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. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake tabled a written answer stating that Kalawewa Railway Station is an old station used by many local and foreign tourists. He said seat reservation facilities could be provided there in due course through the Railway Department’s ongoing online ticketing and reservation system expansion, currently operating with Mobitel at 50 stations. He added that ATMs can be installed at the station if a bank requests space and obtains the required approvals, after which the Railway Department can facilitate it without disrupting operations. Oral Questions – Second Round: Kalawewa Railway Station and I-Road Project in Matara District (Q.1221/2025 and Q.1304/2025) Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Plans were outlined to deploy 10,000 Civil Security Department personnel to support Police duties with a special allowance, second about 5,000 personnel to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and retain the remainder for CSD functions. The statement also proposed institutional regularization of the CSD, improved facilities, and measures to secure future employment and benefits for personnel seconded to the Police and Wildlife Department. Oral Question: Civil Security Department – Annual Income and Expenditure (Q.1113/2025) Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana asked what measures the Ministry of Public Security would take regarding Civil Security Department personnel from the North Central and Eastern Provinces who are reassigned after the war to “special duties” in Colombo and other areas. He said such deployments, including sanitation work and duties at religious sites, create hardship because many personnel expected to serve near home, depend on farming, lack accommodation when transferred, and incur additional expenses while their fields are neglected. Oral Question: Civil Security Department – Annual Income and Expenditure (Q.1113/2025) Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs provided a written reply giving district-wise Civil Security Department personnel strength as at 1 January 2025, totalling 31,422 officers, with figures across multiple districts including Ampara, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and others. He also tabled expenditure details for 2024 and 2025, showing departmental and National Budget allocations mainly for salaries, recurrent expenditure and capital spending. The reply further set out income earned from departmental projects, including agriculture and related services, security services, DASH services, cleaning, entertainment and training, with Rs. 2,173.73 million in 2024 and Rs. 937.65 million up to 31 October 2025. Oral Question: Civil Security Department – Annual Income and Expenditure (Q.1113/2025) Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary The Minister said the Budget has increased gatekeepers’ monthly allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 15,000, while noting that unsafe crossings require a longer-term programme beyond allowances. He stated that the Government plans to regularize about 9,800 to 10,000 non-permanent or irregular public-sector employees, but not through blanket absorption. He explained that minimum educational qualifications will apply, citing RDA workers and gatekeepers as examples, and said some pending workers may become eligible after sitting the next G.C.E. O/L examination. Oral Question: Vavuniya-Kilinochchi Section of Northern Railway Line – Dilapidated Railway Crossings (Q.1085/2025) Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam emphasized the need for community consultation in developing fast train services. He welcomed the Budget proposal doubling temporary railway gatekeepers’ pay from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 15,000, but noted their longstanding difficulties under the Police Department and asked whether the remaining gatekeepers and other temporary or volunteer railway workers could be brought under the Railways Ministry and regularized. Oral Question: Vavuniya-Kilinochchi Section of Northern Railway Line – Dilapidated Railway Crossings (Q.1085/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister responded to the adjournment motion regarding the Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha’s allocation of Rs. 19 million for 41 development projects, stating that implementation was temporarily suspended after a complaint raised concerns about jurisdiction, road ownership, and pending court matters. He said the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Commissioner of Local Government acted under Section 196 of the Pradeshiya Sabha Act to appoint two officers to inquire and report, with recommendations due to be submitted to the Governor by 21 November 2025. On the proposed recruitment of 10 waste management workers, he said deficiencies in the submission had been addressed and the proposal forwarded for the Governor’s approval. He added that the Government intends to provide equipment and facilities to local authorities without discrimination, while ensuring lawful use of public funds and proper deployment of staff. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that the suspension by the Governor of a Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha proposal to use members’ funds was politically motivated, linked to the Government’s failure to control that local authority. Citing the 2026 Budget Speech on a proposed new mechanism for Treasury contributions to local authorities, he said such funding powers could be applied arbitrarily through Governors and should instead rest with elected provincial leadership. He called for any mechanism for local authority funding to be applied equally and not used for partisan purposes. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim objected to comments made by Hon. Samantha Ranasinghe, stating that the matter concerned the proper use of public funds rather than personal or political considerations. He argued that if an inquiry had been requested and a report existed, any alleged errors should be specifically identified under the applicable law, rather than dismissed with a general assertion that there were issues. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana argued that several development projects inherited by the Government, including an Indian-assisted cold storage project begun in 2019 and the Raja Ela project in Monaragala begun in 2001, remained incomplete due to longstanding implementation problems, and said the current Government had allocated funds and begun work to complete them. He rejected Opposition claims about the previous economic recovery, stating that it had been based on a restricted economy with sectors such as construction and imports curtailed, while the present Government was attempting to restart broader economic activity. He also cited incomplete rural roads, stalled expressway work and halted loans as examples of inherited constraints, and asserted that the National People’s Power Government would complete its mandate and continue development. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 (continued) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the 2026 Budget, arguing that criticisms from Opposition members are inconsistent given their long periods in government and their shifting positions on the IMF programme. He said the Government is working according to a one-year plan and a medium-term programme, and suggested that recent measures have made the Opposition politically anxious. He also referred to allegations raised by Hon. Kabir Hashim regarding the non-operational cold storage facility near the Dambulla Economic Centre, framing them as part of Opposition criticism. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 (continued) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem argued that Sri Lanka’s recent economic stabilisation was largely due to measures taken before the current Government assumed office, including the IMF programme and Indian assistance, and said the Government is now constrained by IMF conditions despite election promises such as a 30 per cent electricity tariff reduction. He criticised the loading of CEB legacy debt onto consumers under cost-reflective pricing. He also alleged serious irregularities in the transfer of Lanka Transformers Limited shareholdings to an insider-controlled trust, claiming substantial public asset losses and dividends paid to a small group. He called for a full forensic audit, referral to CIABOC, and legislative reforms to prevent abuse of State-owned enterprise and employee-trust structures. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage said the Government’s economic model had already been outlined in the first Budget and would be further reflected in the next Budget. He stated that the Government’s aim is to build a “prosperous country—beautiful life” by empowering families, villages, divisions and districts, with public participation, state institutions and political leadership working together. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that references to the World Bank should be supported by specific data rather than used as a general justification. He called for evidence-based discussion, implying that policy claims or decisions in the debate should be backed by concrete figures and sources. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage defended the 2026 Budget as setting a broader national economic and social vision beyond short-term price measures. He said implementation delays in areas such as Gampaha were due to shortages of technical officers, vehicles and functioning public buildings, and supported Budget proposals for public service recruitment, rehabilitation of facilities, transport provision and digitalization. He also rejected Opposition claims on unspent agriculture funds and rising poverty, stating that concessional loan schemes are being implemented and that World Bank data shows poverty declining from 2024. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera supported the 2026 Budget, describing it as part of the National People’s Power Government’s mandate following the 2024 elections and as a continuation of a new political culture without misuse of public funds or undue privileges. He argued that the Government inherited a bankrupt economy and damaged systems after decades of mismanagement, and said the 2025 Budget had met its financing targets and received international recognition. He rejected Opposition criticism as unfounded and stated that the 2026 Budget aims to reduce rural poverty, strengthen the economy, improve health, promote environmental sustainability, and develop safe, efficient and sustainable transport, with economic benefits reaching all levels of society. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe defended the 2026 Budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, arguing that the Government had restored economic conditions to 2019 levels within a year and improved indicators such as poverty and unemployment. She highlighted allocations for poverty eradication through Praja Shakthi, district-level development, education, housing, children leaving care, rail gatekeepers’ allowances, and support for vulnerable groups. She also rejected Opposition criticism, stating that the Budget demonstrated fiscal discipline and that public funds would be managed for public benefit. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel said the 2025 Budget provides a plantation workers’ wage increase without the pre-Budget protests seen in previous years, with Rs. 200 from the Government and Rs. 200 from companies based on attendance, as part of efforts to reach a Rs. 1,750 daily wage through negotiations. She rejected Opposition claims that infrastructure and housing in the hill country were neglected, citing road carpeting projects in Badulla, Haputale, Bandarawela–Poonagala and Thampetenna, and housing work in Poonagala. She argued that the National People’s Power Government is using public funds for the welfare of Upcountry communities and addressing longstanding needs. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that after years of disagreement between unions and planters over a Collective Agreement, the Wages Board settled on a daily wage of Rs. 1,350 for plantation workers. He said Rs. 200 would be added to the basic wage and a further Rs. 200 provided by the Government, amounting to an additional Rs. 10,000 per month for 25 working days. He called for collective action if plantation workers do not receive the promised increase. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe clarified the Government’s position on plantation workers’ wages, noting that waiting for the existing Collective Agreement process would delay any increase by about one and a half years. He said that, following discussions with planters’ associations and in line with the President’s Budget commitment, Rs. 200 will be added to the basic salary and a further Rs. 200 paid as an attendance incentive, with the Government reimbursing the latter amount. He stated that the measure is funded in the Budget and will take effect from 1 January after the Budget is passed, amounting to an additional Rs. 10,000 per month for workers completing 25 days of work. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →