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- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera said Sri Lanka’s wind and solar generation, including over 2,000 MW of solar capacity added since the launch of “Soorya Bala Sangramaya” in 2016, has reduced carbon emissions and could generate value through carbon trading. He argued that polluting countries or entities should compensate countries contributing to climate mitigation, and urged the subject Minister to explain the current status of carbon trading and how it will be used for national development. Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera supported the Adjournment Motion ahead of the upcoming COP meeting in Brazil, linking it to Sri Lanka’s sustainable development commitments. He urged greater development of renewable energy, particularly Northern wind resources and year-round solar potential, and called for electrification of transport including cars, buses and rail. He also said Sri Lanka should move beyond discussions on carbon trading and secure value for its existing emissions reductions from hydropower and wind energy. Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy moved an Adjournment Motion urging approval and implementation of Sri Lanka’s updated Climate Prosperity Plan under the Climate Vulnerable Forum framework. He argued that the Plan is necessary for sustainable, low-carbon development, climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy expansion, job creation and access to international climate finance. He proposed establishing a CVF office in Sri Lanka, creating a development bank to mobilize climate-risk funds, preparing carbon market guidelines, and using funding channels such as the Green Climate Fund, GEF, Adaptation Fund, World Bank, ADB, EIB, green bonds and PPPs. Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa concluded the debate by thanking Members for supporting regulations intended to ensure fair medicine prices, noting that the Gazette defined MRP and MCP and would guide registration and re-registration based on fair pricing. He rejected concerns that companies would leave the market or that price controls would lead to substandard medicines, citing past experiences and stating that the NMRA’s primary duty is to ensure quality. He also acknowledged district-level shortages and procurement delays, said reforms were being proposed to improve timely supply while preventing fraud and corruption, and requested approval of the regulations, which was agreed to. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika supported the regulations under the NMRA Act, arguing that medicine price control is needed through a fair and scientific process while maintaining reasonable margins for suppliers and protecting patients. He said current shortages stem largely from past procurement failures and the economic crisis, and noted that the government has increased tender awards substantially and expanded local purchasing limits for hospitals as an interim measure. He also defended the new MRP and MCP mechanisms, stating that consultation requirements under Section 118(4) had been met and that quality procurement is being prioritized following past controversies. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe supported the Regulations under the NMRA Act, describing them as necessary to control medicine prices and address long-standing problems in access to drugs. He argued that profiteering, corruption, politicization, staff shortages, outdated hospital equipment, and drug shortages had harmed patients, especially poorer families. He said concerns about shortages or substandard medicines should not prevent regulation, and stated the government would work to improve health services and implement the price-control measures. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof stated that 83 employees had raised their grievances with Ministers, Secretaries, and officials but had not received a solution. He requested that the Government take proper action to pay their outstanding salary arrears. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof welcomed the regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act to regulate medicine prices and supply, while stressing the need to ensure quality medicines and minimum essential health services. He requested that the Kinniya and Muttur hospitals in Trincomalee, currently under the Provincial Council, be brought under the Central Government and asked the Health Minister to visit Kinniya, Muttur, Thambalagamuwa and Pulmoddai hospitals to address deficiencies. He also urged Government action on unpaid salaries for about 83 Lanka Mineral Sands Company employees who had been protesting for five days over arrears reportedly outstanding for around 15 months. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah supported strengthening the National Medicines Regulatory Authority under the relevant regulations to address rising medicine costs and improve access to essential drugs. He proposed introducing maximum retail and ceiling prices through a transparent pricing formula, modern digital price surveillance, stronger enforcement, and fast-tracked registration for quality local pharmaceutical production. He also called for greater transparency in NMRA approvals and pricing decisions, independent audits, and an internationally standard quality control laboratory to prevent distribution of substandard medicines. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. R.M. Gamini Ratnayake JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Gamini Ratnayake argued that health care should cover the full continuum of services and that patient safety and quality control must be strengthened through the proposed regulations. He said household out-of-pocket health spending in Sri Lanka has risen to an excessive level despite free health care, making medicine price regulation necessary. Referring to the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 5 of 2015, and Gazette Extraordinary No. 2446/34 of 21 July 2025, he supported empowering the NMRA to set maximum retail prices for medicines and urged the Opposition to support the measure. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna cautioned that proceeding with NMRA pricing regulations while litigation by the Pharmaceutical Importers’ Association is pending could create complications. He argued that CIF-based cost-plus pricing is unsuitable, citing WHO guidance, Institute for Health Policy views, and past NMRA pricing practices that used IMS data, while stressing the need to balance consumer protection with fairness to importers. He also urged that the 1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service be strengthened and expanded, not politicized or altered, despite statements suggesting possible changes to its colour or number. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister rejected claims that the Health Minister advised patients to buy unavailable medicines privately, stating that funds and mechanisms exist for hospitals to procure medicines during shortages. He defended the Government’s health policy and the regulations under the NMRA Act as measures intended to improve access to medicines and reduce public hardship, while criticizing past handling of substandard medicines. He also linked the debate to broader calls for national unity, urging against religious or ethnic division and calling for peace and development. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda supported bringing NMRA-related regulations to Parliament in the context of continuing shortages of essential medicines, equipment, specialists and staff in public hospitals, noting delays in surgeries and diagnostics and congestion at facilities such as Karapitiya Hospital. He urged progress on domestic pharmaceutical production, including the Oyamaduwa “Suwa Siripura” project, and on digitizing NMRA and SPC operations and certifying medical supplies. He also called for urgent government intervention to pay arrears and regularize non-permanent workers at the Pulmudai Mineral Sands Company, who he said have gone unpaid for over a year and are on a fast. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera supported the regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 5 of 2015, stating that they form part of government efforts to improve health services and address issues such as overcrowding, long waiting lists, and access to medicines. He emphasized the NMRA’s role in procurement oversight, pricing through Maximum Retail Price and Maximum Ceiling Price mechanisms, quality assurance, and post-dispensing pharmacovigilance. He referred to COPE findings on past irregularities, including misuse of Waiver of Registration procedures and alleged corrupt procurement of human immunoglobulin, and called for strengthening the NMRA as an independent authority. He also cited a 2025 WHO report commending Sri Lanka’s steps to improve transparency, accountability, and corruption-risk assessment in medicine regulation. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan addressed amendments to data protection legislation, noting changes on risk consultation, cross-border data transfers, DPA guideline-making powers, and the narrowed definition of public authority. He said the amendments may reduce bureaucracy, strengthen privacy protections and improve investor clarity, but asked the Minister to clarify concerns about DPA capacity and independence, parliamentary transparency, cross-border safeguards, sensitive data, enforcement access, implementation timelines, and regulatory coordination. He urged Sri Lanka to draw on international practices for personal identifiers and data protection while supporting digital development. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan discussed the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, outlining proposed changes to timelines for data subject requests, fees, Data Protection Officers, impact assessments, cross-border transfers, guidelines, and the definition of public authorities. He noted that the amendments aim to reduce administrative burdens, align with international practice, and provide clarity for investors, while raising concerns about extending response times and reducing some mandatory oversight requirements. He asked whether the Data Protection Authority has sufficient expertise, infrastructure and funding, how its independence, accountability and reporting to Parliament will be ensured, and whether cross-border transfers, national databases, digital identity systems, penalties, redress mechanisms and implementation timelines are adequately addressed. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB AI summary Dr. Janaka Senarathna noted that the objectives of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 5 of 2015, including fair pricing and access to medicines and devices, have not yet been fully realized after ten and a half years. He emphasized strengthening health system inputs—financing, workforce, infrastructure, and governance—citing renewed nurse recruitment, the rollout of Primary Medical Care Units, and the need to reduce catastrophic household health expenditure. He called for continued investment in the health system alongside full implementation of the NMRA pricing framework to protect households and improve access. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka supported the NMRA Regulations on medicine quality, maximum retail prices and distribution controls, while raising concerns that the health system has not fully recovered from the 2022 economic crisis. He cited continuing shortages of medicines, dialysis consumables, suture materials, testing supplies, imaging services, oncology drugs and functioning equipment, with specific references to the National Hospital, Kandy, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital and ambulance availability. He urged the Minister to verify and address these problems, reduce burdens on poor and elderly patients, and preserve the established name, number and branding of the 1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe supported the Health Ministry’s medicine price-control regulations, arguing that a transparent pricing formula is necessary because Sri Lanka relies heavily on imported medicines and patients cannot assess pharmaceutical quality or resist arbitrary pricing. He said the formula should account for CIF costs, levies, and supply-chain margins while ensuring timely access to safe, quality medicines at fair prices, particularly for chronic and emergency patients. He also called for expanded local manufacturing, stronger laboratory quality assurance, rational prescribing and public awareness, and continuous monitoring to prevent high out-of-pocket health costs. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister explained the legal and procedural basis for the NMRA’s medicine price regulation, citing the NMRA Act and past court challenges, and sought Parliamentary approval for the regulations gazetted on 7 October 2025 following stakeholder consultation. He outlined the new framework for Maximum Retail Prices and Maximum Ceiling Prices, including appeal mechanisms, semi-annual reviews, and enforcement under Section 131. He also reported improvements in NMRA capacity, reduced file backlogs, increased testing, and ongoing certification upgrades, while addressing hospital medicine shortages as operational stock-management issues being met through central supply, local purchases, and procurement acceleration. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →