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- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that two Southern Expressway interchanges, at Kapuduwa and Baddegama, were added outside the original design due to political influence, at significant cost. He noted that an interchange can cost over Rs. 1 billion, or at least around Rs. 600 million, and said the current obstacle cited is court action affecting land acquisition. He also observed that the proposed industrial zone connected to the matter had not yet been built. Oral Question: Southern Expressway Interchanges (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged the Government to address the situation of 2,900 acting principals when filling around 4,000 principal vacancies, noting that the matter had also arisen at COPA with Treasury officials. He proposed awarding special marks or recognition to acting principals, arguing that recruitment limited to the Education Administrative Service would disadvantage those already serving in difficult, remote schools. He said such measures were needed to ensure fairness for schools in peripheral and border areas where administrative recruits may be reluctant to serve. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna acknowledged the contribution of teachers who acted as principals during vacancies, particularly in difficult schools, and said discussions with their representatives and officials are ongoing. He stated that future principal appointments must comply with service statutes and be made under the Education Administrative Service and Principals’ Service criteria. He noted there are about 4,000 vacancies, recruitment had been delayed by litigation but can now proceed following Attorney-General’s advice, and the Government may consider rule-compliant compassionate recognition, possibly including a financial component, for those who served. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary As a response on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, it was stated that 2,994 teachers were serving as acting or covering principals as of 30 April 2024, without having been recruited to the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service. A Cabinet memorandum seeking approval to appoint them to Class III on a supra-grade basis was not approved, and the Public Service Commission also declined concurrence under Article 55(3) of the Constitution. The response stated that vacancies in the Principals’ Service must be filled through recruitment and that supra-grade appointments are therefore not possible. Oral Question: Acting Principals in Government Schools (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that the Paddy Marketing Board’s limited purchasing, around 3% of Maha season output, prevents the establishment of a fair paddy price and has allowed market distortion by large purchasers. He asked the Deputy Minister to identify the top paddy buyers and proposed using existing bank lending to support about 4,000 youth entrepreneurs, each handling 50,000 kg, as a structural solution. He urged the Government to adopt the “radical change” it has promised and take up this entrepreneurship-based approach. Oral Question: Paddy Marketing Board - Purchase of Paddy (Q.310/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said National Health Promotion Fund figures had been presented and noted that individual hospital funds must operate within an approved framework. He stated that receiving funds into personal bank accounts is improper and, if complaints arise, legal inquiries should be conducted through the Ministry. He added that emergency donations of medicines or equipment may be accepted, but must be documented, accounted for, and reported to the Ministry by hospital administrations. Oral Question: Ministry of Health and Affiliated Institutes - Financial and Non-Financial Assistance Received (Q.192/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raised concern over WHO findings of bacterial contamination and saline water in immunoglobulin supplies, noting that the matter is before court and has damaged confidence in Sri Lanka’s healthcare system. He urged the Minister and Government to restore public trust in medicines and act swiftly to address medicine shortages. He also highlighted the Synergy Pharmaceuticals investment at the Bingiriya Export Processing Zone, calling for Treasury facilitation and tax benefits to expedite the USD 100 million project. Oral Question: Ministry of Health and Affiliated Institutes - Financial and Non-Financial Assistance Received (Q.192/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that the National Health Promotion Fund received LKR 3.11 billion from 2015 to 31 December 2024, with details tabled in annexures placed in the Library. He said cash assistance through the Fund is accounted for, while hospitals and institutions also receive donations such as medicines, consumables, food, buildings and equipment directly, making full central compilation difficult. He added that a Ministry committee has been established to coordinate donated medical supplies, equipment and building assistance, and that formal procedures are being followed. Oral Question: Ministry of Health and Affiliated Institutes - Financial and Non-Financial Assistance Received (Q.192/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media to provide year-by-year details of financial and non-financial assistance received by the Ministry of Health and its affiliated institutes from 2015 to the present. He also asked whether the Minister was aware of National Audit Office findings that such assistance had not been properly accounted for, and what corrective action would be taken if so. Oral Question: Ministry of Health and Affiliated Institutes - Financial and Non-Financial Assistance Received (Q.192/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said teacher shortages persist by subject even in urban schools, alongside uneven deployment across the system. He stated that future graduate recruitments and teacher college intakes should be subject-based and vacancy-based, supported by a teacher balancing policy and an improved data system to track postings and transfers between National and Provincial schools. He also said the Ministry is reviewing school meal implementation with nutrition and health authorities and seeking a technical report to address gaps in provision and documentation. Oral Question: Grade Five Scholarship Examination Successful Candidates (Q.159/2024) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister discussed the Sectoral Oversight Committee report on the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and tabled the Ministry’s clarifications and progress note, noting that only 3.55 per cent of rough gemstones imported between 2022 and 2024 had been value-added and re-exported through official channels. He argued that large volumes of imported gems were moving outside lawful accounting systems through informal transactions, causing foreign exchange losses, and called for stronger investigations, including future forensic audits into licensing abuses. He outlined measures including institutional consolidation under a proposed Mineral Bureau, a technology-based gem valuation tool, airport VAT refund kiosks for tourists from 1 July, tax and duty incentives to formalize re-exports, and a broader national mineral policy covering value addition and resource management. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister said the Special Audit Report on the dairy cattle importation project indicated that about Rs. 21 billion in public funds had been spent without delivering a successful outcome, reflecting serious issues of fraud and misuse of public revenue. He argued that while the Government is committed to prosecuting corruption swiftly, cases must be investigated and filed according to proper legal procedures and evidentiary standards to avoid acquittals. He also highlighted the need to improve public legal literacy, referring to a proposed JURE Project with the Ministry of Justice, and said disputes over provincial council procedures should be taken to court. On foreign policy matters, including Israel and Iran, he said the Government recognized the humanitarian concerns but would follow parliamentary procedures for debate while focusing on domestic governance. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva supported expediting legal amendments to allow COPE matters to be referred to the Attorney General, and said similar powers should be extended to COPA and the Public Finance Committee. Citing the 2024 e-Visa issue and the dairy cattle importation programme, he argued that parliamentary committee findings should lead to legal accountability but cautioned against targeting only officials. He tabled documents relating to the dairy cattle programme and questioned why only the Secretary was being blamed despite involvement by multiple officials, Ministers, and Secretaries, calling instead for a full forensic audit to identify all responsible parties. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga alleged serious procurement and financial irregularities in the dairy cattle import project, citing Cabinet decisions, Auditor General findings, the release of a 20 per cent advance without required securities, and a claimed fruitless expenditure of Rs. 2,110.3 million. He also raised concerns over the National Gem and Jewellery Authority’s relocation after building damage, stating that rent payments, procurement issues, conflicts of interest, and equipment damage caused avoidable losses when repairs would have cost far less. He said COPE’s scrutiny of such matters is intended to prevent waste and redirect public resources to welfare needs. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha argued that Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector underperforms despite substantial natural resources, citing low export earnings compared with hubs such as Hong Kong and Bangkok. Referring to COPE findings on the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, he said its outsourced planning, lack of rolling five-year plans, staff vacancies, and inadequate enforcement capacity undermine development and regulation. He proposed strengthening recruitment, filling key posts, improving exploration beyond traditional gem areas, adopting modern technologies, and rotating enforcement officers at least every four years to reduce malpractice, with the aim of reaching a USD 1 billion gem economy by 2027 and USD 5 billion thereafter. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Nihal Galappaththi JJB AI summary Nihal Galappaththi argued that the Phase III dairy cow import project caused major public financial losses and failed to meet its objectives of increasing domestic milk production and reducing milk powder imports. Citing a 2025 Special Audit Report, media reports, and a 2018 Hansard adjournment debate, he alleged that Rs. 1.75 billion in advances, rising to about Rs. 2.11 billion with losses, was paid without proper procurement safeguards or recovery action, while farmers faced operational difficulties and imported cows had poor productivity and health issues. He said responsibility lay with political leaders and officials from the 2010–2020 administrations, naming several former Presidents, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and officials, and referred to allegations that cows intended for farmers were distributed to political associates. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Called for Parliament to enact the necessary laws and move from debate to implementation. He urged procurement reform and practical delivery of solutions. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa argued that COPE inquiries often become media-focused exercises that repeatedly question and shame officials without producing decisions, especially where issues arise from policy choices rather than administrative wrongdoing. He called for reforms to procurement laws and regulations, citing the prolonged debate over importing dairy cows as an example of systemic delay. He also urged that legal powers be given to act on COPE findings and cautioned against using COPE for political or trade-union pressure. Referring to a recent Presidential pardon controversy, he asked that accountability extend through the full chain of command, including scrutiny of the Justice Secretary’s role, rather than placing blame only on lower-level officials. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary The Second Report of COPE for the first Session of the Tenth Parliament was presented, covering inquiries into eight public institutions and alleging recurring misuse of public bodies contrary to their statutory mandates. The report highlighted issues including losses at the National Youth Services Council and Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment on politically linked events, irregularities at the Land Reforms Commission and Sabaragamuwa University, and major concerns over gold imports and revenue losses at the National Gem and Jewellery Authority. A proposal was made to restore gold import authority to a State entity such as the Bank of Ceylon to curb smuggling and tax losses, while the responsible Ministers were said to remain constitutionally accountable for decisions such as the release of seized gems before the 2024 Presidential Election. The speech also rejected allegations made against a National Lotteries Board official and cautioned public officials not to authorize actions outside their legal mandates. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 Hon. T. B. Sarath JJB AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath alleged major irregularities in the dairy cow import project initiated from 2014, citing a Rs. 2,110.3 million unrecoverable loss, increased unit costs without fresh tender approval, and distribution of imported cattle to political associates rather than state farms. He also referred to unrecovered housing loan funds, including Rs. 26 billion outstanding nationally, arguing that such corruption and misuse of public funds contributed to the country’s economic crisis. He called for stolen public money to be traced, offenders prosecuted, and COPE to be given stronger enforcement powers, including authority to impose penalties. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →