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 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Government on the Ceylon Electricity Board’s reduction of feed-in tariff rates for solar and wind projects, arguing that the changes undermine investor confidence, bank financing, and Sri Lanka’s stated target of 70 per cent renewable electricity by 2030. He asked whether the tariff changes and Electricity Act amendments are consistent with that policy, what reasons justified the reductions, and whether stakeholders were consulted on project viability, lending risks, energy security, climate goals, and fuel import costs. He also urged the Government to consider a transparent and stable pricing formula and to restore tax concessions for lithium-ion batteries and other storage technologies, stating that current costs make renewable projects non-viable at the CEB’s rate. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a point of order regarding the planned imposition of an 18 per cent VAT on digital services from 1 October. He warned that the measure would affect millions of users and sought the Minister’s attention to the issue while present in the House. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister said officials were allowed to manage Customs container releases at the Port under existing procedures, including risk management, after the Government took office amid congestion. Responding to Opposition allegations of political interference in the release of 323 containers, including references to the Western Province Governor, he stated that a five-member committee appointed by the Finance Ministry Secretary had submitted its report to the Secretary and the President, and denied any political interference or politically motivated release. He said the Government was willing to table the report through proper procedure for Members to examine and discuss, while CID inquiries were also ongoing. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised concerns over a committee report on the release of 323 import containers without Customs inspection, arguing that its conclusions suggest the process may not have been conducted in good faith. He asked why the full report had not been officially made public, sought details on the containers’ origins, contents, importers, duties, and related releases of “red” and “yellow” containers, and questioned whether ministerial, governmental, or importer pressure was involved. He also requested clarification on actions taken following the committee’s 12 recommendations, the status of investigations and legal proceedings, the Government’s responsibility for possible illegal goods, and proposed policy or legal reforms to prevent recurrence. Leader of Opposition Question Period and Points of Order Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara raised concerns that Road Development Authority estimates for road crossings or drainage trenching in community water projects are often excessive and based on outdated methods, causing projects to stall. He cited a Rs. 47 million water project in Kallapatha, Elpitiya–Niyagama, where an RDA estimate of Rs. 2.4 million for a road crossing could not be met. He requested inter-ministerial action to provide relief by ensuring fair and minimal RDA estimates for such projects. Oral Question: Community Water Projects - Costs and Progress Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara raised concerns over longstanding failures in community water projects, noting that many since 2010 have not provided drinking water despite large expenditure on tanks and infrastructure. He called for deeper technical reviews, including possible intervention by a special panel of engineers, and a comprehensive audit and investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds involving local political figures. He asked what swift action would be taken to address both the causes of project failure and the immediate water supply problems now arising. Oral Question: Community Water Projects - Costs and Progress Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing to provide detailed information on community water projects initiated in each Divisional Secretary’s Division in the Galle District from 2010 to 2024, including costs, commencement dates, expenditure, beneficiaries, households supplied, and contractors. He further requested identification of projects that have failed to provide water, reasons for failure, officials responsible for procurement, and whether action will be taken if corruption or irregularities are found. Oral Question: Community Water Projects - Costs and Progress Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Agriculture Sector Modernization Project, funded by a World Bank loan of about USD 48.6 million from 2017 to 2024, required further study before a detailed answer could be given. He reported alleged irregularities, fraud and misuse of funds for projects linked to former Ministers, noting that some beneficiaries are now in loan default lists. He said about USD 5 million had effectively been wasted due to unsuccessful implementation, and that legal action and a Cabinet memorandum for further action were being prepared. Oral Question: Tea Replanting and Infilling (2014-2018) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera welcomed the Minister’s reply and noted new allocations for tea replanting, infilling, and new planting. He emphasized the importance of Ceylon Tea as a key foreign exchange earner and questioned the Ministry on action taken to address past failures, citing an earlier project begun around 2014 and 2018 where significant investment, including about Rs. 5.1 billion for 163 hectares, had not yielded results or been recovered. Oral Question: Tea Replanting and Infilling (2014-2018) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath raised concerns that the refuse tea trade is affecting smallholder incomes and has developed both domestic and international demand despite being substandard and subject to seizures by Police and Sri Lanka Tea Board officials. He asked whether the Government would consider a lawful mechanism to supply such teas to consumers who seek them, or alternatively introduce and enforce stronger laws to stop illegal trafficking in refuse tea. Oral Question: Refuse Tea Production in Tea Factories Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said registration powers under the Co-operative Societies law, vested in Provincial Councils, may have been misused to establish entities operating as financial institutions under the co-operative name. He stated that investigations are examining member enrolment, elections, interim Boards, Board appointments, the source of assets exceeding Rs. 1 billion, and approvals reportedly granted by a former Governor. He also questioned whether branches opened in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa complied with the law and Central Bank regulations, citing possible money laundering concerns. Oral Question: Registered Co-operative Societies and Banks in North-Central Province (Q. 845/2025) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna questioned whether proper Central Bank financial procedures and regulations were followed in establishing the two rural banks. He challenged the prior answer that primary, secondary and tertiary structures and procedures had been complied with, citing contrary findings from his inquiries. Oral Question: Registered Co-operative Societies and Banks in North-Central Province (Q. 845/2025) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary No allocation was made in the 2025 Budget for the relevant component, so no amount can be stated at present. The Minister said the matter could be considered subject to provisions being made in the 2026 Budget. Oral Question: Drinking Water Supply Projects and Deduru Oya Reservoir (Q. 793/2025) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked whether the halted Bamunakotuwa–Katupotha water supply project, drawing from Deduru Oya and intended to address drinking water shortages in Chariyapola, Panduwasnuwara and Hettiyapola, would be restarted. He also requested details on the budgetary allocation, noting reports that around Rs. 8 billion had been planned for the scheme. Oral Question: Drinking Water Supply Projects and Deduru Oya Reservoir (Q. 793/2025) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Grama Niladhari Divisions referred to are among nine not included in the original plan. He said detailed expenditure figures were not immediately available, but estimated that about USD 27 million is needed to complete the works, with discussions under way with the Eximbank of Korea to secure the funding. Oral Question: Drinking Water Supply Projects and Deduru Oya Reservoir (Q. 793/2025) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka stated that 106 Grama Niladhari Divisions were covered under the project, with work completed in 97 and 9 remaining. He said Phase 2 financing from Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund was not finalized due to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, but discussions with Korea Eximbank have secured preliminary concurrence for an estimated USD 27 million to complete the remaining work once a final agreement is concluded. Oral Question: Drinking Water Supply Projects and Deduru Oya Reservoir (Q. 793/2025) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that promotions for lower ranks in the Police have been stalled since February 2020, with 275 fundamental rights cases before the Supreme Court relating to the issue. He said the Government is taking steps, without affecting pending judicial proceedings, to fill vacancies and grant promotions within three months to 5,000 Constable and Sergeant grade officers and about 1,500 officers in investigative ranks. He added that instructions have been issued to the Acting IGP and the Ministry Secretary to expedite the process and strengthen the Police service. Oral Question: Disappearances in North-East after Civil War (Q. 516/2025) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Approval has been granted to fill 5,000 of approximately 28,000 vacancies in the Sri Lanka Police, with gazette notices issued for recruiting Sub-Inspectors and Police Constables and applications currently being received. The Minister stated that recruitment will proceed without delay, while measures are also being taken to improve the quality, productivity, and welfare of existing officers to manage current staffing shortfalls. Oral Question: Disappearances in North-East after Civil War (Q. 516/2025) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development tabled Orders 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 House agreed to the motion. Announcements and Papers Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the Fiscal Policy Statement was presented as required under the State Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, and argued that it sets out the Government’s stabilization framework, including revenue mobilization, expenditure control, deficit reduction, risk management, transparency, and accountability. He rejected Opposition claims that debt was rising without a plan, stating that the Government is targeting sustained primary surpluses and managing borrowing within a ceiling of about Rs. 4,000 billion in 2025, with limited foreign borrowing and a greater reliance on domestic financing. He also said recent debt figures had been misrepresented, citing central government debt levels from 2023 to May 2025 and attributing some changes to exchange rate movements. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Read →