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- 24 July 2025 The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath - Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister answered on behalf of the Minister regarding the 2020 Employment Programme for Unemployed Graduates, explaining that appointments were halted after the Election Commission’s order during the general election and later reviewed by the Presidential Secretariat. He stated that the rejected list provided no provision to appoint foreign university graduates as Development Officers under that programme, although foreign graduates may enter the public service under other service minute schemes where permitted. He also clarified that the programme’s age limit was assessed as at 31 December 2019, so eligible trainees were confirmed even if they had exceeded 45 by the date of formal appointment. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised concerns that staff vacancies and infrastructure shortcomings in the Government Analyst’s Department are delaying reports to courts, causing suspects to remain in remand for extended periods because bail is often withheld pending those reports. He asked whether interim measures could be taken, particularly to allow bail for suspects whose reports have been delayed for several months, while vacancies are being addressed. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Minister acknowledged delays in the analysis of case exhibits, noting over 29,432 pending exhibits, including about 17,248 in the Narcotics Division, which receives 200–250 exhibits daily. He said the delays are linked to 322 vacancies in the Sri Lanka Scientific Service and 89 support-service vacancies, with existing officers working beyond normal hours. Measures outlined included urgent recruitment through the Public Service Commission, seeking Cabinet approval to hire science graduates on contract, increasing the approved cadre, filling related technical and support posts, and using new technology to provide analytical evidence in court. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe outlined irrigation allocations and project timelines for Monaragala, stating that Lower Uma Oya requires about Rs. 32 billion in total and has received Rs. 2,150 million this year, within a Rs. 3.4 billion district allocation. He said Rs. 600 million has been allocated for the Rajala Project in Buttala and smaller tanks, with the aim of completing key works and increasing paddy cultivation by 25,000 acres by the 2026 Maha season, including around 12,000 new acres. He also noted that plans for Kumbukkan Oya would be pursued in due course. Oral Question: Kumbukkan Oya Project (Q.5) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the estimated cost of the relevant irrigation work is Rs. 32,397 million and noted that several reservoir projects, including Kivul Oya, Mundeni Aru, Kumbukkan Oya and Pahala Malwathu Oya, had been started but later halted. He said the Government’s current priority is to complete stalled projects that can be finished quickly, and therefore there is no present plan to proceed with the Kumbukkan Oya Reservoir. He added that funds have been allocated and plans prepared to complete the Lower Uma Oya Development Project in Monaragala. Oral Question: Kumbukkan Oya Project (Q.5) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Environment to provide details on the artificial coastal belt project in Mount Lavinia, including its commencement date, objectives, and expenditure to date. He also sought clarification on whether the project has been halted midway and what measures the Ministry plans to take regarding its future activities. Oral Question: Mount Lavinia Coastal Belt Project (Q.3) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni stated that discussions with the President involved Health Ministry officials and Ministers, not the Government Medical Officers’ Association, and focused on improving the medicine supply chain, procurement processes, and use of State Pharmaceutical Corporation funds. He said there was no major overall medicine shortage at Maharagama, noting that temporary gaps are being addressed through local purchases authorized to the hospital Director and through the Named Patient approval process for high-cost medicines. Oral Question: Apeksha Hospital Treatment and Medicines (Q.1) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, the Deputy Minister provided figures on Apeksha Hospital, stating that 6,700 new patients were registered from January to 30 June 2025, 36,000 patients were on clinic rolls, and 950 to 1,000 patients attended clinics daily. He said the hospital accepts only in-kind donations directly, while monetary donations are held through the National Health Development Fund, with the balance increasing to about Rs. 478 million by May 2025. He stated that no funds had yet been utilized from the donation account, but procurement was underway for a new CT scanner, after which remaining funds would be used for essential medical equipment. Oral Question: Apeksha Hospital Treatment and Medicines (Q.1) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera presented the Third Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament. He outlined COPE’s mandate to examine accounts of State corporations and Government-financed institutions with the Auditor-General’s assistance, noting that 457 public enterprises fall under its oversight. He stated that the Report includes COPE’s observations and recommendations following its examination of the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital Board’s Auditor-General’s Reports and performance for 2022 and 2023. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on Orders under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act, No. 2 of 2018. He urged that a National Tariff Policy be developed as part of a broader National Trade Policy, noting current international trade discussions, and also highlighted the need to proceed with legislation to establish an International Trade Office. He further informed Parliament that the Committee had trialled AI technology to generate minutes, summaries and reports, and requested consideration of its wider use across parliamentary committees. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary On behalf of the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee, the Deputy Minister presented its report on Orders made under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act, No. 2 of 2018, as published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2429/32 of 27 March 2025. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that microfinance covers a broad and varied range of activities, including by banks, non-bank financial institutions, and other entities whose classification may be unclear. He said the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance are working to introduce proper financial discipline and better management of lending and borrowing, with steps already underway to bring the sector into a more structured system. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Roshan Akmeemana asked whether microfinance credit data are currently included in the Credit Information Bureau (CRIB). He further inquired whether there are plans to include microfinance records and alternative data such as telephone and utility bill payments in the future. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister answered questions on the Credit Information Bureau, stating that only Central Bank-regulated banks and non-bank financial institutions may exchange credit information through CRIB, while cooperative societies, Samurdhi Banks and rural banks operate under separate laws. He requested more time to provide quantitative answers on two specific institutions, and reported that CRIB is to be treated as a state institution subject to the Financial Management Act, Treasury guidelines, audit oversight, and potential COPE scrutiny. He tabled a 2025 management audit report on CRIB’s financial administration, procurement and overall management, emphasizing the need to balance confidentiality of credit information with accountability and fiscal discipline. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development about the governance and operations of the Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka under its enabling Act. He questioned why CRIB does not provide direct access to cooperative societies, Samurdhi Banks and rural banks, and what steps are being taken to correct inaccurate or outdated credit records, including cases involving inactive or cancelled finance companies. He also sought explanations on CRIB’s financial and institutional oversight, including the absence of regular Auditor General audits, its treatment as a private-like entity despite state oversight, and why it is not subject to COPE scrutiny. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister explained that recruitment and salary placement in the Sri Lanka Teacher Educators’ Service are governed by the 2015 Service Minute and Establishments Code provisions, with limited-basis recruits placed according to their last drawn salary. He said any salary anomaly must be addressed through a broader policy decision covering all executive services, and noted that an Education Council and a Cabinet Memorandum are being used to pursue service-by-service solutions while a pending Fundamental Rights case, SC/FR/077/2025, may affect further action. He also stated that admissions to Faculties of Education, delayed by COVID-19 and national conditions, are being regularized by admitting the 2023 and 2024 A/L cohorts together from December 2025, with intake numbers determined by infrastructure, hostel capacity, and academic staffing constraints. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna raised an adjournment question to the Prime Minister and Education Minister on salary anomalies affecting the Sri Lanka Teacher Educators’ Service following the Sobodhini Salary Schedule and related teacher/principal salary revisions. She asked whether the Government accepts the anomaly, how and when it will be resolved, whether an interim allowance will be granted, and why officials were absent during a protest at Isurupaya. She also questioned the longer promotion period for Teacher Educators compared with other executive grades, sought a date for admitting 2023-2024 Advanced Level qualified students to Faculties of Education, and asked what measures are being taken to address shortages of physical and technological resources in those institutions. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake explained that Sri Lanka’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework has been assessed under FATF and APG standards, with past grey-listing linked to strategic deficiencies. He stated that Sri Lanka complies with 39 of the 40 FATF Recommendations, but needs to improve implementation of Recommendation 24 on timely access to beneficial ownership information of legal persons. He said amendments to about 20 provisions of the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, including section 51, are being prepared in line with IMF recommendations and international standards. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Wijesiri Basnayake spoke during the debate on amendments to the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, and expressed regret at what he described as limited Opposition participation. He focused on money laundering and terrorist financing, citing international examples and references to the Panama Papers, Pandora Papers, FATF, IMF estimates, and AUSTRAC definitions. He argued that money laundering threatens financial systems, national security, macroeconomic stability, fiscal revenue, and public trust, and emphasized the need for strong global and domestic anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing measures. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu supported the amendments to the Companies Act, No. 07 of 2007, stating that they would address gaps on beneficial ownership information and strengthen anti-corruption, anti-money-laundering, and counter-terrorism financing compliance. He linked the need for reform to past economic mismanagement and corruption, including the Central Bank bond scam, and said the current administration was pursuing investigations and institutional independence. He also emphasized the need to protect and formalize companies, particularly in the North and East, and said the Government would fund and conduct a fair investigation into the Chemmani mass graves. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →