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. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera, raising a question under Standing Order 27(2), sought details from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism on measures to strengthen tourism as a source of foreign exchange. He asked about ministerial capacity and consultations, Tourism Development Levy collections, investment in destination branding, per-tourist spending by country, the impact of low-spending tourists on subsidized public services, and whether corrective measures are planned. He also highlighted that star-class hotel room rates remain below pre-Easter attack levels and called for an immediate Ministry-level stakeholder discussion on the sector. Question by Private Notice: Colombo–Kankesanthurai Train Service and Tourism Promotion Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Asked whether the Government has a plan to rehabilitate and complete large partially built projects on prime lands, which had been halted amid economic difficulties. He specifically proposed that such buildings be completed and handed over for the benefit of youth. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the fairness of KDU admissions where Sri Lankans applying from overseas may gain entry while local students from areas such as Ratmalana, Moratuwa, Jaffna or Galle cannot. He urged the Government to revisit the policy to expand medical training, increase the number of doctors, and retain revenue within Sri Lanka rather than sending students abroad at high cost. He also called for policy changes to position Sri Lanka as a hub, including for education and tourism. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Prime Minister whether reports are correct that over 2,100 doctors and 2,500 nurses have left Sri Lanka for overseas employment in the past two years. He requested details on the number and destinations of migrating doctors, the impact on public hospitals and rural healthcare, and government measures to retain medical professionals, including salary issues and recruitment to KDU through the UGC Z-score. He also asked whether the Government has considered seeking compensation or related arrangements from countries benefiting from Sri Lanka-trained doctors, referring to a statement made by Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa in Switzerland. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera presented, in Sinhala, the Second Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, noting that English and Tamil versions would follow. He said COPE had examined the 2023 Auditor-General’s Report and related operational, financial and control documents of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, with attention to its performance, governance, and compliance with Act No. 50 of 1993. He stated that the Committee identified concerns arising from actions beyond the Authority’s statutory powers and emphasized COPE’s role in ensuring accountability, transparency, and protection of public resources in state enterprises. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB AI summary Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala seconded the motion, stating that the monsoon made the debate timely and noting the recurring flood risk in low-lying, densely populated areas around the Kelani, Kalu and Gin rivers, particularly in Gampaha and Colombo. He argued that annual relief measures are insufficient and called for long-term flood mitigation, including possible embankments with pumping systems or diversion of excess water to less vulnerable areas. He urged Members and residents to work together to implement existing proposals, including past studies on the Kelani and Kalu Ganga. Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Flood Control in Kelani Valley Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe supported the Personal Data Protection amendments, arguing that they are necessary to protect citizens’ personal data and to enable Sri Lanka’s participation in the digital economy. He said the Bill clarifies definitions, strengthens the role of the Data Protection Authority, provides recourse for misuse or breaches by private, state, or foreign entities, and supports cross-border data exchange and interoperability. He also emphasized the need for institutional compliance, public awareness, and future cybersecurity legislation, linking digitalization to greater transparency, efficiency, and oversight in public administration. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam supported the Second Reading of the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, arguing that strong data protection laws are necessary for individual privacy, economic development, tourism, digital transactions, and national security. He emphasized the importance of operationalizing the Data Protection Authority and noted that the law provides mechanisms for compliance, privacy protection, and legal recourse. He also linked the debate to broader political themes, criticizing communal politics and urging unity among Sinhala, Muslim, and Tamil communities while calling for an end to racism in politics. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi said the amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act, No. 9 of 2022, are intended to strengthen regulation and security of personal data processing in the context of rapid technological change. He noted that the law protects the rights of data subjects and establishes an authority and procedures, drawing on international standards such as the OECD Privacy Guidelines, APEC Privacy Framework, and the EU GDPR to address gaps in Sri Lanka’s privacy framework. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas supported the Second Reading of the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, arguing that Sri Lanka needs an updated legal framework to protect personal data while enabling digitalisation, AI use, and investment. He said the amendments provide grace periods for compliance, adjust requirements on Data Protection Officers, expand the Data Protection Authority’s powers, and create remedies against unfair automated or AI-driven decisions. He highlighted international and local data breaches, the right of individuals to trace how their data was shared and prevent further sharing without consent, and called for a complementary Cyber Security Act to support the digital economy. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe supported the amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act, No. 9 of 2022, arguing that stronger regulation is needed to secure personal data shared through health services, digital platforms, institutions, and biometric systems. He said Sri Lanka had fallen behind global technological trends due to past policy failures, and linked the amendment to the Government’s digitalization programme alongside Clean Sri Lanka and rural poverty eradication. He stated that the legislation would help protect data subjects, deter misuse through penalties, align with international norms such as EU data protection standards, and support innovation in a digital economy. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera recalled initiating draft data protection and cyber security legislation as IT Minister in 2019, noting that the Personal Data Protection Act was later enacted in 2022 and welcoming the current amendment to address practical issues. He questioned why the Cyber Security Bill has still not been presented, arguing that it is important for national security, economic development and the IT sector, and urged that it be brought to Parliament urgently with updated standards. He also raised concern over Clause 13 of the amendment, asking that public corporations and state-owned companies not be excluded from the requirement to designate a responsible data protection officer. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala supported the amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act, stating that they were based on a detailed review of Act No. 9 of 2022 and are intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s digital economy in line with GDPR principles. He emphasized protections for sensitive personal data, including biometric, genetic, health, religious, political and other categories, and highlighted rights such as access, rectification, erasure, withdrawal of consent and objection to processing. He also linked data protection to broader national responsibility, referring to biodiversity protection measures such as the Nilgala Dome declaration and a reserve for the “Bandula Pethiya” fish in Kegalle. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage supported the Amendment Bill to the Personal Data Protection Act, No. 9 of 2022, framing it as part of the Government’s digitalization agenda and the need to protect personal data as a key public asset. She said the amendments strengthen data subject rights, establish and phase in the Data Protection Authority across public institutions, and prioritize public awareness due to differing levels of digital literacy and limited state-sector capacity. She argued that updating the law in line with international standards would support public trust, foreign investment, tourism, and economic recovery, while rejecting Opposition criticism as not reflecting the phased nature of implementation. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando criticized the Government for not addressing staff shortages in key justice-sector institutions, including the Government Analyst’s Department, Attorney General’s Department and Prisons Department. He argued that the Government had itself acted without adequate data in relation to issues such as rice and salt imports, and rejected its criticism of misinformation by alleging that it had previously misled the public. On the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill, he said the Opposition would support necessary future amendments for a digital economy, but demanded clearer disclosure to Parliament on the digital ID project, related arrangements with India, and what personal data would be shared, processed, retained or subject to the right to be forgotten. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando questioned the rationale for amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act, particularly the proposed change to Section 20 removing mandatory Data Protection Officers for public authorities and related definitional changes. He asked the Government to explain how the amendments would support economic development, digital integration, and data processing, and whether making DPOs optional is consistent with the GDPR model on which the 2022 Act was based. He also sought clarification on changes to commencement timelines, saying their necessity and benefits had not been adequately explained. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB AI summary The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake defended the amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act, No. 9 of 2022, arguing that Sri Lanka needs an operational data protection framework to attract BPO/BPM and digital economy investment and align with global standards. He said implementation should be phased because public and private institutions require time, skills, infrastructure, and capacity, and noted provisions such as outsourcing Data Protection Officer functions to reduce burdens on startups and small businesses. He also emphasized establishing and staffing the Data Protection Authority, providing legal recourse for data breaches, improving cybersecurity standards, and countering misinformation in public debate. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara argued that effective governance requires reliable data, but said the Government’s claims on data, digitization, and economic progress were not reflected in outcomes. He cited the closure of around 250 tea factories, problems at Sevanagala Sugar Factory, onion import clearances during the local harvest, and unmet paddy purchasing targets as examples of policy failure and lack of production data. He also questioned the status of initiatives such as “Clean Sri Lanka” and alleged that local authority control was being secured through political pressure rather than reflecting voters’ choices. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister defended the amendments to the data protection law as necessary to correct deficiencies in the earlier framework while strengthening safeguards for sensitive personal data and preventing misuse by institutions, political actors, or foreign interests. He argued that public funds and property misuse must be exposed, distinguished this from private matters, and linked the legislation to the Government’s wider programmes on digitization, Clean Sri Lanka, and poverty alleviation. He also responded to Opposition criticism on staffing and governance, citing approved recruitment for essential services and claiming improved economic indicators, including export growth, while stating that the Government would implement lawful administration in local authorities. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Chandana Thennakoon JJB AI summary The speech supported amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act, emphasizing the need to protect personal data amid rapid digitization and widespread collection, processing and sharing by public bodies, businesses and social media platforms. It noted obstacles to implementation of the 2022 Act, including low public awareness, limited computer literacy, insufficient technical capacity and outdated government technology. The member said the Government is advancing digitization and cybersecurity, including through Cabinet approval of the second National Cyber Security Strategy prepared by Sri Lanka CERT, to strengthen data protection and public trust. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →