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- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe defended the Government’s second Budget, arguing that economic indicators are improving and that the 2026 proposals set out a roadmap for export diversification, SME support, health, education, public sector salaries, housing, and long-term growth. He rejected Opposition criticisms, including claims about vehicle allocations for MPs and doubts about the Government’s housing and growth targets, stating that funds were for essential government and local authority vehicles and that housing projects relied partly on community participation. He highlighted allocations of Rs. 654 billion for health, Rs. 704 billion for education, over Rs. 80 billion for MSME and startup credit, and additional funds for public servants’ salary increases, allowances, loans, and regularization. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan criticized the 2026 Budget for allocating comparatively high funding to defence while underfunding education and failing, in his view, to address Tamil political aspirations or the ethnic question. He questioned delays in holding Provincial Council elections and implementing the 13th Amendment, and called for accountability through international investigations into alleged wartime violations. He also argued that development priorities in the North and East should focus on land, drinking water, livelihoods, and specific projects such as Kankesanthurai Port, Palaly International Airport expansion, salt pans, the Valachchenai paper mill, and cement-related industry, rather than land sales or tourism-led policies. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Budget as part of a long-term policy framework aimed at moving from financial stability to a productive, inclusive economy, arguing that the Government met fiscal and macroeconomic targets in 2025 and is now targeting 7 percent growth and lower debt-to-GDP by 2030. He cited export, industrial, credit, tourism, IT and FDI growth as evidence of renewed investor confidence, and said reforms are under way on taxation, PPPs, investment protection, SOE management, MSME credit, digitization and the National Single Window. He also outlined measures for renewable energy, agriculture value chains, logistics, Customs modernization, public transport, disability inclusion, housing, waste management and improved ease of doing business, while contrasting these with what he described as past policy failures. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister JJB AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayatissa argued that the previous administration, led by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, failed to hold the overdue local government election by citing lack of funds, which he said amounted to suspending democracy. He said the current Government inherited a bankrupt and destabilized country in September 2024, with severe shortages, debt distress, downgraded credit ratings and loss of international confidence. He stated that within one year the National People’s Power Government stabilized the economy through fiscal discipline and public financial management, citing revenue collection above targets, government revenue rising above 15.3 per cent of GDP, expenditure contained around 13 per cent, and a primary surplus above 2.3 per cent of GDP. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 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, speaking during debate on the Government’s second Budget, criticized Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva’s response as an attempt to undermine the Budget. He remarked that Dr. de Silva, described as an economic guide of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, should have been allocated more time to fully present his arguments. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva argued that while the Government has maintained macroeconomic stability under the IMF-backed reform path, the 2026 Budget lacks a credible growth strategy and offers little relief for the cost of living. He raised concerns over alleged politicization and selective action in anti-corruption efforts, citing the E-visa issue, container reports, double-cab procurement, and a People’s Bank building project, and called for suspensions or investigations where necessary. He also criticized changes to VAT thresholds, the absence of promised tax relief, and the planned property tax from 2027, while defending prior reforms on debt restructuring, public finance, the Central Bank, and state-owned enterprises. He warned against moves he described as undermining the multi-party democratic system and said Opposition protests would occur when necessary. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly recalled observing past Budget Debates from the gallery, including those initiated by Minister Ronnie de Mel. No substantive policy argument, proposal, or question is presented in the provided excerpt. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) on the 25-year performance of the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and the need to upgrade economic cooperation with India through the proposed ETCA. He asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism to address the trade deficit, non-tariff barriers, stalled ETCA negotiations, safeguards, value-chain integration, investment and technology priorities, professional mobility through mutual recognition agreements, and sectoral opportunities in tourism, ports and banking. He also requested accountability measures, including tabling a 25-year review of the ISFTA, in the context of the President’s Budget Speech. Question by Private Notice: Benefits of Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and Negotiations on ETCA Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked whether, after successive changes to poverty alleviation programmes from Janasaviya to Aswesuma, the Government intends to strengthen the Samurdhi Department. He specifically sought clarification on whether the Department would be developed for community empowerment and microfinance or allowed to decline. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage said the use of Microfinance Division funds followed a Cabinet Paper approved on 25 April 2021, which authorized interest only on borrowings from People’s Bank and Bank of Ceylon, not on the LKR 28,767 million drawn from Samurdhi beneficiaries’ savings. He stated that this omission has hindered recovery of interest and caused an estimated LKR 20 billion loss to the Microfinance Division since 2020, affecting about 1.6 million small savers. He said the Government has repeatedly sought Treasury authorization and will continue to pursue Cabinet approval to protect and compensate the beneficiaries. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri stated that 335 Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Unions and 1,092 Samurdhi Community-Based Banks hold about LKR 400 billion, previously audited internally by the Department but now subject to National Audit Office audit following legal changes. He asked what action would be taken if poor depositors’ funds had been used for other purposes and interest due to them had not been paid, including recovery and crediting of the rightful interest. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary In response to a question on COVID-19 social benefit payments in 2020-2021, the Minister stated that complete Government-wide data were not available, but the Department of Samurdhi Development spent Rs. 58.76 billion on such payments. He clarified that no separate Samurdhi Development Fund existed and that the payments were financed through Treasury borrowings against Department fixed deposits at Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank, and funds obtained from the Department’s Microfinance Division. He said the bank borrowings had been repaid with interest in 2023, while the Microfinance Division funds were settled on 31 December 2024, with related interest still unpaid. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri asked the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment to provide details on financial assistance given to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. He requested the total amount distributed, whether funds from the Samurdhi Development Fund were used, the amount utilized, and whether those funds have been settled, or if not, the reasons for non-settlement. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Funds have been allocated to recommence work on the Heda Oya (Atimunei) bridge in 2026, though the relevant bridges are not on Road Development Authority roads. For the Bryanthurai Kandam bridge, approval through the District Coordinating Committee was requested so it can be considered under the rural bridges programme, as direct RDA funding is not possible. The Minister also noted LKR 26 billion allocated for rural roads in 2026 and cited several Ampara District bridge allocations. Oral Question: Construction of Bridges Across Bryanthurai Kandam River and Heda Oya in Ampara (Q.1212/2025) 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 acknowledged remaining gaps in the Greater Colombo wastewater projects and outlined the status of ADB-funded components, noting that several sewer rehabilitation, supply, and consultancy contracts have been completed while some pumping station, Kirulapone, and other works remain incomplete. He stated that further allocations are required and that the Government aims to complete outstanding works under the two projects by 31 December 2027. He also said foundational measures are underway to improve solid waste management operations and introduce new interventions. Oral Question: Grant by Asian Development Bank to Colombo Municipal Council (Q.739/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana questioned the effectiveness of repeated allocations for wastewater management, citing about USD 178 million from the ADB, LKR 13.6 billion in the previous Budget, and LKR 2.5 billion for Beira Lake-related work this year. He asked what further measures the Government would take to address continuing deficiencies in sewage and solid waste disposal systems for Colombo residents. Oral Question: Grant by Asian Development Bank to Colombo Municipal Council (Q.739/2025) 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 provided details of Asian Development Bank loan financing used by the Colombo Municipal Council for sewerage improvements in Colombo, listing utilized amounts under the Greater Colombo Wastewater Management Project and the Greater Colombo Water and Wastewater Management Improvement Investment Program. He stated that no portion of the ADB funds had been placed in deposit accounts without being utilized, making the related follow-up questions inapplicable. Oral Question: Grant by Asian Development Bank to Colombo Municipal Council (Q.739/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government for details of an Asian Development Bank grant to the Colombo Municipal Council for improving Colombo’s sewerage system. He sought the total grant amount, the amount utilized, whether any unutilized funds had been deposited in a council account, the value of such funds, and what action would be taken regarding them. Oral Question: Grant by Asian Development Bank to Colombo Municipal Council (Q.739/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 Mr. Speaker - The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne AI summary The Speaker informed Parliament that, under Article 154(6) of the Constitution, he was tabling specified parts of the Auditor-General’s Report for the financial year 2024. The sections tabled included parts of Volumes II, III and IX. Auditor-General's Report: Parts XVIII, XX, XXI, XXII Read →
- 7 November 2025 Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake AI summary Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined budget proposals for public servants, including Rs. 110 billion for the second phase of salary increases from January 2026 and Rs. 20 billion to adjust pre-2020 pensions from July 2026 based on the 2019 salary structure. He proposed expanded concessionary and distress loan schemes, higher Akrahara insurance contributions, an increased festival advance, and enhanced allowances for teachers in hardship areas, principals, and railway level crossing watchmen. He also proposed regularizing around 9,800 temporary, casual, substitute, contract and relief-basis public sector employees who meet qualifications and have served over six months, in line with Public Administration Circulars 25/2014 and 29/2019. The speech concluded by linking these measures to fiscal discipline and implementation of the Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024. Appropriation Bill, 2026: Second Reading Debate Read →