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- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Appreciation is expressed for health staff service, with emphasis on providing physical resources, technology, and adequate support staff as the best form of recognition. It is noted that the previous Budget increased basic salaries for all public servants, including health workers, thereby affecting overtime and allowances, and that further allowances may be pursued with the Ministry of Finance as economic conditions improve. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, details were provided in response to Question 863/2025 on Piriven Education. The response listed the categories of Pirivenas, subjects taught, and current enrolment of 69,108 students, and stated that the 2025 Budget allocates Rs. 7,518 million for Piriven Education, comprising Rs. 210 million in capital expenditure and Rs. 7,308 million in recurrent expenditure. It was also stated that the Pirivena curriculum will be revised under forthcoming education reforms. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary One vehicle, a jeep bearing number CAY-1981 used by the relevant Western Province subject Minister, has been identified under Circular 05/2024 for disposal as a luxury vehicle. The response notes that other vehicles are not detailed in the report, and that official cabs used by local authority chairmen are listed as the vehicles currently used by people’s representatives. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Western Province has 4,003 vehicles. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa provided a written reply detailing vehicles held by local authorities, including 4,003 vehicles in total and 202 used by officers, with relevant representatives listed in annexes. He also named the nine Provincial Governors and gave the 2025 provincial development allocations, ranging from Rs. 8,358.60 million for the Western Province to Rs. 13,623.00 million for the Northern Province. Details on proposed projects, projects already funded, and per-project allocations were tabled in 13 annexes. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that the President’s Fund is intended to support poor people with health and urgent needs, while acknowledging concerns about its misuse. He said that no action had been taken from 2014 to 2025 to verify whether scholarship recipients had returned or fulfilled their obligations, and undertook to gather information on agreements and compliance before taking appropriate action. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara asked whether the Government would take swift action to recover money allegedly misused from the President’s Fund. He referred particularly to higher education benefits received by politicians’ children and relatives, claimed conditions had been violated, and noted that names of alleged beneficiaries had been raised in Parliament. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Anura Karunathilaka answered Question 569/2025 regarding President’s Fund payments for higher education. He said funds were granted for foreign scholarships between 2005 and 2014, tabling an annexure with recipient details, and listed annual totals amounting to payments for 263 individuals. He stated that an audit observed funds had been provided to children, relatives and friends of Ministers and Members of Parliament, but that available records do not identify who returned to Sri Lanka, so no legal or recovery action has been taken against scholarship recipients who may not have returned. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy provided salary and allowance details for the Chairman and Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited, including 2023 and current figures. He stated that the Managing Director’s salary and professional allowance increased by 25 per cent following Cabinet approval on 18 September 2024, while the Chairman’s CPC salary remained Rs. 100,000. He also clarified that the CPSTL Chairman draws salary only from CPSTL, the Managing Director draws a full CPSTL salary and 50 per cent of the CPC salary, and Board meeting payments are made only to specified non-executive directors. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 Hon. S. M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on the salary entitlements and allowances of the Chairman and Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, comparing 2023 with the current position. He also sought clarification on whether salaries are paid separately by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited, and requested details of payments made to the Chairman, Managing Director and other Directors, including Board meeting fees, salaries and monthly allowances. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the adequacy of teacher salaries, noting that while only about 10% of teachers reach around Rs. 153,000, most earn between Rs. 53,000 and Rs. 80,000, and asked whether the Government would address the disparity compared with Central Bank salaries. He also raised concern over the decline in Grade 1 admissions from about 360,000 six years earlier to 298,000, asking what measures would be taken to correct it. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister provided a detailed response on school numbers, staffing, salaries, vacancies, and Grade 1 admissions on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education. He stated that Sri Lanka has 396 National Schools and 9,700 Provincial Schools, with 237,787 teachers and 12,567 principals, and placed district-level salary and school data in the Library. He reported 1,497 vacancies in National Schools, noted legal and policy-related delays to major teacher recruitment processes, and outlined recent and planned appointments including diploma teachers, English-medium teachers under “English for All,” and estate-sector Tamil-medium Teacher Assistants pending court proceedings. He also stated that 3,148 schools have fewer than 100 students and provided recent and projected Grade 1 admission figures, with further details in annexures. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on several referred items, including the Exchange (Amendment) Bill, regulations under the Tea (Tax and Control of Export) Act, an order imposing Tobacco Tax on beedi, regulations under the Public Debt Management Act, and an order under the Foreign Exchange Act. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Committee Report: Public Finance Committee Report Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the rules governing fees on card and QR payments, stating that merchants generally cannot pass Merchant Discount Rate charges to consumers except for limited fees on fuel purchases and certain government services. He said consumers can complain through their issuing financial institution or QR account bank if unlawful surcharges are imposed, and noted that the Central Bank has issued notices and guidance on the matter. He also said digital payment adoption is growing but is constrained by low public awareness, uneven internet and digital infrastructure, and a continued preference for cash, while the Central Bank is studying possible fee reductions and other measures to promote digital payments. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera asked the Minister of Finance about additional charges imposed by merchants on consumers using credit cards, debit cards or QR payments. He sought clarification on whether such charges are permitted, what remedies consumers have, and what barriers are limiting wider digital and QR-based transactions in Sri Lanka. He also asked whether the Government is considering reimbursing a flat per-transaction fee to promote digital payments and what progress has been made on that proposal. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister said recent irregularities and corruption in the procurement of medicines, vaccines, surgical items and test kits require stricter procurement procedures. He stated that unnecessary delays in compliant procurements would be removed, but all parties must follow due process and ensure transparency in a medicines and devices market worth about Rs. 350 billion annually. He said the Government would act lawfully to secure timely and quality supplies. Standing Order 27(2): Central Bank Accountability and Medicine Procurement Delays Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned delays in the State medicines procurement process despite Rs. 155 billion being allocated for 2025, citing a 189-day procurement cycle and litigation that can delay tenders for years. He asked whether the private sector could procure more efficiently and argued that overregulation, committee delays, and officials’ fear of legal exposure were preventing timely purchases. He called for urgent reform of procurement procedures to avoid recurring shortages and implementation delays. Standing Order 27(2): Central Bank Accountability and Medicine Procurement Delays Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said recent medicine shortages were largely due to delayed 2025 procurement orders, noting that the process requires 9-11 months and many orders were received too late for timely supply. He stated that 2026 procurement was initiated in January 2025, with tenders called, evaluations underway and some awards already made, alongside oversight measures following COPA recommendations. He said coordination among MSD, SPC, NMRA and other institutions continues through weekly reviews, local and emergency procurement mechanisms, e-procurement improvements and the “Swastha” IT system to manage facility-level shortages and transfers. Standing Order 27(2): Central Bank Accountability and Medicine Procurement Delays Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary CBSL’s autonomy was defended as operating within a statutory framework that includes accountability through mandated, data-based reporting. The Minister said deviations from targets can be questioned through established report streams, and that the 5 per cent inflation target is based on the 20-year average and current conditions. He noted that inflation had fallen from crisis levels of around 70 per cent to near zero at times, and argued that the resulting price and financial stability should now be used to support growth and development. Standing Order 27(2): Central Bank Accountability and Medicine Procurement Delays Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned whether Central Bank accountability is adequate, arguing that appearances before COPF and COPE do not clarify to whom the Governor and CBSL are directly responsible. He said key monetary and economic decisions affecting citizens and SMEs are controlled by an unelected official rather than the elected Minister of Finance, and raised concern over the Governor approving his own salary. He urged corrective legislative action if the current framework is inadequate and questioned the Governor’s involvement in Washington on matters linked to US tariff negotiations, saying it was inconsistent with CBSL independence. Standing Order 27(2): Central Bank Accountability and Medicine Procurement Delays Read →