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- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera stated that the “Ditwah” disaster affected 22 districts and that the Government has ground-level information on the impact. He said special procedures have been adopted, grievance-handling measures through the National Disaster Relief Services Centre were further strengthened, delays in obtaining technical information are being addressed, and special on-ground action plans have been prepared to expedite relief efforts. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne acknowledged progress on ex gratia payments but questioned delays in providing housing for families whose homes were fully destroyed, citing 1,739 such cases in Kandy District against the Deputy Minister’s figure of 1,630. He referred to specific affected areas, including Mawathura and Ududumbara, and noted that many displaced families remain with relatives or in rented accommodation nearly six months after “Ditwah.” He asked the Government to state when housing would be completed and raised concerns over delays in securing land, including from estates, for relocation. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister requested details on any issues related to ammunition issuance, stating that irregularities or inadequacies would be investigated and addressed. He said the Ministry is engaging daily with field officers on staff concerns and is working to provide prompt solutions on matters such as allowances and facilities. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara questioned the Minister’s claim of having scientific solutions for the human-elephant conflict, stating that the response indicated solutions were still being identified. He asked whether the previous system for issuing elephant-repellent ammunition would be restored until the new plan is implemented, citing lapses in distribution. He also raised concerns about Civil Security Department personnel seconded to the Department being posted far from former duty stations, receiving inadequate daily allowances, and facing safety risks, and asked whether allowances and facilities would be improved. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri raised a question under Standing Order 32 regarding the financial loss incurred from the importation of Chinese organic fertilizer. He noted that he had raised the matter repeatedly and sought a clear response on the issue. Procedural Matters and Oral Questions (Standing Order Issues) Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the Central Bank’s 2025 Annual Economic Review and the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill. He clarified that questions to the Central Bank Governor on inflation targeting, rupee depreciation, import costs, and Middle East-related economic risks had been sensationalized in social media, while media reports had largely reflected the discussion accurately. He also noted that the Committee examined new penal provisions in the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and that the Government agreed, in line with Supreme Court suggestions, not to file a certificate where an appeal is pending. Papers and Reports Tabled Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister presented several fiscal and monetary documents on behalf of the Prime Minister, including Central Bank inflation deviation and financial reports for 2025 and regulations under the Stamp Duty, Ports and Airports Development Levy, Excise, and VAT Acts, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. He also presented reports under Standing Order 119(4) on actions taken regarding matters concerning the Colombo Municipal Council and the Office of the Leader of the House, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Public Accounts. Both motions were agreed to. Opening and Announcements Read →
- 19 May 2026 Mr. Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne] AI summary The Speaker informed Parliament that the Supreme Court had delivered its determination on the Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment) Bill, following challenges under Article 121(1) of the Constitution. The Court held that the Bill may be passed by a simple majority, except Clauses 22 and 39, which require a special majority unless amended as proposed by the Court, in which case they too may be passed by a simple majority. The Speaker ordered that the determination be printed in the Official Report of the day’s proceedings. Opening and Announcements Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised a practical issue faced when repatriating bodies from Qatar, noting that Colombo airport requires a Non-infectious Certificate that Qatar does not issue. He said entry then depends on special approval from the Quarantine Office, but a recent case was delayed for several hours because the on-duty doctor did not respond or identify a process. He requested the Deputy Minister to address the procedural gap and improve handling of such cases. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to implement a USD 350 monthly minimum wage for outbound workers, recalling that he introduced it as Finance Minister in 2016 and noting partial progress after inquiries with the relevant Ministry. He highlighted abuses faced by migrant workers, including trafficking, passport confiscation, wage nonpayment, sexual abuse, forced labour, fraud, illegal detention, and coercion into cybercrime, and called for preventive action and stronger enforcement. He proposed a dedicated, accountable, technology-enabled unit with sections for emergency protection, international coordination, missing persons and death inquiries, recruitment fraud monitoring, women and child protection, workers’ protection, and economic protection. He framed migrant worker protection as both a human rights obligation and an economic strategy, citing remittances of USD 8.4 billion and the potential to increase them to USD 10 billion. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Moved a resolution to establish a legally empowered unit to investigate serious abuses and fraud affecting Sri Lankan migrant workers, facilitate their safe return, and ensure their protection. He argued that migrant workers are vital to the economy, remitting around USD 8.4 billion annually, but are inadequately protected despite the sacrifices made by them and their families. He questioned the effectiveness of the current institutional framework involving the Foreign Employment Bureau, embassies, labour authorities, police and immigration, and called for better coordination and accountability. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary On behalf of the Committee on Public Finance, Ravi Karunanayake presented its English-language report on the alleged fraudulent foreign debt repayment transaction of US$2.5 million, with Sinhala and Tamil copies to follow. He clarified that responsibility for the relevant debt payments was split between the Central Bank’s Public Debt Department, which handled about 75 per cent of payments before 31 December 2025, and the Public Debt Management Office under the Ministry of Finance, which took over from 1 January 2026 and made the remaining payments. Procedural: Announcements and Tabling of Reports (Constitutional Council, Committee on Public Finance) Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa welcomed President To Lam’s visit to Parliament and highlighted the long-standing Sri Lanka–Viet Nam relationship, including past visits by Vietnamese leaders. He praised Viet Nam’s post-conflict economic transformation, the Doi Moi reforms, foreign investment success, and inclusive growth as lessons for Sri Lanka in macroeconomic and microeconomic management. He called for closer bilateral cooperation, particularly in electronics, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technological sectors, and expressed support for strengthening ties based on mutual respect. Opening: Ceremonial Reception of H.E. To Lam, President of Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the Emergency is being maintained only to ensure uninterrupted public services and accelerate recovery following Cyclone “Ditwah” and the Middle East conflict, rejecting allegations that it has been used to detain youths, prevent gatherings, or support anti-narcotics operations. She outlined progress in relief payments for affected households, displaced families, schoolchildren, farmers, livestock owners, inland fishers, and boat owners, citing high disbursement rates across most schemes. She said infrastructure restoration, including housing, highways, and railways, is being carried out with disaster risk reduction and scientific siting, and argued that the Emergency is being used to deliver relief and services efficiently rather than to protect the Government or oppress citizens. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan questioned the continued extension of the Emergency, acknowledging its use in anti-narcotics operations but arguing that disaster relief and public order concerns should not justify prolonged extraordinary powers or heavy-handed action against citizens and unions. He cited the arrest of youths in Pottuvil–Arugam Bay and cautioned against possible abuse in enforcement, while calling for the Emergency not to be repeatedly extended. He requested extensions to customs clearance and tax exemption periods for overseas disaster relief consignments, including relief goods affected by shipping delays, and urged correction of gaps in compensation for “Ditwah” cyclone victims, including livestock farmers. He also asked the Government to present details of India–Sri Lanka energy and land-link plans, expedite connectivity for Northern Province economic benefits, and curb illegal sand mining in Mannar through proper regulation. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson criticized the Government for appointing a former MP as Secretary to the Treasury, comparing it to past controversies over Central Bank appointments and arguing that the promised change has not materialized. He urged the Government to correct such practices, safeguard public funds, and avoid politicizing the death of a public officer, while noting that similar incidents under previous governments would have drawn strong protests. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson questioned the Government’s handling of national and public security, linking it to economic, energy, environmental, health and food security. He cited alleged misappropriation at the Central Bank, losses at the Department of Posts, an alleged Rs. 13 billion issue involving NDB, and duplicate payments to RDA contractors, demanding clear accountability and answers on who authorized or benefited from these transactions. He also criticized the Government’s anti-corruption performance, referred to the resignation of a Kurunegala Municipal Council member over unmet promises, and raised concerns over energy-sector failures and 122 reported shootings with 68 deaths between December 2024 and December 2025. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir addressed the resolution under the Public Security Ordinance to extend the emergency for providing relief and compensation to those affected by the Ditha cyclone. He said public debate had been dominated by competing claims between the government and opposition, but the central issue was whether promised assistance had reached affected people. He referred to the President’s earlier assurances of substantial compensation for damaged houses, land and roofing, and questioned whether all affected persons had in fact received relief, noting that several Members had raised similar concerns. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law — Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala defended the 90-day extension of the emergency, stating it had been used only to address public needs arising from the Ditha cyclone and not to suppress fundamental rights. He rejected Opposition criticisms on service delivery, coal procurement, Treasury issues, containers, RDA payments, and fertilizer allegations, saying inquiries, committees, or legal processes were in place and inviting members to present evidence through those channels. He said concerns raised by the Bar Association and an Opposition motion would be considered through parliamentary procedures, while reaffirming the Government’s commitment to the rule of law and an independent, efficient judiciary. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala criticized the Government’s continued extension of emergency measures after the Ditha cyclone, arguing that affected families still lacked housing, land, rental support, and repaired access roads in areas including Mawathagama, Hiriyala, Mirissala, and Bambarakanda. He questioned official claims of rehabilitation progress and demanded justice and relief for cyclone victims six months after the disaster. He also alleged broader Government mismanagement, citing coal procurement losses, rising fuel, electricity and gas costs, increased poverty, and irregularities involving a USD 2.5 million Treasury incident, Postal Department payments, and relief overpayments in Kurunegala and Kegalle. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →