Topic
Public Finance
5,915 speeches · 726 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. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 283 |
| 2 | Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P. JJB | 229 |
| 3 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 171 |
| 4 | Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P. JJB | 167 |
| 5 | Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 153 |
| 6 | Hon. Kumara Jayakody, M.P. JJB | 147 |
| 7 | Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, M.P. SJB | 140 |
| 8 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 135 |
| 9 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 115 |
| 10 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 92 |
Speeches
5,915 on this topic- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Ajith P. Perera) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration whether the Public Assets Recovery Agency promised in the policy statement “A Thriving Nation - A Beautiful Life” had been established. He sought details on any stolen assets recovered by the agency, its current staffing, and the 2025 allocation from the Appropriation Bill or Vote on Account, and requested reasons if it had not been established. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary Requests for closed facilities or properties will be reviewed, and suitable allocations will be made to institutions that have applied for them. The Minister stated that it is unreasonable to keep them closed and that the Government is proceeding with allocations based on those requests. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged that the houses in question not be left closed for extended periods while awaiting recommendations, warning that further delay would cause deterioration. He requested that they be repaired and allocated either to generate revenue or for another appropriate use. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Government’s policy on Ministerial official residences, noting that although it had earlier said Ministers would not use such houses, eight residences had been allocated to the Speaker and Deputy Ministers with rent deducted from salaries. He argued that if residences are being treated as rentable property, the same procedure should apply equally to Opposition Members who request them. He urged the Government to establish a clear policy and either use, rent, repair, or repurpose the houses to generate revenue, warning that keeping them closed would lead to deterioration. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister answered a parliamentary question on Government housing, stating that there are 38 Government houses and that a Cabinet-appointed committee has submitted recommendations on their economically efficient use, with action being taken accordingly. He said six recovered Government bungalows have been temporarily allocated on nominal rent to the Bribery Commission, the Police Department, and the Ministry of Justice for Special Courts, while official residences have been provided to the Speaker and seven Deputy Ministers with rent deducted from salaries. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake outlined expenditure reductions in the Office of the Leader of the House, citing savings in 2024 and 2025 allocations and additional revenue from selling two official vehicles above valuation under the Government’s policy on disposing of luxury state vehicles. He said the offices of the Leader of the House, Chief Government Whip and Leader of the Opposition carry significant parliamentary workload, but have avoided unnecessary recruitment and controlled staff costs despite salary increases. He also questioned the distribution and usefulness of overseas travel opportunities within Parliament, noting that an officer from the Leader of the House’s office was sent abroad for the first time and urging the Chair to intervene to ensure fairer and more productive use of such opportunities. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected by all communities and that the Cabinet collectively represents and safeguards the rights of Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and Malays. He argued that future leadership should emerge regardless of ethnicity or gender, and told Hon. Imran that many of his aspirations may be realised in this or the next Parliament. Referring to the expenditure heads for the President’s Office, the Leader of the House’s Office and Parliament, he said the Government has a mandate to reduce privileges, forego perks and remove unnecessary facilities. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Gayan Janaka JJB AI summary Hon. Gayan Janaka argued that the Prime Minister’s Office exemplifies the government’s “new political culture” through reduced expenditure and stricter financial control. He cited reductions in the PMO Programme allocation from Rs. 630.83 million in 2024 to about Rs. 349 million in 2026, the disposal and reallocation of vehicles, lower fuel, maintenance, stationery and communication costs, and the return of 258 security officers to regular Police duties. He stated that these measures show more careful use of public funds while maintaining institutional functions. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa thanked parliamentary staff and support services for their work during two Budget processes in 2025, and rejected Opposition claims on legislative output by arguing that the Government had passed 22 laws in its first year, more than comparable post-election years since 2000. He called for independent commissions to support governance needs without creating administrative delays, citing stalled Health sector appointments and the need for timely Police transfers in anti-narcotics and anti-underworld operations. He also said pharmaceutical procurement requires flexibility because medicines have long lead times, and defended reduced Presidential expenditure, fewer advisers serving voluntarily, the absence of State Ministers, and new restrictions on ministerial facilities. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando criticized the increase in the President’s expenditure head, arguing that it contradicted earlier pledges to cut presidential expenses and calling for clarity on whether spending has been centralized under the President at the expense of the Prime Minister’s Office. He said the Opposition did not object to necessary security for the President or Prime Minister, but questioned the Government’s change in position from its earlier statements on reducing such arrangements. He also demanded transparency from the Presidential Media Division under the RTI Act, including details of staff, appointments, salaries, allowances, vehicles and fuel, and warned against using broadband vouchers or the Rs. 25 billion “Praja Shakthi” programme for partisan activity. He further objected to disparaging remarks about Aswesuma beneficiaries and noted concerns about targeting errors in the welfare scheme. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Mrs. Samanmali Gunasingha corrected claims that the Moratuwa Municipal Council Budget had been defeated, stating that the reported defeats related instead to some Pradeshiya Sabhas and cooperative society elections. She addressed allegations regarding insults to women MPs, saying such grievances could be raised with the Speaker or Women’s Caucus, and emphasized the need to treat women parliamentarians with dignity irrespective of party. During the debate on expenditure heads including the President, Prime Minister, Parliament and commissions, she noted that costs for the newly established National Women’s Commission fall under the Presidential Secretariat. She defended the Prime Minister’s Office against allegations, arguing that it operates modestly and has a role in coordinating and guiding government policy implementation. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary The debate addressed the President’s Head of Expenditure and related institutional heads, with emphasis on maintaining the independence and strength of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe raised concerns over cuts to parliamentary staff allowances and requested that the relevant committee report be reconsidered with staff input. He criticised what he described as changes in the President’s and Prime Minister’s earlier positions on security, official vehicles and education funding, and questioned the scale and cost of current security arrangements. He also argued that recent growth figures may be influenced by vehicle imports rather than production-led expansion, and called for stronger allocations and policies to raise genuine economic growth. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara rejected Opposition criticism of the President’s foreign relations, citing state visits to India, China, the UAE and other countries in 2024-2025 and listing resulting grants and assistance from JICA, ADB, India and Japan for health, housing and anti-corruption initiatives. He argued that the Government has reduced expenditure in the President’s Office, including recurrent costs, advisory and personal staff expenses, travel, general administration and benefits to former Presidents. He said the Budget would be implemented responsibly and asked the Opposition to correct the Government where necessary but refrain from using parliamentary privilege to spread falsehoods, briefly noting attacks on CIABOC as corruption cases proceed. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister rejected claims that the Government is undermining Independent Commissions, stating that the Judicial Service Commission operates independently under Article 111C(1) of the Constitution and that interference with its decisions is a criminal offence. He criticized allegations about unfair disciplinary action against judges and judicial officers, listing recent interdictions, retirements, dismissals, resignations and other measures which he said followed lawful inquiries. He linked the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to broader institutional discipline, anti-drug efforts and curbing illicit liquor, while stressing that the Government does not interfere with the JSC. On the Budget, he argued that the Government’s focus is fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability, citing World Bank comments, improved sovereign ratings and recent growth figures as evidence of economic stabilization and restored investor confidence. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda criticized the Government’s 2025 Budget implementation, stating that physical progress remained low despite only two months left in the year. He urged the Government to recognize public dissatisfaction and improve performance in 2026, concluding with a Buddhist saying to suggest the Government was failing to understand actual conditions. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda questioned increased allocations under the President’s and Parliament’s Heads in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, arguing that they conflict with government pledges to abolish the Executive Presidency, reduce presidential expenditure, and cut parliamentary privileges. He said the Clean Sri Lanka programme had not produced visible islandwide results despite its 2025 allocation and urged the Government to make it effective in 2026 without excessive political branding. He also acknowledged the work of the Presidential Fund and requested expanded support for medical assistance, overseas treatment, scholarships, and school sports teams representing Sri Lanka abroad. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran stated that allocations under the President’s Head cover the Clean Sri Lanka Program, Poverty Alleviation Program, and Digital Sri Lanka initiative, which are intended to deliver development benefits to the public. He said the Government operates without discrimination based on race or language and expressed confidence that the policy targets would be achieved within five years. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran defended the Government’s conduct and the JVP’s political culture while criticising Opposition parties over alleged corruption, wasteful spending, and misuse of parliamentary time. During the Committee Stage debate on expenditure heads, he argued that public funds allocated to Parliament and the Presidency must be used responsibly, citing reduced Presidential expenditure and foreign travel costs under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake compared with previous administrations. He also highlighted the expansion of Presidential Fund services to all 341 Divisional Secretariats through a digital process to improve public access outside Colombo. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala urged the Government to hold postponed Provincial Council elections and correct electoral and delimitation issues, stating that the Opposition would support reforms, including a return to the previous system if proposed. He criticized the allocation of funds through the Finance Commission in the absence of Provincial Councils and said delays in elections were wrong under both the previous and current administrations. He also raised concerns under Parliament’s Head of Expenditure, calling for reinstatement of the long-standing leave allowance for parliamentary staff and improved salary structures and promotion pathways for administrative officers serving Parliament and committees such as COPE, COPA and Sectoral Oversight Committees. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said public service recruitment, largely halted since 2019, is being restarted to address an estimated 280,000 vacancies, with Cabinet approval already granted for 75,000 posts and a committee chaired by the Prime Minister’s Secretary assessing further recruitment needs. He said around 25,000 Development Officers currently teaching in schools could be recruited to the teacher service through the competitive examination process once pending litigation is resolved, contributing to over 100,000 approved recruitments, including about 30,000 teacher posts. He defended the Budget as people-centred and development-oriented, citing measures such as the Rs. 1,750 estate worker wage target and a Rs. 400 allowance supported by the Government and estate owners. He also began to raise issues concerning the role, accountability, and functioning of Presidential and Independent Commissions in public service delivery. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →