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- 26 September 2025 Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi rejected Opposition claims that the Government is hostile to private enterprise, arguing that it opposes corrupt “models” used to divert or shield public assets. He cited the CEB’s shareholding in LTL and related audit disputes, alleging that corporate structures and litigation had been used to prevent proper public scrutiny despite State ownership. He also referred to COPE evidence on alleged pressure placed on public officials in the LRC and National Youth Services Council, and said the Government is enabling officials to resist corruption. He stated that LRC land alienation has not been generally stopped but legal action is being pursued where misuse is alleged, and called for support for accountability and protection of public funds through COPE processes. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that COPE’s historical mandate has been limited to reporting and has not adequately ensured the efficiency or profitability of State-owned enterprises, many of which she said were weakened by past political agendas and policy choices. She said the Government intends to change this approach by strengthening SOEs and expanding COPE’s authority, noting that 14 of 457 institutions under COPE have recently been examined and four reports tabled. Addressing the 323-container issue, she stated that similar releases had occurred previously, that the President has ordered an investigation, and that matters requiring further inquiry have been referred to the CID, while the Government proceeds with regulatory reforms. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Hon. Dharmapriya Wijesinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Wijesinghe said the debate on COPE’s Fourth Report should focus on strengthening public enterprise accountability rather than unrelated allegations. He argued that COPE is being transformed from a body that merely tables reports into one empowered, through amended Standing Orders, to refer suspected fraud or corruption to the Bribery Commission or the Inspector-General of Police. He said COPE and COPA are central to the Government’s accountability agenda, noting difficulties in obtaining information from officials and the need to identify political decision-makers behind wrongdoing. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Congratulating the COPE Chair and team, Dr. Harsha de Silva raised concerns about a CWE tender to mill paddy and supply rice through Lanka Sathosa, alleging that revised conditions such as a 15,000 kg-per-hour milling capacity requirement exclude small and medium millers and may reduce the State’s due rice output. He asked why the tender permits only a 63 per cent rice yield when stored paddy could yield about 65 per cent, and placed the matter before the House as a possible corruption risk. He also referred to the COPF report on outsourcing online visa and passport services, noting that COPF recommended a forensic audit by the Auditor General and questioning delays by immigration authorities in responding to the amended draft audit report despite Parliament’s mandate for institutional cooperation. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi welcomed the Opposition’s proposals on aviation safety and said the Government would consider them, while linking national progress to the National People’s Power policy framework. Addressing COPE’s Fourth Report, she said COPE findings on State-owned enterprises should no longer end with debate or filing, but be referred where necessary to the CID and Bribery Commission to enable legal action against both officials and responsible political authorities. She assured law-abiding public officials that COPE’s purpose is not to demoralize them, and called for collective action against corruption while emphasizing public confidence in the law and judiciary. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe said COPE has actively examined 14 institutions in the 10th Parliament and argued that its work should move beyond reporting to requiring follow-up action, legal proceedings, surcharges, disciplinary measures, and removals where public funds have been misused. She proposed that all 457 institutions be subject to written examination and inquiry, and that Ministers, Secretaries, officials, and politicians who ignore or cause breaches of COPE recommendations be held accountable. Citing expenditure under the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment’s “Vigamanika Harasara” and “Jayagamu Sri Lanka – Glocal Fair” programmes, she alleged misuse of public funds for electoral publicity and said COPE findings should support complaints to the CID and Bribery Commission. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe said the Government had turned several state entities into profitable institutions, denied misuse of Mahapola Trust funds during its administration, and noted that the Mahapola stipend was increased while stalled Central Road works were restarted after settling dues. He cited revenue and expenditure figures for 2024 and 2025 to argue that fiscal management was improving without waste or corruption. He said the Government aims to reduce VAT from 18 per cent to 15 per cent by 2026/2027, avoid new taxes, narrow the Budget deficit, and pursue policies on public service efficiency, industrialization, social protection, rural empowerment, digitalization, infrastructure, and investment transparency. He also referred to COPE findings on past frauds and said an environment would be created to implement the report. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake expressed condolences over the deaths of seven monks in the cave collapse at the Naa Uyana Forest Monastery and then addressed COPE’s Fourth Report. He said COPE had examined numerous public institutions under its mandate and found instances of misuse, waste, and political interference by some officials. He alleged past misuse of public funds, land-related corruption, and the Central Bank bond scam, arguing that those who promised accountability had instead enabled corrupt figures to return to power. He maintained that during the past year efforts had been made to protect transparency and fiscal discipline and to avoid bankrupting State institutions. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka stated that he had initiated legal action against a television channel and social media figures over allegations linking him and his father-in-law to the underworld, and urged MPs to respond to accusations outside Parliament rather than relying on privilege. He argued that COPE should examine why major projects, including those funded by JICA and other development projects halted after 2015, failed or caused large losses. He also alleged serious irregularities in the release of 323 containers under the current Government, citing findings from a Presidential Committee report and calling for its tabling, a forensic audit, and CID and Police investigations into possible security and public health risks. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana commented on the COPE report, highlighting major cost escalations in the Katunayake International Airport expansion project, where he said Rs. 16.728 billion had been spent on designs over more than a decade without completing the work. He also criticized changes to the NMRA medicine import approval process in 2022, alleging that a fast-track pathway enabled substandard and counterfeit medicines to enter the country, causing deaths and vision loss. He rejected Opposition criticism, linking former officeholders to the failures cited in the report and accusing them of attempting to undermine the Government through strikes and allegations. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Hon. Jagath Manuwarna JJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Manuwarna discussed COPE’s Fourth Report, emphasizing the need to pursue corruption investigations and strengthen COPE’s legal capacity to summon all 457 institutions under its purview. He highlighted alleged irregularities in Airport and Aviation Services expansion projects, including costly design changes, major consultancy payments, contract extensions, and politically driven alterations to the airport concourse roof design. He also referred to issues at the LRC, National Youth Services Council, and NMRA, stating that COPE would protect honest officials while pursuing accountability based on Auditor General reports and written submissions. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha used the Adjournment debate on COPE to defend LTL as a profitable and technically capable enterprise, while calling for COPE scrutiny of current issues including alleged misuse of LRC land in Pasikuda, the release of Customs containers, flagged containers at Mideniya, and alleged VAT and CESS evasion on crude edible oil imports. He argued that public officials are being intimidated through investigations and COPE processes, contributing to administrative paralysis and service shortages, particularly in the health sector, and cited reported losses from emigration of medical staff. He also questioned the independence of the Bribery Commission, alleged politicization of law enforcement and police transfers, and raised concerns over a vehicle number plate tender allegedly tailored for a Chinese company, urging adherence to proper systems and a non-aligned foreign policy. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera moved an adjournment motion urging urgent action on the findings of COPE’s Fourth Report of the Tenth Parliament, including legal action against those responsible for wrongful directions and remedies to prevent recurrence. He said COPE is seeking to move beyond ad hoc inquiries by strengthening legal follow-up, introducing a scientific selection model for examining 457 state-owned enterprises, conducting written and online assessments, and convening institutions to address governance weaknesses. He highlighted recurring issues such as entities acting beyond their statutory mandates, weak planning and internal audit, poor coordination with the Auditor General, and attempts to evade audit scrutiny, citing examples including the Land Reform Commission and the Mahapola Trust Fund. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Read →
- 26 September 2025 Bills Presented AI summary The Appropriation Bill, 2026 was presented by Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The Bill seeks to authorize government expenditure for the 2026 financial year, borrowing within or outside Sri Lanka, advances from the Consolidated Fund or other government funds, and related financial arrangements. It was scheduled for Second Reading on 07 November 2025, ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee on Public Finance. Appropriation Bill 2026 Presentation Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the Kadawatha–Mirigama section of the Central Expressway had been stalled due to earlier procurement, financing, exchange-rate, and debt-suspension issues, causing local disruption and significant arrears. He stated that Cabinet had approved settlement of USD 189.51 million in arrears, paid as Rs. 57 billion, and that China EXIM Bank had agreed to provide a Yuan-equivalent USD 500 million facility to resume work. He argued that continuing with the existing contractor would cost about Rs. 217 billion, compared with an estimated Rs. 263 billion if the contract were terminated and re-procured, and rejected claims that the project would cost Rs. 450 billion or Rs. 12 billion per kilometre. Ministerial Statement: Central Expressway Project Read →
- 26 September 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 provided budget and implementation details for Palaly Airport and Kankesanthurai Port, stating that Palaly received Rs. 651 million in 2025 allocations with Rs. 150 million spent by 21 September, while requested allocations for KKS had not been disbursed because rehabilitation works remained stalled pending Indian EXIM Bank and Government of India approvals. He said Palaly land acquisitions from 1950 were legally completed with compensation paid, while any current land acquisitions for expansion are handled by the Ministry of Defence. He stated that KKS is not presently economically viable as an international commercial port due to limited hinterland, high dredging costs, and unresolved financing issues, whereas Palaly Airport has become profitable and will be developed gradually using Katunayake Airport revenues. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Palaly Airport Allocations Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake said the Government should address problems faced by sugar industry farmers while ensuring fair prices for consumers. He argued that policy decisions must consider the cost difference between importing sugar at about USD 490 million and producing it domestically at about USD 575 million plus VAT, given the impact on affected farmers. Question by Private Notice: Sugar Industry Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Government’s policy direction on the sugar industry, citing a perceived shift from earlier claims that Sri Lanka could achieve self-sufficiency and export sugar to the position that the State should not run businesses. He highlighted 2024 figures showing domestic production of about 81,000 metric tons against demand of 664,000 metric tons, with imports costing around USD 290–300 million, and argued that farmers face arrears, low prices, high input costs and policy disadvantages. He asked the Minister to clarify whether the new approach is official Government policy, provide data supporting earlier export claims, outline plans for sugar mills, ensure fair prices and timely payments to cane farmers, review tax treatment of imports and domestic production, and present a white paper on the industry’s future. Question by Private Notice: Sugar Industry Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman raised concerns about delays in issuing driving licence cards and vehicle number plates, noting that applicants since 2023 still rely on temporary paper licences and that many vehicles reportedly lack plates despite fees of around Rs. 5,000 being charged. He asked the relevant Minister how long it would take to resolve these administrative backlogs. Oral Question: Container Release from Colombo Port (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 26 September 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Asked the Minister whether staffing shortages at the newly established Blue Mandal inspection bay for expediting Customs clearance would be addressed urgently. He also sought assurance that Customs officers would be given reasonable discretion to make good-faith decisions without being deterred by fear or lengthy State approval procedures. Oral Question: Container Release from Colombo Port (Q.1/2025) Read →