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- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Rs. 2,250 million has been allocated as a decentralized district-level budget for development activities. Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that all Members of Parliament should be involved in ensuring the funds are properly utilized for development. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha said district MPs should be informed of development allocations through the District Coordinating Committee, noting that opposition MPs attend the Gampaha District committee and that non-attendance by others should be examined. He argued that earlier practice of allocating decentralized budget funds per MP led to scattered spending with limited economic impact, and said the Government changed this approach in 2024 by allocating funds for district development rather than to individual MPs. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected that Opposition MPs had not been informed about decentralized fund allocations despite having voted to approve them. He said District Secretaries should notify all relevant MPs or raise the matter at District Coordinating Committees, and asked the Minister not to justify the omission. He argued that such funds should be administered without distinguishing between Government and Opposition MPs, citing the scheme’s origins under N. M. Perera in 1974. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha provided the district-wise breakdown of Rs. 2,250 million allocated for development projects, clarifying that funds are allocated by district rather than directly to individual MPs, though the average is about Rs. 10 million per MP. He said expenditure is governed by Finance Ministry circulars setting six criteria, including food security, livelihood upliftment, value-chain development, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and technology. He noted that project submission deadlines were extended to 20 May 2025, and that Rs. 2,243 million in projects has been approved, with the remaining proposals under review. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister, the Minister provided figures on decentralized budget allocations for MPs and district development. He stated that Rs. 15 million per MP was allocated in 2022, no allocation was made in 2023, and in 2024 allocations were made district-wise amounting to Rs. 50 million per MP, with Rs. 11,250 million allocated plus Rs. 2,000 million for suspended projects. For 2025, he said Rs. 2,250 million has been allocated for district-based development programmes and offered to provide a district-wise breakdown if required. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Prime Minister about the non-receipt of decentralized budget provisions for Members of Parliament in 2025. He sought details on annual per-MP and total allocations from 2022 to 2024, the 2025 allocation under the Appropriation Bill, the criteria for disbursement, the amount per MP, and the date on which funds would be released. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary A taxation Monitoring Unit has been established at the Presidential Secretariat following the recent “Tax Week,” with related work continuing. Public awareness efforts are also being carried out by individual departments through media channels, focusing on the civic responsibility and importance of paying taxes. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage JJB AI summary Asked the Minister to clarify whether there is a programme to raise public awareness about perceived improvements in tax policy. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister replied to an adjournment question on the Government’s “Tax Shakthi” programme, stating that it aims to raise tax revenue toward 15.1 percent of GDP in 2025 by improving compliance, reducing avoidance and evasion, broadening the tax base, and building public trust in how tax revenue is used. He reported that in the first five months of 2025, Customs, Excise and Inland Revenue all exceeded their revenue targets, while 121,493 new tax files had been opened by 30 April. He outlined measures including reduced VAT and SSCL registration thresholds, mandatory Taxpayer Identification Numbers for adults, integration of revenue IT systems, and public awareness activities linked to the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative and “Tax Week.” Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage asked the Minister of Finance about the Government’s “Tax Shakthi” programme, citing past concerns over transparency in tax collection and expenditure and low taxpayer compliance. He sought details on the programme’s objectives, whether revenue targets for the first five months of the year had been met, the number of new income tax files opened, measures to broaden the tax base, and steps to improve the efficiency of the Inland Revenue Department, Sri Lanka Customs, and the Department of Excise. Adjournment Questions: Tax Revenue and Decentralized Budget Provisions Read →
- 4 June 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake argued that the current government has restored public trust by creating a corruption-free administration, citing anti-bribery measures at the Ministry of Industries and increased investor confidence. He said foreign direct investment had reached USD 650 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared with USD 483 million in 2023 and USD 724 million in 2024, and linked this to higher tax compliance and export income. He called for legal action over past corruption and alleged crimes, including the bond scam, cases involving the Rajapaksa administration, killings such as those of Wasim Thajudeen and Lasantha Wickrematunge, and the Easter Sunday attacks. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna stated that corruption was a major cause of Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy and said the Opposition would support genuine anti-corruption measures. He cautioned the Minister of Justice against commenting on court proceedings or implying government influence over judicial outcomes, arguing that such remarks undermine institutional confidence. He urged the Government to focus on expediting long-delayed court cases through procedural and legal reforms, strengthening independent institutions, and refiling or pursuing past corruption cases, including major projects from the Rajapaksa era, without political vendettas. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam stated that Tamil people stand with Palestinians against genocide while distinguishing opposition to the Israeli Government’s actions from hostility to Jewish people. Speaking on Regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act, he argued that unsustainable State projects causing loss of national control constitute serious corruption and should be investigated, citing the Hambantota Harbour Project and its 99-year lease as a key example. He questioned what action the Government has taken on projects the JVP had previously described as sellouts, and urged the release of the Hambantota lease agreement, in consultation with the counterpart, for public scrutiny. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The remarks supported Regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, describing them as part of the Government’s effort to strengthen institutions, the rule of law, and Sri Lanka’s compliance with international anti-corruption standards. Abeywickrama accused previous governments of normalizing corruption, waste, and political use of public resources, while asserting that the current administration is enabling investigations and prosecutions without political interference. He cited recent corruption-related arrests, tender manipulation cases, and clarifications on the “Containers 323” issue and a Government vehicle auction allegation to argue that Opposition claims against the Government were unfounded. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected claims made in relation to “Derana 360°,” stating that Sathosa did not award a tender to E&Y because E&Y had withdrawn from the process. He urged accurate presentation of facts, after which the sitting proceeded with a procedural motion for Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara to take the Chair. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman supported an independent CIABOC under the Anti-Corruption Act regulations, while rejecting claims that anti-corruption action began only under the current Government and arguing that those who enabled past wrongdoers should also accept responsibility. He cited recent complaints against the current administration, including the 323 containers issue, the Mannar wind power project, a Presidential Secretariat vehicle auction, the STC salt matter, and a Sathosa audit tender, and questioned whether the law is being enforced equally. He emphasized the Auditor General’s role in supporting corruption investigations and challenged the President’s attempted appointment of an external nominee as Auditor General, urging that a qualified internal officer be appointed instead and warning against any effort to influence future audits. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar argued during the debate on regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act that anti-corruption enforcement should prioritize recovering stolen public funds, not only arrests and prosecutions. He questioned accountability over alleged wasteful spending, unresolved issues concerning 323 containers, and claims of Governors engaging in partisan activity by pressuring opposition councillors. He also called for project decisions to be based on return-on-investment assessments, warning against debt-generating infrastructure, and said the Opposition would support legal amendments needed to recover proceeds of crime. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath supported the Regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act, arguing that they are necessary to build a transparent, corruption-free State after decades of misuse of public funds and state resources. He cited alleged abuses including luxury lifestyles funded by public money, irregularities in Hambantota road projects, vehicle registration fraud noted in Auditor General reports, and payments for a non-functioning Colombo Municipal Council sewage project. He said the Government would protect honest public officers, pursue cases with evidence through the courts, and invited genuine support from the Opposition while rejecting efforts to shield wrongdoing. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected allegations that North Central Provincial Council vehicles were sold for Rs. 28 million, tabling valuation and tender documents to show that disposals followed Government Valuation procedures, were publicly advertised, and in several cases received bids above valuation while bids below valuation were rejected. He also referred to allegations about fast-tracked port container releases, stating that a committee chaired by the Finance Minister had examined Customs actions and that investigations were nearing completion. He said the Government would strengthen laws and pursue inquiries through CIABOC, FCID and CID to address theft, fraud and corruption. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister supported amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act, stating that they are intended to ensure accurate declarations of assets and liabilities and prevent false or incomplete submissions. He linked the reforms to the Government’s anti-corruption mandate and rejected claims that omissions could be excused as forgetfulness. He also criticized opposition allegations about government misconduct, citing investigations into claims about the President’s assets and presenting North Central Provincial Council auction notices to dispute allegations about vehicle sales. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →