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 August 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna acknowledged that flood-related road damage and poor drainage affect communities in Batticaloa and other areas, causing hardship and health risks. He stated that the Government has allocated funds in recent Budgets for road development and new construction, that work has commenced on the roads mentioned, and that further allocations will be made in the upcoming Budget. Oral Question: Drainage Infrastructure - Batticaloa (Q.3/185/2024) Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill and related instruments on import duties, excise duty, and luxury tax on motor vehicles. He highlighted committee concerns that the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill requires mechanisms for lawful foreign exchange movement and repatriation of gambling winnings, and that members viewed the Bill as needing significant revision, international benchmarking, and stronger provisions on transparency, accountability, and enforcement. Papers: Annual Reports and Sectoral Committee Reports Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage defended the Government’s economic stabilization efforts, citing the President’s statement and data showing increased FDI, foreign exchange earnings, tourism revenue, exports and remittances in the first half of the year. He argued that Sri Lanka’s poverty cycle requires higher investment, and said the Government is pursuing foreign and domestic investment while reducing public expenditure and directing tax revenue to welfare and capital development. He rejected Opposition criticism and stated that the Government is rebuilding the economy and advancing development based on measurable outcomes. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman demanded that the Government table the report and full details on the release of 309 containers, questioning why 150 red-labelled containers and six salt containers allegedly loaded after the Gazette deadline were released while others remained held at the port. He alleged preferential treatment linked to persons close to the President or Ministers, tabled a list of 68 container numbers, and connected the issue to concerns over a rejected wind power tender later awarded to a presidential associate. He also called for investigations into the VFS and passport deals, noting that a promised forensic audit had not been carried out after nine months. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman argued that the President’s current economic positions contradict the stance he took while in Opposition. He said the President and his party had moved away from socialist and closed-economy policies associated with Rohana Wijeweera and accepted an open economy, which he characterized as aligning with his side’s position. He demanded that the Government acknowledge this shift truthfully and not mislead the public. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman opened with greetings to Zahira College and Hameed Al Husseinie College ahead of their “Big Match,” emphasizing its significance for tradition, sportsmanship and unity among two longstanding Muslim schools. He then responded to the President’s address, noting that it went beyond economic matters into political issues such as rule of law, corruption and economic liberalization, and questioned the consistency between the President’s current positions and those he had held previously in Opposition. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera rejected claims that the new Government is increasing the tax burden, citing tax relief measures in its first Budget including higher personal income tax thresholds, changes to withholding tax on bank interest, and VAT exemptions for milk products. He also defended the Government’s approach to school supply costs through a Rs. 6,000 allowance for children from low-income families. He argued that these measures show the Government is pursuing equitable relief while working to strengthen the economy and raise the country’s overall standing. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned whether alleged rackets in the health sector are continuing despite action against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and officials, citing NMRA pricing and registration practices that he said disadvantage local manufacturers compared with Indian imports, including the example of Clindamycin injections. He demanded explanations from NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama and asked why officials associated with previous arrangements remain in place. He also criticized the Government’s position on casinos, questioning the increase in licensed casinos, reduced licence fees, and the operation of “City of Dreams Sri Lanka,” and called for the President to explain the policy shift. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that the U.S. tariff imposed on Sri Lanka, initially 44 percent and later reduced to 20 percent, formed part of a wider economic and strategic pressure campaign in the Asia-Pacific region. Referring to the relevant U.S. order, he questioned whether Sri Lanka had made trade and security concessions to regain market access, despite the trade imbalance with the United States. He alleged that the Government had compromised national security and specifically the safety of Sri Lanka’s Muslim community by facilitating the entry of Israel Defense Forces personnel, and demanded that the Government state its position in Parliament. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera raised concern over reported plans to move the Seethawaka Division ASP’s office from Avissawella Headquarters Police to Dehiovita. He said the relocation would require paying about Rs. 2 million per month in rent, contradicting the Government’s stated cost-cutting efforts, and requested that the move be stopped immediately. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera argued that the President’s latest statement on the economy largely repeated earlier Throne and Budget speeches without showing whether promised relief, including reductions in electricity tariffs, had been delivered. He questioned the President’s participation in opening a casino after previously criticizing casino-based economic activity, and requested a transparent explanation of the investment, tax rate, and approval framework for the venture. He also asked the Government to reverse a policing jurisdiction change affecting several Grama Niladhari divisions in the Dehiovita Divisional Secretariat area of Kegalle District, saying residents are now inconvenienced by having to use the Dehiovita Police Station instead of Avissawella Headquarters Police. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that the Government’s increased revenue, including a 28 percent rise in the first half of the year due to higher VAT, has been achieved by burdening ordinary people. He criticized the prioritization of tax incentives for foreign investors while small and medium enterprises, which he said have collapsed, have not received necessary support. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim criticised the President’s claim of an Opposition conspiracy, arguing that conflicting statements within the Government over economic data indicated internal disunity rather than external destabilisation. He said the Opposition was not seeking to topple the Government but was ready to govern if the Government failed. He welcomed the reduction of US tariffs to 20 per cent and credited a joint effort by the Government, officials, the Ambassador, the private sector and the Opposition, while calling on the Government to disclose any conditions attached to the agreement and referencing India’s firm stance on sovereign interests. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva criticised the President’s economic and infrastructure agenda, arguing that the Government’s claims of changing IMF conditions were inaccurate and that it had inherited an improving economy rather than a collapsed one. He said IMF fiscal limits and the need for structural reforms constrained further borrowing, questioned slow capital expenditure implementation, and objected to Electricity Act amendments requiring full State ownership of CEB assets, arguing this would hinder private equity investment in transmission. He also sought clarification on the Sahasdanavi power purchase agreement pricing and raised concerns over procurement choices in the India-linked UDI/e-NIC project, urging consistent scrutiny of corruption and policy costs. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal defended the NPP Government’s economic management, arguing that previous governments had burdened the country with debt, taxes, asset sales and communal politics, while the current administration had restored stability and avoided reckless borrowing. He cited reductions in US export tariffs, public sector salary increases supported by a Rs. 110 billion allocation, and higher tourist arrivals as evidence of economic improvement. He also highlighted tourism development in Kalpitiya, including road projects, as part of the Government’s practical efforts to support the economy and future generations. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government’s economic narrative, arguing that official statistics obscure the hardships faced by the poor, particularly through indirect taxation such as VAT on items including schoolbooks. He questioned the low execution of the capital budget, saying only Rs. 337 billion of Rs. 1.410 trillion had been spent so far, and linked this to GDP performance. He also called for clarity on IMF-related policy commitments and whether duty-free imports of US vehicles are permitted, while urging the Government to move beyond anti-corruption rhetoric and past-blaming. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned inconsistent government statements on the “space suit/rocket” matter, emphasizing that both the Prime Minister and Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe had said no State funds were spent but had cited differing revenue figures, which he demanded be clarified. He also criticized Minister Samarasinghe for disputing information supplied through the Finance Ministry and argued that the government had previously dismissed investment-related claims. He further contended that economic indicators had worsened since the current government assumed office, citing growth, reserves, agriculture, industry, interest rates, and imports. He alleged inaction and selective investigation regarding the container fraud issue, calling for proper inquiries through institutions such as the Bribery Commission rather than delayed processes or commissions. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara - Deputy Chairperson of Committees JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Hemali Weerasekara argued that the Government has moved Sri Lanka from bankruptcy toward economic stability through policy measures, citing GDP growth above IMF targets, reduced inflation, higher tax revenue, export growth, increased remittances, and new BOI-linked investment. She said recent tariff negotiations, wage increases for public and private sector workers, expanded Aswesuma benefits, and the “Artha” and “Praja Shakthi” programmes show a people-centred and inclusive recovery agenda. She urged the Opposition to stop spreading alleged falsehoods and support the Government’s economic programme in the public interest. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti rejected the Opposition Leader’s criticism that the Government lacked an economic plan, arguing that the country inherited severe economic instability and that recovery would be gradual. He outlined planned and ongoing industrial zones in Valachchenai, Ingiriya, Katunayake, Dambulla, Rambewa, Divulapitiya, Sooriyawewa and Raigam, citing expected investments, completion timelines and job creation. He said Cabinet had approved 38 projects across 19 zones and that District Secretaries had been directed to identify suitable unused land for further industrial development. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake said the Opposition supports abolishing MPs’ pensions and proposed that even the reduced annual insurance benefit of Rs. 250,000 per MP be diverted to national development to rebuild public trust. He criticized recent road works on the Malabe-Athurugiriya route, alleging public funds were wasted by resurfacing roads and then cutting them again for water pipelines, and called for better coordination and electronic tolling on expressways. He urged the Government to urgently introduce a Cyber Security Bill and establish a Cyber Security Authority following reported cyber-attacks on banks. He also called for less focus on blaming past governments, credited former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s economic decisions for improving revenue, and urged unity around economic stabilization and development. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →