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- 23 July 2025 Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Hon. Arun Hemachandra supported the Companies (Amendment) Bill, stating that it would strengthen transparency, curb shell companies, improve tender integrity, and align Sri Lanka with FATF requirements and the 2023 IMF programme. He linked the reforms to past procurement scandals, alleged misuse of charitable foundations and companies, and the need to empower institutions such as the Registrar of Companies, CIABOC and the FIU. Responding to the Opposition Leader, he also addressed land issues in Muththunagar, Trincomalee, saying the lands had been vested in the Port Authority in 1984 and that later actions during the yahapalana period should be examined. He further referenced the anniversary of the 1983 anti-Tamil violence, stressing the Government’s commitment to national harmony and preventing recurrence. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda stated his party’s support for the Companies (Amendment) Bill and urged that companies be allowed to operate without unnecessary obstruction. He raised several constituency and sectoral concerns, including the exclusion of a major Western Province three-wheeler association from consultations, alleged politicisation of youth society appointments, and the need for regulated modernization of beach-seine fishing through winch permits. He also requested restoration of decentralized budget allocations to Opposition MPs and improvements to Parliament gallery facilities, particularly toilets used by visiting schoolchildren. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera raised a procedural concern that the Registrar of Companies’ website had reportedly been malfunctioning for 10 days. He said this was obstructing legal practitioners and others from obtaining information and carrying out company registrations, and urged the Deputy Speaker and the House to take note of the issue as a matter affecting access to official services and information. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe criticised the Leader of the Opposition for raising questions without, in his view, having read the relevant Cabinet paper. He said the Cabinet proposal concerning economic centres was intended to regularize operations and protect stallholders amid disorder, missing lease agreements, and fragmented administration across ministries. He also stated that proposed beneficial ownership amendments to the Companies Act target theft, black money, and misappropriated assets, not legitimate companies. On Trincomalee, he said disputes involving the Port, companies, and farmers stem from earlier decisions and that the Government intends to protect farmers and provide compensation where injustice has occurred. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over the proposed 33-year lease of state-owned assets and lands in Thambuttegama to a private company, including provisions allowing sub-leasing. He requested that all stakeholders be consulted and that the process be conducted transparently, stating that the issue was raised in good faith to obtain answers and solutions. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns regarding the proposed 33-year lease of the Thambuttegama Economic Centre, including permission for sub-leasing, and the possible transfer of state assets to a private company. He said farmers and traders fear that assets developed over 22 years, within a wider network of 13–14 economic centres valued at about Rs. 6 billion, may be handed over without proper stakeholder consultation. He requested the Minister to clarify the Cabinet decision and provide assurances to affected farmers and traders. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe challenged the Opposition to identify when and by whom disputed lands were granted to companies, arguing that earlier governments had allocated them on maps despite long-standing cultivation by farmers and that the current process is constrained by court orders. He said the Government is seeking solutions for affected families, including in the Trincomalee dispute, where he attributed the origins to a previous administration and stated that farmers living there for decades should be protected and compensated if necessary. He also addressed economic centres, saying many of the 18 centres suffer from irregularities, unclear leases, and past payments taken for stalls, and urged the Opposition to read the relevant Cabinet paper before raising questions. He added that proposed Companies Act amendments on beneficial ownership are intended to address theft, black money, and misappropriated assets, not to impose arbitrary limits on companies. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the amendment would strengthen Sri Lanka’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist and proliferation financing framework, in line with FATF recommendations and its APG obligations. He said it would help prevent asset concealment and laundering through companies, and requested support from all Members for its passage. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Foreign companies registering in Sri Lanka would be required to make beneficial ownership disclosures to the Registrar of Companies in line with FATF standards and regional practice. Wasantha Samarasinghe said delays since 2017 reflected reluctance to ensure transparency, and argued that the amendments would prevent individuals using proxies or unexplained wealth to acquire major stakes without declaring funding sources and taxes paid. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that questions from another Member could be raised during the debate and would be answered then. He said measures concerning offshore incorporations in jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands would improve transparency regarding their use by Sri Lankans, and noted that investigations were ongoing. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that personal data is governed by separate data protection legislation and cannot be disclosed unlawfully. He noted that beneficial ownership information may be obtained where legally permitted, including through Right to Information requests to the Registrar of Companies, subject to compliance with the data protection framework. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Moved the Second Reading of amendments to the Companies Act to introduce beneficial ownership requirements, citing fraud, shell companies, money laundering risks, and Sri Lanka’s obligations under FATF Recommendation 24. He said the Registrar of Companies would be empowered to obtain and maintain records identifying the natural persons who ultimately own or control all types of companies, with companies required to submit this information within six months of enactment. He argued that the reforms are needed to avoid future FATF grey-listing or blacklisting and to improve transparency over assets, share acquisitions, sources of funds, and tax compliance. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the rationale for rice imports despite reported domestic production exceeding requirements, and proposed a scientific review of the production, procurement and distribution cycle. He asked the Government to re-examine paddy production cost estimates, citing input costs, crop losses and human–wildlife conflict, and urged legislation to make guaranteed paddy prices legally enforceable. He also called for investment in post-harvest technology, continuous updating of agricultural data, and concessional debt restructuring and working capital support for distressed small and medium rice millers. Ministerial Statement: Government Policies on Paddy Purchase and Rice Import Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe responded to an SO 27(2) question on rice supply, stating that annual national rice demand is 2.4 million metric tons and expected production from the Yala and Maha seasons could reach about 2.7 million metric tons, with current PMB and Sathosa stocks and procurement continuing. He outlined district-level production costs, guaranteed paddy procurement prices, maximum retail rice prices, and said Rs. 6,000 million had been allocated for PMB purchases with additional funding possible if needed. He also reported that 101,267.56 metric tons of rice had been imported up to 13 July 2025 and referred to crop insurance and programmes to reduce crop losses, with detailed responses tabled in the Library. Ministerial Statement: Government Policies on Paddy Purchase and Rice Import Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha said the Government is transitioning from multiple existing processes to a single digitalized refund system without creating a gap, supported by investments including RAMIS integration. He stated that timely, risk-based refunds to exporters should enable them to pay deemed exporters, and that the Inland Revenue Department cannot justify exporters failing to pass on funds. He added that the objective is to ensure the refund system functions properly, with simulations currently underway. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Simplified VAT (SVAT) Abolition Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to retain the SVAT mechanism until e-filing and VAT-1 automation are fully operational, citing the short implementation timeline and risks to exporters’ cash flows if VAT is payable upfront. He said exporters already face high interest rates, taxes, utility costs, tariff pressures, and anti-dumping-related cost issues, and asked that the IMF be informed that export-sector protection is necessary. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Simplified VAT (SVAT) Abolition Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the decision to end SVAT followed long-term review and is part of a move to a unified VAT administration with strengthened Inland Revenue Department systems. He stated that a digital, risk-based refund mechanism will classify claims as low, medium or high risk, with low and medium risk refunds paid within 45 days and high-risk claims subject to basic verification. He said deemed exporter cash-flow concerns would be addressed during the transition, accurate e-submissions would be required, IMF recommendations were already tabled and published, and necessary provisions would be introduced through an amendment to the Act. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Simplified VAT (SVAT) Abolition Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns under Standing Order 27(2) about the planned abolition of the Simplified VAT scheme from 1 October 2025, reportedly linked to IMF EFF commitments, and its replacement with a 45-day VAT refund system. He argued that exporters face serious cash-flow risks due to past Inland Revenue refund delays, new US tariff pressures, and possible loss of competitiveness, and asked what safeguards, audit mechanisms, impact assessments, and transition policies the Government has prepared. He also requested that IMF recommendations and the Government’s abolition plan be presented to Parliament, and asked whether bridging facilities such as credit lines, VAT offsets, or interim payment channels would be provided for MSMEs and exporters. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Simplified VAT (SVAT) Abolition Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana) SJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development seeking details on vehicle imports for public servants after the previous Government suspended vehicle importation. It asks for the suspension date, the number and cost of vehicles imported since then, how many have been allocated, the names, institutions and designations of recipients, how many remain unallocated, and the reasons for any non-allocation. Oral Question: Second Round Questions (Q.1, 2, 3/2025 – Second Round) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary LRC lands allocated for projects but not used for the intended purpose or with unpaid lease dues can be repossessed under the relevant agreements. The Minister acknowledged that many such lands across the country are inactive and said district LRC officers have been instructed to identify these cases, prepare documentation, and take steps to repossess and reallocate the lands to suitable operational projects. Oral Question: Grant of LRC Lands for Factory Establishment (Q.10/2025 – 997/2025) Read →