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- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for details on the Milleniya Export Processing Zone in Bandaragama, including the status of land acquisition, compensation paid, and Board of Investment expenditure on roads, water supply, and electricity. He also sought information on the progress of the zone’s road development and whether the Government would complete the remaining work, describing the EPZ as a project of national importance. Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa challenged the accuracy of the response to his second question, arguing that the previous Government had misrepresented the wage policy by treating Rs. 350 as an “extra” amount on top of Rs. 1,350. He stated that this was incorrect and indicated that the relevant figure should be understood as Rs. 1,700. Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the national minimum wage cannot alter wage-setting mechanisms under the Wages Boards regime, but said discussions on wages are continuing across sectors. He acknowledged that current wages do not meet a living standard, while arguing that the Government has stabilized the economy after collapse and must now focus on increasing production, attracting investment, and strengthening employer-worker cooperation. He urged the Opposition to support these next steps rather than create uncertainty or weaken investor confidence. Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha clarified a wage calculation, stating that multiplying Rs. 1,350 by 25 working days amounts to Rs. 33,750, excluding any interruptions. The intervention was focused on explaining the arithmetic behind the figure. Oral Question: National Minimum Wage and Plantation Workers Wages Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Cabinet approval has been obtained to digitize and regularize EPF-related processes to improve transparency, with work being expedited. The Minister said fund management currently lies with the Central Bank while administrative oversight is nominally with the Ministry of Labour, and this structure is being regularized. He acknowledged that employees, as the real owners of the fund, should have access to information through a digital platform, while noting that no special forensic audit has currently been initiated. Oral Question: Active Accounts in Employees' Provident Fund (Q.4/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara raised concerns about alleged mismanagement of the Employees’ Provident Fund, including issues previously noted by the Auditor General in relation to investments. He asked what action had been taken on those findings and called for greater transparency for EPF members on investment locations, returns, and future plans, including through online disclosure. He also sought clarification on when the 2023 amendment Bill relating to the EPF would be brought into force. Oral Question: Active Accounts in Employees' Provident Fund (Q.4/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary The reply provided year-wise EPF member interest rates from 2015 to 2024, noting that rates are determined mainly by distributable profit after investment income, expenses and taxes are assessed against member balances. It outlined measures to strengthen the EPF, including investment diversification, risk and performance management systems, digitization with Cabinet approval for a new platform, faster recovery of evaded contributions, and a proposed tripartite governance mechanism involving trade unions, employers and the Government. A detailed reply was tabled, and the remaining part of the question was stated not to arise. Oral Question: Active Accounts in Employees' Provident Fund (Q.4/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha — Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development AI summary The Minister provided a written answer on Employees’ Provident Fund account data from 2015 to 2024. He stated that total member accounts increased from 16.88 million in 2015 to 22.2 million in 2024, while accounts receiving annual contributions rose from 2.5 million to 2.9 million over the same period. He also supplied the annual interest rates paid on member balances for those years in the written response. Oral Question: Active Accounts in Employees' Provident Fund (Q.4/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns about inadequate resources in hospitals in the Batticaloa District, noting that the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital has ADB-backed approvals for a cath lab, MRI machine and CT scanner. He referred to a 2021 incident in which cath lab equipment intended for Batticaloa was allegedly diverted to Kalutara, and asked for assurances that the currently allocated cath lab, MRI and CT scanner would be provided. He also asked whether the Central Government, including through the Line Ministry, could supply necessary resources to district hospitals despite limitations in the Provincial Council system. Oral Question: Establishment of Rajya Osusala - Batticaloa District Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa — Minister of Health and Mass Media AI summary The Minister said future engagements with health officials in Batticaloa should include all relevant Members of Parliament. He stated that the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation currently operates about 65 Osusala outlets, with four opened since the new Government took office, but expansion depends on whether operating costs can be recovered because there is no separate Treasury allocation. He said an outlet would first be opened in Batticaloa town, with further expansion considered step by step, giving attention to needs in the Northern and Eastern Provinces to improve access to lower-priced medicines. Oral Question: Establishment of Rajya Osusala - Batticaloa District Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody — Minister of Energy AI summary The Minister of Energy explained that fuel price calculations are based on the actual international price on the discharge date, while tenders determine only the premium. He said the relevant cargo was discharged when international prices were higher, leading to the adjustment, and added that price increases had been limited despite higher warranted increases, including diesel being sold at about an Rs. 8 loss that month. Oral Question: Sale of Petroleum (Q.2/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara requested the Minister to publish fuel price formula details on the relevant website, noting that updates had not been posted since April. He questioned the 1 July fuel price increase, arguing that global crude prices had declined and existing stocks and earlier orders at lower exchange and crude rates did not justify raising petrol by Rs. 12 per litre and diesel by Rs. 15 per litre. He asked why consumers were burdened with increases that would also raise transport and food costs. Oral Question: Sale of Petroleum (Q.2/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody — Minister of Energy AI summary The Minister of Energy provided monthly figures for petroleum-related tax income and profits from September 2023 to September 2024, reporting total tax income of Rs. 284,431.80 million and profit of Rs. 52,312.23 million. He said investigations into alleged frauds in fuel sales during the period are ongoing and that no definitive conclusion can be given until they are completed. In response to supplementary questions, he stated that the fuel premium component had fallen sharply through tendering, explained the Rs. 50 per litre surcharge linked to Treasury-assumed debt, and said its removal could be considered after the debt is settled. He also justified the July 1 price revision by reference to international prices at cargo discharge and noted diesel was still being sold at a loss despite a partial price increase. Oral Question: Sale of Petroleum (Q.2/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on Government tax revenue from petroleum sales between 21 September 2023 and 20 September 2024, and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s profit or loss during that period. He also sought information on whether fraud occurred in fuel sales, the alleged amount defrauded per litre by fuel type, the total sum involved, and whether any such amount has been deducted from fuel prices to provide relief to consumers. Oral Question: Sale of Petroleum (Q.2/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar presented the Sectoral Oversight Committee report on the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, noting that the Committee met three times and consulted stakeholders including the Public Utilities Commission, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, and the Solar Industries Association. He said the Committee prioritized consumer rights, agreed to submit a related report within one month, and began work toward a future National Energy Bill. He stated that the Ministry agreed to accelerate the unbundling of generation, transmission and distribution within one year to attract private investment for transmission upgrades, while ensuring State ownership of transmission corridors and land. The report also proposes professional criteria for advisory committee appointments, limits on multiple directorships to reduce political interference, and future Consumer Rights Regulations. Committee Reports: Environment, Education, Infrastructure Bills Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha stated that Rs. 2,250 million has been allocated in 2025 under the Decentralized Programme, equivalent to Rs. 10 million per MP, but that funds will be implemented through District Coordinating Committees rather than as individually directed cash allocations. He said the approach, set out in Finance Ministry Circular MF/02/2025, prioritizes district-based economic development, entrepreneurship, empowerment, group cohesion, and integrated projects. He also tabled past allocation details from 2015 to 2025 and explained that District Coordinating Committees are intended to identify local needs through links with Divisional Secretariats and local authorities. Adjournment - Fishing Practices in Trincomalee and Parliamentary Decentralized Funds Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development about the implementation of the District Decentralized Programme in 2025, following the shift from MP-allocated decentralized provisions to allocations through District Coordinating Committees due to public criticism of low-yielding projects. She sought details on any new procedure, annual expenditure over the past decade, the objectives of the 2024 change, guidelines for fund use and project initiation, measures to ensure equitable distribution across districts and localities, and the Government’s monitoring and evaluation mechanism. Adjournment - Fishing Practices in Trincomalee and Parliamentary Decentralized Funds Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake supported proposals to build a production and knowledge-based economy, arguing that youth across all communities need access to capital rather than Government jobs. He called for the Central Bank to allocate at least 10 percent of its specific lending schemes to youth entrepreneurship and said its independence should not be used to obstruct national fiscal policy. He proposed redirecting funds currently used for entities such as SriLankan Airlines toward youth enterprises, including support for small rice mills, and claimed about Rs. 150 billion could help create one million youth entrepreneurs. Private Members' Motion No. 4: Making Every Youth Gainfully Employed Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister supported the motion on financing and empowering entrepreneurship, arguing that economic stabilization, confidence, good governance, and industrial harmony are necessary for investment and growth. He said entrepreneurship should focus on productive value addition and integration into value chains, while labour laws should be consolidated into a modern framework to improve workplace relations. He outlined existing SME and concessional loan schemes, noted geographic disparities and misuse of some funds, and said the Government would use data, training, credit guarantees, ADB-supported credit lines, and ultimately a Development Bank and regional finance mechanisms to support viable businesses nationwide. Private Members' Motion No. 4: Making Every Youth Gainfully Employed Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah supported the motion on ensuring livelihoods and stable incomes for youth over 18. He argued that limited university access and inadequate loan facilities require expansion of local non-State higher education capacity and better financing mechanisms. He proposed a dedicated scheme to provide young entrepreneurs with loans, technology support, digital skills, and start-up assistance through banks and other channels as part of broader youth-focused economic development. Private Members' Motion No. 4: Making Every Youth Gainfully Employed Read →