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- 23 October 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage supported the Government’s “Ratama Ekata” national programme to eradicate dangerous drugs, arguing that after economic stabilization the country must address the social crisis caused by drugs and organized crime. She said the programme combines supply reduction through raids and prosecutions with demand reduction, public participation, school-level prevention, religious and community involvement, and youth education. Citing 187,872 pending drug-related cases, risks among 14-16 year olds in the Southern Province, and over 17,000 identified at-risk children, she highlighted planned measures including district rehabilitation centres, proceeds-of-crime confiscation, Divisional Secretariat interventions, and allocations through the Clean Sri Lanka 2025 Fund. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara concluded by referring to the Government’s policy declaration under the theme “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life.” He said its aim was broader than financial prosperity, emphasizing national development through improved attitudes, knowledge, and physical and mental well-being for future generations. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana supported the motion to implement the “Nation Together” programme as a national anti-drug plan, arguing that enforcement against supply must be combined with measures to reduce demand, especially among youth. He proposed strengthening impartial law enforcement, expanding sports, arts, literature, cultural and community programmes, and mobilizing religious institutions, schools and wider society. He also raised concerns about alleged political links to underworld networks and called on the Opposition and youth, including those involved in the aragalaya, to join the programme launching on the 30th under the President and the Ministry of Public Security. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary As Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, Dr. Harsha de Silva noted that changes had been made after the original Appropriation Bill was presented. He proposed that the Committee take up and approve the Bill at its sitting that day, warning that otherwise there may not be enough time to return it from the Committee to Parliament. Procedural Discussion: Appropriation Bill Amendment and Finance Ministry Clarification Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne JJB AI summary Eranga Weeraratne stated that the week-long period before restoration was necessary to ensure full protection and system integrity. He said the Government is procuring LGC 2.5 and a second cloud to strengthen backups and resilience, while CBSL, SLCERT and the Ministry are conducting public awareness programmes on financial cyber risks such as sharing PINs. He added that upgrades are being carried out to provide resilient digital public infrastructure. Urgent Question: Digital Infrastructure Outage (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the adequacy of the response time to the ASYCUDA-related disruption, warning that a cyberattack could have more serious consequences across the 21 interconnected institutions. He urged the Government to ensure robust onshore and offshore backups, citing risks to the targeted US$20 billion digital economy and noting reported annual cybercrime costs of up to US$1 billion. Urgent Question: Digital Infrastructure Outage (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said the LGC service disruption was caused by an internal hard disk utilization failure that triggered an automatic shutdown, with services restored by Saturday night and no evidence of cyber intrusion, data loss, or compromised integrity. He stated that affected institutions used manual processing, ASYCUDA and other separate data-centre systems were not affected, and no quantified financial losses had been reported. He said the Government is procuring LGC 2.5 to introduce centralized secure backups, geo-redundancy, disaster recovery capacity, and real-time monitoring, while also advancing cybersecurity measures including mandatory VAPT, protection of critical information infrastructure, the NCSOC, a new Cyber Security Law, and proposed Digital Economy and Cybersecurity Regulatory Authorities. Urgent Question: Digital Infrastructure Outage (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena JJB AI summary Comprehensive insurance is provided for newly procured 32-seat and expressway luxury buses, while other buses have third-party coverage that includes staff and limited passenger cover, which was stated to be sufficient. The Minister said technical staff at depots are insufficient, although some qualified technicians are employed, and recruitment is conducted according to procedure based on NVQ Level 4, with no system to permanently absorb trainees after training. He also stated that procurement rules must be followed for tyres, tubes, payment systems, spare parts and engine sets, with future tenders to be evaluated on standards, price, continuity of supply and technical suitability. Oral Question: Insurance Coverage for SLTB Buses (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon asked the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development about SLTB bus insurance coverage, whether third-party cover is adequate, and whether alternative cover is planned. He also questioned staffing and training in SLTB depot technical sections, including recruitment procedures for trained technicians and trainees from technical education institutions. In supplementary questions, he raised concerns about tyre and tube procurement, requested consideration of qualified domestic manufacturers, and asked whether spare-parts purchasing and inventory control could be centralized, including matching engine sets with existing bus bodies to increase the operable fleet. Oral Question: Insurance Coverage for SLTB Buses (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media for annual admissions to Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medical education since 2021, the number of qualified graduates awaiting employment, current approved cadre, actual cadre and vacancies in Siddha and Ayurveda hospitals, and obstacles to appointing unemployed indigenous medicine graduates. He highlighted severe staffing shortages in Mullaitivu, stating that only one of 14 sanctioned community medical officer posts is filled, and requested clarification on whether over 2,000 qualified graduates awaiting appointments will receive state employment or be directed to private practice. He also urged special consideration and 2026 funding to develop Mullaitivu District Siddha Hospital as a centre for medical tourism, paid services and integrated Siddha care in the Northern Province. Oral Question: Students Admitted to Government Universities for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena JJB AI summary The Minister provided answers on a railway platform-height improvement project, stating that Rs. 28,342,878.39 was spent, Royal Constructions (Pvt) Ltd. was the contractor, relevant agencies were consulted, and the objective of easing passenger boarding had been achieved. Responding to a further question on train cancellations, he said ageing rolling stock, delays in obtaining spare parts, and procurement complexities were key constraints. He stated that procurement had begun for five new power sets, though delivery would take about two to two-and-a-half years after ordering, and that 162 train drivers were being recruited following Cabinet approval with appointments expected by the end of November. Oral Question: Endenirigama Railway Platform Renovation (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam raised concerns about public lands in Vavuniya still being occupied by security forces, citing the Vavuniya Police Station on Municipal Council land, the Iyangkulam Rest House used as an Army camp, and an STF camp on CEB land at Chettikulam. He asked whether these lands could be released 15 years after the war and requested that the matter be placed before the next District Development Committee. Oral Question: Tachchankulam–Moonrumurippu Main Road (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, speaking during Global Breast Cancer Awareness Month, noted that Sri Lanka records over 5,000 new breast cancer cases annually and faces higher mortality due to delayed diagnosis, treatment delays, and limited access to diagnostics and therapies. He called for strengthened public education, training of primary healthcare staff, expanded district-level diagnostic facilities, timely referrals, and increased radiotherapy and oncology capacity across provinces. He urged the Government to prioritize physical and human resource allocation for breast cancer prevention and care, while stating the Opposition’s readiness to support such measures. Adjournment Motion: Promote Early Detection of Breast Cancer Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha said the new Excise Rules are intended to address administrative loopholes that allowed excise arrears to accumulate, not to introduce new taxes. He cited arrears of about Rs. 10,555 million across 40 entities and said the Rules would allow temporary suspension of production or bottling licences after 30 days of non-payment and cancellation within 90 days if dues remain unpaid. He also stated that revenue agencies were exceeding targets and that the Special Commodity Levy increases on onions and potatoes followed Food Security Committee and Cabinet approval to protect local farmers. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara supported stricter enforcement under the Excise Ordinance, proposing that liquor licences not be renewed where producers have failed to remit collected excise revenue. He argued that high excise taxes on legal alcohol are pushing consumers toward illicit liquor and narcotics, including among youth, and called for reduced taxes to make legal products more affordable. He also urged planned paddy cultivation and Government intervention in Keeri Samba supply, alleging hoarding by major millers, and called for urgent marketing support for potato and big onion farmers facing unsold, perishable stocks. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Upali Samarasingha supported the Rules under the Excise Ordinance and the Regulation under the Special Commodity Levy Act, arguing that they are intended to close loopholes, prevent revenue evasion, and ensure taxes collected from alcohol sales are properly remitted to the Treasury. He said excise revenue is important for public services and that legal reforms are needed to hold evaders accountable. On agricultural levies, he stated that existing policies on commodities such as potatoes and onions aim to support food security, lower production costs, and develop the agro-industry, while rejecting Opposition claims as inaccurate. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Supported the Special Commodity Levy to raise duties on imported onions and potatoes during local harvest periods, arguing it would help secure fair prices for local producers. He said import-oriented policies after 1977 contributed to the decline of domestic agriculture, citing the fall in Northern Province shallot production from 56% of national output in 1980 to about 20.6% by 2005. He called for insurance, marketing support, and measures to protect farmers from exploitative middlemen in order to revive shallot cultivation and improve self-sufficiency. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Nalin Hewage JJB AI summary Nalin Hewage said Rs. 10.5 billion in unpaid excise dues remained outstanding, alleging that many arrears related to warehouses connected to former Ministers and MPs, though he declined to name individuals during the speech. He urged Members not to divert from the issue and argued that the Government’s current tax measures should be recognized as positive rather than criticized reflexively. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the Committee’s decision had become known to importers and traders two weeks before implementation, enabling them to import 23,000 metric tonnes of potatoes under the previous levy. He argued that, as a result, the intended benefit of the levy change did not reach local farmers. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara condemned the shooting death of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, describing it as a political assassination and linking it to a broader deterioration in security, citing 101 shootings and 57 deaths during the year. He urged the Government and the Speaker to ensure the security of elected representatives and protect democratic political activity. He also criticised the timing and handling of food import levies, arguing that delayed action on potatoes and onions failed to protect local farmers and allowed importers to benefit, and questioned the removal of the Director-General of the Department of Investment Policy. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) Read →