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- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran stated that over half of total expenditure is being absorbed by debt servicing, with Rs. 2,617 billion in interest and Rs. 4,495 billion in total debt service, limiting resources for development. He rejected claims that the Northern Province received no allocations, citing Budget provisions for Mannar Hospital, pipe-borne water in Jaffna and Kilinochchi, road widening and rehabilitation projects, and Rs. 1,285 million to NAQDA for sea turtle hatching in Mannar and Jaffna. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran paid tribute to former MP Nadarajah Raviraj on the 19th anniversary of his death and urged Members to uphold the dignity and privileges of Parliament by avoiding unparliamentary conduct. Speaking in support of the Government’s second Budget, he argued that the economy had moved from contraction to about 4 per cent growth, with foreign reserves reaching USD 6 billion and significant cash holdings. He stated that the Government was meeting debt obligations, including a planned Rs. 1,878 billion in principal repayments in 2026, while pursuing economic stability and anti-corruption efforts. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana criticised the Government’s Budget as a continuation of the IMF Extended Fund Facility framework that the NPP/JVP had opposed in Parliament in April 2023, arguing that the Government should acknowledge it misled voters by previously rejecting IMF conditions while now implementing them. He questioned the absence of a post-2026 roadmap, including how reserves would reach USD 10.3 billion by 2027, and raised concerns about possible divestment of profit-making state entities such as Sri Lanka Insurance, Sri Lanka Telecom, Lanka Hospitals and Litro Gas. He also said promised VAT removals on school supplies and health services had not materialised, and cited rising inflation, World Bank poverty figures, and increases in public debt as evidence of continuing economic pressure. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary Eranga Gunasekara concluded by supporting the Government’s “citizen Budget,” arguing that it was developed through public participation and is beginning to show results. He stated that the Government would continue working with the public to rebuild the country and improve citizens’ living standards. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Urban Development JJB AI summary Eranga Gunasekara defended the Budget as a citizen-centred programme that has produced measurable results within nine months, citing economic stabilization, increased state revenue, stronger foreign reserves, a reduced budget deficit, and higher allowances such as Mahapola scholarships and plantation worker payments. He argued that the Budget’s progress rests on changes in political culture, fiscal discipline, and financial management, which he said reflect citizen empowerment rather than individual leadership. He criticized the Opposition for being unable to respond substantively to the Budget and for relying on outdated assumptions about the economy. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta defended the Government’s second Budget, arguing that it reflects fiscal discipline and restored macroeconomic stability, citing improved revenue, reduced deficit figures, and growth in exports, remittances, tourism earnings and grants. He criticized the Opposition for lacking substantive analysis and urged policy-based debate. He highlighted Budget proposals for tourism development, including the Hamilton Canal–Negombo lagoon zone, Uva tourism clusters, upgrading state bungalows, tourism workforce training, and airport improvements, as well as measures to expand digital payments and explore data-centre revenue opportunities. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna warned that, under the Public Finance Management Act, accountability for the relevant budget proposal lies with the Director General of the Budget rather than the Secretary to the Treasury. Referring to recent legal action involving public officials, she urged that unlawful approvals not be given and cautioned against exposing Treasury and other public officers to future legal jeopardy. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticised the 2026 Budget as a continuation of IMF-aligned open-economy policies while blaming previous governments, arguing that it favours business interests over farmers, pensioners, teachers and public servants. She cited rising central government debt, falling foreign reserves, rupee depreciation and unresolved pension anomalies as evidence against claims of debt stabilization and economic relief. She demanded attention to retirees’ pension discrepancies, the difficulties faced by teachers and principals, and the situation of potato, onion and other farmers who she said are unable to sell their produce. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena — Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the 2026 Budget as a continuation of fiscal stabilization, citing projected revenue of Rs. 5,305 billion, expenditure at about 20.5% of GDP, a deficit of 5.1%, and progress on IMF-related primary surplus and debt reduction targets. He said meeting fiscal targets had helped secure debt restructuring benefits, including lower average interest rates for 2028–2035. Responding to Opposition criticism of rural road spending, he detailed implementation under the “Road to Revival” programme through the RDA and District Secretaries, stating that Rs. 2,039 million had already been spent under the RDA track and hundreds of roads were completed or ongoing. He also clarified that State vehicles provided for official use must be returned. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Shantha Padma Kumara Subasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Shantha Padma Kumara Subasingha supported the 2026 Budget, arguing that the Government had stabilized the economy, increased reserves, improved remittances, exports and investment, and presented a stronger fiscal position. He cited Budget provisions for public sector recruitment, restoration of pensions, salary increases, regularization of temporary staff, assistance to pregnant mothers, reduced fuel and electricity costs, and higher wages for plantation workers. He also highlighted allocations for Ratnapura-related development, including flood studies, the Ruwanpura Expressway and Railway, and relocation of state quarters. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna argued that the Government inherited an already stabilized economy and must now focus on delivering promised reforms rather than attributing delays to elections or past crises. He criticized the 2026 Budget for low implementation of previous pledges, inadequate relief for farmers, teachers, principals, graduates, and public sector groups, and for continuing IMF-linked taxation, fuel pricing, and electricity tariff policies despite earlier promises to change them. He also called for concrete action on abolishing the Executive Presidency, introducing a new Constitution, and urgently holding Provincial Council elections using the Government’s two-thirds majority if legislative changes are required. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera responded to criticism that the Government had fostered social hatred, rejecting generalization from an alleged incident involving Hon. Ratna Sri Wijesinha and citing cultural recognition in the Southern region. He supported the 2026 Budget, highlighting allocations to resolve Techno Park land issues, address Galle’s water supply deficit, pursue 7 per cent growth through tariff reform, export diversification, production, poverty reduction and digitalization, and maintain debt sustainability under the IMF framework. He also noted social sector measures, including funding for autism-related child development and day care centres at Lady Ridgeway Hospital and in districts, with further allocations planned for expansion. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera supported the 2026 Citizen’s Budget, arguing that end-2025 fiscal and external sector data show macroeconomic stabilization, including higher-than-projected revenue, a reduced deficit, and stronger inflows from exports, remittances, and tourism. He defended the Government’s poverty and housing policies, citing plans for 70,000 houses and criticizing shortcomings in a previous housing project in Buttala while highlighting community-based low-cost housing in his district. He also noted allocations for addressing human-elephant conflict through environmental assessments, elephant corridors, and fence management, and for cultural and recreation facilities in Monaragala and Ampara. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda questioned the Government’s credibility in promising 75,000 jobs, citing its failure to deliver 30,000 jobs the previous year and the halting of appointments for selected Sub Inspectors of Police. He expressed the hope that at least 70–80 percent of the 2026 Budget proposals would be implemented. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda criticized the 2026 Budget as a continuation of unfulfilled promises, arguing that Opposition MPs are unfairly denied decentralized allocations and that the Government has not delivered the transparency and reforms it pledged. He questioned the lack of disclosure on alleged agreements with India, commitments linked to US tax concessions, and the untabled Presidential Commission report on the 323 containers issue, while citing weak implementation of 2025 Budget measures including investment protection, quality certification, tourism infrastructure, digitalization, maternal nutrition, Thriposha, and pre-school teacher support. He urged measures such as a higher and more dignified allowance or cadre for early childhood educators, housing and land support for young couples, reduced taxes on construction materials, removal of VAT on school supplies, and concessions for students to purchase computers and tablets. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody stated that the Government has structured programmes and Budget provisions planned for the coming year to address the issues under discussion. He described the Budget as aligned with the policy framework “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” and aimed at meeting public aspirations. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody supported the Government’s second Budget, arguing that it shows economic stabilization, planned development, and preparation for 2028 debt obligations. He defended the decision not to issue vehicle permits to MPs, saying State-provided vehicles should be used for five years and returned, and said decentralized allocations are being released through a rules-based process to prevent past misuse. He also stated that anti-narcotics enforcement would be non-partisan and that the Government is working with officials to address long-standing agricultural market issues such as the onion problem in Anuradhapura. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath JJB AI summary Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath supported the 2026 Budget, describing it as a comprehensive measure to rebuild the economy and respond to current challenges. He said the Government was willing to consider constructive Opposition criticism, but argued that the Budget already contains policy-based and statistical responses. He urged Members to understand the Budget properly and work together on its implementation. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath - Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary Deputy Minister P. Ruwan Senarath defended the Government’s second Budget, arguing that it is built on the first Budget’s measures taken after an economic collapse and is organized around six strategic goals. He criticized Opposition claims that the Budget lacks planning, citing reported economic growth, Treasury improvement, and unmet basic needs in Hambantota such as access to safe drinking water and sanitation under previous governments. He highlighted targets including sustained GDP growth above 7 per cent, fair regional distribution of benefits, export diversification, review of trade agreements, and new free trade agreements under the 2025–2029 National Export Development Plan, while inviting constructive criticism on the Budget’s content. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan welcomed positive Budget indicators and allocations for Batticaloa infrastructure, while arguing that economic progress also requires resolving the national ethnic question and addressing war-related accountability, disappearances, political prisoners, land issues, and alleged wartime sexual violence through credible investigations. He urged urgent action on North and East basic needs, including clean drinking water, kidney disease prevention, staffing wildlife offices to address human-elephant conflict, and resolving grazing land restrictions. He also raised concerns over The Finance Company PLC depositors, pension anomalies, and welcomed the stated decision to withdraw the Army from Maaveerar resting places. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →