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- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe explained the Government’s paddy procurement and milling arrangements, stating that 50,000 MT was procured in the Yala season, with 20,000 MT subject to a services tender and another 20,000 MT planned for allocation to small and medium millers through co-operatives on a rotational basis. He rejected claims that the tender was intended for 50,000 MT or restricted to large millers, saying the process follows capacity and technical criteria. He also addressed criticism of Sri Lanka’s participation in the WTO Trade Policy Review in Geneva, describing it as a technical engagement involving multiple state institutions and warning that legal action would be taken against alleged misrepresentations. He concluded that the Government had made progress over the past year and would continue its programme with public and international support. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe objected to members of the Committee on High Posts publishing officials’ confidential answers on social media, calling for inquiries, warnings, and possible removal of offending members, and requested directions from the Deputy Speaker to prevent such disclosures. Responding to the Opposition’s Adjournment Motion, he said the Government had restored proper accounting in institutions such as Lanka Sathosa and the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment, strengthened state machinery, and addressed corruption and administrative failures. He highlighted public sector salary and pension revisions, stating allocations had been made through 2027, the minimum public salary had been raised, and discussions were continuing to secure higher estate worker wages. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Government and Opposition Speeches Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad questioned the decline in profits and dividends of institutions under the President, linking it to broader concerns about the management of state enterprises, including the removal of Ashok Leyland and alleged tender fraud. He said the Opposition raises such issues as part of its public mandate, despite anticipated criticism or attacks through political and social media channels. Adjournment Motion: Implementation of Manifesto "A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life" - Opening Speeches Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad raised concerns that certain vacancies remain unfilled and questioned the performance of state enterprises. He cited reported declines in profits and dividends of institutions under the President during the first six months of the year and referred to remarks made by a Deputy Minister alleging mismanagement of state enterprises. Adjournment Motion: Implementation of Manifesto "A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life" - Opening Speeches Read →
- 9 October 2025 Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad questioned the Government’s failure to reduce electricity tariffs, food prices and fuel prices despite claims of curbing corruption and waste, arguing that key policy promises had not been fulfilled. He accused the Government of continuing political appointments in the CID, ministry secretary posts and the foreign service, despite earlier pledges to end such practices. He also raised concerns over tender procedures, calling for an online tender system and citing alleged irregularities in digitalization projects, paddy-to-rice processing, and proposed bus procurement linked to the Metro Bus initiative, including the bypassing of Lanka Ashok Leyland despite the State’s shareholding. Adjournment Motion: Implementation of Manifesto "A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life" - Opening Speeches Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Amila Prasad seconded the Motion alleging failure to fulfill government promises, questioning the absence of audited reports and recovery action on alleged corruption, fraud and waste in key ministries. He argued that Provincial Council Elections, promised within a year, were being delayed through renewed discussions on delimitation and electoral systems, and urged the Government to revert to the previous system and hold elections promptly. He also questioned unmet commitments on fuel price reductions, tax removal, rice price stabilization through SATHOSA, and concrete measures to reduce electricity tariffs. Adjournment Motion: Implementation of Manifesto "A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life" - Opening Speeches Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha moved an adjournment motion alleging that the Government has failed to implement key pledges in the National People’s Power manifesto, including tax relief, VAT removal, salary increases, constitutional reform, Provincial Council Elections, and a strengthened production economy. He argued that the Government instead implemented IMF conditions that increased taxes and burdens on households, citing World Bank poverty figures, rising malnutrition, unresolved public sector salary issues, and increased debt servicing through a supplementary estimate. He also criticized electricity tariff increases, lack of new investment zones, and weak industrial and investment activity, and called on the Government to implement its manifesto commitments. Adjournment Motion: Implementation of Manifesto "A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life" - Opening Speeches Read →
- 9 October 2025 Bills Presented AI summary The Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill was presented by Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya. The Bill was ordered to be printed, referred to the Committee on Public Finance, and scheduled for Second Reading on 23 October 2025. Procedural: Bills Presented and Privilege Matter Motion Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned whether the Commission should recommend a timeline for long-delayed Provincial Council Elections, stating that independence should deliver practical benefits to the public. He also asked how the Central Bank’s independence operates in practice, particularly who formulates its standard operating procedures and how differences between Government policy preferences on interest rates and Central Bank decisions are managed. Ministry Statements and Clarifications on Independent Commissions and Provincial Council Elections Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni stated that no donated equipment from the hospital has been or will be transferred to other institutions, following confirmation with the relevant Director. He said the main impediment is approval of cadre positions for doctors, nurses, and support staff, which has been requested from the Ministry of Finance. Once approvals are granted, staffing will be expedited for the modern ward complex intended to provide specialized infertility-related investigations and treatment not available in major Colombo hospitals. Oral Question 4: Special Schools and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that he could not provide full details on the Nawamedagama tower immediately, but said the reply referred to the “Medagama Dialog tower” being alienated under the State Lands Ordinance with covering approval from the Director General. He explained that lease regularization and collection for telecommunications towers have been delayed nationwide due to land-tenure complexities and rapid deployment needs. He said the Land Commissioner General’s Department and Divisional Secretaries are working to regularize such leases and collect dues, and clarified that the issue is countrywide, not confined to Mahaweli areas. Oral Question 3: Telecommunication Towers in Mahaweli System C Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) A. M. M. M. Rathwaththe JJB AI summary A question was raised regarding one of 16 telecom towers located at Nawamedagama, reportedly allotted to Dialog in 2011 without formal lease approval. The Member asked the Government to state its position on allegations that monthly payments have been diverted to a private individual, causing loss of State revenue since 2011. Oral Question 3: Telecommunication Towers in Mahaweli System C Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that misuse of State lands obtained for projects, including non-implementation, sub-leasing, sale, or subdivision, has occurred both under the Mahaweli Authority and in other State land allocations. He said the Government is compiling system-wise data on long-term Mahaweli lease lands to determine actual use and payment status, with action to follow through land recovery or enforcement of lease conditions. Oral Question 3: Telecommunication Towers in Mahaweli System C Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister detailed the number and status of 16 telecommunication towers erected in the Dehiattakandiya DS Division of Mahaweli System C, including whether each site had formal lease approval, had been alienated under the State Lands Ordinance, or was only handed over for possession. He explained the approval process for tower sites and the procedure for land already granted to individuals, including reacquisition by the State and issuance of long-term and interim leases under the relevant circular. He also stated that no lease payments had been collected for the Dialog tower in Nawamedagama due to the absence of formal lease approval, and that the Ministry is compiling details of Mahaweli Authority lease lands to verify proper use, recover arrears, regularize telecom tower leases, and repossess lands where warranted. Oral Question 3: Telecommunication Towers in Mahaweli System C Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Yan Oya Reservoir Project, though initially foreign-funded, was later implemented with Government funds and has left affected residents without compensation, alternative land, or paddy fields for over a decade. He said a seven-member committee, chaired by former Secretaries M.K. Dissanayake and Sarath Wijesinghe, was appointed to review the issue and has submitted its report after field visits and consultations. Based on its recommendations, the Ministry is proceeding with compensation payments and provision of alternative lands, with a target to complete compensation within the year using allocated funds. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena asked the Deputy Minister about compensation for people displaced by a dam project intended to support agriculture in the area. He sought clarification on the steps taken by the Ministry to complete compensation payments and the expected timeline for doing so. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary A status report has been sent to the Ministry regarding the hospital development matter. Funding is expected through the Southern Provincial Council, and the District Director has been asked to submit a full action plan so the Council can consider allocations. If funding constraints arise, support may be provided through an upcoming multi-year project to develop similar hospitals. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage raised concerns about infrastructure deficiencies at Baddegama Hospital, noting its importance as the nearest facility to the Expressway exit for accident cases. He highlighted the lack of a ramp between two-storey blocks, risks in moving patients by stairs, likely impacts from road widening, and unresolved drainage and sanitation issues. He requested prompt government intervention and asked that necessary improvements be included in the 2026 Budget. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena stated that although railways were originally developed mainly for freight, rail now carries only about 2 per cent of national freight, or around 2 million metric tons annually. He said Budget 2025 proposed a logistics hub at Thambuttegama, with a Rs. 100 million feasibility study underway, and noted ongoing surveys to extend rail access to the Kankesanthurai fuel storage complex and KKS Port to improve petroleum and freight transport from the North. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe stated that railways are important for both passengers and the economy, but modernization has fallen behind and affected service quality. He asked what measures are being taken under the new economic plan to increase the movement of freight by rail. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Read →