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- 8 October 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake thanked the Prime Minister for the response and highlighted that while about 173,000 students pass the A/Ls, only around 53,000 enter State universities, leaving about 120,000 without State-funded higher education opportunities. He asked whether graduates who benefit from free university education could be linked to some form of contributory service to the country, particularly where they later leave Sri Lanka for opportunities abroad, noting that taxpayers fund their education. Ministry Statements: Brain Drain, Kankesanthurai Port, Government Translators Service Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Responding to a Standing Order 27(2) question by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, the Prime Minister stated that the Government does not maintain data on public university graduates who leave the country within a year of graduation and has no restrictions, contracts, or service obligations requiring graduates to remain in Sri Lanka. She said there is no policy or proposal to recover the cost of free education or Mahapola assistance from graduates who migrate or work abroad. She emphasized that free education is treated as a right funded through general taxation, not as a transaction requiring individual monetary repayment, and that its benefits may accrue to society in various ways, including remittances. Ministry Statements: Brain Drain, Kankesanthurai Port, Government Translators Service Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Government supports appropriate private sector involvement but criticized long-running outsourced services lacking technical value-add as politically enabled corruption. Citing driving licence printing, he said a 28-year arrangement had been stopped, new machines were being installed at the Department of Motor Traffic, and issuance was expected to resume from 18 October while clearing an 800,000-card backlog. He stated that in-house printing would reduce the cost from Rs. 534.54 to Rs. 368.16 per card, saving Rs. 166 per card, while the Government would continue to use private providers where necessary. Second Round Questions and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan welcomed the Minister’s explanation and the move to award vehicle number plate printing to three companies rather than a single company, citing past wastage. He requested that the Government consider undertaking number plate printing itself in future, and also referred to vehicle emission testing, arguing that large private-sector earnings from that process should be reduced by bringing it under government control. Second Round Questions and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 8 October 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Procurement for new vehicle number plates is at its final stage and awaiting an Appeals Board decision, following the expiry of the previous contract with Access International (Pvt) Ltd on 30 April 2025. As of 30 September 2025, 165,512 vehicles were awaiting number plates, while police, CCTV units, the State Intelligence Service and the public have been given database or app-based access to retrieve vehicle registration details. The Minister said any national security threat from non-issuance must be assessed by investigative agencies, and further details on resumption of issuance would be provided after the procurement process concludes. Second Round Questions and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 8 October 2025 Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan noted that the NPP won both Northern Province districts at the last election and referred to 2025 Budget allocations made through the relevant Ministry. He urged that funding be ensured for continuous implementation of services accessed through Grama Niladhari offices, with completion targeted within the coming year. Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya Read →
- 8 October 2025 Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna stated that earlier initiatives such as “Uthuru Wasanthaya” had not fully delivered expected benefits to the North. He said the Government had allocated funds in the previous Budget and would make further allocations in 2026 to address pressing needs and provide required facilities. Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya Read →
- 8 October 2025 Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised concerns that about 52 Grama Niladhari divisions continue to operate from temporary offices, forcing some residents to travel up to 20 miles for services. He asked whether the forthcoming Budget would allocate funds to quickly provide basic facilities such as electricity, toilets, and water, noting that annual resettlement allocations have not effectively addressed these needs. Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya Read →
- 8 October 2025 Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla disputed the characterization of the Mahiyangana weekly fair project as a PPP, arguing that no Provincial Council engineer or official supervised it from the outset and that government involvement occurred only later. He said the removal of the fair had forced the Sabha to pay Rs. 4,205,000 in rent for an alternative site, questioned whether a traders’ association was authorized to collect rent, and asked who would bear the resulting loss. He requested a structural investigation and raised allegations of irregular stall allocations and large payments, calling for fairness for stallholders and scrutiny of possible financial misconduct. Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya Read →
- 8 October 2025 Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla rejected the Minister’s response regarding alleged irregularities in stall agreements and rent collections, citing contradictions between earlier reports and the current answer. He questioned discrepancies over the number of stalls, floor area, monthly rent, and advance deposits, arguing that the figures presented were inconsistent and misleading. He stated that two differing reports had been submitted and raised the matter as his first supplementary question. Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya Read →
- 8 October 2025 Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister answered a question on the Mahiyangana fair redevelopment, stating that the Pradeshiya Sabha decided in 2012 to remove old stalls and build a shopping complex and central weekly fair area under a Public-Private Partnership to improve public facilities and revenue. He said stall allocations were made to persons nominated by the Traders’ Association, with details tabled in the Library, and noted that allegations that MPs received stalls were not supported by the list. He also identified a rent anomaly involving Hanco Investment (Pvt) Ltd receiving 15,780 square feet for Rs. 5,000 per month while 150-square-foot stalls pay the same amount, saying it requires rectification. Land ownership remains with the Pradeshiya Sabha, while stallholders have lease rights for 25 years or until breach of conditions. Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya Read →
- 8 October 2025 Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary As of 23 September 2025, prisons held 34,765 inmates, comprising 10,509 convicted prisoners and 24,256 remand prisoners. The Minister stated that there is no procedure to release prisoners solely after 20 years, as releases depend on court-imposed sentences and sentence calculation under Prison Rules, with remission not applicable to death or life sentences. He also reported that 2,122 prisoners were in custody as of 31 August 2025 due to inability to pay fines, and noted that such prisoners may be released only through normal sentence completion or Presidential pardons under Article 34 of the Constitution. Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya Read →
- 8 October 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary On behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, Ravi Karunanayake presented the Committee’s report on Supplementary Estimate No. 03 of 2025 for Head 117, Programme 02 under the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Committee Reports Read →
- 7 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka legally defines elders as persons over 60 under the Protection of the Rights of Elders Act, No. 9 of 2000, and noted that the share of people aged 60+ has risen from 6.6 per cent in 1981 to an estimated 18 per cent in 2024. He outlined the newly launched national policy on older persons, covering rights protection, age-friendly environments, health care, economic security, social inclusion, long-term care, and evidence-based implementation. He detailed current welfare measures, including increased monthly assistance for elders aged 70+, health, sanitation, livelihood and housing grants, and support for registered elder care institutions. He said the Government is preparing amendments to the Elders Act, digitizing maintenance tribunals, developing a pension mechanism for informal-sector workers through the National Social Security Board, and introducing guidelines to regulate standards in elder care homes. Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Read →
- 7 October 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation why the Heda Oya Irrigation Project, identified in 1922 and subsequently designed, studied, approved and allocated funds under several governments, has still not commenced. He outlined its expected benefits for Ampara and Moneragala, including irrigation for over 6,270 hectares, support for more than 5,000 farming families, drinking water for several DS areas, and related economic gains. He requested clarification on delays, funding in the 2026 Budget, timelines, a dedicated implementation and oversight mechanism, stakeholder consultation, assessment of social/environmental/economic benefits, and integration with rural water, agricultural modernization and regional irrigation programmes. Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Read →
- 7 October 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage clarified that athlete selection and logistical arrangements are the responsibility of sports federations and their selection committees, while the Ministry may only fund or facilitate. He highlighted government support for para-sports, including engagement with India’s visually impaired cricket sector and investment in accessible equipment and infrastructure. He said the Ministry is pursuing inquiries and legal action involving several federations, and presented the Amendment Bill as a measure to strengthen the sports governance framework; the Bill was then read a Second time, referred to Committee, and reported without amendment. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 7 October 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister defended the amendments to the Convention against Doping in Sport Act, stating they were developed through consultations with WADA, Cabinet procedures, and legal advice to reduce ministerial control, align sanctions with due process, and strengthen anti-doping education and testing. He rejected Opposition claims that the Bill had led to international bans, loss of flag status, or funding problems, citing recent and upcoming Sri Lankan participation in international competitions. He also outlined “Mission Olympics” athlete and coach stipend schemes, anti-waste measures, regional sports infrastructure projects, and plans for new regulations and a forthcoming Sports Act to improve governance of national sports federations while keeping competitions active. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 7 October 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan supported the Convention against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill, stating that its delayed enactment had affected athletes and urging speedy implementation. He highlighted the completion of sports complexes in Mannar, Vavuniya and Omanthai, and requested hostel and related facilities for athletes using them. He sought the reallocation of funds that lapsed during the economic crisis and election period for school and public sports grounds, small schools, and registered sports clubs in Mannar and Vavuniya. He also requested urgent rehabilitation of divisional sports facilities in the war-affected Vanni region and proposed raising the upper age limit for Northern Province Sports Officer recruitment from 35 to 40 years, with Higher Diploma qualifications recognized. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 7 October 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri supported discussion of the Anti-Doping Amendment Bill but criticised the Government for not providing details on claimed investments raised under Standing Order 27(2). He questioned the reliability of sending doping samples abroad in the absence of local testing facilities and asked whether the reforms adequately protect sports integrity from external influence. He also challenged the Government over alleged reversals on electricity tariff promises, criticised its sports policy and rural school sports neglect, and accused it of failing to act on earlier pledges to punish corruption. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 7 October 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana defended the Government against claims of inefficiency, stating that its mandate is to achieve “system change” through economic democracy, anti-corruption measures, social reconciliation, and long-term development toward high-income status. He argued that first-year fiscal and monetary stabilization has restored confidence, citing increases in Customs revenue, total state revenue, remittances, exports, the current account surplus, and a higher-than-targeted primary surplus. He said the Government’s long-term goal of sustaining 6–7 per cent growth to reach high-income status by 2050 requires confronting challenges such as drugs, organized crime, bankruptcy, and social decay, and pledged continued action against underworld and narcotics networks. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sport (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →