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- 30 June 2025 Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchchi AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchchi supported the Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 by linking it to the State Financial Management Act’s requirements for transparency, accountability, fiscal discipline and evidence-based budget oversight. He said the FSS provides Parliament and the public with a five-year fiscal strategy, borrowing and spending parameters, and a basis for assessing performance before the annual Budget. He argued that such a framework would prevent past ad hoc financial mismanagement, including in State-Owned Enterprises and essential imports, and pointed to page 12 of the FSS as setting out revenue measures, expenditure rationalization, SOE reforms or privatizations, prudent development spending and public sector workforce rationalization. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Read →
- 30 June 2025 Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka said the special sitting should have produced clear Government plans for 2026–2030, but instead heard attacks on the Opposition, while Sri Lanka remains constrained by the IMF programme and vulnerable to another economic setback. He urged coordination between the President and the Finance Ministry, and called for contingency plans on external shocks, including Middle East conflict risks to tea exports and migrant workers, alternative markets, and US tariff issues. He criticised broken promises and policy outcomes on electricity tariffs, food prices, “Clean Sri Lanka,” the “Monkey Census,” apparel factory distress, and low priority for agriculture despite food insecurity. He said the Opposition supports economic recovery but expects the Government to continue the IMF path while providing relief and strengthening food security and economic resilience. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Read →
- 30 June 2025 Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara said the Government Fiscal Strategy Statement for 2026–2030, tabled under the State Financial Management Act, sets out a transparent plan to restore fiscal discipline after bankruptcy. He argued that the Opposition should scrutinize constructively rather than create panic over issues such as US tariffs, fuel supply concerns, or the “323 containers” inquiry, which he said the Government itself initiated. He cited export growth, revenue collection above targets, and medium-term debt and guarantee limits as evidence of progress, presenting the Statement as a practical strategy to strengthen public finance and governance. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Read →
- 30 June 2025 Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa argued that the Government has moved away from its election platform by continuing IMF-linked and previous administration policies, particularly tax increases, without measures to raise incomes, support SMEs, or create jobs. He questioned the consistency and credibility of reported investment figures, GDP growth projections, and the status of promised reforms such as procurement digitization and transparent tendering. He also criticized policies on agriculture, imports, taxation, and gambling-related regulation as inconsistent, and asked how much of the 2025 Budget had been implemented and how the Government plans to meet external debt obligations, expand revenue, attract investment, and protect livelihoods. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Read →
- 30 June 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera said the Fiscal Strategy Statement is a medium-term framework for 2026–2030, distinct from the Budget, setting fiscal targets on debt reduction, primary balances and expenditure limits. He stated that tabling it annually before the Budget would improve clarity for ministries, enable evidence-based performance assessment, and strengthen parliamentary oversight through mechanisms such as COPE and COPA. He called on Members to engage substantively with the framework and identify any shortcomings for correction. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Read →
- 30 June 2025 Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticised the 2026 Fiscal Strategy Statement under the State Financial Management Act, arguing that it lacks a clear fiscal strategy, innovative thinking, and a roadmap for wealth creation alongside fiscal discipline. He called for stronger policies to attract FDI, clearer incentives and processes for investors, and a rehabilitation framework for viable local enterprises facing debt recovery. He also questioned current tourism policy, urging the use of digital ID and digital platforms to collect reliable data on tourist spending and net economic inflows. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Read →
- 30 June 2025 Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Fiscal Strategy Statement, noting that it is being presented for the first time under the State Financial Management Act and focuses on revenue structuring, risk mitigation, and growth pathways. He argued that the NPP Government inherited a severely weakened economy and has prioritized stabilization, confidence-building, and disciplined fiscal management. He cited early 2025 improvements in export earnings and revenue collection above targets by the Inland Revenue Department, Excise Department, and Customs as evidence of progress toward strengthening public finance, production, and the external sector. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Read →
- 30 June 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister defended the Fiscal Strategy Statement presented under the State Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, saying it sets out targets and measures for stabilizing public finances. He emphasized fiscal discipline, reducing public debt from 119 percent of GDP in 2022 to 95 percent, keeping primary expenditure near 13 percent of GDP, and achieving a primary surplus of about 2–3 percent. He cited improved revenue performance by Inland Revenue, Customs, and the Excise Department in 2025, and said the Government would avoid past patterns of poorly evaluated expenditure while using public funds transparently and with restraint. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman raised concerns over the release of 323 import containers allegedly without proper Customs checks and tabled the President-appointed Committee’s report, which he said had not been presented to Parliament despite being submitted on 12 June 2025. He cited findings that Customs procedures were breached, including release of “red” containers without required scanning or physical examination, unauthorized release of “yellow” containers, lack of proper oversight, and removal of two containers before the relevant decision. He questioned why the report had not been published and why the CID and Bribery Commission had not begun inquiries, urging immediate publication and independent investigations while arguing that political responsibility rests with the President as Customs falls under his purview. Debate: Motion to Adjourn on Fiscal Strategy Statement 2026 Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, speaking as Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, raised a point of order regarding the presentation of a law previously opposed by the Chair. He suggested that the document be reformatted to address eight specific points in a clear structure, noting that relevant material was included but scattered, so that the first presentation under the Act would be easier to understand. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary The speech states that the Statement presents a four-year medium-term plan, including targets, identified risks, and mitigation measures. It frames the plan as a structured policy document for the relevant period. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the necessary provisions are contained in the Public Financial Management Act and that debt sustainability indicators are set out in the Annual Borrowing Plan and related documents. He said the Government’s Fiscal Strategy Statement targets reducing debt to 95 per cent of GDP by 2032, with debt sustainability analysis scenarios indicating it could approach 90 per cent. He added that further details would be provided in the corresponding statements. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a point of order under Standing Order 26(3) regarding compliance with Section 11 of the Public Financial Management Act. He argued that the Fiscal Strategy Statement placed before Parliament lacked key required elements, particularly a clear timeframe for reducing public debt to a sustainable level, as well as fuller details on fiscal targets, responsible fiscal management, and macroeconomic impacts. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake seconded the Motion and linked the Fiscal Strategy Statement to Sri Lanka’s post-2022 recovery and the Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024. He outlined the 2026 targets, including maintaining a primary surplus, capping primary expenditure, increasing revenue and public investment, reducing the deficit, and bringing public debt below 95 per cent of GDP by 2032. He also cited recent fiscal performance, including the 2024 primary surplus, lower deficit, improved revenue collection, and Q1 2025 growth, attributing progress to reforms, fiscal administration, exports, FDI, and SOE restructuring. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne moved a motion seeking cross-party support for the Fiscal Strategy Statement presented under the Public Financial Management Act as a medium-term public finance roadmap for 2026-2030. She said the statement aims to prevent a recurrence of the economic crisis by strengthening transparency, accountability, fiscal discipline and parliamentary oversight under Article 148 of the Constitution. She highlighted targets including maintaining a primary surplus of at least 2.3 per cent of GDP, raising revenue above 15 per cent of GDP from 2026, limiting primary expenditure, reducing public debt below 95 per cent of GDP by 2032, and lowering the overall deficit below 5 per cent by 2028. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Minister presented the first statement required under the Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024. He said it comprises a five-year Fiscal Strategy Statement for 2026–2030, approved by Cabinet on 23 June, and a Statement of Fiscal Risks for 2026, with targets including revenue of 15.1 per cent of GDP. He noted that the statement sets out fiscal objectives, risk factors such as external shocks and macro-fiscal deviations, and mitigation measures, and will be published on the Ministry of Finance website for public awareness. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake referred to the Prime Minister’s statement and reports concerning the Central Bank, comparing its status with the independence demonstrated by the US Federal Reserve Chairman’s appearance before Congress. He asked the Government to consider bringing the Central Bank within Sri Lanka’s framework of independent institutions, noting that it is not currently among the eleven such bodies. Procedural: Points of Order and Debate Preparation on Fiscal Strategy Statement Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy presented the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Annual Report for 2023. He proposed that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Presentation and Tabling of Reports and Annual Reports Read →
- 30 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister presented several statutory financial and performance documents, including the 2024 Budget Position Report, inflation deviation reports for late 2024 and early 2025, and the 2026 Fiscal Strategy Statement under the Public Financial Management Act. She moved that these be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, and separately referred the 2024 annual performance reports of the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Treasury Operations, and Comptroller General’s Office to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committees. A note on supplementary allocations from the Development Activities Programme for May 2025 under the Appropriation Act was also tabled. Papers: Presentation and Tabling of Reports and Annual Reports Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna – Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary The Minister said District and Divisional Coordinating Committees currently operate under Circular 02/2021 and are intended to oversee budgetary allocations and improve public service delivery, not to provide political advantage to the Government. He rejected claims that they violate the 13th Amendment, stating that Government and Opposition Members and local authority heads can participate and raise proposals or criticisms. He said his Ministry and the Presidential Secretariat are revising the circular, with Cabinet policy approval, to address concerns raised in the debate and strengthen the legal framework where necessary. Adjournment Motion: District Coordinating Committees - Effectiveness, Accountability and Legal Clarity of Decisions Read →