate and said the Opposition would support measures beneficial to the country while opposing actions harmful to the public. He urged the Government to address the high cost of living, including food prices and widespread hardship, and warned that public expectations must be met quickly after the economic crisis. He rejected claims that nothing had been achieved over 76 years, citing progress in free education and health, and called for practical short-, medium- and long-term measures to earn foreign exchange, particularly by improving foreign employment remittances and tourism to help meet debt obligations by 2028. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar said the Government should enforce its anti-communal stance through the law and questioned whether promised savings from reducing corruption, waste and theft are reflected in the expenditure estimates. He challenged the Government’s proposed borrowing, its position on the IMF and debt restructuring, and asked whether it would address losses to EPF/ETF members from domestic debt restructuring and clarify claims about removing 500,000 public servants. He sought timelines and implementation plans for pledges on fuel taxes, electricity tariff reductions, Trincomalee oil tanks, rice imports and supply, PAYE and VAT relief, and removal of taxes on food, education and health. He also asked for concrete proposals on FDI, grants, and tourism strategy, stating that the Opposition would support sound plans while urging stronger checks and balances. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra defended the JJB Government’s decision to continue engagement with the IMF and complete debt restructuring, arguing that it had been stated in the party’s manifesto and was necessary to avoid further economic damage. She said the previous Government was responsible for the debt crisis and that delays in restructuring had cost an additional USD 1.7 billion in interest. She also stated that the President’s expenditure head had reduced personal staff allocations by 64 percent and that the Government’s mandate was to restore economic inclusion for affected workers and SMEs. She further pledged a new Constitution to ensure equality and dignity for all communities and inclusive participation in the State. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath supported the Vote on Account as necessary to fund essential services, including public sector salaries and sectoral expenditure, while the new Government prepares the 2025 Budget. He argued that the current economic crisis resulted from past economic policies and mismanagement, and said the National People’s Power Government intends to shift towards a production-focused economy. He highlighted issues in agriculture and markets, including high rice and coconut prices, alleged market manipulation, and crop losses in Hambantota, proposing stronger state intervention such as an expanded Paddy Marketing Board. He stated that the Government would implement recovery plans over the coming months and invited others to support the rebuilding process. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Government’s plan to release ten million coconuts over two weeks, noting that daily national demand is about four million and warning that shortages and queues may continue while prices remain around Rs. 240 per coconut. He argued that the rice and coconut supply issues should have been addressed promptly after the Government was formed and urged the newly appointed Minister to provide an effective solution to prevent consumer hardship. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that coconuts are being made available through Sathosa outlets from that day. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Government’s plan to purchase rice at Rs. 220 per kilo from mills that had bought paddy at Rs. 90 per kilo, and said imports should be allowed if there is a genuine shortage. He highlighted shortages in his district, stating that shops limit rice sales to one kilo and that coconuts and coconut milk powder are unavailable, including at Keells despite the Prime Minister’s visit. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Acknowledging a rice market shortfall and allegations of hoarding, the Minister said the Government is taking short-term measures to stabilize supply, including permitting up to 70,000 metric tons of rice imports, of which about 50,000 metric tons are expected to arrive. He said Sathosa is releasing 200 metric tons of rice daily at Rs. 220 per kilo, covering about three percent of daily demand, until imports and private stocks enter the market. He also stated that some traders and loan recipients are attempting to manipulate stocks and prices, and said he would present details and pursue longer-term measures to prevent market abuse. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D.V. Chanaka criticised the Government for not implementing pledges made in opposition, including raising the PAYE tax-free threshold, reducing VAT, removing VAT on essential medicines and school supplies, and granting a Rs. 25,000 salary increase. He argued that the Government now has the presidency, a parliamentary majority, and claimed savings from reduced waste and corruption, and should therefore use those funds for salary increases and compensation for crop damage. He also questioned the Trade Minister on the response to the “market mafia” and the decision to import rice, referring to the stated figure of 70,000 metric tons. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna thanked the Government for emergency allocations for dry rations and cooked food in Jaffna and Kilinochchi following heavy rains, citing information from the respective Government Agents and his visits to affected areas. He urged greater recognition of the Tamil diaspora’s role in supporting households in the North and said diaspora members were willing to return and invest in Sri Lanka. He pledged cooperation with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Government on national measures, while criticizing the previous chemical fertilizer policy and those now proposing agricultural compensation. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake urged that Government-side speaking time be reduced, then supported a point raised by Hon. Kader Masthan regarding flood relief. He noted that existing circulars make it difficult to provide food assistance to severely affected people who remain in their homes during floods, and requested the Deputy Minister of Defence and relevant social security authorities to consider amending the circular to allow such support. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka raised concerns about the Government’s response to recent flood damage, including loss of life, destruction of crops and property, and the absence of clear livelihood restoration measures. He argued that the proposed Rs. 40,000 per acre compensation for damaged paddy fields is inadequate compared with farmers’ incurred costs and requested at least Rs. 100,000 per acre, including for partially damaged lands. He questioned why the Government could not provide greater relief if claimed savings from reduced corruption and expenditure were being realized, and urged immediate delivery of fertilizer support and compensation to affected farmers. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera welcomed the President’s policy statement but questioned whether its commitments would be implemented, citing past failures of governments to fulfil such pledges. He criticized the Government for not announcing immediate measures to address rising living costs, including rice prices, and warned that import duties on rice could prevent consumers from receiving price relief. He also called for urgent support for SMEs through reduced input costs, especially electricity tariffs, and urged action to provide the promised Rs. 1,700 daily wage for estate workers. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →