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- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister defended the 2026 Budget as a stability and recovery plan built around inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty reduction, digitalization, and public service reform. He cited increases in exports, remittances, tourism earnings and revenue, rejected claims of impending default, and said Sri Lanka is preparing to resume external debt repayments from 2028. He highlighted allocations for the Praja Shakthi programme, estate worker wages, public sector vehicles, EPF/ETF arrears, housing loan interest relief, public sector salary increases, and repurposing underutilized State buildings. He also rejected Opposition criticism over Treasury management, MPs’ vehicle and fuel arrangements, and asserted that the Government is changing past practices and strengthening the public service. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer defended the Budget, specifically the Rs. 200 attendance incentive for estate workers, and argued that opposing the Budget would signal opposition to relief for a community central to Sri Lanka’s tea industry. He said earlier Opposition warnings about economic collapse had not materialized, and maintained that the Government was rebuilding investor confidence, restarting development, and managing capital expenditure responsibly. He also responded to criticism over vehicle allocations, stating that procurement was intended to improve State and local authority services after years of underinvestment. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Provincial Councils were described as having previously supported better administration, while their current inactivity has left governance under officials and adversely affected the North and East. The member urged the Government to use the Budget allocations provided for Provincial Council Elections and proceed with holding those elections. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. Hizbullah welcomed the 2026 Budget as supporting post-crisis recovery, debt servicing from 2028, investment promotion, anti-drug measures, assistance for seriously ill patients, estate worker wage support, and allocations for projects in the Eastern Province, including the Nintavur Cultural Hall and Valachchenai Fisheries Harbour. He commended recent efforts to attract investment from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, while emphasizing that revenue growth alone would not be sufficient to meet future debt obligations. He urged reconsideration of the reduced VAT registration threshold, arguing it would burden small rural businesses and consumers, and raised concern that no allocation had been made to upgrade Puttalam Hospital to District General Hospital status despite a presidential pledge. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani defended the Government’s 2026 “Citizens’ Budget” as building on claimed macroeconomic stabilization in 2025, citing 4.8 per cent growth, stronger reserves, exchange rate stability, a primary surplus, and debt reduction targets to 2026 and 2030. She said the Budget aims to exceed 7 per cent growth through export development, MSME support, rural infrastructure, digitalization, and improved access to education, health and essential services. She specifically defended the proposed Rs. 200 Government-paid attendance incentive for estate workers, criticizing Opposition efforts to challenge it before the Bribery Commission and arguing that the measure is justified relief for a long-neglected workforce. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda supported the Government’s second Budget, arguing that Opposition criticism was politically motivated and contrasting it with what he described as past fiscal mismanagement and corruption under previous administrations. He highlighted allocations for agriculture and related sectors, and for sustainable transport reforms, and said revenue performance and the projected deficit showed improved fiscal management. He specifically welcomed Rs. 1,500 million to resume the Ruwanpura Expressway works from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya and to pay long-delayed compensation to landowners, noting that over 800 families in Kahathuduwa were awaiting payment. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri criticized the Government’s Budget, arguing that it is implementing policies it previously opposed, including MCC-related work, digital ID, devolution-linked arrangements, and investment measures, and called for the tabling of recent Indo-Lanka agreements. He questioned the Government’s anti-corruption position, citing past allegations on the bond issue, sugar tax, palm oil taxes, and released containers, and demanded accountability for any political involvement. He warned that lowering the VAT registration threshold would burden small businesses and consumers, urged lawful and verified payment of the estate workers’ allowance with consideration of an increase to Rs. 500, and alleged inconsistency over vehicle procurement and official privileges. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana defended the Government’s Budget, stating that it advances the state rebuilding programme begun under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in 2024. He rejected claims that there was no provision for Kelani flood mitigation, citing a Rs. 250 million allocation for integrated flood management in areas including Colombo and Gampaha, and said past technical plans were being reviewed under the Prime Minister’s leadership. He also disputed allegations of underused capital funds and inadequate housing allocations, stating that 58 percent of capital funds had been spent and that Rs. 15 billion was allocated for 3,000 Colombo housing units, with broader targets of 10,000 houses this year and 50,000 over three years. He further said the Government was rebuilding the public service through salary funding, recruitment exams, and Cabinet-approved appointments across multiple services. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Sarath Kumara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sarath Kumara supported the 2026 Budget, arguing that the Government had restored macroeconomic stability, advanced debt restructuring, improved fiscal indicators, and regained investor confidence during 2025. He cited increases in exports, remittances, tourism receipts, revenue and grants, and the primary balance, and said the Budget prioritizes inclusive growth, public-private partnerships, value-added industrialization, export diversification, debt sustainability, poverty reduction, and digitalization. He also highlighted proposed recruitment and regularization in the public service, resumption of pensions, planned debt servicing, and provisions for governance and anti-corruption reforms. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar said his party supported the Rs. 200 allowance for estate workers and broader redress for Tamil communities, but criticised the Budget as a liberal programme that relies on asset sales, higher taxes, utility charges and reduced expenditure. He argued that the Government was narrowing the deficit by overtaxing the public while failing to implement allocated development projects, citing unspent highway funds and stalled infrastructure work. He also questioned increased borrowing and debt levels, and accused the Government of abandoning promises on education spending, VAT relief, fuel and electricity price reductions, youth loans and tax thresholds. He further cited losses in several State-owned enterprises as evidence of mismanagement and said the Budget offered inadequate relief to households, pensioners, patients and schoolchildren. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi argued that improved external balances, stable exchange rates, low interest rates, and avoiding supplementary estimates had strengthened policy credibility and investor confidence. Citing the President’s Budget Speech, he said maintaining revenue at 15.3–15.4 percent of GDP would support debt service relief and claimed the government was working to repay debts incurred by previous administrations. He criticized Opposition remarks on taxation and questioned complaints made about a Rs. 200 daily travel allowance for estate workers, asking whether this reflected the SJB’s policy. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi argued that the 2026 Budget demonstrates improved fiscal discipline compared with earlier years, citing the movement from persistent budget and primary balance deficits to positive balances in 2024 and 2025. He emphasized that a primary surplus creates room to reduce debt, service interest costs, and support future productive expenditure. He also stated that improved fiscal performance is strengthening Sri Lanka’s creditworthiness, lowering borrowing costs, and reducing inflationary pressure by lessening reliance on deficit monetization. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha (on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education) JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Strategic Development Projects (Amendment) Bill was presented to amend the Strategic Development Projects Act, No. 14 of 2008. The Bill was ordered to be printed, scheduled for Second Reading on 28 November 2025, and referred to the Committee on Public Finance. Bills Presented: Strategic Development Projects (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister of Health and Mass Media responded to questions on staffing, facilities and service capacity at the District General Hospital, Gampaha. He stated that the hospital has 1,034 employees, with limited vacancies including about three Medical Officers and 17 Attendants, and that recruitment, promotions and trainee appointments will be used to address gaps. He said medicines are currently stored to required standards but a purpose-built drug store is needed and is included in the hospital’s 2026 building plan under the Master Plan. He also reported current patient volumes and said implementation of the Master Plan would increase bed capacity from 773 to 1,570. Oral Questions: Q.1-Q.5 (Questions stood down) Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the 2026 Appropriation Bill, covering the fiscal, financial and economic assumptions underlying estimated expenditure and revenue. He said Parliament requires adequate analytical capacity under Article 148 and urged that funding for the Parliamentary Budget Office, established by the 2023 Act, be increased during the Committee Stage, noting the current allocation of Rs. 8 million plus Rs. 3 million capital expenditure was insufficient. He highlighted discrepancies in 2025 budget assumptions, including lower-than-projected nominal GDP growth and inflation, while noting unexpected revenue from vehicle import taxes and Treasury cash surpluses as matters examined in the report. Committee Report: Public Finance Committee on Appropriation Bill 2026 Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the 2026 Budget, describing it as aimed at economic stability, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty reduction and digitalization. He rejected claims that the North and East had been neglected, citing major 2025 allocations to Ampara and Batticaloa, progress on the Gal Oya scheme, reconstruction of the Karaithivu–Mavadippalli Bridge, coastal park projects, and high fund utilization. He highlighted 2026 allocations for the Kalmunai Santhangeni Sports Ground, the long-delayed Nintavur cultural hall, and the Valachchenai fisheries harbour, while accusing some Opposition members of attempting to claim credit and inflame communal divisions. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Geetha Herath supported the 2026 Budget, stating that the 2025 Budget had contributed to economic stabilization through growth, lower yields, exchange rate stability, increased remittances and improved anti-corruption standing. She outlined the Budget’s priorities as shared growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, a production economy, rural poverty eradication and digitalization. She highlighted allocations for roads, expressways, road safety, irrigation, rural bridges and tank rehabilitation, as well as concessional housing loans for migrant workers through the SLBFE Fund, and said the Budget maintained fiscal discipline without raising taxes. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Danushka Ranganath said the NPP Government’s first Budget had stabilized the economy and that benefits were now being directed to the public. He rejected claims that Rs. 1 million low-income houses could not be built, citing progress in Kalutara where 198 houses were approved, 147 completed and 82 handed over, with photographs placed in the Library. He also highlighted a proposed wage uplift for Malaiyaha Tamil plantation workers through a Rs. 200 company increase and a Rs. 200 Government attendance incentive, estimating an additional Rs. 10,000 per month for 25 working days and benefits for about 45,000 people in Kalutara. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage defended the NPP Government’s 2026 Budget, arguing that it is viewed favourably by the public compared with past administrations and Opposition criticisms. He blamed earlier governments for slower growth and increased sovereign bond debt, and said the Government supports a responsible role for the State in economic management. He rejected claims of under-spending, citing high district fund utilization in Galle, and highlighted increased capital expenditure, public sector salary and pension measures, recruitment, administrative capacity-building, and the doubling of the Mahapola stipend to Rs. 10,000. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella argued that the Government’s 2026 Budget does not adequately fulfil its policy commitments and that Parliament, under Article 148, must scrutinize public finance and implementation. She cited weak progress on 2025 Budget allocations, including no progress on a Rs. 500 million sports allocation and low ministry spending, and referred to Fitch’s warning on fiscal risks. She welcomed the Rs. 200 wage increase for the estate community while highlighting previous measures for estate workers, and called for greater funding for women’s empowerment, stating that the Rs. 440 million allocation is insufficient for women-headed households. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →