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- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake said the Government’s capital expenditure was far below the Budget allocation of Rs. 1,420 billion, with only about Rs. 310 billion spent, and argued that growth depends on prioritizing capital outlays over recurrent spending. He called for disciplined use of public assets, including official residences, to avoid unnecessary costs. He also urged the Government not to directly run businesses, suggesting that capable operators manage factories such as Sevanagala, Pelwatte and Hingurana while the State benefits through taxes and broader economic gains. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected claims that the President had spoken without data, saying the government had presented economic statistics and made progress in recent months. He clarified that BOI figures on SupremeSAT showed total revenue of Rs. 342.8 million, not the much larger amounts circulated in media, and called for corrections. He questioned discrepancies in SupremeSAT’s records, including a Rs. 12.104 billion satellite asset and related liability that later disappeared from accounts, and asked who financed the project. He said the government would investigate the satellite matter, alleged land transactions, and other suspected misuse of public funds through due process. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa criticized the President’s economic address as lacking a data-driven roadmap on growth, exports, poverty reduction, FDI attraction and debt repayment capacity, especially given expected external debt payments of about US$ 5.5 billion annually from 2028. He welcomed the reduction of US tariffs on Sri Lankan goods to 20 per cent but urged further negotiations toward below 15 per cent, led by trade economists and negotiators. He demanded transparency on any “trade and security” understandings with the United States, including whether SOFA or ACSA were discussed, and called for the Foreign Minister to brief Parliament. He also argued that poverty, unemployment, factory closures and high living costs show that claimed macroeconomic gains are not translating into relief for the public. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated that the country is moving in the right direction and urged against fearmongering that could hinder progress. He called for Opposition support to help advance Sri Lanka’s growth. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe argued that the Government has moved Sri Lanka from stabilization toward growth, citing improved fiscal performance, external stability, export growth, manufacturing expansion, private credit growth, and rising investor interest under the IMF programme. He rejected Opposition claims about the NPP’s economic management and said current appointments and policies reflect rule of law, meritocracy, digitization, better governance, and efforts to expand market access while improving domestic competitiveness. He stated that social indicators such as poverty, employment, and real wages will take longer to improve, and called on the Opposition to support legal reforms, changes in political culture, and accountability for misuse of public funds rather than making statements that could deter investors. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan outlined Sri Lanka’s recovery from the 2022 economic crisis, citing improved exports, remittances, reserves, inflation, debt levels, employment and GDP growth in 2023-2025 under reform and IMF-supported stabilization measures. He warned that trade deficits, domestic imbalances, possible US tariffs on apparel, skill shortages and brain drain could threaten the recovery. He called for stronger export contributions from the Northern and Eastern Provinces, export diversification, reduced reliance on narrow markets, restructuring of loss-making SOEs, promotion of PPPs, and stronger social protection. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka disputed comments attributed to Harsha de Silva regarding tax increases and their economic impact, arguing that such statements could create unnecessary uncertainty. He said vehicle imports had been reopened and cited US$ 1,268 million in letters of credit already opened, with expectations of US$ 1.5–1.8 billion by December, while noting the need to secure dollars to manage pressure on the rupee. He stated that the country could be stabilized and that the next Budget would focus on remaining gaps in daily life, including the economy, food, education, health, roads, and services. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said the Government would review and, if necessary, amend criteria for project allocations, noting that local government elections after the March 21 Budget delayed project implementation until after May 6 due to Election Commission restrictions. He stated that all 2025 budgeted funds would be released despite delays, that 2026 funds would be available from January, and that MPs would be treated equally in submitting district development proposals. He also indicated that the next Budget may include a concessionary vehicle scheme for MPs during their term, and urged the Opposition not to create political or economic instability, referring to claims about possible US tariff increases. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka acknowledged that there were shortcomings in the process for allocating funds to MPs after the Budget and said he would correct them. He explained that district allocations were intended to allow every MP to submit proposals, but the process functioned unevenly across districts, and he undertook to ensure the problem does not recur next year. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka addressed concerns regarding DCB funds and stated that the issue would be resolved at the next Budget. He explained that allocations were made by district in proportion to the number of MPs, and indicated that each MP in a district should submit proposals corresponding to the allocated funds. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Rishad Bathiudeen posed a brief question asking whether DCB funds had been provided. No further context, proposal, or argument was included in the recorded intervention. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka - President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka continued his speech in his capacities as President and Minister of Defence, Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Digital Economy. No substantive text of the continued remarks was provided, so the specific arguments, proposals, or policy points raised cannot be summarized from the available excerpt. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka - President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said Sri Lanka’s 44 per cent U.S. tariff was derived from the bilateral trade imbalance formula rather than domestic policy failure, and that negotiations by a government team had reduced it by about 20 percentage points, though no final agreement had been signed. He outlined concurrent economic pressures from the IMF programme timetable, the U.S. tariff issue, and the possible loss of GSP Plus in 2027, stating that IMF reviews had proceeded with tax adjustments and tranche approvals. He defended electricity and fuel pricing as cost-based and formula-driven, with targeted subsidies where needed, and said discussions with the EU on GSP Plus involved repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act, amending the Online Safety Act, and investigating disappearances and crimes. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka - President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary During the economic debate, the President argued that opposition predictions of government collapse due to regional conflicts, Middle East tensions, or United States tariff policy had not materialized. He criticized the Opposition for, in his view, framing political and economic developments around expectations of crisis, and urged them to engage within a more realistic political framework. He also referred to claims about an alternative “August” or “December” President, dismissing them as unfounded. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri criticized past and present political alignments, alleging that those responsible for corruption and economic collapse were protected and that current promises to resolve the crisis have not been made practical. Addressing President Anura Kumara Dissanayake upon his entry to the Chamber, he demanded a concrete programme for delivering promised relief, including support for workers, schoolchildren, and access to medicines. He called for clarity on how state revenue would be distributed to meet public needs and warned against a return to political deals, stating that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya would oppose such practices. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned whether increased government revenue is being used to ease the cost of living for ordinary citizens, while expressing concern over unclear terms of the proposed India agreement. He criticized the Government’s responses on past corruption allegations, including the bond scam, sugar tax fraud, onion fraud, and a former President’s son’s rocket project, saying they lacked names, specifics, or action beyond proposed forensic audits. He demanded accountability, recovery of stolen assets, and warned against any attempt to “whitewash” past wrongdoing, placing the Prime Minister’s written answers on record in the Library. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon seconded the Adjournment Motion and argued that Sri Lanka’s economy has shown recovery since the formation of the new government in late 2024, citing improved GDP growth, lower unemployment, near-zero inflation, higher savings, credit growth, and equity market activity. He said the external sector was strengthening through a higher current account surplus, increased exports and services receipts, gradual normalization of vehicle imports, and a managed exchange rate around Rs. 300 per US dollar. He also noted that US tariffs had been reduced from 44% to 20%, and stated that fiscal stability was being restored through improved revenue collection while continuing spending on social sectors, wages, pensions, and priority infrastructure. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake moved an Adjournment Motion on the country’s current economic status, arguing that the Government has restored macroeconomic stability after the recent crisis and is now seeking faster growth and reform. He cited improved GDP growth, private credit expansion, investor confidence, FDI approvals, export diversification, tourism recovery, and management of US reciprocal tariffs through diplomatic engagement. He urged Parliament, including the Opposition, to support the Government’s economic programme and use the House’s financial powers to consolidate recovery and deliver benefits to the public. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law — Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration presented the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill, which seeks to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986. The Bill was scheduled for Second Reading on 21 August 2025, ordered to be printed, and referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection. Bills Presented: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna asked the Prime Minister whether future government recruitment could prioritize seniority for graduates and other pass-outs, similar to medical appointments, rather than requiring a general knowledge examination. He argued that older candidates, despite having completed degrees and being senior in their cohorts, can fail such exams and lose appointment opportunities. Ministry Statements: Gampaha Wickramarachchi University and Teacher Recruitment Procedures Read →