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- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Government’s and Central Bank’s decision to maintain a 5 per cent inflation target, arguing that it weakens real incomes, savings, competitiveness, and investor confidence. He proposed shifting to a 2–3 per cent target alongside supply-side reforms, and asked whether higher interest rates and rupee depreciation impose major fiscal costs of about Rs. 160 billion per percentage point and Rs. 45 billion per rupee respectively. He also sought clarification on whether the Ministry of Finance has assessed the impact on public savings and whether the current target undermines long-term investment, export, and FDI goals. Point of Order and Procedural Matters - Budget-related Discussion Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake stated that the matter under discussion did not appear to be the fault of Ministers, but rather an issue connected to the Central Bank. His intervention was brief and did not include specific proposals or further details. Point of Order and Procedural Matters - Budget-related Discussion Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake criticized the Government’s handling of Opposition questions, suggesting that replies on fiscal and monetary matters were being deferred until after the Budget. He argued that this appeared to be a pattern intended to limit the Opposition’s ability to scrutinize the Government. Point of Order and Procedural Matters - Budget-related Discussion Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the Ministry of Finance has the basic data needed to prepare the Budget, noting that the President, as Minister of Finance, is due to present it on November 7. He argued that if such information is not currently available, it raises concerns about how the Budget is being formulated. Private Notice Question: Appropriation Bill 2025 Budget Execution Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa, raising a Private Notice Question under Standing Order 27(2), sought detailed information on the implementation of the 2025 Budget approved under Article 150 of the Constitution. He asked the Government to table financial and physical progress of Budget proposals by ministry, including allocations, responsible institutions, achieved targets, expenditure, unimplemented proposals and reasons, and progress on foreign-funded projects. He also requested current figures on key fiscal and external balances and details on 2025 foreign direct investment targets, actual realization, and plans for attracting FDI in 2026. Private Notice Question: Appropriation Bill 2025 Budget Execution Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Minister of Health and Mass Media tabled a written answer on Lakhanda Radio Service, stating it was launched on 15 November 1996 to retain State media listeners while adopting popular radio formats. The response provided financial data from 2018 to August 2025 showing continuous losses, with monthly revenue of about Rs. 5.5 million against an estimated break-even requirement of Rs. 8.5 million. It also reported audience rankings, recruitment details since 2018, and measures proposed to improve performance, including programme quality, sales and promotions, sponsor-targeted programming, social media-oriented content, and external promotional events. Tabling of Answers: Lakhanda Radio Service and Vocational Training Centres Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Minister said authority over the matter raised by the Member rests with the Provincial Director of Health Services and that he has instructed the Secretary to ensure it is exercised properly. He stated that the health-sector transfer process has been delayed for years, with some cases pending since 2016–2017, and that stopping one release disrupts the whole chain. He said temporary difficulties at hospitals must be tolerated so annual transfers can be implemented, new officers posted, and attempts to retain posts by citing various reasons prevented, referring to the recent Dehiattakandiya Base Hospital issue involving an officer in post since 2007. Oral Question: Health Service Delivery - Supplementary Questions and Answers Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth requested improvements to the Pottuvil bus depot, noting its earlier downgrade, recent re-upgrading, and an unutilized Rs. 600 million allocation from the previous year. He asked whether the current Budget could provide a new building, luxury buses, basic facilities, and fill five vacant driver posts, particularly to support transport services in the tourism area of Arugam Bay. Oral Question: SLTB Bus Depot in Pottuvil DS Division (Q.8-9/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Acting Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary The Acting Minister of Transport and Highways said the Ministry has begun regulating long-distance bus rest-stop restaurants on the Puttalam Corridor, alongside an integrated timetable and standardized bus dispatch arrangements. He stated that inspections are being conducted with Ministry of Health support under PHI supervision, and that the programme will be expanded corridor by corridor to establish national standards for such rest-stops. Oral Question: Long-Distance Bus Services (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Asked what steps the Ministry has taken to support and develop athletics and other sports beyond the previously discussed sport, noting that Sri Lanka has exceptional athletes in those fields. Oral Question: International and School Cricket Stadiums (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Under the Mines and Minerals Act, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has authority to license mineral exploration, mining, transport, trading, storage and export, including gravel mining. The Minister said gravel mining approvals require recommendations from relevant bodies such as the Urban Development Authority, Department of Archaeology and Central Environmental Authority, with additional consultations where needed, and that GSMB officers supervise compliance with licence conditions. He also stated that amendments to the Act and revised penalties are being pursued to address unauthorized mining and illegal activities. Oral Question: Mines and Minerals Regulation (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the Appropriation Bill, 2026, and noted that changes to expenditure Heads would be submitted before the Committee Stage. He also informed Parliament that the Auditor-General’s Special Audit Report on the online visa issuance process, requested by the Committee, had been received with nine recommendations, and proposed immediate parliamentary follow-up action. Tabling of Reports: Monetary Policy Deviation, Public Accounts Report, Public Finance Committee Report Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim presented the Third Report of the Committee on Public Accounts for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament. The report concerns COPA’s inquiry on 20 April 2025 into the programme implemented from 1 May 2022 to 15 September 2023 granting permits for Sri Lankans employed abroad to import fully electric vehicles, and includes background, clarifications from Chief Accounting Officers, and committee recommendations. He also noted the Committee’s reliance on the ex-post audit process and acknowledged the Auditor-General and committee staff. Tabling of Reports: Monetary Policy Deviation, Public Accounts Report, Public Finance Committee Report Read →
- 24 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister presented the report on the deviation of headline inflation from the inflation target under the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement for the first and second quarters of 2025. She moved that the report be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, and the motion was agreed to. Tabling of Reports: Monetary Policy Deviation, Public Accounts Report, Public Finance Committee Report Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister provided a written response detailing annual budget allocations for implementing the Right to Information Act from 2017 to 2025 and outlined measures to strengthen its operation, including training officials, public awareness campaigns, electronic submission of information requests, publication of guidance materials, and workshops across Provincial Councils. He stated that rules and regulations under the Act are being updated, Commission rules are awaiting approval for gazetting, and previously published regulations will be reviewed and submitted to Parliament for legal concurrence. He also tabled statistics on appeals to the Right to Information Commission from 2017 to September 2025, showing annual totals received, final orders issued, and pending appeals. Written Answer: Allocation for Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Q.1461/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy said Ceylon Electricity Board employees have until 27 October 2025, under Section 18(f) of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024, to indicate whether they wish to be assigned to successor companies, so final figures are not yet available. He stated that reasons for employees’ choices cannot be specified because the decision rests with them, and the allocation for voluntary retirement cannot be provided until applications are finalized. He added that Cabinet approval has been obtained to include the cost of the voluntary retirement scheme in the first electricity tariff revision of 2026. Written Answer: Restructure of Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1460/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Energy for details on voluntary retirement applications by Ceylon Electricity Board employees under the CEB restructuring process pursuant to the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024, as amended by Act No. 14 of 2025. He requested a post-wise breakdown of applicants, reasons where voluntary retirement has not been sought, the compensation allocation for retiring employees, and the proposed funding sources for that compensation. Written Answer: Restructure of Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1460/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AI summary A written answer addressed the status of Ceylon Electricity Board employees who applied for voluntary retirement in the context of the Board’s restructuring. It indicated that the matter was being handled under the relevant restructuring process and provided information in response to question 1460/2025. Written Answer: Restructure of Ceylon Electricity Board (Q.1460/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe supported the proposal on organized crime and drugs, but argued that the Government was using the issue to distract from failures in governance, the economy, and delivery on promises. He said drug policy must focus on reducing demand and rehabilitating users, citing international experience, and criticized public displays that he said risk glorifying traffickers. He also criticized recent ministerial remarks following a killing, stressing that even alleged criminals must be dealt with through police investigation, courts, and due process rather than extrajudicial justification or political labelling. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala criticised the Government, stating that it had failed to deliver what the public expected and that poverty had increased, with more families falling back into hardship. He also condemned the Minister of Public Security’s remarks regarding the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, arguing that the Minister should have focused on ensuring the arrest of the gunmen rather than making unproven claims about the deceased. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →