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- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary The Minister said the question concerns the privatization of the State-owned Puttalam Cement Corporation around 1994–1995, a matter not directly under his purview, and noted that the privatization involved significant irregularities. He explained that agreements with Sri Lanka Railways for the dedicated rail track serving the plant were signed in 1999 with PCCL and later aligned after the company became Holcim Lanka in 2002. He stated that a response from the Ministry of Industries would be appropriate on how to maximize national benefit from the resource. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy argued that Sri Lanka’s limestone reserves are a major national resource that could support cement production for 100–150 years and reduce reliance on cement imports if better utilized. He questioned the basis and authority under which the former Holcim operation was re-leased after its ownership change, and asked whether the Government is satisfied with the fees charged for exploiting the limestone resource. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation whether Sri Lanka Railways has leased locomotives, coaches or other equipment for transporting limestone from Palaviya to the Aruwaikadu Quarry. He requested details of the company involved, year-by-year income earned from 2015 to date, and whether the lease agreement will be reviewed in light of current requirements. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary Funds have been allocated for works at all 33 schools, tender processes have been completed, and completion is expected by 2026. He stated that the Government has prioritized funding unfinished school buildings and related facilities this year, with the Central Province’s allocation approximately doubled and many tenders already finalized to expedite completion. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella raised a supplementary question on stalled and deteriorating school infrastructure in the Central Province. She urged the urgent release of Rs. 1,456 million to complete 33 stalled school projects and asked what measures the Government would take regarding nearly 400 schools needing essential maintenance and around 300 village schools at risk, including those under “The Nearest School - The Best School” programme. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said Sri Lanka’s competitiveness has been constrained by high energy and finance costs, despite strong entrepreneurial capacity. He referred to the Government’s manifesto commitment to reduce energy prices by about 30 percent over time, and said measures on digitization and SVAT are intended to create a seamless process while supporting industries facing global challenges. Adjournment Debate: Trade Tariffs and Iran-Israel Conflict Impact Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake warned that Sri Lankan exporters cannot quickly replace the high-value US market with alternatives such as India or SAARC, noting that new markets may take two to four years to develop. He said high domestic taxes, labour and electricity costs are reducing competitiveness, while exporters are already facing thinner margins, stalled new orders and cash-flow pressures despite a temporary tariff suspension. He urged that the planned VAT digitalization and abolition of SVAT be implemented seamlessly, and called for priority attention to existing US, UK and EU markets that support around 1.5 million jobs. Adjournment Debate: Trade Tariffs and Iran-Israel Conflict Impact Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns that emerging regional alignments among major economies could disadvantage smaller exporting countries such as Sri Lanka. Referring to Sri Lanka’s USD 3.2 billion in exports to the United States, he asked whether possible universal tax arrangements and reduced cost disparities would weaken Sri Lanka’s competitiveness, and urged the Minister to anticipate these risks in ongoing negotiations. Adjournment Debate: Trade Tariffs and Iran-Israel Conflict Impact Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to a multi-part question on trade policy, stating that discussions with the United States on tariffs, reciprocity, export diversification and alternative markets are ongoing and not yet finalized. He said engagement with the EU on GSP Plus is continuing, including discussions on identified governance and regulatory issues such as the Online Safety Act, while the Government awaits further details on possible EU regulatory changes. On the United Kingdom, he said Sri Lanka is pursuing post-Brexit market access arrangements for sectors such as apparel, tea and rubber products, and is monitoring the India-UK FTA to assess potential impacts and opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters. Adjournment Debate: Trade Tariffs and Iran-Israel Conflict Impact Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a series of questions on trade policy, focusing on the impact of the United States’ new tariff regime, the status of Sri Lanka’s discussions with US officials, and measures to protect key exports such as apparel, rubber products and tea. He also sought information on market diversification, reciprocal trade policy, and whether economic analyses on inflation, supply chains and employment would be presented to Parliament. He further questioned the Government on EU GSP Plus negotiations, including stakeholder engagement, labour law reforms, the PTA, the Online Safety Act, and contingency plans if preferences are lost. He also asked whether Sri Lanka is pursuing a bilateral or protective trade arrangement with the United Kingdom in response to the UK-India FTA and potential risks to Sri Lankan exporters. Adjournment Debate: Trade Tariffs and Iran-Israel Conflict Impact Read →
- 17 June 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake stated that Sri Lanka needs to increase its GDP. No specific policy measures or proposals were outlined in the speech. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Read →
- 17 June 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka should support locally produced renewable energy, including battery storage, as a cheaper alternative to oil-based power generation. He questioned why paying local entrepreneurs Rs. 25–30 per unit for renewable electricity is seen as problematic when oil-based electricity costs Rs. 70–100 per unit, and linked the proposal to economic and GDP benefits. He referenced IMF representatives’ advice to “think outside the box” as support for such an approach. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Read →
- 17 June 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake stated that the issue under discussion should not be viewed solely as Sri Lanka’s oil problem. He appeared to frame it as a broader concern, though no specific proposal or demand was included in the excerpt. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Read →
- 17 June 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that rising oil prices due to Middle East tensions should not be used to question or reduce renewable energy use. He said proposals had been submitted to retain sub-10 MW power supplies locally without foreign tenders, and requested that renewable energy usage be maintained at least at current levels. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Read →
- 17 June 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy answered Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s Standing Order 27(2) question by setting out current generation cost ranges by source and stating that large power procurements above 100 MW will use international competitive bidding, with payments made only in local currency. He said domestic competition is currently limited and may be linked, so procurement policy will be reviewed to avoid cartel behaviour and excessive prices. He also stated that the Government will proceed with the previously cancelled LNG project, with supplies planned from 2028, and noted that the CEB’s tariff proposal for June–December 2025 indicates a 15% electricity tariff increase. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Read →
- 17 June 2025 Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Raised concern about a possible fuel distribution issue and requested the Government to state whether preparations are in place. Asked for clarification on the Government’s plan to address the situation. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Read →
- 17 June 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over the escalating Israel-Iran military situation and its potential impact on Sri Lankan citizens living and working in Israel. He called on the Government to inform Parliament of measures taken to ensure their safety and protection. He also noted possible economic consequences for Sri Lanka, including through oil prices and effects on industry, tea, and exports. Procedural: Israel-Iran Conflict Discussion and Ministerial Statement on Energy Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on the Government’s decision to stop admitting non-cadet local medical students to Kotelawala Defence University from 2025. He sought details on public expenditure on KDU, medical degree fees, per-student costs, the stated shortage of specialist trainers, safeguards for equal access, and the treatment of local versus foreign students. He also questioned teacher recruitment from state and non-state higher education programmes and the quality assurance of such degrees. He urged the Government to reverse the KDU admissions decision, arguing it undermines free education and equal access while forcing students to seek costlier medical education abroad. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary An answer was tabled stating that there are 118 regional workshops and listing existing tyre retreading factories across several locations, including Ampara. It confirmed that a tyre retreading facility is proposed at the Medawachchiya Regional Workshop, with machinery and equipment estimated at Rs. 52.7 million, but no allocation was made in the 2025 Budget despite Treasury approval for construction. The response further stated that the proposed building has been fully renovated and that arrangements are expected to be completed within the year with proposed modern technology support from Sri Lankan expatriates. Oral Questions Second Round Q.875/2025 and Related Questions Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake tabled an answer on delays in land acquisition and compensation for the four phases of the Central Expressway Project. The response attributed delays to survey and valuation processes, title document deficiencies, route changes, court proceedings, valuation appeals, and, particularly for Phase 4, Cabinet decisions following the 2022 economic crisis that suspended and later proposed resuming acquisitions. It provided phase-wise compensation data, noting that Phases 1 to 3 had paid most eligible claims while Phase 4 had paid only 207 of 3,505 acquired lots, and stated that payments proceed where titles are clear and valuations accepted, with disputes referred to courts or review bodies. Oral Questions Second Round Q.875/2025 and Related Questions Read →