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 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Minister on whether any supplier that failed to honour a long-term fuel tender was later awarded an emergency spot tender, asking for a clear response. He said public anxiety over fuel, fertilizer and LPG prices stemmed from global supply risks linked to the Middle East situation and the Strait of Hormuz, not political statements. He also pressed the Government on why its election pledge to provide fuel at landed cost by removing taxes and other charges was not being implemented during the current period of pressure on consumers. Questions by Private Notice: Fuel Purchase (CPC) and Private Lands Released by Military Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister responded under Standing Order 27(2) on petroleum procurement, listing suppliers registered in the past year and explaining that CPC rejected altered payment terms from Verrington UAE after a Cabinet-approved procurement from an unregistered supplier. He outlined ongoing term and spot procurements for crude and refined products, stated that evaluations follow international standards adapted to CPC infrastructure, and said further comparative price, bid, supplier, audit, and refinery-yield information would be compiled or tabled subject to confidentiality requirements. Questions by Private Notice: Fuel Purchase (CPC) and Private Lands Released by Military Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition sought detailed information on CPC fuel procurement over the previous 12 months, including registered suppliers, delivery defaults, actions taken, and the number of spot, short-term, and long-term procurements. He requested clarification on evaluation criteria, Cabinet procurement approvals, price comparisons between term contracts and spot purchases, and details of high-priced deliveries and refinery impacts from using Murban crude instead of Iranian Light. He also asked whether procurement committee recommendations had diverged from technical evaluations and whether post-procurement audits exist, citing concern that a supplier allegedly defaulted on a term tender but later received a higher-priced spot tender. Questions by Private Notice: Fuel Purchase (CPC) and Private Lands Released by Military Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister tabled a written answer on behalf of the Minister detailing Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment registrations of housemaids from 2015 to March 2026, totaling 767,809, with country-wise data and death statistics provided in annexes. The response stated that worker information is entered into the SLBFE computerized system at registration and listed deaths by year and cause categories for 2015–2026. It also outlined SLBFE welfare measures, including free and optional enhanced insurance, scholarships and school supplies for children, concessionary loans, welfare fund assistance, entrepreneurship grants, emergency and housing support, a contributory pension scheme, and increased death and funeral benefits. Second Round of Oral Questions (Q.10 and Tabled Answers) Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Asked the Minister whether a special committee would be appointed to review non-operational community water supply schemes in dry areas. He said some projects had been implemented without proper needs assessments, leading to wastage of public funds, and requested project-by-project identification of failures and recommendations for solutions. Oral Question 9: Community Water Supply Schemes in Vavuniya Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister answered a question on water supply projects in Vavuniya District, stating that 73 projects are being implemented across five Divisional Secretary’s Divisions and that 50 are currently supplying water to the public. He said 23 projects are non-operational, mainly due to unpaid electricity bills, lack of funds for repairs, weak community participation, leaks, falling water levels, aged equipment, and communities shifting to other water sources. He stated that the Government will take steps to reactivate these schemes or provide suitable alternative water supply methods, with action planned within the next two years. Oral Question 9: Community Water Supply Schemes in Vavuniya Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody said special attention would be given to the waste accumulation in the rock pit water settling tank and that disposal is now being handled properly in coordination with Clean Sri Lanka through a bio-based development approach. He outlined the five main functions of the Department of National Zoological Gardens and, in response to a question on breeding and conservation, stated that a crocodilian breeding programme using artificial insemination is underway, despite an unsuccessful first attempt, with similar initiatives planned for other animals. Oral Question 8: Waste Disposal at National Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy raised concerns about resource gaps in the Computer Crime Investigation Subunit established in Jaffna in 2025 and called for stronger operations in Jaffna and the wider North. He asked whether programmes or budget allocations exist to provide victims, particularly women and children, with compensation and psychological counselling. Oral Question 4: Cybercrime Cases Against Women Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake presented, on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, the Committee’s report on regulations made under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs on 23 April 2026. The report related to regulations referred to the Committee and was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Report Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe – Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill seeks to address business and personal insolvency arising from the economic crisis, high interest rates, COVID-related disruption, and bank seizures, particularly affecting SMEs and tourism enterprises. He said the Bill would establish an Insolvency Regulatory Authority, require full disclosure of liabilities and circumstances of distress, and provide an orderly mechanism to restructure, revive, bring in partners, or transfer businesses while minimizing losses. He argued that the framework goes beyond existing Companies Act provisions, reassesses processes such as parate execution, and is intended to strengthen investor and entrepreneur confidence by providing a lawful “second chance.” Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill as timely but said it required further corrections to create a practical restructuring mechanism similar to Chapter 11 processes. He proposed extending the 60-day timeframe to 180 days, prioritizing SMEs, establishing specialized district courts, reviewing parate execution separately, and aligning related tax provisions through tax law amendments. He also cautioned that cross-border insolvency provisions require Central Bank assessment of foreign exchange and dollar exposure risks, and argued that business revival, employees, and company continuity should take priority over tax recovery in receivership. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised concerns about inadequate financial relief and bank lending in disaster-affected districts, noting low disbursements in Kandy, Badulla, and Nuwara Eliya despite earlier Government commitments. He questioned why affected property owners were being asked to accept a one-off Rs. 500,000 instead of the promised support of up to Rs. 5 million, and asked what had happened to the large parliamentary allocation and donated funds. He urged urgent action to ensure proper distribution of relief. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill, arguing that Sri Lanka needs a modern framework to replace the 1853 Insolvency Ordinance and improve the ease of doing business. He said the Bill shifts the focus from rapid winding-up to rehabilitation of viable individuals and businesses, including through an Insolvency Regulatory Authority and special attention to MSMEs facing finance, debt-servicing and cash-flow difficulties. Citing Central Bank 2025 credit expansion data, he linked the measure to economic recovery and confidence-building, while stating that the Government aims to strengthen resilience and prevent future collapses. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported the Bill as a long-prepared measure to assist entrepreneurs and employers, but questioned why its tabling was delayed despite groundwork under the previous government, saying many MSMEs lost assets to bank seizures in the interim. He called for clarity on any government amendments, practical implementation measures, and a longer bank negotiation period of 180 days to support out-of-court business recovery. He also raised concerns about Colombo Port City company registrations and business visas being misused for alleged cybercrime, urging stronger scrutiny of registrations, visas, tax compliance, and post-registration reviews. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha – Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha addressed claims about alleged USD 2.5 million Treasury debt service payments, rejecting related allegations of concealment, reprisals, and links to an officer’s death, and urged those with information to provide it to investigators. He then supported the Rescues, Rehabilitation and Insolvency Bill, stating that it would create an integrated framework for individual and corporate distress, emphasizing pre-insolvency intervention, structured moratoria, professional administration, and orderly liquidation where necessary. He said the Bill would establish an Insolvency Regulatory Authority, protect bona fide businesses while deterring willful default and fraud, improve asset realization, and support investor confidence, FDI, and broader economic recovery. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised concerns over whether deposits collected by banks in the North and East are being reinvested locally to support production, livelihoods, and post-war development. He called for stronger Central Bank monitoring of microfinance institutions, citing excessive interest rates and borrower distress, and urged relief for depositors affected by failed finance companies such as The Finance Company. He also requested legal and regulatory measures to improve access to finance in the North and East, and briefly referred to political developments in Tamil Nadu and their relevance to Tamil communities. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary The member argued that government mismanagement is reducing state reserves and revenue, citing recent declines in reserves and rupee depreciation despite reliance on taxpayers’ money. He alleged irregularities in several areas, including duplicate RDA contractor payments, the US Postal Service repayment issue, the e-passport tender, fertilizer and coal procurements, oil purchases, and funds at NDB, and warned of risks to GSP+ and exports. He also referred to a Treasury-related USD 2.5 million incident and tabled a letter requesting FBI involvement and an international forensic post-mortem into a deceased officer’s death. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law – Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala said the Bill modernizes Sri Lanka’s insolvency framework, replacing outdated laws and introducing measures such as a 60-day period for distressed businesses to consider revival before liquidation. He linked the reform to the Government’s broader economic stabilization efforts and rejected Opposition claims of judicial interference, arguing that independent institutions and the Constitutional Council have strengthened judicial independence. He cited past incidents as examples of political pressure on the judiciary and said ongoing corruption and criminal cases against public figures are being pursued in line with the Government’s mandate, not as an attempt to influence courts. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna supported the Bill replacing the 1853 Insolvency Ordinance, arguing that Sri Lanka needs a modern insolvency framework aligned with the Companies Act, 2007. He said the proposed law shifts from merely winding up failed businesses to rescuing viable enterprises, managing orderly liquidations, regulating insolvency practitioners, improving creditor recoveries, and giving honest debtors a second chance. He highlighted provisions for pre-insolvency restructuring and a moratorium on enforcement for an initial 60 days after filing a reorganization plan, stating that these measures would improve investor confidence and business resilience. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency Bill as a modernization of Sri Lanka’s outdated insolvency framework and a measure to shift from punitive action to restructuring and rescue. He highlighted the proposed Insolvency Regulatory Authority, protections for small borrowers and essential assets, temporary stays on creditor action, and penalties for fraud. He argued that the Bill would support MSMEs, protect livelihoods, improve investor confidence, and address financial distress in the North and East, including issues linked to predatory microfinance, non-bank finance institutions, and post-war industrial decline. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →