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- 5 June 2025 The Hon. R.G. Wijerathna JJB AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna supported the transport Amendment, saying it would enable a national policy, new regulations, stronger oversight, a sector code of conduct, and penalties to improve public transport services. He cited inefficiency, politicization, inadequate buses, and unmet needs in rural areas, while noting plans to modernize 50 bus stands this year and another 50 next year. He also linked the reforms to rising vehicle registrations, the need to upgrade roads and public transport, and the allocation of about Rs. 430 billion for national highway rehabilitation. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary He addressed the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill by focusing on broader transport policy, particularly SriLankan Airlines’ losses and debt, citing a Rs. 3.4 billion first-quarter loss and around USD 1 billion in debt. He argued that the airline’s current financial burden stemmed from policy decisions after the end of the Emirates partnership in 2008, and questioned the Government’s plan for restructuring, partnership, privatization, route rationalization, and debt management. He also called for clearer development policies, support for business and finance, and cautioned against decisions that would reduce higher education opportunities such as at KDU’s medical faculty. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi supported amendments to the National Transport Commission Act, arguing that Sri Lanka’s bus system has developed through repeated institutional changes without a sustained, scientific approach, resulting in inefficiency, unsafe competition, harassment, and poor service. Referring to the recent Gerandi Ella bus tragedy in Nuwara Eliya District, he cited police findings on road conditions, overcrowding, driver fatigue, and inadequate safety controls as evidence for reform. He proposed stronger vehicle inspections, mandatory driver rest and duty schedules, technological fleet and driver monitoring, reduced competition among buses, proper bus chassis standards, modern fleet replacement and maintenance, and relief drivers for long-distance hill-country routes. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson supported the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill while highlighting serious operational shortages at the Polonnaruwa SLTB depot, including the need for drivers, conductors, buses, and restored expressway services. He urged additional bus services for Welikanda, Aralaganwila, Dimbulagala, and Kaju Watta, citing schoolchildren and rural residents affected by inadequate transport. He also called for better treatment of returning migrant workers at the airport and questioned the cost, age, and seating configuration of a newly leased aircraft. He further requested accountability over a reported tender involving the removal of fuel storage tanks at Kaduruwela, asking who authorized it and whether public assets had been undervalued. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that, under the President’s direction, gold held by the military has been transferred to the Police through the courts and will be subject to proper assay reports. He said the Government intends to return items to claimants who can prove ownership, while using unclaimed gold, along with government contributions, to establish a fund for Northern development with possible diaspora participation. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Requested the Vanni District representative to submit relevant proposals to the Mannar District Coordinating Committee. He stated that, if approved by the Committee, the proposals would be included in the following year’s Budget. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan supported the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill, citing road accident deaths and arguing that stricter laws, higher fines, and technology-based traffic monitoring could improve road safety. He highlighted inadequate road infrastructure in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, and Mannar, noting that many projects begun under previous programmes remain incomplete after the economic crisis. While welcoming the Budget allocation of Rs. 5,000 million for rural roads and bridges in the Northern Province, he said it is insufficient and urged a special programme to complete half-finished works. He specifically requested funding for suspended or needed bridge works, including Vattuvagal, Sivapuram Kuththu, Kalingku at Thaniyankulam, and Kalladi at Erukkalampiddy. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha supported amendments to the National Transport Commission Act, citing high road death and injury figures from 2020-2024 as evidence of a transport and road safety crisis. He said the reforms should be accompanied by infrastructure development, stronger enforcement, fleet modernization, worker training, and regulation of passenger facilities, including rest stops and protections for women, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and clergy. He outlined government plans to resume expressway and railway projects affecting Ratnapura, including the Ruwanpura Expressway and Kelani Valley line, with compensation allocations, and highlighted proposed penalties, licensing reforms, route permit transfer provisions, and a new airport-Colombo premium bus service. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni – Deputy Minister AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni stated that any funds received by hospital committees, regardless of amount, must be deposited in their official accounts and reported to the authorities. He emphasized that large donations require prior notification before acceptance and said the Government would fully cooperate with any ongoing inquiries to establish the facts. Questions by Private Notice: Coconut Industry and Northern Provincial Health Service (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni – Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to questions raised under Standing Order 27(2), stating that information from Northern provincial health authorities and the Ministry’s Chief Internal Auditor is still being obtained and that audit reports for the requested 15-year period will be tabled when received. He said investigations can proceed where complaints are made, including through the Bribery Commission, with the Ministry’s cooperation. He also announced steps to establish a formal Donation Unit under a Director to manage health sector donations transparently, address mismatched donations, and align donated items with hospital priorities. Questions by Private Notice: Coconut Industry and Northern Provincial Health Service (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna questioned the Minister of Health and Mass Media about alleged financial mismanagement and corruption in Northern Province hospitals, particularly regarding Patient Welfare Societies handling public donations. He asked whether audit reports for the past 15 years could be submitted to Parliament, and if not, whether investigations would be initiated against hospital administrators for misuse of public funds. He also requested action through the Bribery Commission against administrators who failed to submit accounts or were involved in corruption, with impartial support for public complaints. Questions by Private Notice: Coconut Industry and Northern Provincial Health Service (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna – Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure AI summary The Minister provided coconut production figures for 2014–2024 and said the Coconut Research Institute forecasts 2,700–2,800 million nuts in 2025, attributing the decline to poor estate management, inadequate fertilizer use, ageing palms, climate impacts, and pests and diseases. He said the Government aims to raise production to 4,200 million nuts by 2030 and earn USD 1.5 billion in exports through a UNIDO-supported 10-year roadmap and five-year strategic plan. He outlined subsidized fertilizer distribution, seedling programmes, model plantations, irrigation and moisture-conservation projects, concessional finance, pest and nutrient management measures, and expansion into non-traditional coconut-growing areas. Questions by Private Notice: Coconut Industry and Northern Provincial Health Service (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a Standing Order 27(2) matter on the decline in Sri Lanka’s coconut industry, citing reduced yields from weather impacts, fertilizer shortages, pests, and aging plantations, and noting effects on coconut-based exports and rural livelihoods. He requested updated production and export statistics for 2024 and 2025, assessments of the causes of decline, and details of Ministry action on inputs, smallholder support, credit, intercropping, cultivation expansion, and productivity technology. He also asked whether the Government would establish a Coconut Industry Revitalization Task Force and provide relief or restructuring support for coconut aggregators and exporters to maintain markets and meet international standards. Questions by Private Notice: Coconut Industry and Northern Provincial Health Service (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe – Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer stating that Lanka Sathosa operates a rented returns dispatch warehouse at Welisara to store expired or unsellable vendor-supplied items pending return. He said vendors are contractually required to take back expired goods, so the institution incurs no loss, and attributed expiries to items not being sold within the stipulated shelf-life. He further stated that expired items amount to 0.5 per cent of purchased volume and that no disciplinary action against employees has been reported. Oral Questions: Azad Maulana Easter Attacks Statement and Government School Constructions in Monaragala (Tabled Answers) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe (on behalf of the Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage) JJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development regarding expired food items reportedly accumulated at the CWE Welisara Warehouse Complex. It sought clarification on whether the Minister was aware of the stock, why it had been stored there, why it had expired, and what action would be taken against officials responsible for allowing such a large quantity of food items to expire. Oral Questions: Azad Maulana Easter Attacks Statement and Government School Constructions in Monaragala (Tabled Answers) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of W.H.M. Dharmasena, asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education for details on construction projects begun in government schools in the Monaragala District under the “Nearest School–Best School” programme during the Good Governance period. The question sought the number of projects, expenditure incurred, how many were completed or remain incomplete, and what steps will be taken to complete the unfinished works promptly. Oral Questions: Azad Maulana Easter Attacks Statement and Government School Constructions in Monaragala (Tabled Answers) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni tabled a written answer on the National Health Development Fund. The response set out the Fund’s objectives, including supporting health institutions, research and education, disease prevention, and procurement of medical equipment and essential drugs, and stated that donations from 2015 to 31 December 2024 totalled Rs. 3,111,258,902.89. It noted that payments were made in 2017 and 2018 for bone marrow transplants for children under 12 with thalassemia on humanitarian grounds, and that since 2018 the Fund has not been used outside its stated objectives. Oral Question: National Health Development Fund (Tabled Answer) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media to state the objectives of the National Health Development Fund, the donations received from 2015 to date, and the projects implemented through the Fund. She also sought clarification on whether the Minister was aware of National Audit Report findings that Fund donations had been used outside its objectives, and what remedial measures would be taken if so. Oral Question: National Health Development Fund (Tabled Answer) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe raised concerns that delays of seven to ten years in assessing land rent particularly affect public servants and cause significant hardship. She asked whether steps have been taken to expedite the issuance of land permits or ownership documents. Oral Question: Dehiattakandiya Land Rights (Deputy Minister Agriculture Response) Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that the Ministry has launched the “Irrigation Pride – Our Heritage” irrigation development project, with Rs. 78,000 million allocated in the Budget and 42 Mahaweli Authority tanks scheduled for rehabilitation this year. He said he could not confirm how many tanks in Dehiattakandiya are included, but indicated that any omitted tanks could be considered for the 2026 Budget and that prioritized proposals could be obtained from the Mahaweli Authority’s “C” Zone Regional Engineer. Oral Question: Dehiattakandiya Land Rights (Deputy Minister Agriculture Response) Read →