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Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

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

#MemberSpeeches
1Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF283
2Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P. JJB229
3Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB171
4Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P. JJB167
5Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB153
6Hon. Kumara Jayakody, M.P. JJB147
7Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, M.P. SJB140
8Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB135
9Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB115
10Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB92

Speeches

5,915 on this topic
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the Tobacco Tax regulation gives legal effect to increasing the beedi tax from Rs. 2 to Rs. 3, following the Budget decision and in line with inflation-based adjustments for other tobacco products. On the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, he argued that the 2024 framework was harmful and that the new amendments retain state governance over generation, transmission, distribution and system operations while allowing investment to improve capacity and efficiency. He said the policy aims to avoid fragmentation and privatization, reduce long-term electricity costs, support industrial development, and reach 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030 through expanded hydro, wind and solar generation. He also noted that the Government’s diplomatic engagement had reduced the United States’ reciprocal tariff rate from 44 per cent to 20 per cent. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody responded to the Leader of the Opposition’s remarks on LNG, stating that the figures cited related to a 2021 tender and were based on evaluation variables no longer applicable. He said the tender had been closed in 2021 with Cabinet approval, and cautioned against relying on outdated or second-hand briefings. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that the 2025 Electricity Amendment Bill fails to ensure affordable, uninterrupted supply or promote clean energy, and instead weakens consumer protection, regulation, worker safeguards, and investor confidence. He accused the Government of undermining renewables while favouring thermal generation, citing the Sahasdanavi LNG project and PUCSL concerns over allegedly incorrect cost assumptions used for approval. He also criticized reductions in rooftop solar tariffs and said these had harmed solar businesses, jobs, and loan repayments, while accusing the Government of breaking election promises to reduce electricity bills due to adherence to IMF-linked tariff policy. He stated that the Opposition would prioritize and fully implement renewable energy in national policy. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi supported the Second Reading of the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, presenting it as a corrective transitional step away from the previous restructuring plan that he said would have split the Ceylon Electricity Board and reduced its workforce. He argued that Sri Lanka must move from an electricity-focused framework to a broader energy policy, prioritising renewable and environmentally friendly generation, lower tariffs, consumer protection, investment, and energy independence. He criticised past reliance on diesel and coal, alleged cartels and debt burdens within the sector, and assured CEB workers and the public that the Government would protect the institution, livelihoods, and public ownership. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe supported the Electricity Bill, arguing that it reverses earlier efforts to break up and privatize the Ceylon Electricity Board, including proposals in 1996, 2002 and the previous Government’s legislation. He said the Bill would establish five fully state-owned companies, protect the rights of all 23,000 CEB workers including pensions and EPF, allow voluntary retirement, and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply. He rejected claims of privatization, noting that private power generation already exists through CEB purchases, and urged critics to identify genuine shortcomings rather than mislead the public. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara defended the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it would restructure the Ceylon Electricity Board on a “scientific” basis while protecting workers’ pensions, EPF and employment rights. He rejected Opposition claims that the reforms amount to privatization, stating that hydropower assets would remain fully state-owned while private investment and competition would be enabled transparently. He criticized previous governments over alleged failures on LNG projects, solar power planning and emergency power procurements, and said the new framework would prevent such emergency purchases and better coordinate investment and sector reform. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that the proposed electricity sector amendment reverses earlier unbundling reforms by re-concentrating generation and distribution under CEB-linked structures, weakening accountability and risking continued monopoly control. He said the amendment leaves key restructuring decisions to unelected officials, creates insufficiently accountable minister-appointed committees, and introduces ambiguous dispatch terminology that could shift costs to consumers. He also questioned the handling of LTL Holdings and Sri Lanka Energies, requested clarification from the Attorney-General regarding an Article 78(3) objection, and warned against policies that would sideline renewable energy such as rooftop solar. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy presented the Amendment as a reform of the electricity sector intended to create a transparent, competitive market while retaining full State ownership of public assets. He said the changes would prevent privatization of CEB assets, replace the proposed National Electricity Advisory Council with stronger core sector institutions, and develop structured wholesale, ancillary services, and retail market mechanisms. He also stated that CEB employees’ rights and benefits would be protected, and that the reforms followed consultations with staff, development partners, and experts, while rejecting pressure to alter government ownership. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Investments are assessed not merely by their monetary value but by their alignment with national development goals. The member indicated that precise current-year details would be provided in response to a separate question. Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka urged the Government not to discriminate among investments based on which administration secured them, emphasizing the importance of foreign remittances, FDI, and tourism receipts to the economy. He asked the Prime Minister to state the largest foreign direct investments received during the year and their values. Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that her answers were based on information received from the Board of Investment and did not include any value judgment on the matters raised. She said the Government does not act in a way that would discourage investors, while noting that the distribution of benefits could be addressed separately if a specific question is submitted. Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka said the Prime Minister’s statement clarified that the “Supreme Sat” project did not involve any Sri Lankan public investment, contrary to allegations that USD 300 million had disappeared. He argued that recent claims by Government MPs about the project and the President’s children were false and harmful to investor confidence, while noting broader FDI figures since 2005. He asked whether the Government condones the use of parliamentary privilege to make allegations that could discourage investment. Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya responded to questions raised by Hon. D.V. Chanaka on Sri Lanka’s foreign direct investment, providing annual FDI figures from 2005 to May 2025 and noting that detailed sector-wise data had been placed in the Library. She stated that Supreme Sat entered into a BOI agreement in 2012, invested Rs. 12,104.936 million in 2013/14 for a communications satellite initiative, and that no Government funds were invested according to the application. She also outlined the project’s BOI status, ownership structure as of 2019, commencement of commercial operations in 2015, and reported revenues accruing to Sri Lanka from 2015/16 to the first half of 2023. Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, raising a matter under Standing Order 27(2), called for urgent reform of the leasing industry, arguing that current recovery practices by licensed finance companies are overly institution-focused and insufficiently accountable to borrowers facing genuine hardship. He questioned the basis for permitting asset seizure after 90–150 days of arrears without assessing intent or circumstances, and sought data on repossessions, borrower protections, legal remedies, and Central Bank interventions. He proposed a more humane tiered framework, including mandatory restructuring, grace periods, mediation before seizure, and measures to address market dominance or regulatory asymmetry in the leasing sector. Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Review of Policies in the Leasing Sector Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody said the Government had not removed consumer rights and argued that some criticisms related to provisions not contained in the 2024 Act. He stated that the Amendment Bill had been considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee, including proposals from the Opposition, though some were rejected by court, and said the PUCSL should regulate water, electricity and petroleum more broadly. He announced that an Energy Transition Act covering the wider energy sector would be brought before Parliament by the end of the year or early next year. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Power Cut Decision (Q.1/2025) Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera questioned why the proposed amendments do not strengthen consumer rights, citizen protection, or safeguards for the national electricity system despite a presidential election pledge to empower the PUCSL to reduce system losses. He said consumers had suffered losses from a prior electricity-related incident and warned they could do so again. He asked why proposals submitted at the Sectoral Oversight Committee were omitted, reportedly due to Attorney General objections, and sought the Government’s policy on PUCSL powers and consumer protection. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Power Cut Decision (Q.1/2025) Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody explained that the blackout resulted from a system imbalance in which frequency controlled through Victoria deviated from 50 Hz, triggering protective unit trips and a continuing frequency drop. He said immediate recommendations are being implemented, including preventing simultaneous diaphragm trips and enabling soft shutdowns to reduce restoration time. He outlined short-, medium- and long-term measures, including better System Control Centre visibility of daytime solar generation, development of battery and pumped storage, and tenders for 160 MW of battery storage, while noting that CEB financing depends on consumer revenues and external funding takes time. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Power Cut Decision (Q.1/2025) Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the CEB implemented islandwide rotational demand management on 10 February 2025, with prior PUCSL approval, limiting each consumer group to up to 1 hour and 30 minutes between 3.30 p.m. and 10.00 p.m. He said the measure followed a system-wide failure on 9 February that damaged diaphragms at the Lakvijaya Power Station, making all three units unavailable and creating a generation deficit, partly mitigated by operating other plants including Sobadanavi. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Power Cut Decision (Q.1/2025) Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Energy whether he was aware of the Ceylon Electricity Board’s decision to impose an islandwide power cut on 10 February 2025. He requested the reasons for that decision and details of measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in the future. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Power Cut Decision (Q.1/2025) Read →
  • 6 August 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked how six salt containers were reportedly released without inspection after the incident, despite risks involving dangerous goods, public safety, and revenue. He questioned whether there were links to smuggling and sought an explanation from the responsible authorities. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Customs - Release of Containers without Inspection (Q.1/2025) Read →