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- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon supported the 2026 Budget, arguing that macroeconomic indicators had improved, including a stabilized rupee, higher exports, stronger tourism, increased reserves, and revenue gains through tax-base expansion rather than rate increases. He outlined Budget measures on education, student support, estate-sector schools, vocational and renewable energy training, public service pensions, concessional housing loans, and estate worker allowances. He also defended provisions for Government vehicle use and urged attention to vehicle shortages in field-level public offices and to issues such as human-elephant conflict. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra defended the Government’s second Budget, arguing that its first year prioritized macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, and recovery after the 2022 bankruptcy. She cited increases in exports, remittances, tourism earnings, the primary balance, and a Treasury buffer as evidence of improved management, while rejecting Opposition claims that these were previously planned policies. She argued that past UNP/SLFP-aligned governments failed to deliver necessary development and said measures such as Digital ID and digitization must now be implemented as part of strengthening productive capacity. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Read →
- 11 November 2025 Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticised the Budget as overly long and largely undelivered from the previous year, arguing that it imposes regressive taxation on poorer citizens and small businesses while giving relief to wealthier interests. He questioned the Government’s claimed fiscal surplus, asking why it was not being used for farmers, fishers, hospitals, electricity relief, fertilizer, and MSME support, and criticised the lowering of VAT/SSCL registration thresholds and proposed vehicle purchases. He also accused the Government of previously opposing infrastructure projects such as expressways, Marine Drive and Port City, while now adopting similar policies, and called on it to deliver results, protect people, honour promises, and address IMF-related taxation concerns. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Read →
- 11 November 2025 Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla defended the 2026 Budget, arguing that it benefits all sections of society while reducing the deficit from the 2023 level, and accused the Opposition of misrepresenting measures such as vehicle allocations. He highlighted Government actions including doubling Mahapola payments, increasing public sector salaries, restoring pensions for 2016 recruits, addressing agricultural storage and purchasing issues, developing local seed production, and responding to the human-elephant conflict. He also emphasized direct relief and housing support for estate workers in Badulla, calling for procedural or legislative fixes where needed, and asserted that the Government has the commitment to continue its development programme. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Morning) Read →
- 11 November 2025 Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran thanked the Government for several 2026 Budget allocations for Vanni projects, but argued that the North, particularly Mullaitivu and Mannar, remains severely under-resourced compared with other regions in health, education, transport, water, ICT, fisheries and livelihoods. He called for immediate action against illegal fishing in Mullaitivu, removal of “difficult area” classifications for Mannar and Mullaitivu apex hospitals, completion of unfinished school and infrastructure projects, equitable ICT and STEM investments, and proportionate transport development under Budget allocations. He also criticised higher defence funding relative to education and stated his strong opposition to the Kivul Oya project in Vavuniya, saying it would harm indigenous Tamil communities. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Morning) Read →
- 11 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage defended the Government’s 2025 Budget implementation, citing parliamentary research data showing average ministry expenditure of 63 per cent by 30 September and rejecting Opposition claims of non-implementation. He argued that the Government’s priority is macroeconomic stabilization, pointing to growth, reserves, revenue performance, foreign exchange inflows, debt servicing, and reduced debt-to-GDP levels as evidence of progress. He stated that the 2026 Budget allocates Rs. 837 billion for social protection and that the Government intends to direct stabilization gains toward rural development, plantation workers, and wider welfare measures. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Morning) Read →
- 11 November 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that the 2025 Budget had shown weak implementation, citing low physical and financial progress in allocations for education, autism services, agriculture, sports, coconut development and land investment programmes, and questioned the credibility of the 2026 Budget proposals in that context. He accused the Government of failing to fulfil election promises, including pledges relating to the IMF agreement and debt sustainability framework, and said poor households, farmers, workers, youth, businesses, women, plantation communities and fisherfolk had been neglected. He demanded answers on measures to reduce the cost of living, the functioning of any Cabinet or official cost-of-living mechanism, and the Government’s plan for unemployed graduates. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Morning) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that no VAT refund issues had been reported from deemed or indirect exporters, distinguishing such cases from direct re-export without value addition. He explained that suppliers providing inputs for domestically value-added exports may receive payments from exporters, supporting SME liquidity, and that refund eligibility requires direct exports to exceed 50 per cent of supplies while other transactions remain under normal VAT with input credit. He assured that reported issues would be monitored and that eligible refunds would be paid promptly regardless of size. Ministerial Statements: Debt Sustainability and SVAT Impact Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that SMEs and small manufacturers are under severe cash-flow pressure, citing tea auctions where buyers must finance an additional 18 per cent despite falling prices and refund delays of 75–106 days. He said these conditions make importing from countries such as India and China quicker and more attractive than local manufacturing in sectors including printing, rubber, textiles and ceramics. He asked the Deputy Minister to examine the issue, noting falling tea prices and a reported USD 450 million balance of payments deficit in September. Ministerial Statements: Debt Sustainability and SVAT Impact Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that the Simplified VAT scheme, introduced in 2011 as a temporary arrangement using IRD credit vouchers, is being replaced by an automated VAT refund process. He said the new Risk-Based Refund Scheme will provide refunds within 45 days, with low- and medium-risk exporters refunded without pre-verification and high-risk exporters subject to pre-verification. He maintained that exporters, SMEs, and deemed exporters would not be adversely affected, noting that eligible compliant taxpayers can file early through e-filing and receive timely refunds. Ministerial Statements: Debt Sustainability and SVAT Impact Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha answered a question on government borrowing, debt service, and external financing, stating that from September 2024 to August 2025 net domestic issuance of Treasury bills and bonds was Rs. 1,393 billion and external disbursements were Rs. 526 billion. He outlined current-year debt service figures, projected growth assumptions, and said external obligations would be met through inflows, FX market operations, domestic sources, Central Bank purchases and, if necessary, official reserves, which he said had risen to USD 6.2 billion by end-September 2025. He also reported FDI figures for late 2024 and 2025 and explained that the SVAT system was abolished from 1 October 2025 with a risk-based VAT refund mechanism and digitized Inland Revenue administration being implemented. Ministerial Statements: Debt Sustainability and SVAT Impact Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister responded to the Leader of the Opposition’s SO 27(2) question of 7 October 2025, explaining that reserve money comprises currency in circulation and commercial banks’ deposits with the Central Bank, and that foreign exchange swaps are not included in its calculation. He reported reserve money of Rs. 1,712 billion at end-August 2025 and Rs. 1,695 billion in September, tabling monthly data from January 2024 to August 2025. He also stated that total public debt at end-September was Rs. 30.9 trillion, comprising Rs. 11.3 trillion in foreign debt and Rs. 19.6 trillion in domestic debt, with further details in the Mid-Year Fiscal Report submitted to Parliament. Ministerial Statements: Debt Sustainability and SVAT Impact Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake sought clarifications under Standing Order 27(2) on the April 2022 suspension of external debt service, arguing that the “pre-emptive default” was announced without prior parliamentary approval despite Parliament’s constitutional control over public finance under Article 148. He asked who authorized the decision within the Central Bank, Ministry of Finance or Executive, whether Cabinet, the Attorney-General, the Monetary Board or Parliament approved it, and whether relevant documents would be tabled. He also requested details on measures to restore fiscal credibility and credit ratings, possible legislative reforms such as a Sovereign Debt Management and Accountability Act, recalibration of the IMF programme to protect citizens, lender conditions for renewed borrowing access, and an assessment of the economic and fiscal costs of the default. Procedural: Question by Private Notice - Financial Bankruptcy Declaration (SO 27(2)) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Minister tabled an answer detailing Central Bank-regulated financial institutions operating in the Northern Province, including district-wise numbers of State banks, private banks, finance companies and licensed microfinance companies. The answer stated that the Central Bank does not maintain data on loan interest rates charged by State and private banks, while licensed microfinance companies had effective annual rates ranging from 22.69 per cent to 39.40 per cent as of September 2025. It also outlined the Central Bank’s supervisory powers under relevant legislation and noted that a Draft Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill is being prepared for submission to Parliament. Oral Question: Banks and Financial Institutions in Northern and Eastern Provinces (Q.1182/2025) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of Sivagnanam Shritharan, asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for district-wise details of banks, insurance companies, microfinance institutions and other financial institutions operating in the Northern Province, along with their loan interest rates. He also sought information on whether suicides in the Northern and Eastern Provinces were linked to alleged inhumane microfinance practices, including district-wise figures, responsible parties, and whether the Government would strengthen monitoring of microfinance institutions. Oral Question: Banks and Financial Institutions in Northern and Eastern Provinces (Q.1182/2025) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake outlined ongoing measures to improve SLTB services, including the repair and redeployment of 173 buses and funding for 600 more, with related work expected to be completed by May next year. He said buses for the metropolitan-area Metro Bus Company are expected by June, necessary officers would be recruited by April, and a bank-based bus ticket payment system is targeted for launch by the end of the month. He also acknowledged continuing operational and management problems, noting that both setbacks and improvements are expected in the coming months. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board - Purchasing Spare Parts (Q.1428/2025) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon asked for clarification on the implementation mechanism and timeline for deploying transport improvements proposed in the 2026 Budget, including the purchase of 600 new buses and addition of 307 engines. He specifically requested how and when buses would be allocated to depots and existing buses redirected to rural services, noting ongoing serious problems in rural transport. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board - Purchasing Spare Parts (Q.1428/2025) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that, despite the written answer, SLTB depots face serious practical problems including lack of funds, inadequate storage and staff, delayed repairs, and dependence on poor-quality spare parts suppliers. He said longstanding supplier practices, fraud, corruption, and unnecessary stockpiling had damaged the institution over many years. He noted that the Government has begun improvements and staff recruitment, but said at least another year is needed to establish a satisfactory system. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board - Purchasing Spare Parts (Q.1428/2025) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Thilina Samarakoon raised concerns about outdated stock control practices and procurement issues observed at several SLTB depots, linking them to continued financial losses. He asked the Minister whether there is a programme to improve staff attitudes and practices in stock control and depot operations. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board - Purchasing Spare Parts (Q.1428/2025) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary The Minister provided answers on SLTB procurement and stock management, stating that purchases are made under the National Procurement Guidelines 2024 and that selected suppliers provide items at fixed prices with 30 days’ credit based on quarterly requirements. He said SLTB stores and issues supplies according to financial capacity, a practice followed since the closure of the Werahera 606 Warehouse Complex in 1991, with bonded supplier warehouses used during 2011–2014. He added that a stock-control computer system is operating at Head Office level and is planned for expansion to depot level. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board - Purchasing Spare Parts (Q.1428/2025) Read →