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- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera stated that the new Bill addresses conflicts of interest in imposing and recovering surcharges by allowing the Cabinet Secretary to issue a surcharge certificate where the Chief Accounting Officer is implicated. He said the Independent Surcharge Review Committee would then proceed, strengthening accountability and social justice, and urged the House to support swift action against misuse of public funds. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera supported the National Audit (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it restores and strengthens the Auditor-General’s powers after limitations under the National Audit Act No. 19 of 2018. He said the amendment would allow audit findings on misuse, corruption, waste and abuse of public funds to trigger legal and surcharge processes, including referrals to an Independent Surcharge Review Committee and, where necessary, action through appropriate authorities. He also outlined streamlined appeal procedures and safeguards where a Chief Accounting Officer is implicated, while criticizing the Opposition for misrepresenting the Bill and delaying the debate. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised concerns about the National Audit (Amendment) Bill, arguing that the proposed Oversight Review Committee could undermine the independence and authority of the Auditor General’s Department and create uncertainty for public officers facing surcharges. He urged the Government to strengthen the audit framework without intimidating officials or weakening the State sector, and called for clear legal and administrative safeguards. He also criticized Government members’ conduct in Parliament, questioned the Prime Minister’s response to issues involving women MPs, and demanded answers on responsibility for the release of 323 containers. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Government’s handling of the paddy and rice market, arguing that the minimum guaranteed price had not been fully implemented and that farmers were exposed to private traders while consumers continued to face high rice prices. Citing a reported 2025 Maha harvest of about 2.6 million metric tons, he asked why imports were being considered, why storage facilities and price regulation were not being used effectively, and why fertilizer shortages and high cultivation costs remained unresolved. He demanded details on rice imports, duties and future import plans, and asked what immediate measures would protect farmers, reduce consumer prices and safeguard food security. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Ministerial Statements Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekera said the Government has submitted a Cabinet Memorandum and is awaiting observations from the Director General of Management Services on regularizing temporary, casual, substitute, contract and relief employees in State institutions. He stated that the Department of Management Services will proceed under Public Administration Circulars 25/2014 and 29/2019, and that confirmations of eligible temporary staff are carried out according to Government policy decisions and relevant circulars issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions with Answers) Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence provided figures on civilian employees in the Tri Forces, stating that the Army has 7,391, the Navy 1,158 and the Air Force 2,075, with separate totals for confirmed and temporary or contract staff as at 30 June 2025. He said confirmations were last made in 2014 for the Army and in 2019 for the Navy and Air Force, and that action is underway to confirm eligible temporary civilian employees through Cabinet memoranda and approvals involving the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Administration, State Ministry of Defence and Department of Management Services. He also stated that approval has been sought from the Department of Management Services to fill civilian cadre vacancies, with further action to follow once approval is received. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions with Answers) Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary From 2015 to the date of the statement, no Indian investments had been made in Sri Lanka’s energy sector. The Minister indicated that future developments may include the Sampur project, but the provided excerpt ends before further details are given. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions with Answers) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe outlined Government measures to support paddy purchasing and milling, stating that Rs. 6,528 million in loans had been approved for 244 mill owners, with 58 percent disbursed, and that Rs. 8 billion had been provided to the Paddy Marketing Board. He said the Government had set graded paddy prices, including Rs. 120 per kilogram for properly dried paddy, to prevent farmers being exploited by lower open-market prices, and would table harvest and purchase data for Members. He also referred to PMB purchase volumes in recent years, its outstanding bank debt of about Rs. 29.25 billion, and measures to bring non-performing and sealed mills back into the process, while rejecting Opposition allegations about the programme. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister rejected the Opposition’s Motion alleging inadequate paddy prices, insufficient purchasing, and delayed fertilizer, stating that only about 54 percent of the Yala harvest had been completed and the season was still ongoing. He said Yala cultivation had increased by about 80,000 hectares, with expected production exceeding 2.3 million metric tons, supported by fertilizer assistance and Rs. 21 billion already disbursed for the season. He also stated that credit had been provided to millers, including small and medium operators, and that the Government would continue rehabilitating stores, expanding dryers, and stabilizing market prices for farmers and consumers. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson questioned whether the Paddy Marketing Board had received adequate paddy under the Yala guaranteed prices, noting that only about 3,667 MT had reached PMB depots in Polonnaruwa and alleging that farmers were effectively forced to sell to private buyers. He argued that current production costs in Polonnaruwa are far above official estimates and that a fair procurement price for paddy would be around Rs. 170 per kilogram, citing increases in harvesting, fuel, and other costs despite lower urea prices. He called for timely inputs and water, special state bank credit to reduce farmers’ dependence on moneylenders, and measures to restore farmer confidence ahead of the Maha purchase, while also highlighting the added burden of human-elephant conflict. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne outlined government action on paddy purchasing, fertilizer support, and farmer compensation, stating that minimum paddy prices were set on a cost-plus basis and that state stores had been reopened, receiving 59,000 MT in the last Maha and 43,891 MT so far in the current Yala. He said cultivation support had increased from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 per two hectares, with additional support for intercrops on fallow land, and that these payments were excluded from cost calculations to avoid lowering farmers’ minimum prices. He reported that arrears in compensation had been cleared and payments completed for 70,548 farmers affected in the last Maha, while criticizing previous unpaid dues for onion seed and potato purchases. He said the Government is restoring the Paddy Marketing Board, expanding soil testing, seed production, research, technology use, and livestock development to stabilize food supply, improve market access, reduce food imports, and support exports. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture and Lands JJB AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha stated that the Paddy Marketing Board had intervened more effectively in the Yala season through direct purchases and by facilitating bank credit for paddy storage and mill owners. He said the Rs. 120 per kilogram indicative price was based on verified production costs plus a 30 per cent profit margin, not a fixed permanent rate, and that higher prices would apply only if costs rose. He acknowledged logistical constraints, including limited PMB depots, moisture standards, and inadequate dryers, which had allowed some private buyers to pay below Rs. 120 in certain areas. He said the Government intended to rebuild PMB capacity, maintain buffer stocks, and continue support such as timely fertilizer assistance. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara moved an Adjournment Motion urging the Government to ensure a fair guaranteed price for paddy, arguing that the controlled price and current purchasing arrangements are not reaching farmers in practice. He cited delayed fertiliser subsidies, higher input costs, inadequate crop-damage compensation, moisture and drying problems after combine harvesting, lack of storage access, and farmers being forced to sell at lower field prices. He proposed a more practical State purchasing mechanism, including field-level purchasing, advance payments, drying support, and timely intervention to balance farmer incomes with consumer rice prices. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala — Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs AI summary Ananda Wijepala urged Opposition support for the Bill repealing certain entitlements under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, arguing it is intended to end excessive privileges for former officeholders rather than to target individuals. He said security for retired Presidents is handled separately through State mechanisms and threat assessments, and is not affected by the Bill. Citing staffing arrangements and 2024 expenditure figures for former Presidents and a former First Lady, he argued that past benefits had expanded without limits through regulations and Cabinet decisions, and that abolishing them was part of changing the political culture and setting an example to the public. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported removing excessive entitlements under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act but argued that the office of President must retain necessary dignity, security, and protection after retirement while the Executive Presidency continues to exist. He said the Government should abolish the Executive Presidency through a new Constitution rather than remove privileges piecemeal, and criticised attacks on former Presidents associated with the 1978 Constitution. He cited threats from drug mafias, the assassination of Janaka Perera after security was withdrawn, and unrest in Nepal to argue that former Presidents and their families may remain vulnerable because of decisions taken in office. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran supported the Bill to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, arguing that past Presidents had used public funds and Cabinet decisions to secure excessive post-retirement housing and privileges. He said such expenditure was unjustifiable when many citizens, including war-affected people in the North and communities in the Hill Country, still lacked housing and basic support. He stated that the Government would reduce wasteful privileges, redirect savings to public welfare, and pursue policies aimed at dignity, unity, and development for all communities. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala referred to a reported letter of demand from Namal Rajapaksa and said he would contest any defamation action, raising questions he said he would pursue in cross-examination. Turning to the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, he argued that Act No. 4 of 1986 created benefits for former Presidents and widows beyond what the Constitution protected and that these entitlements had been abused through official residences and state property. Citing a recent Supreme Court judgment, he said only salary, allowances and pension are constitutionally protected, and supported the repeal as restoring equality before the law. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Bill to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, arguing that lifetime official residences, allowances, staff salaries, and utility payments for former Presidents and their widows are unjustifiable while large numbers of citizens lack housing or land. She said the Bill ends the conversion of official perks into permanent benefits, while leaving former Presidents’ pensions and security unaffected. She framed the repeal as part of a broader policy of accountable governance, responsible use of public resources, and redirecting attention to housing needs, including among marginalized communities such as plantation workers. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Sugath Wasantha de Silva supported the Bill to remove additional benefits and perks granted to former Presidents, arguing that elected representatives should return to ordinary citizenship after leaving office. He linked the measure to the NPP’s electoral mandate to change what he described as an anti-people political culture, while saying lawful entitlements would remain. He urged all Members to vote for the Bill, stating that taxpayers facing economic hardship should not fund expanded privileges obtained through previous Cabinets. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported the repeal of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act of 1986, stating that the Bill removes post-retirement benefits such as official residences, secretarial allowances, and widows’ entitlements, but does not affect former Presidents’ security. She argued that the measure fulfils the NPP’s policy commitment to abolish excessive presidential privileges and responds to public demands for equality, accountability, and a new political culture. Citing Supreme Court rulings involving former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, she said past use of office for personal benefit justified legislation to prevent misuse of public power and protect democracy. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →