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- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Welcoming the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, he supported the new provisions on corporal and non-physical punishment of children but requested clearer definitions, including for “likely to cause humiliation,” and correction of discrepancies between the Tamil and English texts, particularly on the fine in Section 314A. He raised concerns that road-repair funds allocated for local authority roads in Vavuniya are being channelled through Government Agents without adequate consultation with local bodies, and requested coordination to ensure priority roads are selected. He also urged the Government to provide the newly upgraded Vavuniya Municipal Council with the required cadre and infrastructure, strengthen the district’s limited fire service, and reform local authority cadre structures to improve service delivery. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake - Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Gamagedara Dissanayake clarified matters concerning the Central Cultural Fund, stating that over Rs. 8,000 million had been spent between 2016 and 2019 without Board approval. He said a three-member committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Pradeep Jayatilake was appointed on 07 July to investigate, and that its report was nearing completion. He indicated that preliminary findings suggested fundamental breaches of the Central Cultural Fund Act and that further discussion could follow once the report is released. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha responded that the Central Bank would consider the points raised and manage the existing swap arrangement with the People’s Bank of China as part of efforts to build net international reserves. He stated that the exchange rate had remained stable without unnecessary volatility and that the Central Bank would take necessary measures as required. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Executive Presidency and SVAT Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned how the Government intends to bridge the gap between projected reserves of about US$6.7 billion, including expected IMF and ADB inflows, and the US$7.2 billion target. He warned that uncertainty could affect macro-linked bondholder decisions and pressure the rupee, noting the fiscal impact of exchange rate depreciation and interest rate changes. He urged action to prevent bureaucratic delays from constraining the economy. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Executive Presidency and SVAT Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha clarified that the IMF-linked requirement concerns Net International Reserves rather than Gross Reserves, and said the Central Bank’s US$1.2 billion foreign exchange purchase was part of managing that position. He noted strong export earnings, remittances, and tourism income, and argued that the Central Bank should be allowed to act independently in maintaining required reserve levels and meeting future targets. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Executive Presidency and SVAT Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the consistency of Central Bank reserve figures, arguing that reported foreign exchange purchases should have raised Net Reserves beyond the latest stated level. He warned that failure to build reserves under the IMF debt sustainability framework could affect the rupee and external creditor confidence, and called for more candid reporting and policy focused on export growth and reserve accumulation. He also criticized the independent Central Bank’s role in past economic management and its internal spending priorities. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Executive Presidency and SVAT Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question, stating that the projected US$7.2 billion in gross official reserves by end-2025 is an IMF projection, not a binding performance criterion under the IMF Extended Fund Facility; the relevant monitored target is Net International Reserves. He said Sri Lanka had met the end-2024 NIR target and was on track for the June and December 2025 targets, supported by Central Bank foreign exchange purchases exceeding US$1.2 billion by end-August 2025. He added that there was no plan to restrict imports, monetary policy decisions remain with the Monetary Policy Board, reserve and debt service data are published regularly, and the Government and Central Bank would continue measures to build reserves and strengthen investor confidence. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Executive Presidency and SVAT Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged the Minister to provide an immediate response on the abolition of SVAT, noting that only one week remained before it took effect. He said exporters needed clarity urgently and requested an answer the same day or the next day to support export activity. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Executive Presidency and SVAT Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns under Standing Order 27(2) over the abolition of the Simplified VAT system from 1 October 2025, arguing that it would create serious cash-flow, refund delay, and competitiveness problems for exporters, SMEs, deemed exporters, and related sectors such as apparel, tea, rubber, logistics and shipping. Citing warnings from export industry representatives, he said the change would replace immediate VAT relief with refunds delayed by 105–180 days and effectively require exporters to finance the Treasury interest-free. He asked the Minister of Finance what measures, safeguards, interim digital mechanisms, and transitional support would prevent insolvency and protect the Government’s stated target of increasing exports to US$36 billion by 2030. He also sought the projected fiscal benefit to the Treasury and clarification to ensure entrepôt trading and related transport sectors are not adversely brought within SVAT-related changes. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Executive Presidency and SVAT Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake requested that the House allocate the full available time to discuss the impact of abolishing the Simplified Value Added Tax scheme on the export sector. He framed the issue as requiring dedicated parliamentary consideration due to its significance for exporters. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Executive Presidency and SVAT Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake tabled a written answer on the status of Maga Neguma companies, stating that production and construction activities have ceased and only winding-up-related functions, security, and custodial work continue with minimum staff. He said Cabinet decisions in 2023 and 2025 provide for winding up the companies and releasing certain plants to State or semi-State institutions on a tax-waiver basis, subject to legal authorization. The answer detailed the status of the Road Construction Equipment, Emulsion Production, and Consultancy and Management companies, including plans to recommence the emulsion plant under the Road Development Authority. It also listed assets at the Ganewalpola yard, valued in September 2024 at Rs. 91 million for plants and Rs. 72.71 million for vehicles, while noting that pending court cases prevent their use without court permission. Oral Questions 6, and continuing questions on Seeds, Tanks, and Immigration Read →
- 24 September 2025 Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan) SJB AI summary Asked for detailed information on postal services in the Kilinochchi District, including the classification and number of post offices and sub-post offices, their land and building status, plans for permanent buildings, and availability of modern facilities and computers at specified offices. Also questioned whether new sub-post offices should be established in Bharathipuram, Punnaineeravi and Pallikkuda, and sought reasons for the lack of action on a 2016 correspondence to the Postmaster General. Oral Questions 6, and continuing questions on Seeds, Tanks, and Immigration Read →
- 24 September 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer detailing Sri Lanka Tea Board-related investments, including Promotion and Marketing Levy funds, Tea Board Fund investments, and investments under the MoU with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, with year-wise short-term, long-term, and total amounts up to 2025. He stated that investments were made in fixed deposits in state banks and Treasury bills in line with applicable circulars and manuals, with procedures strengthened from 2022 through Investment Committee review and from 2024 through Departmental Procurement Committee approval and procurement guidelines. Oral Question 10 (125/2025): Sri Lanka Tea Board Investments Read →
- 24 September 2025 Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to provide details of Sri Lanka Tea Board funds placed in long-term and short-term investments from 2020 to date. He further questioned whether the Minister was aware of allegations that proper approvals had not been obtained for those investments and, if so, what action would be taken. Oral Question 10 (125/2025): Sri Lanka Tea Board Investments Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem requested the expedited submission of the Auditor-General’s forensic audit recommended by the Committee on Public Finance regarding the alleged loss from awarding a contract to a Dubai-registered company linked to VFS, noting its relevance to pending court proceedings. He supported the National Building Research Institute Bill but proposed that the Institute include representation from the Urban Development Authority, the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation, the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, and the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka. He also urged urgent scientific action on recurrent flooding in Akurana, landslide-damaged school buildings in the Central Province, and inadequate firefighting capacity for high-rise buildings in Colombo. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem referred to the Supreme Court’s conviction of the former Controller General of Immigration and Emigration for contempt of court over delays in implementing an Interim Order in cases challenging the proposed e-visa scheme. He said the petitioners had argued that a 16-year contract awarded without proper procurement could have cost Sri Lanka about US$ 3.4 billion, with further losses from delayed compliance, and noted that the main case is due to be argued on 20 November. He emphasized the judgment as a warning to public officials acting on orders in matters involving alleged fraud and outlined the Court’s findings on contempt and sentencing. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Second Reading of the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute, stating that it would give legal status to the National Building Research Organization, which had operated under a circular since 1984. He argued that the proposed law would make the institution more orderly, regulated, and efficient, and contrasted the Government’s action within its first year with the previous lack of legislation. He also cited major landslide disasters in Kegalle in 2016 and national landslide deaths in 2017 to underline the need for a stronger institutional framework. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Amila Prasad supported the Bill to establish the National Building Research Institute, arguing that the upgraded institution should focus on disaster prevention, climate-resilient construction, soil and mineral resource mapping, and integration with agencies such as the Disaster Management Centre. He sought clarification on the Government’s overarching policy framework for the Bill and proposed district or regional NBRI branches, mandatory pre-construction soil testing, stronger links with local Technical Officers, and Budget allocations for modern equipment and staffing. He also raised related implementation and safety issues, including monitoring silted reservoirs and landslide-prone areas, enforcing limits on sand and gravel transport, improving school-time bus services, empowering provincial and local authorities, and holding Provincial Council elections. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary Lt. Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga supported the Second Reading of the Bill establishing the National Building Research Institute, stating that it gives legal personality and authority to the former NBRO after decades without a statutory framework. He said the Institute would be able to regulate and carry out building materials testing, environmental monitoring, geotechnical testing, hazard mapping, and landslide risk mitigation, particularly in the context of climate variability. He emphasized the need for proactive safety measures and research-based decision-making, while also briefly extending retirement and birthday wishes to a retiring Parliament official. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →
- 23 September 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Manjula Suraweera Arachchi supported giving the National Building Research Organisation statutory status, noting its long operation through Cabinet decisions and its role in landslide, disaster-risk, geotechnical, environmental and structural services. He highlighted landslide risks across 14 districts, including 1,252 reported landslides in 2024 and pending casework in Nuwara Eliya, and called attention to staff, funding and equipment constraints. He also placed the Bill within the Government’s broader 2025 legislative programme, citing several recent amendments and laws, and said the Government would continue its policy agenda on stability, public services, and law and order. Second Reading Debate: National Building Research Institute Bill Read →