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Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

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

#MemberSpeeches
1Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF283
2Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P. JJB229
3Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB171
4Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P. JJB167
5Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB153
6Hon. Kumara Jayakody, M.P. JJB147
7Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, M.P. SJB140
8Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB135
9Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB115
10Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB92

Speeches

5,915 on this topic
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti argued that reductions in ethanol prices had not led to lower arrack prices, so increasing ethanol from Rs. 475 to Rs. 800 per litre should not justify higher retail prices or losses for distilleries. He said illicit liquor consumption remains significant and proposed granting licences to sugar and molasses producers such as Hingurana and Pelwatte to produce a low-priced legal product to compete with kasippu. He also alleged that certain Finance Ministry officials were influenced by distillery companies and said he would report the matter to the President, framing the ethanol price increase as necessary to protect farmers and the ethanol and sugar industries. Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem warned that raising ethanol prices to offset losses of state sugar companies could increase legal alcohol prices and thereby encourage illicit liquor production. He said this would reduce excise revenue and risk missing government revenue targets, noting he had raised the issue with Excise Department officials at the Public Finance Committee. He urged the Minister to consult the Ministry of Finance on the revenue implications before proceeding. Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti said there is no Government-held stock of 2,000–3,000 metric tons of expired sugar, and any old stocks in warehouses belong to buyers who have already paid but not collected them. He outlined measures to protect the domestic sugar industry, including a market plan, stricter Customs and standards checks to prevent brown sugar being imported or sold as white sugar, and action against concealed sugar imports. He also stated that ethanol imports will not be allowed, a minimum ethanol purchase price of Rs. 800 per litre has been set for distilleries, and payments to cane farmers and employee allowances have not been reduced. He referred to the closure of the Kantale Sugar Factory in 1993 and said similar decisions would not be taken regarding Hingurana, Pelwatte and Sevanagala. Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raised concerns over unsold sugar stocks at state sugar institutions, stating that about 2,000 metric tons of the reported 23,000 metric tons had expired and that remaining stocks had been stored for over a year. He argued that changes to distribution systems, falling sugar and molasses sales, and inadequate regulation of sugar and molasses imports had contributed to losses and market congestion. He asked what immediate action the Government would take to dispose of existing stocks, address the crisis at the Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar factories, and ensure funds are available to pay and support farmers. Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister answered a question on Sri Lanka’s sugar industry, stating that four sugar companies exist, of which Hingurana Sugar Industries and Kantale Sugar Company are not operational. He reported that Sri Lanka imported 564 million kg of sugar in 2024 at a cost of Rs. 112 billion, and about 140 million kg in January–February 2025 at about Rs. 24.757 billion, while current stocks stood at 23,696 MT of sugar and 2.35 million litres of ethanol. He outlined measures to increase domestic production, including expanding cultivation, establishing a 1,000-hectare breeder seed farm, improving agronomic practices, introducing modern irrigation and mechanization, expanding factory crushing capacity by 2,500 tons per day, and raising sugar recovery to 8 percent. Oral Question: State-Owned Sugar Companies (Q.191/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake provided the Government’s answer regarding the Board of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited, naming Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Harsha Duminda Abeywickrama as Chairman and listing his academic and professional qualifications. He stated that the Board has eight members and tabled detailed information on their qualifications, previous positions, and current appointments, with annexures placed in the Library. He added that part (b) of the question was not applicable. Procedural and Oral Question: Airport and Aviation Services and Standing Orders Clarification Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri clarified that his earlier reference to port charges was linked to Customs processes involved in container handling, following the Minister’s explanation. He then raised a supplementary question on port development, asking whether media reports were accurate that the planned opening of the East Terminal on 30 June had been delayed due to shortcomings of newly appointed officials and government decisions, causing losses and additional expenditure. Oral Question: Major Ports Revenue and Expenditure (Q.95/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that customs duties collected on containers are not part of Sri Lanka Ports Authority revenue, which consists of port service charges such as handling fees, and said Cabinet has received a proposal to revise port service tariffs unchanged since 2022. He rejected claims that containers are released through political or official influence and stated that the CID is investigating the publicly discussed case of 323 containers. He also said investigations have begun into large-scale corruption at the Port and related individuals. Oral Question: Major Ports Revenue and Expenditure (Q.95/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri cited the Minister’s figures showing 2024 port revenue of LKR 99 billion and expenditure of LKR 56 billion, and argued that the State is losing revenue from containers released without proper payment of port charges and customs duties. He alleged that such releases occur through influence and bypass Customs inspections, and asked whether the Minister has identified these practices and will take action against those responsible, regardless of rank. Oral Question: Major Ports Revenue and Expenditure (Q.95/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake provided a written answer listing Sri Lanka’s major ports and stating that income and expenditure figures from 2015 to 2024 are given in an annex. He outlined current development plans, including investment for Colombo West Container Terminal II, preparatory work for Colombo North Port, efforts to complete at least 50 per cent of the East Container Terminal this year, and logistics or industrial development plans for Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai. He said Galle Port’s proposed investment-model development is not being broadly implemented due to environmental and social issues, and that large-scale commercial development of Kankesanthurai is not being pursued because feasibility studies did not support it. Oral Question: Major Ports Revenue and Expenditure (Q.95/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that although the postal network and staff base remain strong, several profitable services have been removed from the postal sector. He said the Government is working to restore such services while addressing constraints in vehicles and staffing, including seeking approvals and funding to renew the vehicle fleet. He outlined postal modernization, profitability, and a review of the post and sub-post office structure as key objectives. Oral Question: Sub Post Office Building (Q.74/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam said district-level requests would be submitted through the District Coordinating Committee. He suggested modernizing Sri Lanka Post beyond traditional mail services, potentially with international assistance, using its existing network and locations as a convenience-service model similar to Australia Post. Oral Question: Sub Post Office Building (Q.74/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that requests for new sub post offices are being reviewed against public need, revenue, geography, and community links, noting that some loss-making offices must still be maintained due to location. He said the Budget allocated Rs. 600 million to build 12 post offices and 2 sub post offices, and Rs. 700 million for repairs. He emphasized that expansion must be gradual because the Postal Department operates at a loss and depends on Treasury support, with new SPOs to be opened based on necessity and sustainability. Oral Question: Sub Post Office Building (Q.74/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe — Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development AI summary Imports of salt have been liberalized subject to permits from the Food Control Administration Unit, with approvals issued for up to 268,000 metric tons, though full importation is not expected. About 15,800–16,000 metric tons had arrived by the previous day at landed costs averaging around Rs. 77 per kilo, but the Minister said some traders were attempting to sell at Rs. 120–280 per kilo. He stated that importers had been warned against excessive profiteering and that action would be taken if consumers were adversely affected, adding that he could provide further details in an adjournment debate. Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe — Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development AI summary The Minister said Dedicated Economic Centres are operating inconsistently, with only 14 of 18 functioning and some managed by Provincial Councils outside a unified system. He stated that although about Rs. 1.4 billion in public funds had been spent on these centres, revenue was not being returned to the Treasury due to varied trust-based collection practices. He announced Cabinet approval to regularize the centres through a Management Board and government company, introduce real-time digital price displays, adjust operating hours, and work with transporters to reduce delays, damage, and market costs. Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi questioned whether Dedicated Economic Centres have fulfilled their intended role in practice, noting that farmers face transport losses and unfair prices while intermediaries capture large margins between farm-gate and urban retail prices. He asked whether the relevant Cabinet paper includes measures to ensure fair producer prices, reduce post-harvest losses, improve logistics, protect consumers, and properly regularize Centres in major farming areas. Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe — Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development AI summary The Minister answered that there are 18 economic centres across the country, listing their locations from Narahenpita and Piliyandala to Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Batticaloa. He said their purposes include providing marketing facilities for rural producers, improving product quality, supporting fair trade, reducing intermediary influence, managing shortages and surpluses, and lowering transport costs and post-harvest losses. He added that shortcomings have been identified and that Cabinet approval has been obtained for a memorandum to establish a more efficient, accountable framework for managing and regularizing the centres. Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) Read →
  • 6 June 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development to provide details on Dedicated Economic Centres in Sri Lanka, including their number, locations, and the objectives behind their establishment. He also sought information on measures to regularize the business and administrative activities of those centres, and requested reasons if such information could not be provided. Oral Question: Dedicated Economic Centres (Q.12/2024) Read →
  • 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena defended the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill as a timely response to rising road deaths and recent public concern following the Giriulla bus tragedy. He said the Bill would expand NTC authority from only inter-provincial private buses to all public service buses, school transport, office transport, and public-use three-wheelers, applying safety inspection standards, fare regulation, permit controls, training powers, and stronger penalties nationwide. He also outlined planned reforms including card payments to reduce revenue leakage, GPS-based unified timetables, online booking, CCTV monitoring, driver drowsiness detection, and a national public transport data repository. He additionally challenged an earlier Member’s allegations linking containers, terrorism, foreign travel, and arms, asking that they be repeated outside Parliament or expunged. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
  • 5 June 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera supported the amendment to the transport law after 30 years, arguing it is needed to restore discipline and safety in a disordered passenger transport sector. He said the Bill extends regulation beyond buses to school transport, office transport and three-wheelers under a unified framework to protect the public and improve standards. He emphasized that regulation would bring dignity, order and social protection to three-wheeler drivers while addressing crime and misconduct by a minority in the sector. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →