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- 8 July 2025 Hon. Ranna Gamaga AI summary Hon. Ranna Gamaga said heavy rainfall in Hambantota had disrupted the Bundala salt pans, reducing production and requiring planned salt imports, which he argued prevented a wider shortage and helped bring prices back down. He stated that the Government had correctly implemented the relevant regulations and was also working to restart the Elephant Pass Salt Factory as part of a broader production-economy strategy. He further highlighted Government efforts in tourism and fisheries, including district-level Fisheries Coordinating Committees and coordination with local authorities to address practical sectoral problems. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage defended the temporary relaxation of salt import restrictions under Gazette 2437/04, stating it was a Cabinet-approved measure to stabilize supply after a shortfall was anticipated in December 2024. He said the fisheries and dried fish sectors require substantial quantities of salt, citing an estimated 10,000 metric tons per month for processors in Negombo alone, and explained that salt production takes close to a year due to technical and climatic requirements. He noted that national production fell from 199,000 metric tons in 2022 to 103,000 metric tons in 2024, partly due to rainfall, while annual demand is about 180,000 metric tons for food and industrial uses. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the salt shortfall was a temporary result of climate-related disruptions and outdated domestic production methods, not a failure of the current Government, and noted that import restrictions were eased to address supply. He argued that the NPP Government had begun modernizing salterns, ensuring distribution through state channels, and stabilizing the economy after past mismanagement. He also highlighted Clean Sri Lanka initiatives in the estate sector, including rehabilitation of line rooms in Ratnapura with Rs. 112.5 million from sponsors, while reaffirming commitments to land rights, housing, inter-ethnic unity, and accountability for wrongdoing. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan argued that Sri Lanka must address its trade and budget deficits through better planning and management, noting high import expenditure, declining tea exports, risks to apparel exports from possible US tariffs, and the need for prudent control of vehicle and food imports. He called for support to local production, including agriculture, fisheries and salt, while raising concerns about the cost of living, the unmet Rs. 1,700 wage pledge for plantation workers, and the impact of 18% VAT on digital services. He also urged proper investigation and facilities for excavations at the Chemmani mass graves and requested that the Central Provincial Education Department avoid replacing the Tamil Zonal Director in the majority-Tamil Hatton Education Zone in a way that could heighten ethnic tensions. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Riyas Farook JJB AI summary Hon. Riyas Farook said export products from the Kandy District, including tea, pepper and coffee, have strong potential but have suffered in the past from quality deterioration and adulteration. He stated that the Government is prioritizing exports, imports and tourism, noting discussions with the Australian High Commission on the potential for Sri Lankan coffee exports. He also addressed vehicle import issues linked to e-commerce, letters of credit, shipment dates and regulatory hurdles in Dubai, Singapore and Japan, saying around 300 vehicles had been cleared and another 300 remained at port. He said a committee had been appointed to resolve the matter quickly, including questions over demurrage and vehicles affected by earlier tax and duty changes. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha stated that the regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act formalized a time-limited salt import decision made to address a weather-related production shortfall, not a new decision to import salt. She said government intervention stabilized supply and prices through limited imports, distribution, raids and standards checks, while rejecting Opposition claims of mismanagement and panic. She also addressed allegations regarding a Lotteries Board official residence and said the Salt Corporation, now under the Industries and SME Development Ministry, would be modernized to increase production, improve quality and potentially export surplus salt. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper allocated most of his speaking time to Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth and briefly addressed the Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act. He argued that salt should not be imported, citing Gandhi’s criticism of salt taxation, and proposed exempting salt from import licensing while setting a maximum import ceiling to encourage domestic production. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama supported the regulations permitting salt imports without licences, arguing that the measure was necessary due to weather-related production shortfalls in 2024 and early 2025. He said Sri Lanka is normally self-sufficient in salt, with production exceeding national demand, but rain had reduced evaporation at major salterns and enabled traders to exploit shortages. He noted salt demand is steady for both households and industry, and framed the Government’s response as addressing an artificial shortage. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan supported the temporary exemption of edible salt imports from licensing requirements to address shortages, while attributing the crisis to inadequate planning, climate-related disruptions and lack of contingency measures. He urged a national salt production and storage strategy, investment in harvesting infrastructure, climate-adaptive methods, stronger quality control, price oversight and support for local producers. He also called for transparent, regularly reviewed import-export regulations that balance consumer needs, domestic industry protection, SME stability and Sri Lanka’s broader shift toward industry-led exports. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti said Gazette Extraordinary No. 2437/04 under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act was issued to address a salt shortage and sharp retail price increases by permitting imports of 20,000 metric tonnes. He stated that imports were limited to consignments shipped by 10 June, distributed transparently through National Salt Ltd. to producers, industries and wholesalers, and helped reduce prices from about Rs. 300–350 per kilo to around Rs. 180–210, while generating tax revenue and a modest profit for the company. He defended the policy as necessary state intervention in an essential commodity affected by weather-dependent production, rejected allegations of ministerial profiteering, and tabled the imported salt distribution list for the Hansard. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva questioned the Government’s claim that e-commerce clearance issues had been resolved, asking whether parcels were now being assessed by HS-code duties or another method. He called for a fit-for-purpose low-value B2C import regime, including pre-declaration, clearer de minimis or flat-tax rules, practical TIN requirements, platform-based collection options, and improved Customs/ASYHUB capacity. He also urged a practical transition for vehicles imported under third-country letters of credit, arguing that shipments already arrived or afloat should not be suddenly re-exported after years of inconsistent enforcement, and that rules on used vehicles and hub imports should be clarified prospectively. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Inland Revenue Department and the Ministry of Finance are consulting relevant stakeholders on the matters raised. He said the discussions aim to ensure that implementation mechanisms are fair. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned how VAT would apply to foreign digital and booking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Agoda.com and Booking.com when Sri Lankan companies already pay VAT locally. He warned of potential double taxation or inconsistent treatment where value is added abroad or services are hosted through jurisdictions such as Singapore, and asked for clarification to help address the issue. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is examining how VAT applies to digital platform services such as PickMe and Uber, noting that platforms argue tax should apply only to their local value addition. He said the Inland Revenue Department’s position is that VAT should capture the full taxable value added to the supply, and discussions are underway with platforms to ensure fair treatment and address gaps where parts of the supply chain are not legally connected in Sri Lanka. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Minister on the VAT treatment of Uber’s operations in Sri Lanka, comparing it with PickMe’s payment of 18 percent VAT on invoice value. He asked whether Uber would be taxed on the full service value or only on the locally collected transport fee portion, and sought clarification on whether the Government would act against what he described as tax avoidance through structuring. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister moved approval of Gazette Extraordinary No. 2437/04 under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act to temporarily relax salt import restrictions following a weather-related domestic shortage. He said the measure allowed household and industrial salt imports without licences for consignments shipped before 10 June 2025, helping end market queues, contain prices, and restore supply. He noted reported regulatory breaches by some importers, pending Customs entries for about 29,900 metric tonnes, and quality testing of containers by standards authorities, with non-compliant or irregular stocks liable for re-export. He also stated that the Government would support accelerated domestic salt production, mechanization, quality improvement, and export-oriented value addition with private sector participation. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody said electricity curtailment of 100 to 150 megawatts on low-demand days and holidays is sometimes necessary to maintain grid stability for about 7 million consumers. He attributed the situation to previous governments adding around 600 megawatts of solar capacity despite a long-term plan allowing for 160 megawatts annually, without making the required infrastructure and system upgrades. He stated that the current government is now taking corrective measures and questioned why former ministers and MPs had not addressed the issue earlier. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that renewable energy tariffs, even with battery storage, are cheaper than oil-based power and LNG when capacity charges and fuel imports are considered. He criticized the discouragement of rooftop solar after the Panadura incident while emergency power purchase agreements continue, and said current tax relief for renewable investments is negligible against actual capital costs. He urged the Government to prioritize domestic renewable resources, provide adequate battery concessions, and explain why oil-based generation appears to be preferred over renewables. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that the Government has not introduced new taxes or removed concessions specifically for lithium-ion batteries, noting that general levies such as VAT, Customs Duty, PAL and SSCL apply, while existing exemptions remain for batteries used in grid-connected large-scale renewable energy storage. He said the 15 per cent duty waiver, non-application of CESS and PAL relief are available under existing schedules where eligible use is confirmed. He also said electricity costs are central to industrialisation and growth, and that tariff reviews for solar projects should address issues such as WACC and inflation while prioritising least-cost, reliable power and reducing tariffs over time. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister rejected claims that daytime electricity is being generated from oil instead of solar, stating that oil generation is used at night and not during daytime since the Government assumed office. He said rooftop solar and renewable energy projects below 10 MW are subject to an annual tariff formula based on market and financial factors, with new tariffs applying only to new entrants and not existing PPAs. He noted that stakeholder consultations were held in January 2025, the tariffs were reviewed by a technical committee and a Cabinet-appointed subcommittee, and no reconsideration is required at present; related finance matters were referred to the Minister of Finance. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Read →