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- 25 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister answered Question No. 217/2024 on Employees’ Provident Fund investments in the share market since 2015, stating that Rs. 11.38 billion had been invested. He said the investments covered many companies, including examples such as Access Engineering PLC and John Keells Holdings PLC, and noted that some shares had since been sold. He added that a detailed list of companies accompanied the answer and could be read out if required. Oral Question: Employees' Provident Fund - Investments in Share Market (Q.217/2024) Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Cabinet has approved the appointment of a consultant to market the relevant drilling area and invite prospective bidders. Once the consultant firm or individual is appointed, bids will be called for the relevant blocks. Oral Question: Gulf of Mannar - Exploration of Gas and Oil (Q.199/2024) Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary As of the date of the response, no active exploration or development licences exist for gas and oil exploration in Sri Lanka’s Mannar Basin. A previous exploration licence granted to Cairn Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. in 2008 has expired, so related follow-up details were deemed not applicable. Oral Question: Gulf of Mannar - Exploration of Gas and Oil (Q.199/2024) Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake responded to concerns about Provincial Council funding, stating that capital allocations for road development, construction, and recruitment have been increased threefold despite the country’s financial difficulties. He clarified that although the Road Development Authority may construct roads belonging to Local Authorities or Provincial Councils, ownership and administrative responsibility remain with the relevant institution unless formally transferred. He rejected the claim that these arrangements weaken the Provincial Council system and said allocations would be increased further next year. Oral Question: Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai Road Reconstruction (Q.184/2024) Read →
- 25 July 2025 Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the justification for central agencies taking over provincial responsibilities, arguing that the main constraint in upgrading hospitals and roads is funding rather than local technical capacity. He cited the Health Minister’s statement on the Central Government taking over provincial hospitals, the RDA’s role in provincial and local roads, and Budget allocations including Rs. 14 billion and Rs. 1 billion for Northern Province roads, asking for a response on whether line Ministries would continue assuming provincial functions. Oral Question: Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai Road Reconstruction (Q.184/2024) Read →
- 25 July 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena outlined plans under the “Path to Revival” rural road programme to support local authority roads that lack adequate funding or technical capacity for rehabilitation. He stated that eligible roads may be brought under RDA workstreams or supported through technical assistance and funding via District Secretaries, with Rs. 14,000 million allocated for 2025 and an expected Rs. 25,000 million for 2026. Oral Question: Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai Road Reconstruction (Q.184/2024) Read →
- 25 July 2025 Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam called for a review of the Oral Questions process, noting long delays before submitted questions appear on the Order Paper. He raised concerns about deteriorated roads in Batticaloa District, explaining that many are under provincial or local authority ownership while funding remains largely with the Central Government. He asked whether the Ministry or the Road Development Authority could allocate specific funds or make arrangements to improve provincial and local authority roads, citing Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai, Villukkulam–Manalputti junction, and Pakkiyella–Vellaveli as examples. Oral Question: Ambilanthurai–Kokkaddichcholai Road Reconstruction (Q.184/2024) Read →
- 25 July 2025 Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath tabled the Second Report of the Committee on Public Accounts under Standing Order 119(3), concerning inquiries into the Department of Motor Traffic held in March 2025. He said the report was presented separately because of the Department’s failure to implement audit recommendations dating back to 2012 and the serious irregularities identified, including matters requiring legal action to recover State revenue losses. Citing Parliament’s financial oversight role under Article 148, he called for enforcement of the law beyond party lines, acknowledged action already taken in some cases, thanked audit and COPA staff, and requested parliamentary time for a debate on the report. Committee on Public Accounts: Second Report Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB AI summary Nalin Hewage supported the proposed education reforms as a means of strengthening Sri Lanka’s human capital, arguing that the country must compensate for limited physical resources by developing integrated, skilled citizens through education combining science, technology, humanities and arts. He highlighted that only about 40,000 of 300,000 annual Grade 1 entrants reach university, and said vocational education should be brought into schools, modernized, and made attractive to create dignified employment and increase skilled remittances. He also called for the Ocean University, under his Ministry, to be strengthened so that Sri Lanka can develop expertise to use marine resources for national development. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasinghe said the Government’s education reforms, led by the Prime Minister as Education Minister, are intended to begin tangible changes in 2026 through child-centred curricula linked to national development, heritage, technology, inclusion, and equal opportunity. She argued that past reforms failed because the State withdrew from its responsibility, reduced funding, allowed politicized or private interference in schools, and lacked a national policy. She clarified that schools with fewer than 50 students would not be closed indiscriminately, but assessed using data and, where appropriate, improved, consolidated, or repurposed for educational and vocational use, while preventing misuse of State assets by politicians. She also called for moving beyond rote learning toward practical, life-skills-based and vocationally linked education, citing initiatives such as school “Travel Clubs” connected to tourism education. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence; Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary President Anura Kumara Dissanayake argued that education reform must be broad and aligned with Sri Lanka’s economic strategy of developing human capital, noting weak outcomes in migrant labour, poverty alleviation, and social problems linked to low education. He identified school dropouts, under-enrolled schools, misallocated teacher resources, excessive tuition pressure, and a narrow focus on medicine and engineering as key systemic problems. He proposed ensuring all children complete 13 years of schooling, investigating absences, reviewing small schools for closure, amalgamation, relocation or support, reallocating resources to well-equipped schools, restoring extracurricular childhood experiences, and professionalizing diverse vocational pathways through standards and certification. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Madhura Senevirathna outlined the Government’s education reform framework, saying it is guided by free and equitable access, employability, social responsibility, sustainability, innovation and lifelong learning. He said reforms would be implemented through five pillars—assessment, teacher training, public awareness, curriculum, and infrastructure and administration—with Grade 6 changes commencing in 2026 and a review planned by 2028. He highlighted plans for accessible local schooling, activity-based and exam-free primary education, modular learning in Grades 6–9, new literacy and skills modules, and stronger integration of vocational education from Grade 9. He also said the Scholarship examination would be reconsidered in 2029 if equitable provision makes it unnecessary. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary SPC officials inspected a proposed building in Mannar on 15 July 2025 and found it suitable for a Rajya Osusala, but the financial assessment indicated that a full outlet would incur significant losses even with minimum staff. Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni said officials have been instructed to reassess a lower-cost pharmacy window or branch model under the district SPC head office to reduce administrative and staffing costs while maintaining patient access, with establishment expected as soon as possible. Question by Private Notice: Rajya Osusala Outlet in Mannar Town (Q. Private Notice 2) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that a tender awarded before the current administration took control authorized the clearing of all visible items on the land, including buildings, based on a committee recommendation. He said underground tanks were not included in that authorization, but the contractor unearthed and removed one during the work. He informed Parliament that all further removals under the tender have been suspended until the police investigation is concluded. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri raised concern that former district fuel distribution tanks are no longer in use and that islandwide fuel distribution now depends on bowser owners. He asked whether the Ministry has called a tender to award fuel distribution to a single individual, warning that such a move could affect around 400 families operating bowsers. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri raised concerns about a fuel storage site on Railway Department land at Kaduruwela, Polonnaruwa, where tenders were called in September 2024 to dispose of specified above-ground tanks and related materials. He alleged that an additional 45,000-litre underground BBD tank, not included in the tender scope, was excavated and cut up, and asked what action would be taken against those responsible. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary The response states that 82 petroleum tanks are in use by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and 169 by Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd., under the Ministry of Energy, with total capacities of 612,611 kilolitres and 625,879 kilolitres respectively. It notes that CPC plans to refurbish and use 24 tanks in Trincomalee, while disused tanks behind several railway stations are to be removed and the related lands considered for return to Sri Lanka Railways through a review process. Tenders have been called and contractors selected for removal and disposal at Kaduruwela, Anuradhapura, Hatton and Matale, with further details referred to in an annex. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Sunil Rathnasiri asked the Minister of Energy whether the Government is aware of petroleum storage tanks in cities such as Polonnaruwa, Matale and Anuradhapura, and requested details on the total number of such tanks nationwide, their ownership, and average capacity. He also asked whether any plans are currently in place to make use of these tanks, and if not, the reasons for inaction. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary In response to concerns about institutional support, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government expects to seek increased 2026 allocations for technical colleges and vocational training institutes. She indicated that the institutions referred to in the discussion would also benefit from those provisions. Oral Question: Education Zones for Uhana and Pottuvil (Q.8) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe requested that the Prime Minister provide additional facilities to South Eastern University in Oluvil, including the establishment of a Medical Faculty. He also asked that the next Budget prioritize education development funding for institutions in the Ampara District, including technical colleges, the Hardy Advanced Technical Institute, the National Institute of Education in Addalaichenai, and the Teachers’ Training College. Oral Question: Education Zones for Uhana and Pottuvil (Q.8) Read →