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- 8 April 2026 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera criticized the Government’s handling of rising fuel, electricity and living costs ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, arguing that warnings and relief proposals earlier made by Hon. Sajith Premadasa were dismissed but later adopted. He questioned the fulfilment of compensation and housing promises to victims of Cyclone “Ditva,” particularly estate workers still reportedly in temporary shelters, and called for land and housing solutions outside estates if necessary. He argued that new relief measures were insufficient because they mainly covered Aswesuma beneficiaries and excluded many working poor, public servants, businesses and private-sector workers. He also linked electricity tariff increases to alleged coal procurement losses cited in the Auditor General’s report, challenged reversals on rice imports and other pledges, and urged Government members to intervene to protect the public from further cost burdens. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Wasantha Piyathissa said current fuel, gas, electricity and transport cost increases stem from a global energy crisis and supply disruptions, not Government mismanagement, and stated that relief measures had been outlined by the President. He contrasted this with the previous economic collapse, citing corruption and dollar shortages, and claimed the Government has improved fiscal discipline, saved Treasury funds, funded Cyclone “Ditva” relief without new debt or money printing, and pursued anti-corruption investigations. He also referred to public sector salary increases, plans to recruit 73,000 workers including 23,000 teachers, energy infrastructure projects involving the Trincomalee oil tanks and Muthurajawela-Katunayake pipeline, and corrections to Aswesuma beneficiary targeting. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe criticized the Government’s handling of fuel and electricity pricing, arguing that stated fuel reserves and global conditions did not justify recent price increases and citing comparative regional data and World Bank-related indicators on tariffs, food affordability and unemployment. He alleged failures and irregularities in coal procurement, referring to an Auditor General’s report, tender manipulation, substandard coal and large financial losses, and warned that delays in coal imports and non-payment to renewable power producers could trigger a major electricity crisis. He urged the Government to reduce fuel prices if supplies were secure, investigate procurement fraud rather than minor offenders, and address rising production costs, farmer difficulties and inadequate relief for affected communities. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani seconded the Adjournment Motion, arguing that the Government restored economic stability after taking office in 2024, citing a reduced deficit, higher current account surplus and increased revenue. She said the Government had responded to Cyclone “Ditva” and current global war-related energy pressures without passing the full burden to consumers, and outlined a Rs. 100 billion relief package covering electricity users, fisheries, fertilizer, tea smallholders and Aswesuma beneficiaries. She assured continued supplies of fuel, gas and essentials during the festive season and called for collective support to manage the global situation. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Dharmapriya Wijesinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Wijesinghe moved an Adjournment Motion on the global supply-chain and energy crisis arising from Middle East war tensions, noting risks to fuel, gas and coal supplies, higher global fuel prices, and increased freight and insurance costs. He stated that the Government is committed to maintaining essential energy supplies, public services, economic activity and supply chains while coordinating responses to daily-life difficulties. He called for cooperation among Parliament, public institutions and society to manage the crisis and minimize its impact on the economy and the public. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned findings in an audit report on coal procurement, linking them to a similar 2022 issue investigated by the Committee on Public Finance and arguing that bypassing supplier qualification requirements can impose major costs on the public. He said higher generation costs feed into electricity tariffs under cost-reflective pricing and reiterated support for targeted relief to vulnerable groups. He asked the Government to explain how announced electricity, fuel and Aswesuma relief—estimated by him at Rs. 80–90 billion and largely time-limited—would be financed, including what expenditure would be cut or reclassified, and whether inflationary pressures could realistically ease within the relief period. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara urged the Sports Minister to address problematic practices he had raised, noting he would not dwell on a ministry he previously held. He questioned the President’s announced relief measures, arguing that Aswesuma support covers only about 1.6–1.7 million of Sri Lanka’s 5.5–5.7 million families and asking what relief is available to the remaining households. He also challenged the Government’s claim that it would absorb Rs. 100 per litre of diesel, demanding a fuel pricing formula to verify landed costs, margins, and the basis for repeated fuel price increases despite reported stocks. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Aruna Panagoda defended the President’s relief package, stating that it was introduced in response to wartime hardships and the festive season, with over Rs. 100 billion in support for farmers, fishers, and low-income groups. He said the Government’s revenue measures are linked to the Budget, aimed at improving tax administration, bringing tax evaders into the system, and shifting away from excessive reliance on indirect taxes. He also argued that strengthening the rule of law and reducing corruption and commissions are necessary to restore investor confidence. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir AI summary Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir opposed the proposed tax increase to 36 per cent, arguing that it would harm entrepreneurs, industry, and the wider economy. He welcomed the sports regulation limiting office-bearers in sports associations to eight years, noting its earlier association with former Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara. He urged the Government to ensure that the President’s relief package, including cyclone assistance, fertilizer, fuel, and fisheries support, is actually delivered without excessive administrative barriers, and raised concerns over high input costs, low farm-gate vegetable prices, and transport constraints. He also requested the opening of a completed but unused hospital in Kalpitiya and defended the Opposition Leader’s attendance at a book launch as a normal response to an invitation. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Fasmin Sharif JJB AI summary Hon. Fasmin Sharif supported anti-doping measures under SLADA, arguing that testing protects clean athletes and Sri Lanka’s reputation, and linked broader tax and policy measures to national development. He criticized alleged communal politics around the Easter Sunday attacks and opposition figures’ positions, citing the President’s intervention for Muslim sailors as evidence of minority confidence in the Government. He also defended recent fuel price reductions amid global supply pressures and outlined cyclone relief commitments, including Rs. 500,000 for partially damaged houses and Rs. 5 million plus land for fully damaged homes. