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- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media AI summary The Minister said the postal strike was causing temporary public inconvenience and opportunities for private couriers to raise prices, but that reforms at the Central Mail Exchange should continue. He outlined Government measures including regularizing 1,000 substitutes, recruiting another 1,000 staff, purchasing 250 vehicles, constructing and renovating post offices, and modernizing the postal service. He stated that the main union objections concerned overtime rates and fingerprint attendance verification, arguing that overtime had already been significantly increased and that accountability was necessary given Treasury support of Rs. 4 billion and rising fiscal pressures. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.971/2025 and others) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe raised concerns about the impact of the postal strike, noting that the public has shifted to courier services where charges have reportedly doubled. He cited examples of courier fees rising from Rs. 450 to Rs. 900 and compared this with lower registered post charges, asking whether the strike can be resolved quickly to ease the burden on the public. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.971/2025 and others) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media AI summary 1,848 substitute postal employees are currently registered from intakes in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2021. Approval has been granted to regularize 1,000 of them against Postmen/Postal Assistant vacancies, following a Department of Management Services recommendation and review by the relevant public service recruitment committee. Appointments will be made according to seniority, and the absorption process is expected to take about one month. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.971/2025 and others) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that private testing companies had made substantial investments to establish islandwide stations, reducing the need for major government capital expenditure, while acknowledging weaknesses in monitoring. He said that when the current agreement expires at the end of 2026, future concessions could be structured with greater transparency, and noted that the expansion of electric vehicles would proportionately reduce the scope of such testing services. Oral Question: Vehicle Emission Testing Programme (Q.868/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Lal Premanath asked whether the Government would consider restructuring the relevant revenue collection mechanism, noting that although a large sum is collected, only a small portion reaches the State. He sought a response on increasing the share retained as government revenue. Oral Question: Vehicle Emission Testing Programme (Q.868/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation AI summary The Minister said vehicle emissions are a major contributor to declining air quality in Colombo and other urban areas, particularly due to weaknesses in public transport, and argued that emissions testing remains necessary despite operational shortcomings. He noted that the relevant Trust funds are also used for roadside emissions checks, air quality monitoring, tree planting, and traffic-signal countdown systems. He acknowledged weaknesses in contracts and supervision that allowed improper issuance of certificates, and stated that a stronger and more transparent system is planned after the current agreement expires on 31 December 2026. Oral Question: Vehicle Emission Testing Programme (Q.868/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation AI summary The Minister explained that the Vehicle Emission Testing Programme was introduced following a Supreme Court fundamental rights ruling on vehicular air pollution and was expanded islandwide by 2013. He provided 2024 revenue figures by vehicle category, identified the two companies collecting fees, and stated that 7.5 per cent of test fees goes to the Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund while 17.5 per cent is collected as VAT, amounting to Rs. 852.2 million in 2024. He said the Trust Fund was established to coordinate air-quality measures without relying on the Treasury, and noted related roadside testing, monitoring, tree-planting, and traffic-signal projects, while acknowledging contract-management shortcomings and indicating plans for a more transparent framework after the current concession ends in December 2026. Oral Question: Vehicle Emission Testing Programme (Q.868/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation to provide details on Sri Lanka’s Vehicle Emission Testing Programme, including its objective, commencement date, annual revenue by vehicle category, and the institution collecting that revenue. He also sought information on the Vehicle Emission Testing Trust Fund, including who initiated it, whether it generates government revenue, and the amount earned. Oral Question: Vehicle Emission Testing Programme (Q.868/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government is examining the possibility of providing credit facilities similar to earlier ADB-funded credit lines, including those around 2018. He said such proposals have been made, but lenders have not yet agreed, and the facilities will be extended if financing becomes available. Oral Question: Strengthening Power Supply Stability (Q.735/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Asked whether loan concessions for rooftop solar introduced during the Yahapalana Government could be reintroduced. He noted that high battery costs make it difficult for households to store daytime solar power for use at night and sought renewed financial support to address this barrier. Oral Question: Strengthening Power Supply Stability (Q.735/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody explained that comparisons between diesel-based peaker plants and solar power must account for dispatch timing and storage needs. He stated that expensive thermal peakers are not used during the day unless required, while daytime solar cannot serve night demand without storage, which adds cost, making simple per-unit cost comparisons misleading. Oral Question: Strengthening Power Supply Stability (Q.735/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that a proposal to reduce consumer electricity tariffs while increasing rooftop solar purchase prices contains conflicting objectives. He explained that rooftop solar feed-in tariffs differ from low-consumption retail tariffs, noting that most customers use under 90 units monthly and pay about Rs. 18.50 per unit, while many existing rooftop contracts at around Rs. 37 per unit must be honored for 20 years. He added that solar and thermal generation costs are not directly comparable because solar is daytime-only unless storage is added, which increases overall cost. Oral Question: Strengthening Power Supply Stability (Q.735/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Renewable energy development was highlighted as essential to reducing reliance on costly thermal power and easing high electricity bills for consumers. A request was made to restore the earlier, higher purchase price for rooftop solar units to incentivize additional capacity and provide household economic relief. Clarification was also sought on a matter reported in The Sunday Times. Oral Question: Strengthening Power Supply Stability (Q.735/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said railway improvements are being pursued under the Budget framework, acknowledging weak service beyond Chilaw on the Puttalam line. He stated that unprotected locations in the district would be secured, flood risks addressed, and several Puttalam District stations modernized, with further service improvements expected as more locomotives become available. He added that major upgrades depend on strengthening railway management and the Ratmalana Workshops first. Oral Question: Technical Officer Vacancies in Sri Lanka Railways (Q.676/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Asked for the Government’s structured plan for railway service improvements, specifically noting poor services beyond Negombo in the Puttalam District. He proposed upgrading services from Chilaw outward for both freight and passenger use, and requested consideration of a Negombo–Colombo city service, potentially with partner support, to reduce congestion even if it affects expressway usage. Oral Question: Technical Officer Vacancies in Sri Lanka Railways (Q.676/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised concerns about vacancies in the railway service and public dissatisfaction with its quality, including basic issues such as sanitation on trains. He asked the Minister what systematic plan is in place to develop the service, manage new recruitments, and improve public satisfaction. Oral Question: Technical Officer Vacancies in Sri Lanka Railways (Q.676/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. T. B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, T. B. Sarath stated that UDA-acquired lands in Kallapaluyaya, Battaramulla, including Plots 33 and 35, belong to the Urban Development Authority and have been leased or are being processed for lease to the Sri Sankhapala Buddhist Social Service Foundation for Buddhist educational and meditation purposes. He said Plot 33 was leased in 2014 for 30 years at an annual rent of Rs. 87,500, while Plot 35 is being processed under a 30-year lease at Rs. 870,000 annually, with Rs. 1,025,512.50 already recovered and possession handed over in August 2024 after removing unauthorized constructions. He clarified that there is no legal provision for the Foundation to sublease Plot 35, and that if the land is not used for the intended development activities after the Letter of Understanding is executed, the UDA will cancel it. Adjournment Debate: NMRA Medicine Supply and State Land Leasing Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy sought clarification on procurement of medicines, referring to documents he had tabled showing a locally produced injection priced at Rs. 150 compared with Rs. 300 from an Indian supplier. He argued this appeared inconsistent with the Government’s stated preference for local suppliers and warned against a repeat of the previous medicine crisis. He requested that the Minister examine the price comparisons and review the actions of the NMRA Chairman and officials, with a response after verification if immediate details were unavailable. Adjournment Debate: NMRA Medicine Supply and State Land Leasing Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni stated that shortages remain in two lifesaving medicines and about 50 priority medicines due to supplier and registration issues, but hospitals have been given expanded authority and higher financial limits to make local purchases to prevent stockouts. He said 2025 local supply orders have been placed with Cabinet approval, expressions of interest for 2026 local supplies have been called, and 2026 import orders were submitted to the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation by 31 January 2025 through procurement procedures. He emphasized that no preference is given to foreign manufacturers, while local manufacturers receive registration and procurement support, including multi-year purchase assurances. He also said the NMRA has reduced registration backlogs, particularly for local producers, approving 217 new local medicine registrations over the past year while continuing to address delays in import registrations. Adjournment Debate: NMRA Medicine Supply and State Land Leasing Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara supported the reintroduction of Sports Law regulations aimed at depoliticizing sports administration, but urged adequate funding for high-performance and national athlete pools, including air tickets for junior athletes attending Commonwealth Games trials. He raised concerns over the weakening of Samurdhi services, alleged pressure on the JEDB Chairman over land-related files, and tabled an investigation report relating to reported CIABOC indictments. He also questioned a floating armoury licence, coal procurement delays, LPG pricing, the appointment of the Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman, and the impact of issuing tourist driving licences at the airport on local transport operators. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →