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- 11 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne (Ms.) JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne asked what measures would be taken to ensure an orderly and adequate supply of aluminium raw materials to small and medium domestic manufacturers producing items such as cookware for the local market. She also requested a clear contact point for follow-up on the issue. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Ministry had identified new metal-based export categories allegedly used to bypass existing HS code restrictions, including items described as shoe components, flower vases or ornaments. He stated that additional HS codes were proposed to the Ministry of Finance in February, referred to the Attorney-General’s Department in March, and followed up on 1 July, with approval expected within about a month. He added that the Ministry, Customs and the Industrial Development Board would coordinate notices, checks and verification of value addition before such exports are permitted. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne (Ms.) JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne raised concerns about job losses in aluminium-related industries in Kaduwela, stating that 3,000 to 4,000 family members are affected by the current crisis. She asked the Deputy Minister whether the Government will enforce the legal requirement of 35% value addition for raw material exports, alleging that aluminium blocks are being exported without regulation despite complaints to the Ministry of Industries. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Asked the Minister to provide detailed information on approved staffing cadres for government regional hospitals in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu, including required staff by post, the number and names of hospitals, and whether permanently appointed nurses are actually serving at those institutions. He further requested reasons and proposed remedies where nurses are not serving, and sought confirmation on whether Puthukudiyiruppu Regional Hospital in Mullaitivu has been upgraded to a base hospital, the date of upgrade, and its approved and current staffing by position. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the 2017 handling of SLIIT under the 2015–2019 UNP Government ignored Presidential Commission observations and that the Cabinet at the time bore collective responsibility. He argued that the Rs. 408 million repayment was made from SLIIT funds that belonged to Mahapola, amounting to a serious offence. He said, following COPE recommendations, legal action is being pursued through the CID and Bribery Commission to restore Mahapola’s trusteeship and ownership while retaining SLIIT as an institution, expanding scholarships, and keeping programmes affordable. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri outlined the origins of Mahapola’s investment in SLIIT and cited the 2003 and 2005 agreements that gave Mahapola profit-sharing, director appointments, and approval rights. He argued that the 2015 agreement improperly transferred extensive control over state land and assets to SLIIT while limiting Mahapola’s role and undercompensating it relative to SLIIT’s profits. Referring to findings of a Presidential Special Commission, he asked what action the present Minister would take against the individuals identified as responsible. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Rs. 373 million from the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund was used to construct SLIIT buildings, but several requested details were unavailable and are being sought. He said a 2017 Cabinet decision and Gazette recognized SLIIT as an autonomous non-governmental institution not coming under any Ministry, limiting the Ministry’s present ability to act. In response to supplementary questions, he alleged irregularities in the transfer of control of SLIIT from Mahapola, noted that Rs. 408 million was repaid using SLIIT’s own retained earnings, and said COPE had recommended legal action. He indicated that steps are being taken to pursue accountability, restore Mahapola’s trusteeship and ownership of SLIIT, and use its income to support scholarships and affordable education programmes. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Kanthasamy Prabu described the Easter Sunday attacks as a politically motivated and divisive act that damaged inter-ethnic harmony, linking it to earlier episodes of communal conflict in Sri Lanka. He highlighted the impact on Batticaloa’s Zion Church and cited economic consequences, including declines in tourism revenue, employment, GDP growth, government revenue, investor confidence, the stock market and foreign investment. He said that if Pillayan is proven to be connected to the attacks, the government would allow legal action to proceed, and rejected allegations of political deals in the Vakarai Pradeshiya Sabha while counter-alleging misconduct in Kaluwanchikudy. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about farmers in Achchuveli and Puthumaththani, noting that supplementary crops are vital to Jaffna’s economy. He asked the Minister to include immediate import-duty measures in an upcoming Friday response, stating that shipments of local produce to the south have fallen from about 40 lorries a day to less than one. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the question had been received only the previous afternoon and that the relevant data were held by multiple institutions. He said the guaranteed price of Rs. 120 per kilogram was based on the Hector Kobbekaduwa Institute’s estimated production cost of about Rs. 96 per kilogram plus a one-third margin, and undertook to provide a detailed, institution-certified breakdown in writing. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned the basis for the Government’s guaranteed price of Rs. 120 per kilogram, asking whether it had been set without data from relevant institutions. He requested that, if such data already exist, they be tabled in Parliament. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Requested comprehensive answers from the Minister regarding the data used to determine the guaranteed price. He emphasized the need for clarity on the evidentiary basis behind that pricing decision. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a Private Notice Question on paddy procurement and rice import policy, asking for data on national rice requirements, Government-held stocks, expected Yala harvest by district, production costs, guaranteed prices, procurement targets, budget allocations, imports, and crop insurance. He argued that despite reported rice surpluses and a stated guaranteed price of Rs. 120 per kilogram of paddy, farmers are being forced to sell at Rs. 85-90 during harvest while rice imports continue. He questioned whether imports and weak distribution mechanisms, including alleged diversion of rice and market manipulation, are undermining fair prices for farmers and requested structured Government responses. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Paddy Purchase, Rice Import, Horticultural Crops; Question of Privilege Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Minister stated that many sub-post offices lack newly constructed government buildings and that LKR 600 million has been allocated in the current Budget for this purpose. He said the allocation is insufficient to meet all requirements, so construction will be undertaken according to land availability and priority. Oral Question: Velanai DS Division Post Office (Q.950/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka said the Government was concerned that Rs. 199.8 million had been spent from an estimated Rs. 233 million without adequate results. He explained that, given the public funds already committed, the decision was to complete remaining essential works such as safety fencing and bridge strengthening to secure usable benefits from the project. Oral Question: Ragama–Peralanda Tank Development (Q.6511/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana questioned the effectiveness of a Rs. 230 million public-funded tank renovation near Ragama Hospital, the railway station, and bus stand, noting that flooding persists during heavy rain. He raised concerns about silt accumulation, inadequate maintenance, reduced tank capacity due to filling during renovation, and an underused incomplete walking path, and asked what plan exists to make the project genuinely beneficial before further funds are spent. Oral Question: Ragama–Peralanda Tank Development (Q.6511/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said recent accidents affecting Southern fishermen highlighted shortcomings in existing fisher insurance, pension, and accident protection schemes. He stated that the Government has appointed a dedicated committee to conduct a scientific review of these schemes and will take measures for affected fishers based on its recommendations. Oral Question: Fish Catch, Import and Export (Q.637/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi raised recent incidents in the Southern Province in which several multi-day vessels and small boats were destroyed and fishermen went missing, while acknowledging the Ministry’s search assistance. He proposed compensation comparable to a previous President’s Fund payment of LKR 500,000 per deceased fisherman’s family, requested insurance coverage for partially damaged recovered vessels, and asked whether the fuel subsidy is being provided. Oral Question: Fish Catch, Import and Export (Q.637/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar objected to Opposition members mocking his use of Tamil, stating that it was his mother tongue and did not affect the time taken to respond. Addressing a question on fisheries, he said institutions under the Fisheries Ministry were in poor condition, lacked insurance coverage, and that the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation was incurring a Rs. 1,600 million loss. He said the Ministry was working on solutions, including specific measures to develop marine and inland prawn and fish production in Puttalam, and invited members to raise particular interventions with him. Oral Question: Fish Catch, Import and Export (Q.637/2025) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned the adequacy of Government support for fisheries in Puttalam District, stating that despite its reliance on both marine and inland fisheries, it received less than five percent of Budget allocations and was not mentioned in plans to increase catch. He cited declining fish catch from 2015 to 2024 and LKR 39 billion in fish imports in 2024, urging modern technology, coordinated programmes, and institutional collaboration to expand domestic production. He also highlighted the lack of chilled storage facilities for inland fisheries as a factor increasing fish prices. Oral Question: Fish Catch, Import and Export (Q.637/2025) Read →