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara criticised the Government’s relief package and economic claims, arguing that higher taxes and living costs have prevented meaningful relief from reaching the public. He questioned the use and distribution of funds promised after the “Ditsa” cyclone, including housing assistance and rent support, and raised doubts about ministers’ personal wealth and fundraising claims. He also criticised delays and inadequacies in agricultural subsidies, rising cultivation costs, rice import policy shifts, and the impact on farmers, while highlighting education and illicit liquor issues in the North Central Province and unmet hardship allowance promises for teachers. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala criticized the Government’s relief efforts, saying promised assistance after the “Ditsa” cyclone, especially for damaged houses, had made little progress and urging that newly announced relief not suffer the same fate. He argued that poverty has risen, public servants and low-income groups are struggling ahead of the New Year, and repeated tax, fuel, gas, and electricity price increases have worsened pressures on SMEs and manufacturers. He also raised concerns over alleged low-quality coal procurement, unannounced power cuts, inadequate support for farmers, and called on the Government to use its parliamentary majority to implement a livelihood-support programme, while stating the Opposition would cooperate to reduce public hardship. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana supported the importance of the Port City project but urged the Government to appoint a business-oriented chairperson to attract investors, criticizing the suitability of the current appointment. He linked global instability and the Middle East conflict to economic pressures, and argued that domestic living costs have worsened since the Aragalaya, citing increases in food, gas, fuel, and electricity costs. He called for Provincial Council elections to test the Government’s public support and criticized statements by Government members that he said minimized public hardship. He also requested that the Fisheries Minister table records of assistance paid to multi-day fishing vessels, arguing that current fuel costs have left fisherfolk in serious difficulty. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said fertilizer procurement for the Yala season was underway, with MOP available and TSP and urea tenders and consignments being managed for proportional allocation. He defended the Government’s relief package as planned and sustainable, including direct assistance to affected groups and measures to contain inflation without increasing money supply growth. He stated that the Government had engaged producers, importers and distributors on essential goods, fuel, gas and construction materials to limit festive-season price increases, while acknowledging possible pressure from the dollar, oil prices, tourism and remittances. He rejected Opposition claims on shortages, prices and coal quality, saying such matters should be debated on facts and handled through contractual and procedural mechanisms. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected claims that the Government was unprepared for the impacts of the Israel-US attacks on Iran, stating that Cabinet committees had been established on transport, food security and continuity of public services, with QR-based fuel controls used where needed. He said fiscal discipline and increased revenue had enabled additional relief expenditure, including Rs. 50 billion this year for Cyclone “Michaung” victims, bringing relief allocations to about Rs. 150 billion with the latest Rs. 100 billion. He also dismissed concerns over fertilizer shortages, saying availability had been reviewed with relevant companies, departments and ministries through regular inter-ministerial coordination on production, transport and essential supplies. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition said the Government’s relief package followed opposition protests and urged that it be implemented promptly, citing earlier unmet pledges to victims of Cyclone “Michaung.” He questioned the adequacy and economic basis of the proposed Rs. 100 billion package, argued that IMF negotiations should have sought greater flexibility in light of recent crises, and requested that international partners be allowed to meet all political parties freely. He also raised concerns over substandard coal and reduced output at Lakvijaya, and demanded expanded relief, particularly for LPG-using households, noting that the package represents only a small share of claimed budgetary savings from higher taxes. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence; Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary The President outlined a three-month relief package in response to war-related global cost pressures affecting fuel, fertilizer, electricity and low-income households. Measures include Treasury subsidies of Rs. 100 per litre for diesel and Rs. 20 for regular petrol, additional fuel support for fishers, fixed-price urea and increased fertilizer assistance for paddy, other field crops and tea smallholders, plus a one-off April increase in Aswesuma payments. He said electricity cost increases were driven by low hydro levels, fuel costs and coal quality issues, and announced a temporary subsidy for consumers using under 90 units while stating that costs arising from substandard coal would be recovered from suppliers rather than passed to consumers. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading and Related Orders (Chair Change - Introduction) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim criticized the Government’s tax policy and the regulation under the amended Strategic Development Projects Act, arguing that it remains insufficiently transparent and could allow discretionary tax concessions despite the 2025 reforms. He cited concerns raised by the Committee on Public Finance and questioned why tourism projects receive longer tax holidays than manufacturing and ICT if the Government prioritizes a production economy. He also argued that increased tourist arrivals have not translated into strong net earnings, citing lower per-tourist spending and foreign exchange leakages. He further opposed the SSCL and the reduced VAT registration threshold, saying these cascading tax burdens would affect small businesses and consumers amid high operating costs. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading and Related Orders (Chair Change - Introduction) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that the March fuel price revision was driven by global war-related market conditions and that the Government absorbed about Rs. 100 per litre on diesel and Rs. 20 per litre on Octane 92 as relief. He said the Government would continue providing relief while maintaining uninterrupted supply, noting constraints including the CPC’s inherited Rs. 884 billion debt, its 57 per cent market share, and pricing demands from private operators. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Asked when the Government would implement its election promise to provide fuel at the port-landing price, referencing commitments made during the presidential and general election campaigns. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →