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- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake welcomed the Minister’s stated facilitative approach to the sugar sector and urged the Government to focus on competitiveness, fair prices for farmers, efficient private-sector operation, and lower consumer prices. He suggested using a modest levy on imports to support farmers, considering private operation of Pelwatte, Hingurana and Sevanagala, and prioritizing domestic production over imports. He also called for reviving a natural disaster insurance mechanism to protect farmers from losses such as cane fires and said the Opposition would support reforms, including importing crystals if needed to improve efficiency. Ministerial Statements: Poverty Alleviation and Industry Development Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on sugar industry sustainability, framing the Government’s approach within the National People’s Power manifesto and its policy of a participatory, productive economy with targeted State intervention. He said Sri Lanka currently produces only brown sugar, with 81,000 metric tonnes produced in 2024 against estimated demand of 120,000 metric tonnes, and that improving cane varieties, agronomic practices and factory upgrades could raise recovery rates above 8 per cent and enable output of about 124,000 metric tonnes. He outlined plans for value addition, partial substitution of brown sugar for white sugar in some uses, and promotion of brown sugar in State institutions, while noting that the country is not expected to meet total national demand for refined white sugar. Ministerial Statements: Poverty Alleviation and Industry Development Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya tabled answers on the national poverty alleviation initiative, outlining an inter-agency “People’s Empowerment” framework involving new national bodies, reorganised district and divisional coordination structures, and Community Development Councils to prepare participatory Grama Niladhari Division development plans. She identified shortcomings in past approaches, including fragmented programmes, weak community participation, poor targeting, dependency, political influence, skills gaps and inadequate data. The new approach is presented as an empowerment- and livelihood-based model aligned across ministries, linked to the Government’s “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” policy and the Sustainable Development Goals, with a target to reduce poverty below 5 percent by 2030. Ministerial Statements: Poverty Alleviation and Industry Development Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that the ADB-funded Dry Zone Urban Water and Sanitation Project in Mannar, implemented by the NWSDB from 2012 to 2016, was completed within its loan allocation and its septage treatment facility, suction trucks, and public toilets were handed over to the Urban Council. He said the NWSDB had confirmed on 21 October 2025 that the facilities are operational. He distinguished this project from a separate adjacent Solid Waste Management Project reportedly halted on legal grounds, stating that it is not under his Ministry and inquiries on it should be directed to the Urban Council. Oral Question: Mannar Water Supply Project (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development whether he was aware of the recent fish deaths in Colombo’s Beira Lake, and requested the findings of the expert committee appointed to investigate the incident. He also asked what measures would be taken to address severe pollution in Beira Lake and other reservoirs across Sri Lanka, or, if no action was planned, the reasons for that. Oral Question: Fish Death in Beira Lake (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena stated that while loans must be repaid, the Budget provides for road development through programmes for widening and improvement, weak bridge construction, and rapid overlay surfacing. He reported progress on contract awards and procurement, saying additional contracts would be awarded within one to two months and that the Rs. 18.5 billion rapid overlay programme covering 225 kilometres would be completed within two months. He added that bids are coming in 24 to 30 percent below engineer estimates, creating savings that could be directed to rural roads next year. Oral Question: 100,000 Kilometres Alternative Roads Programme in Kalutara District (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Asked whether the loans obtained to initiate the projects in question are currently being serviced. Oral Question: 100,000 Kilometres Alternative Roads Programme in Kalutara District (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe requested special provision in the 2026 Budget to supply paddy dryers to warehouses in the Ampara District. He said the district frequently experiences flooding, affecting farmers’ ability to dry paddy, and asked whether the Deputy Minister would allocate funds for this purpose. Oral Question: Warehouses of Paddy Marketing Board in Ampara District (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary The member marked Global Breast Cancer Awareness Month and noted Parliament’s related awareness programme, emphasizing the role of Public Health Midwives in early detection. She raised concerns from PHMs following earlier remarks about staffing in every Grama Niladhari division, stating that their work extends beyond maternity services to other essential public health duties. She requested better office space, supplies, and increased allowances for record-keeping in future budgets, while welcoming the provision of motorcycles. Oral Question: Post of Public Health Midwife - Vacancies (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government accepts PUCSL’s correction of the electricity tariff figure to 6.8 per cent and noted that this remains below the 38 per cent increase proposed when it took office. He said the Government aims to reduce tariffs but must address CEB’s long-standing structural problems, including debt, unpaid bills by State bodies and irregular connections. He also undertook to inquire into environmental concerns around Norochcholai and reported power outages in Kalpitiya, and to report back after investigation. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned the proposed 6.8 per cent electricity tariff increase, noting that the PUCSL had rejected it and that the Government had not fulfilled its promise to reduce unit prices despite earlier higher CEB revenues. He also raised concerns about frequent power outages in the Kalpitiya power region and environmental and local impacts from Norochcholai, asking whether the Minister would implement a plan to address both the environmental damage and ongoing interruptions. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody clarified that the six proposed companies would be fully Treasury-owned, despite being registered as private limited companies under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007. He said the CEB had proposed a 6.8 per cent tariff increase, but the PUCSL, acting within its regulatory mandate, decided there should be no increase, and he undertook to table detailed figures if a question is submitted. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy asked for clarification on how the Government and private sector would be involved in entities that are to function as companies. He also referred to the PUCSL’s recent decision not to approve an electricity tariff increase and requested that the Government disclose the tariff proposal and price structure it had submitted to the Commission. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy confirmed that electricity sector restructuring will proceed under the amended Electricity Act, No. 14 of 2025, in line with Section 17 and the First Schedule of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 36 of 2024. He stated that six companies will be incorporated for system operation, transmission, generation, distribution, energy ventures, and a CEB employees fund, and added that part (b) of the question was not applicable. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Energy whether he accepts that the Ceylon Electricity Board, described as a major burden on taxpayers, the Treasury, and State banks, should be restructured. He requested details of the methodology to be adopted for such restructuring, or the reasons if restructuring is not accepted. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Restructuring (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on rules under the Excise Ordinance concerning the time period for payment of duty on liquor production and related fees, and an order under the Special Commodity Levy Act relating to the Special Commodity Levy. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Presentation of Reports and Petitions Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Regulations issued under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act regarding guidelines for granting exemptions or incentives to businesses of strategic importance were presented to Parliament. The motion to refer the regulations, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2454/62 of 20 September 2025, to the Committee on Public Finance was agreed to. Presentation of Reports and Petitions Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy thanked the Deputy Minister and members from both Government and Opposition for supporting his Adjournment Motion. He said the motion highlighted the need for a dedicated financial institution to support climate change-related action, noting that such institutions are used globally to assist countries in this area. Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody supported Hon. Hector Appuhamy’s motion on climate change, outlining its links to greenhouse gas emissions, hydrological disruption, reduced hydropower, agricultural losses, deforestation, human-elephant conflict, and pressures on fisheries and tourism. He stated that Sri Lanka is pursuing Paris-aligned goals including 32% forest cover, 70% renewable energy, cleaner production, and earlier net-zero ambitions, with plans to reduce 116 million metric tons of CO2 from 2026 to 2035. He highlighted measures such as declaring 30 new reserves, conserving aquifers and montane forests, removing invasive species, finalizing the Climate Prosperity Plan, and seeking increased grant funding. On carbon markets and a proposed climate finance bank, he said national policy must be carefully designed and that, for now, climate finance could be channelled through the Treasury unless sufficient grant funding supports a dedicated institution. Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana supported the motion on climate change and vulnerable states, stressing Sri Lanka’s exposure to floods, landslides and other disasters and citing 2021 disaster impacts including deaths, injuries and housing damage. He referenced Sri Lanka’s obligations under the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, noted the cancellation of the Kelani River flood mitigation component of the Climate Resilience Improvement Program in 2018, and called for clearer national decisions on emerging carbon market opportunities. He said consultations are under way to submit a national plan to Cabinet and that the Government is preparing a structured mechanism, led by the Prime Minister, to mitigate Kelani River flooding affecting Colombo District. Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Read →