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. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister answered that the relevant Establishments Code provisions and Public Administration Circulars No. 32/91(ii) and No. 12/2021 apply to public officers with political rights appointed as Mayors or Chairpersons of Local Authorities. He stated that such officers may receive seven days’ duty leave per month for local authority duties, or take no-pay leave for the full tenure, and that the two Samurdhi Chairpersons concerned were granted duty leave accordingly while continuing normal departmental duties on other working days. He further clarified that receiving both the government salary and the allowance for the Chairperson post is not prohibited under the cited circular. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe said institutions under his Ministry have been asked to identify and prioritize unresolved issues, with newly appointed chairpersons made accountable through management agreements and KPIs. He cited progress on a long-pending Rs. 6 billion compensation matter involving BCC Lanka and the Legal Affairs Department, and said audit reports are guiding efforts to address legacy issues and clear institutional balance sheets. He noted that some matters require collective decisions with other ministries and the Treasury, and said those discussions are being pursued expeditiously. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns about unresolved inter-agency financial settlements, citing SriLankan Airlines’ dues to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation as an example of broader weaknesses in inter-institutional transaction processes. He asked the Deputy Minister to provide a timeframe and outline the Government’s programme for settling such outstanding liabilities, warning that delays across successive terms would harm the country. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government is aware of the longstanding “past liabilities” owed in relation to fuel storage tanks and pipeline facilities at Kankesanthurai, with Rs. 244.45 million payable as at 31 July 2025. He stated that although six rounds of inter-ministerial and institutional discussions have been held since 2016, payment by CPSTL for the 2010-2015 period was withheld due to a land ownership issue over about six acres. He said the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation constructed the tanks and pipeline, CPSTL should pay for their use, and a meeting held on 24 September 2025 was aimed at determining a resolution pathway, with no intention to forgo recovery of the dues. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development for details on two oil tanks and a pipeline in Kankesanthurai owned by the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation. He sought confirmation of the assets, the government institution using them, the amount payable to the Corporation for their use, and the measures to recover any outstanding payments. Oral Question 1: Oil Tanks and Pipeline in Kankesanthurai (Cement Corporation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 Hon. [Name not clear] AI summary The Member said that families affected by the Muththunagar solar power project, including those unable to cultivate during the Maha season due to signed power purchase agreements, will be identified and compensated by the Ministry of Power. He stated that landless cultivators will be identified and provided alternative land outside the port area, while about 4,000 families occupying 2,500 acres agreed to be released by the port will receive title deeds. He urged Trincomalee District political leaders to support port development and related industries while protecting residents’ rights, and defended the Government’s actions as consistent with written policy. Adjournment Motion: Release of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Lands in Trincomalee District Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister responded to a motion on Trincomalee Port, stating that the Government supports both developing the port and related industries and granting land rights to long-settled residents living on adjacent lands, irrespective of ethnicity or religion. He said delays in issuing titles since the 1984 Gazette should be examined, and outlined recent discussions involving the Prime Minister, relevant ministers, the SLPA, and other officials. He noted complications arising from prior lease agreements granted to solar power companies before the current Government, saying any changes require due process. He announced that titles would be issued to eligible residents, including some without documentation after verification, on 790 hectares identified as not required by the SLPA, where about 4,000 families live. Adjournment Motion: Release of Sri Lanka Ports Authority Lands in Trincomalee District Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara supported the revived highway project but criticized the increase in its interest rate and the diversion of Road Development funds toward debt servicing. He requested that the IMF Extended Fund Facility technical reports in Sinhala and English be printed and circulated to all MPs. He urged the Government to review airport-issued driving licences for foreigners and visa-free entry arrangements, citing impacts on local tour drivers, tourism revenue, foreign exchange, and airport operations. He also criticized the Government’s handling of the Geneva resolutions, arguing that not calling for a vote weakened support from countries such as Russia, China, and India. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the Supplementary Estimate for the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation seeks to reallocate savings within existing Budget provisions, not obtain additional funds, with about Rs. 36 billion to be directed to priority activities. He disputed Opposition claims regarding the President’s expenditure head and debt management, stating that allocations must be compared on a proper basis and that the Government is managing debt within targets to reduce it below 95 per cent of GDP. He also said the Government chose to proceed with and accelerate the Central Expressway work, while managing Exim Bank-related financing risks through negotiated interest-rate parameters. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala cited World Bank data indicating that poverty had increased further from 24.986 per cent in 2024 and argued that poverty reduction must be a priority for national prosperity. He said the Government, having expanded from three MPs in 2022 to a large parliamentary mandate, should use that mandate to deliver livelihood programmes alongside anti-corruption efforts. He also referred to recent cooperative election results as an indication of changing public sentiment and urged the Government to focus on meeting the expectations of voters. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala criticized the Supplementary Estimate for Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, saying that large reallocations and low project progress rates at district level reflected weak implementation and management. He urged the Government, ahead of the next Budget, to set clear priorities and ensure allocated funds are effectively executed. He also defended the Opposition’s role in past action against the then Chief Justice and said scrutiny of the Government’s policy statement “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” was a legitimate accountability function. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal defended the National People’s Power Government’s first year in office, arguing that it has expanded public services while past governments increased public burdens and borrowing. He criticized the Ranil Wickremesinghe-SLPP arrangement after the 2022 crisis and rejected allegations against his party regarding arson, saying the then government failed to identify culprits despite paying compensation. He highlighted current government action on elephant fencing and transport infrastructure, including Rs. 375 million for rehabilitation of the Mee Oya bridge on the Puttalam-Mannar road and ongoing works on the Bathulu Oya-Karambai road. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir welcomed the Supplementary Estimate and urged that transport allocations prioritize improved public transport, arguing that better SLTB bus and rail services would reduce congestion, fuel use, and hardships for commuters. He requested late-night bus connections from Batticaloa for passengers arriving by the Fort–Batticaloa train, expanded rail services to support tourism between Nilaveli, Trincomalee, Arugam Bay and Panama, and improvements to transport infrastructure in the East. He also thanked the Minister for starting work on the flood-damaged Mavadippalli bridge and called for rehabilitation of the Kittangi bridge, upgrading of the Kalmunai and Sammanthurai bus depots, and completion of several unfinished roads in Nintavur. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB AI summary Amid discussion of transport and infrastructure development, Hon. Dinesh Hemantha argued that previous road and transport projects were undertaken without proper prioritization, contributing to SLTB losses while private operators benefited on selected routes. He stated that the Government is now focusing on village needs, allocating buses where required, improving depots and facilities, and implementing a broader programme intended to improve public services and livelihoods. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB AI summary Hon. Dinesh Hemantha supported the Supplementary Estimate under Head 117 for the Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry, explaining it as a mechanism to use in-year savings or additional funds for priority work. He argued that applying savings toward future debt interest and amortization would reduce debt pressure and help restore international credibility for future renegotiations. Responding to Opposition criticism, he cited ongoing road carpeting projects in Matale District, plans for parking facilities at Riverston, and phased improvements to the Matale–Galewela road by end-2026. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. K. Ilankumaran JJB AI summary Hon. K. Ilankumaran supported the Supplementary Estimate, arguing that unlike past governments which sought additional funds after inefficient use of allocations, the current Government is redirecting funds from stalled projects to alternative public-benefit purposes. He said allocations in the Northern Province are being used efficiently and noted that development work effectively began only about five months earlier, after the March Budget and the pause caused by local authority elections. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that reallocations in the Supplementary Estimate were necessitated by Sri Lanka’s 2022 debt default, which halted foreign loan disbursements and delayed projects, including the Central Expressway, resulting in about US$ 340 million in accumulated interest. She said the Central Expressway financing terms with Exim Bank of China changed after default from a dollar facility to a yuan facility, with a floating rate of 2.5–3.5 percent, and described renewed lender engagement under those constraints as significant. She also stated that the National Police Commission independently delegates powers to the IGP under the Constitution, and cautioned against parliamentary remarks that could place undue pressure on the Commission or police operations. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Danushka Ranganath supported the Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 36,609 million for the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, linking it to the Government’s policy agenda on economic stability, public services, rule of law, and anti-corruption. He said the Ministry is improving transport infrastructure, particularly through the “Path to Revival” rural roads programme, under which 1,619 roads have been identified this year at a cost of Rs. 25 billion, with further funding proposed next year. He also stated that a new iRoad phase will cover about 500 km nationwide, including 24 roads in Kalutara, and said stalled works from earlier contracts have now completed procurement and will be restarted and finished before year-end. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera supported the Rs. 36,609 million Supplementary Estimate for the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, stating it reallocates funds following halted donor disbursements after the 2022 economic crisis and supports domestic debt servicing and ongoing infrastructure work. He said the Government had not borrowed for highways in 2025 and was continuing road, bridge, highway and rural transport projects within the approved Rs. 435,100 million allocation. He also highlighted deficiencies in mass transit, alleged route-level mismanagement in several Colombo District services, and said the Government’s policy was to develop sustainable transport as part of broader economic and environmental goals. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem criticized reductions in transport-related allocations under the Supplementary Estimate and urged the Government to take responsibility for reviving rail and SLTB services, citing the closure of the profitable Ridithenna SLTB depot as an example. He requested urgent action by the RDA and Provincial Road Development Authority on several deteriorated iRoad and district road segments, and questioned reallocations from the Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal, iRoad, and Getambe flyover projects amid congestion and stalled work. He sought clear timelines for the Kandy bus terminal components and progress on the Central Expressway up to Galagedara, including widening the road from Galagedara to Kandy. He also asked that unresolved contractor claims relating to Central Expressway Section 1 be settled before the Government proceeds with the loan and contract approval. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Read →