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- 19 June 2025 The Hon. T. B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister argued that investigations into past frauds should pursue the main perpetrators rather than only minor actors. Referring to the Israel–Iran conflict, he said the Opposition should present practical alternatives instead of creating public panic over possible shortages. Turning to the dairy sector, he noted that Sri Lanka’s annual milk demand is about 801 million litres while domestic production is around 370–380 million litres, and called for strengthening local production capacity and avoiding past procurement failures. 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. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi discussed the COPE findings on the dairy cattle import project, stating that despite audit warnings in 2018 and losses from earlier imports, authorities continued with the same supplier and paid a Rs. 1,749.6 million advance for 15,000 cattle without a performance bond, resulting in an estimated sunk cost of about Rs. 2,110.3 million by February 2025. He said the policy objective of increasing local milk production and reducing imports was valid, but the procurement process and implementation were flawed. He also referred to COPE concerns regarding alleged misuse of funds at the National Youth Services Council and Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and missing or non-functional equipment at the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, calling for investigations, accountability, restoration of technology, and stronger institutional systems. 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. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper questioned the specificity of the Motion on referring COPE matters to the Attorney-General, noting that it did not identify the legislation requiring amendment and that existing mechanisms may already allow action. He also clarified that, under Section 66A(6) of the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act, the method of electing a Mayor is decided by a motion of members present, not by the Presiding Officer’s discretion, and said he would table the reference. He urged the Government to address the economic and security implications of the Israel-Iran conflict and Gaza crisis, including tourism, labour migration to Israel, fuel prices, and regional spillover risks, while also raising procedural concerns about the previous day’s adjournment. 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. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake seconded the Motion to debate COPE-related reports, focusing on the Special Audit Report concerning advance payments for the Phase III import of 15,000 dairy cattle and related failures since 2014. He said the project involved major expenditure and advance payments but did not deliver the expected cattle or outcomes, while earlier imports had caused disease outbreaks and losses due to inadequate feasibility and management. He urged modernization of NLDB farms, stronger breeding, nutrition, disease control, vaccination, breeder associations, and incentives for liquid milk consumption, with the goal of achieving milk self-sufficiency by 2030 and preventing future fraud and corruption. 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.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera presented the COPE report on the National Gem and Jewellery Authority for 2022 and 2023, along with its 2024 performance review. He noted recommendations on planning deficiencies, human resource issues, amendments to the NGJA Act, and regulatory, licensing, import/export, fee, gold import, and valuation matters in the gem and jewellery sector. He requested Members from both sides to contribute constructively to the debate based on the reports. 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.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera moved an Adjournment Motion calling for urgent legal amendments to allow matters identified by COPE to be promptly referred to the Attorney-General for legal action. He cited the Special Audit Report on the failed Step 2 of Phase III of the dairy cattle import project, stating that a USD 11 million advance was paid in 2018 without a performance bond for 15,000 cattle that were never imported, causing an estimated State loss of about Rs. 2.11 billion. He also referred to COPE findings on the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and argued that such audit findings show the need for stronger accountability mechanisms. 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. Vijitha Herath JJB AI summary Vijitha Herath said that while the minimum wage had been USD 300 before 2019, subsequent shocks including the Easter Sunday attacks and COVID-19 led to an economic crisis, making recovery through remittances, tourism and exports a priority. He stated that any immediate redetermination of the minimum wage must consider reactions from relevant countries, but preliminary discussions are already under way as the economy stabilizes, with further action to follow. Ministerial Statements Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake thanked the Minister for the reply and highlighted the foreign exchange potential of tourism and worker remittances. He recalled the 2016 policy setting a US$300 minimum for migrant workers and urged the Minister to review and raise the effective minimum to about US$350, arguing that current earnings of roughly US$175–250 limit monthly remittance inflows. Ministerial Statements Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake said Colombo–Kankesanthurai services had been affected by post-Covid demand changes, line rehabilitation, rolling stock reallocations and crew shortages. He stated that the main constraint is the incomplete Maho–Anuradhapura signalling system, currently requiring token/tablet operations, and that work has begun to complete it so services such as Sri Devi and Uttara Devi can be restored or extended. He also said an Anuradhapura–Vavuniya shuttle is under consideration, Train No. 4021/4022 has been made daily from 9 June 2025 with weekend departures from Mt. Lavinia from 21 June, and a coastal substitute is operating because Yal Devi cannot be extended to Mt. Lavinia due to crew shortages. Ministerial Statements Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a Question by Private Notice on severe shortages of essential medicines in state hospitals, attributing them to procurement delays and systemic, financial and administrative failures. He sought detailed information on current stock shortages, delayed or failed tenders, institutional responsibilities, procurement timelines, e-procurement and stock-monitoring systems, and reforms recommended by oversight bodies. He also asked whether the Government would introduce a legally enforceable National Medicines Procurement Policy, expand local pharmaceutical production, and use transparent tenders with approved private suppliers for urgent needs. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Medicine Procurement Delays Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer detailing Sri Lanka Railways’ passenger and goods transport income from 2015 to 2025 to date, showing annual passenger and freight revenue figures. He also outlined current measures to expand rail freight, including a 2025 pilot project for transporting perishable agricultural produce in the North Central Province, goods transport from Kankesanthurai, a proposed spur to the Kankesanthurai oil terminal, solid waste transport from Kelani Valley to Aruwakkalu, and public-private partnership initiatives to improve passenger and freight services. Oral Questions: Land in Wattala and Sri Lanka Railways Income Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana stated that a remaining portion of land near a court complex, owned by the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment, contains shops and stores leased long ago without proper valuation and later unlawfully subleased at higher rates. He said notices to vacate had been issued, but occupancy was extended until December 2025 while valuations and revised rent agreements are completed. He indicated that the Government intends to regularize the leases and turn the property into a productive State revenue-generating asset. Oral Questions: Land in Wattala and Sri Lanka Railways Income Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Anton Jayakody said the Government has introduced support from 1 January 2025 for the education of children when a household head dies in an elephant attack, with compensation administered through Divisional and District Secretariats. He said the Government would consider issuing the Red Data Book annually and outlined ongoing human-elephant conflict mitigation measures, including improving forest forage and water sources, maintaining habitats, expanding electric fencing, and regularizing over 3,500 workers to maintain fences. Oral Question: Wild Elephant Conservation and Red Data Book Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Susil Ranasinghe described alleged irregularities involving a 76-acre LRC land in Kurunegala vested in the Agriculture Ministry in 2000 and later leased to the Hiriyala Farmers’ Company after BOI-funded development. He said lease rents were reduced and revisions halted through presidential directions, payments were not made, the lease was mortgaged to Lankaputra Bank, and unlawful subleasing occurred despite the State receiving no revenue. He stated that a committee has been appointed to examine how the land can be repossessed and that legal steps are being considered to re-vest it in the State. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, Susil Ranasinghe answered questions on the C/S Hiriyala Farmers’ Company, stating that Rs. 37,621,110 had been paid including compensation and interest, and that the original project was a pilot initiative for processing agricultural produce. He said the land had been leased for 30 years at Rs. 304,000 annually, but had not been properly developed and had been subleased without approval to outside parties, including Raigam (Wayamba) Cereals Ltd. He further stated that action to cancel the lease was being pursued due to breach of conditions, while taking account of the lease being mortgaged to Lankaputra Bank and related loan recovery and court settlement issues. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe JJB AI summary Raised a supplementary question on a Mahaweli Authority land lease, stating that although court findings required rent based on current valuation, a circular-based method had reduced annual rent from about Rs. 10 million to around Rs. 550,000. She asked how the Department could act unilaterally in applying that method, given the resulting estimated annual loss of Rs. 9.495 million to the Government. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe said the Mahaweli Authority leased 1,000 acres in Dehiattakandiya to Informatics Agrotech (Pvt.) Ltd. in 1991 for 30 years, and Cabinet approved a further 30-year lease from 1 January 2021. He stated that the renewed rent was calculated under Lands Circular 2017/01 as the previous final-year rent plus 20%, rather than through a fresh valuation under the State Lands Ordinance. He said the Ministry is examining whether this arrangement can be revisited by amending or rescinding the relevant Lands and Mahaweli Authority circulars. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation whether a 1,000-acre land in the Mahaweli “C” Zone leased to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited received a tax or lease concession upon renewal, allegedly causing a loss of Government revenue. She sought clarification on whether such a concession was legally permissible, the basis for granting it, and what measures would be taken to revise it. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. T.B. Sarath JJB AI summary The Hon. T.B. Sarath stated that the requested measure cannot be implemented this year because the current Budget has no allocation under the relevant head. He said it could be considered in the next Budget. Oral Question: Batticaloa Municipal Council Drainage Systems (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Asked whether the Ministry can provide current-year funding rather than only future commitments, including through the Municipal Council. He also raised concern that roads are being developed without drains and requested that the UDA allocate funds, proposing at least Rs. 63 million this year through the District Coordinating Committee to begin drainage works despite the larger Rs. 63,000 million flood mitigation programme. Oral Question: Batticaloa Municipal Council Drainage Systems (Q.1/2025) Read →