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- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran supported the Motion proposing an insurance scheme for farmers, arguing that the State has a duty to protect those who sustain the country’s food supply. He called for a robust free insurance and pension scheme, timely and adequate compensation for crop damage, and guaranteed fair prices for paddy. He also raised concerns about high-interest farm loans and exploitative microcredit practices that leave farmers indebted and vulnerable. Private Members' Motion P.47/2025: Insurance Scheme for Farming Community Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan welcomed the Private Member’s proposal by Hon. Rohana Bandara to establish an insurance scheme for farmers, highlighting the hardships faced by farmers in the North and East after war, displacement, poor harvest-time prices, debt, and natural disasters. He noted that existing insurance compensation is often delayed and called for a practical, timely scheme covering losses and risks such as elephant attacks, pesticide exposure, machinery accidents, and deaths. He argued that strengthening agriculture and fisheries as key livelihoods would support national progress and help affected farming families maintain dignity. Private Members' Motion P.47/2025: Insurance Scheme for Farming Community Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla supported the Motion and argued that farmers require comprehensive protection beyond life insurance, including seed insurance, crop damage cover, and safeguards against hazards such as elephant attacks. He said key foundations of agriculture—seed, water, land, and fair harvest prices—have weakened, citing high seed prices, flood-related soil erosion in Mahiyanganaya-Ulhitiya, lack of irrigation affecting 1,750 acres before the Badulu Oya dam project, and market failures causing produce to be dumped. He contrasted past benefits for MPs with the unmet needs of farmers and called for a practical programme to secure farmers’ basic agricultural conditions and provide crop and life insurance. Private Members' Motion P.47/2025: Insurance Scheme for Farming Community Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary The Member supported Hon. Rohana Bandara’s motion to introduce a farmer insurance scheme, noting that existing crop insurance and pension arrangements have low participation and limited coverage. He urged a comprehensive scheme covering crops, life, health and marketing risks for paddy, vegetable and other farmers, citing hazards such as lightning, snakebites, machinery injuries, leptospirosis, kidney disease and human-elephant conflict. Private Members' Motion P.47/2025: Insurance Scheme for Farming Community Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara moved a resolution calling for a comprehensive insurance scheme for the farming community, arguing that existing crop-damage cover is limited in value, scope, and eligibility. He said farmers face risks from crop failure, accidents, illness, death, loss of income, and inadequate retirement protection, while current pension and insurance arrangements do not cover most needs. He proposed expanding insurance to cover cultivation risks, the period from harvest to payment, life and disability, and retirement for all categories of farmers. Private Members' Motion P.47/2025: Insurance Scheme for Farming Community Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana called for Sri Lanka to establish a WHO-recognized national quality control laboratory capable of API and GMP verification, noting that random testing of medicines and responses to adverse events currently require costly overseas testing and cause delays. He placed WHO and Indian laboratory reference documents in the Library to support the proposal. He also raised reported shortages of insulin needles and glucose strips, equipment failures at the National Hospital including angiography and MRI issues, interruptions to biochemistry testing, and requested clarification on the alleged renaming of “1990 Suwaseriya” as the “National Emergency Ambulance Service.” Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni said the Government supports strengthening the NMRA laboratory and is already implementing measures to improve testing capacity, including doubling tests and staff in the past year and pursuing ISO 17025 international accreditation. He stated that local pharmaceutical production would be encouraged only under proper standards, while imports and batch releases are subject to pre-shipment, warehouse, post-distribution and complaint-based sampling through NMRA and other recognized laboratories. Responding to concerns about shortages and procurement, he said major hospital supplies, including antibiotics and cardiac surgery needs, were available, while some smaller items are procured at institutional level rather than through national bulk procurement. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka supported the Private Members’ Motion on strengthening medicine quality assurance, stating that medicines must be safe and that the Opposition would assist the Government’s efforts. He argued that, after nearly a year in office, the Government should move beyond blaming the previous administration and address current shortages of essential drugs, IVs, surgical items and supplies in government hospitals. Citing examples including Papaverine, Metaraminol, Dextrose, Naloxone, cardiac surgery items and sutures, he said patients are being required to purchase critical materials privately, sometimes at costs around Rs. 100,000, and urged the Government to procure them through proper tenders or international channels. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy seconded the motion and raised concerns about persistent weaknesses in Sri Lanka’s medicines regulatory system, particularly the composition and leadership of the NMRA. He argued that the NMRA Board lacks pharmaceutical regulatory expertise, questioned the Chairman’s private practice and alleged bias towards multinational companies over local manufacturers, and noted that promised upgrades to the NMRA laboratory had not been implemented. He said he would table more than 15 questions on allegations against the Chairman and called on the Government and Health Minister to decide on his position, warning that they would bear responsibility for future failures. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana moved a resolution calling for a programme to restore and modernize the National Medicines Quality Assurance Laboratory, arguing that the 35-year-old facility is outdated, not internationally accredited, and unable to adequately test imported and locally manufactured medicines. He said the NMRA, established under Act No. 5 of 2015, has a statutory duty to ensure safe, efficacious, good-quality medicines at affordable prices, and proposed establishing a fully equipped laboratory at an estimated cost of Rs. 5 billion. He cited past incidents involving alleged substandard prednisolone, anaesthetics, and human immunoglobulin, demanded action against those responsible and recovery of losses, and urged compensation for affected patients who had not yet received it. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi clarified that his remarks were not a personal challenge to another Member. He argued that weaknesses in the legal framework allow gem buyers to under-declare export values, and said stronger laws would help prevent losses to export earnings. Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi reiterated his call for the rapid commencement of the Ruwanpura Expressway, noting cross-party support and the Deputy Minister’s assurance that the project would proceed. He said the confirmed Ingiriya section was welcome, but requested clarity on the alignment and phasing towards Ratnapura and Pelmadulla, while accepting that the full route could not be built at once. He also argued that improved road access and stronger legal mechanisms for accurate gem export valuation could help Ratnapura capture greater economic value from the gem industry. Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha said the Ruwanpura Expressway has not been halted, noting a 2025 Budget allocation of Rs. 2,500 million for planning and land acquisition and a presidential pledge to begin Phase I from Kahatuduwa to Ingiriya next year. He outlined related transport plans for Ratnapura, including widening the Ingiriya–Ratnapura road and High Level Road, restarting the Kelani Valley Railway with a Rs. 250 million allocation, and funding several national and rural road upgrades in the district. He also reported progress on the Central Expressway and maintenance of the Southern Expressway, framing these works as part of islandwide balanced development. Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna said the Ruwanpura Expressway has not been abandoned, noting that the Kahatuduwa–Ingiriya section is proceeding with land acquisition while the Ingiriya–Ratnapura section requires a new feasibility study and redesign due to riverine alignments, landslide risks, and the planned Kelani Valley Railway extension. He cited the 2018 feasibility study’s projected economic benefits and linked delays to the 2022 financial crisis, while also alleging past irregularities in road development and “paper” road projects in Ratnapura. He further stated that the Government intends to restore the Kelani Valley Railway to Ratnapura and address losses in the gem sector, where export earnings are lower than estimated annual mining costs. Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Moved a motion urging the Government to continue and implement the Ruwanpura Expressway in phases, arguing that it would benefit Ratnapura, Badulla, Hambantota, Monaragala and sectors such as tourism, gems, tea and cinnamon exports. He called for clarity on financing, credit arrangements and a commencement timeline, and criticized the Government for making broad development promises without time-bound delivery. He also referred to Indian-credit housing, the Kelani Valley Railway extension proposal, and other infrastructure commitments, asking Ministers to provide direct and specific answers. Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, raising a question under Standing Order 27(2), called for reforms to make Sri Lanka’s gem industry more export-oriented and better able to generate foreign exchange and employment. He argued that despite Sri Lanka’s historic reputation for gems, the sector is constrained by limited mining access, weak value addition, poor market access, inefficiencies, and irregularities in oversight and stock handling. He questioned whether high taxation, excessive licensing, and over-regulation are discouraging small miners and traders and pushing activity into informal channels, and urged steps to revive and relaunch the industry. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a Private Notice question under Standing Order 27(2) seeking government responses on unresolved issues in the education sector, including university academic vacancies, staff recruitment, salary anomalies, facilities, and the migration of academics. He requested data and policy explanations on reported school closures, education reforms including the status of History and Aesthetics subjects, and promised teacher salary increases, difficult area allowances, and Guru Setha loan interest reductions. He also sought specific timelines for recruiting Central Province teacher examination candidates and implementing the settlement to absorb Development Officers who served as teachers into the teacher service. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha tabled answers regarding the recruitment and placement of 10,326 graduates under a 2000 Ministry of Finance and Planning letter, including appointment dates for three intakes and confirmation instructions. He stated that institutional details and service minutes should be obtained from the respective bodies, that recruitment schemes have been prepared, and that promotions are governed either by the Development Officers’ Service Minute or by schemes being prepared by relevant departments. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the Budget increased public servants’ basic salaries and that private-sector wages had also been raised within the legal framework. He said the Government is intervening with 69 estate employers to implement the President’s policy decision to raise estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,700. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha responded to concerns about illegal microfinance and finance schemes, noting that many operate through legal corporate registration while conducting unregulated financial activities, sometimes with political or influential backing. He said the Government, with the Central Bank and Financial Intelligence Unit, is strengthening supervision under the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework ahead of the March 2026 evaluation, and will use new legislation to regulate the thousands of unregistered village-level microfinance operators. He also highlighted online financial fraud and pyramid-style schemes, stressing the need for legal action and improved financial literacy to prevent people being misled by unrealistically high returns. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →