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- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary For a question on tea sector development funding, the Minister tabled figures showing that Budget 2025 allocated Rs. 900 million, supplemented by Rs. 5,947.4 million from Sri Lanka Tea Board institutional funds, for a total of Rs. 6,847.4 million. The allocations cover activities including new planting, replanting, infilling, factory modernization, research, promotion, marketing, and support for small and medium growers, with detailed provincial and district breakdowns tabled. He further stated that Budget 2026 provides Rs. 1,190 million for the tea industry, with an additional Rs. 4,946.34 million from Tea Board institutional funds. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.1/885/2025 deferred; Q.5/1763/2025 absent; Tea Industry Budget Provisions) Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi (on behalf of the Hon. Lal Premanath) JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to provide detailed allocations from the 2025 Budget for development and improvement of the tea industry, including province-wise and selected district-wise breakdowns. Sought the percentage distribution for new cultivation and re-cultivation, factory modernization, research, marketing, relief for small and medium cultivators, and other related sectors. Also requested the total allocation for the tea industry in the 2026 Budget, or reasons if that information cannot be provided. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.1/885/2025 deferred; Q.5/1763/2025 absent; Tea Industry Budget Provisions) Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella raised a supplementary question on the recent three-week water crisis affecting about 17,000 consumers in 32 Grama Niladhari divisions in the Kundasale-Balagolla area. She said excess water released from the Victoria Reservoir, linked to the coal power issue, had disrupted supply in a sensitive area containing a Provincial Council, army camps and an industrial zone. She asked whether the previously proposed 2023 relocation of the Balagolla pump house to Haragama could be completed. Oral Question: Laggala Bus Station Facilities (Q.1/885/2025) Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said potato farmers in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla-Bandarawela are facing downward price pressure during the harvesting season, while Lanka Sathosa is already buying local potatoes at about Rs. 235 and the Rs. 80 duty on imported potatoes remains in place. He stated that the Ministry would meet with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment, and Lanka Sathosa to establish a purchasing mechanism, including a fixed farmer price, and would also engage private retail networks. He added that the Government plans to purchase more than 100 metric tons of local potatoes per day to support farmers. Oral Question: Laggala Bus Station Facilities (Q.1/885/2025) Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said agricultural marketing centres previously managed by multiple authorities and landowners have been brought under a single fully state-owned entity with a unified legal and procedural framework. He rejected claims that a private company was being created, and said the objective is to improve facilities such as packaging, help farmers bring produce to market, reduce post-harvest losses, and stabilize consumer prices. Oral Question: Laggala Bus Station Facilities (Q.1/885/2025) Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister answered that no prior entity existed, but all Specialized Economic Centres had been amalgamated into a fully state-owned company, National Agri-Marketing Services Limited, established under the Companies Act on 9 October 2025 with shares held by the Secretary to the Treasury. He detailed the nine-member Board appointment structure and the Governance Committees to be set up for each centre, including district officials, local authorities, police, agriculture officials, trader and farmer representatives, and ministerial representatives. He said the expected benefits include stabilising agricultural markets, improving leasing and infrastructure for storage, sale and distribution, ensuring regulatory compliance, providing common services, and establishing market information systems on prices and quantities. Oral Question: Laggala Bus Station Facilities (Q.1/885/2025) Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Susantha Kumara Nawarathna asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development whether the Government plans to amalgamate all economic centres in Sri Lanka and establish a private company. He requested details on the proposed methodology, company structure, expected advantages, and, if no such plan exists, the reasons for not proceeding. Oral Question: Laggala Bus Station Facilities (Q.1/885/2025) Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna raised concerns about poor passenger facilities, including broken toilets, leaking water, unclean drains, unrepaired lights, and damaged benches. She said Provincial Administration funds cannot be used until the relevant transfer is completed, and requested that the process be expedited to avoid higher rehabilitation costs later. Oral Question: Laggala Bus Station Facilities (Q.1/885/2025) Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Laggala bus station was opened on 8 January 2019 at a cost of Rs. 45,105,110.55. He said it is being transferred from the Moragahakanda Project of the Mahaweli Authority to the Laggala-Pallegama Pradeshiya Sabha with the concurrence of the Central Province Road Passenger Transport Authority, after which facilities will be developed; until then, water and sanitation services will be maintained by the Pradeshiya Sabha. Oral Question: Laggala Bus Station Facilities (Q.1/885/2025) Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that recent expansion of university intakes, programmes, and faculties had not been matched by adequate planning for facilities and staffing. She said the Government’s current priority is improving quality within existing structures, better managing human resources, and ensuring staffing for both teaching and research. She noted that a committee is assessing these needs, a cadre review will be undertaken, and universities have been permitted to fill academic and non-academic vacancies, including over 3,000 academic posts approved last year. Oral Question: GCE Advanced Level Examination Results and Higher Education Reforms Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa — Minister of Health and Mass Media, and Chief Government Whip AI summary The Minister said the Government permitted the debate despite procedural discretion to refuse it, and accused the Opposition of raising the Treasury fund loss without adequate facts or sensitivity regarding the deceased official’s family. He stated that after a verbal report on 23 March, the External Resources Department Director-General complained to the CID on 24 March, an internal Finance Ministry technical inquiry committee was appointed the same day, its report was received on 10 April, four officers were transferred and later interdicted, and investigations by the CID, SLCERT and others were ongoing with efforts to recover the funds and strengthen cybersecurity. He also referred to a separate Postal Department payment issue involving USD 0.6 million and said investigations were underway to determine whether the lapse was due to complicity, error, or technical weaknesses. On the death of the Assistant Director, he said the Director-General of Health Services had arranged a panel of consultant judicial medical officers to conduct the inquest under normal procedure. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera criticized the Minister of Justice for not responding in Parliament to a serious death linked to public administration issues, and said Parliament must use its control over public finance to ensure accountability. He alleged that an inexperienced official was placed in a difficult position by the Power Ministry Secretary following a power sector fraud, leading to pressure and interdiction, and called for a special multidisciplinary panel, similar to the Shaffter case, to determine whether the death was suicide or murder. He also questioned why senior NPP/JVP leaders and Ministers had not attended the funeral or publicly supported the deceased, whom he described as a long-time party worker and honest public servant. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. Najith Indika acknowledged that USD 2.5 million had gone missing from the Treasury and said investigations and disciplinary action had begun within 24 hours, including complaints to the CID, FIU and SLCERT, an internal inquiry, expert technical review, and engagement with Australian Federal Police. He contrasted this response with what he described as earlier unresolved corruption cases under previous governments, including bond, infrastructure, fertilizer and procurement-related allegations. He argued that the present Government would investigate and punish wrongdoing, while rejecting Opposition claims that the incident reflected a broader pattern of Government fraud. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that the Minister of Finance has lawful authority to withhold information from Parliament where disclosure would harm national security, negotiations, litigation, or government commercial activities. She emphasized that Parliament’s control over public finance is defined by the Constitution and law, and cautioned against demanding immediate disclosure beyond those legal limits. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Under the Public Financial Management Act, certain fiscal and economic reports, including the Budget, Economic and Fiscal Position Report, and Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report, must be presented to Parliament. The Member noted that the Act also permits non-disclosure where publication could prejudice national security or specified government commercial activities. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra disputed Opposition claims about the handling of a missing USD 2.5 million issue and said details from the Committee on Public Finance should not be disclosed in Parliament before its Chairman, Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva, presents a report. She stated that the Secretary to the Treasury was specifically summoned only for the April 28 committee sitting, requested an alternative date due to inability to attend, and later participated, rejecting claims that he had refused to appear. Citing Articles 148 and 4(b) of the Constitution, she argued that Parliament controls public finance through legal authority over taxation and expenditure, but executive and investigative action within the Ministry of Finance remains the responsibility of the Executive and relevant agencies. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra stated that the Opposition had raised the issue of USD 2.5 million allegedly missing or transferred to a third-party account and called for it to be reported to Parliament. She also requested the Presiding Member to maintain order in the House. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe questioned the Government on energy sector management, referring to earlier Opposition allegations of coal procurement fraud and claiming that about 15 coal shipments were not arriving. He also alleged that payments had been outstanding for five months to around 390 wind, solar and hydropower companies, amounting to over Rs. 12 billion, and called for an explanation. He criticised the Government’s broader economic performance, citing low growth and reserves. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe questioned how an impartial inquiry into alleged financial fraud could proceed while a Deputy Minister, Minister, and Secretary remained in office, and asked why only four workers had been removed. He alleged that information about a USD 2.5 million fraud and an LKR 13.5 billion NDB Bank transfer had been withheld from Parliament, and called for proper disclosure and investigation. He further demanded an urgent audit of Sri Lanka’s banking sector, linking recent banking frauds and past allegations, including coal-related losses, to significant costs borne by taxpayers. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna alleged that USD 2.5 million in public funds had been lost and said attempts were made to conceal the matter from Parliament and the Committee on Public Finance. He argued that the Treasury and relevant Finance Ministry authorities failed to report irregularities despite warning signs, and questioned compliance with Financial Regulations. He called for a fair and thorough investigation, including into doubts surrounding a related death, and warned that the loss would ultimately be borne by citizens through taxation. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →