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- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB AI summary Dr. Janaka Senarathna noted that recent incidents, including the Dr. Shafi case, reports of crocodiles in the Kelani River, and alleged salt shortages, illustrate how distorted or sensationalized information can mislead the public. He raised this point in relation to broader concerns about data accuracy, though he acknowledged it was not directly addressed in the Bill under discussion. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna explained that the Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill contains 13 amendments intended to phase implementation and strengthen the Personal Data Protection Authority, with commencement of most provisions to be appointed by the Minister by Gazette and extendable to allow public and private sector readiness. He outlined the background to the 2022 Act, its precedence over conflicting laws on personal data protection, and the gazette notifications and Cabinet decision leading to the amendments. He also noted implementation challenges including staffing, public awareness, connectivity gaps, and the need for responsible handling of personal data by media and social media, linking these issues to the Government’s wider digitalization policy. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported the data protection Bill in principle but urged stronger safeguards, clear public remedies for misuse of personal data, and assurances on the independence and capacity of the PDPA Authority. He questioned the Government on responses to recent cyber breaches, technical readiness for secure data systems, availability of skilled personnel, timelines for full implementation, and compliance arrangements for large legacy data holders. He also sought clarity on penalties and appeals, interaction with the RTI and Computer Crimes laws, special protections for health data, public awareness measures, and how the right to erasure would be balanced against public-interest records and accountability. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister moved the Second Reading of amendments to Sri Lanka’s Personal Data Protection Act on behalf of the Minister of Digital Economy, citing the growing economic and privacy significance of personal data and international models such as the GDPR. He said the amendments address implementation needs before full commencement, including review rights for automated decisions, appeals against refusal of access, withdrawal of consent, and clearer rules for cross-border data flows. He argued the changes would strengthen privacy protections while supporting legal certainty, regulatory readiness, innovation, investment, and international trust. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma said the Government aims to provide services at fair prices through a cost-recovery pricing mechanism. He stated that independent institutions, including the Public Utilities Commission, will review agency data and make recommendations or decisions, rather than the Government directly determining pricing levels. Ministerial Statement: Macroeconomic Targets for Debt Payment Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa asked for clarification on reports that receipt of the next IMF Extended Fund Facility tranche is conditional on an 18% increase in electricity tariffs. He specifically asked whether electricity tariffs will be raised by 18% and when the next EFF tranche is expected to be received. Ministerial Statement: Macroeconomic Targets for Debt Payment Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to the Opposition Leader’s Standing Order 27(2) question, stating that as at 31 March 2025 the total payable under debt restructuring agreements with bilateral and international private creditors was USD 20.8537 billion, with payment schedules provided for creditors whose agreements have been concluded. He outlined the Government’s IMF-EFF-linked fiscal and macroeconomic targets, including raising revenue to at least 15 per cent of GDP, maintaining a 2.3 per cent primary surplus, keeping inflation around 5 per cent, increasing reserves to USD 15.3 billion by 2029, and reducing public debt below 100 per cent of GDP by 2029. He said the EFF is structured around seven pillars covering fiscal consolidation, social safety nets, debt restructuring, price stability, financial sector stability, governance, and growth reforms, and noted that four of nine SDR 254 million tranches had been received by March 2025. Ministerial Statement: Macroeconomic Targets for Debt Payment Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister rejected allegations that actions at the Elephant Pass Saltern were targeted against Tamil people or involved political interference, stating that “Raja Salt” was a national brand but that salt produced there will now be marketed as “Elephant Pass Salt.” He said production had fallen due to adverse weather, Cabinet had approved salt imports on 24 March 2025 to meet demand, and normal operations were expected to resume from the current season. He outlined recruitment steps for management positions, denied any worker dismissals, and said a protest that began on 14 May 2025 had ended after agreement on 10 worker demands, while rejecting demands to prevent distribution of Elephant Pass salt to other provinces. Ministerial Statement: Issues at Elephant Pass Saltern Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Current hospital shortages were attributed to longstanding registration, tendering, and delivery failures, including unregistered items, tenders not issued or not supplied on time, and an insulin shortfall caused by non-delivery under an awarded tender. Nalinda Jayatissa said emergency procurement had been increased by about 2 million insulin units and that, compared with 67 of 402 SPC tenders finalized in the first five months of the previous year, 267 items had been tendered and ordered in the current first five months. He stated that NMRA registration issues were being addressed and that transparent government-to-government procurement would be used temporarily to secure essential supplies at lower prices, while urging importers to expedite deliveries so the temporary arrangement need not continue. Ministerial Statement: Drugs Shortage and Government Initiatives Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about reports of procurement procedures being bypassed in relation to drug registration and medicine purchasing. He asked whether there was any truth to claims that procurement rules were being set aside and purchases made according to individual preferences, stating that formal procurement processes should be followed for medicines in the public interest. Ministerial Statement: Drugs Shortage and Government Initiatives Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is seeking Cabinet approval for government-to-government procurement of medicines from several countries to address shortages caused by supply delays, quality failures, lack of registered suppliers and tender non-participation, while continuing standard procurement and prioritizing local production. He said real-time stock monitoring is being done through the “Swastha” system, local manufacturing is supported through buyback guarantees and expanded SPMC capacity, and a senior officials’ committee will oversee the process, with NMRA ensuring quality and SPC handling procurement. On Elekta Infinity radiotherapy machines, he reported that Phase II agreements have been signed, funding has been allocated for bunker construction or upgrades, and installations are planned for Hambantota, Badulla and Ratnapura by end-2025, with Anuradhapura and Kurunegala expected by April 2026. Ministerial Statement: Drugs Shortage and Government Initiatives Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake sought clarification under Standing Orders 26(1), (2) and (3) regarding the Prime Minister’s Note on Supplementary Allocations under Head No. 240. He stated that the usual details for the Ministry of Finance Suspense Account—total available capital and recurrent expenditure, deductions, and final total—were missing, and asked that the total under the expenditure head be provided for later consideration. Ministerial Statement: Drugs Shortage and Government Initiatives Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya responded that the Sri Lanka-German Technical Training Institute in Kilinochchi has not been granted autonomy and currently operates under the Colombo CGTTI framework, which the Government says preserves recognized certification standards. She provided student enrolment figures by ethnicity and NVQ level, outlined the courses offered and admission procedures, and noted that legal amendments would be required to make the institute autonomous under Act No. 15 of 2017. She said student welfare, hostel facilities, infrastructure and staffing issues had been identified, with funds allocated in Budget 2025 and further allocations planned for Budget 2026 to improve facilities and complete hostel construction, while recruitment proposals are under consideration. Private Notice Question: Sri Lanka-German Technical Training Institute Autonomous Status Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti stated that the Government is operating within IMF fiscal parameters and cannot selectively exempt one industry from VAT without creating a precedent. He said options are being examined to limit VAT to actual factory-level value addition or reimburse VAT through the Treasury, estimated at Rs. 1.3 billion annually. He added that any reimbursement would require an offsetting revenue plan to meet revenue-to-GDP and primary surplus targets, with proposals to be included in a report to the President covering revenue from exports, tourism, and organic brown sugar. Private Notice Question: VAT on Locally Produced Sugar Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned why domestic sugar production is subject to 18 per cent VAT while imported sugar is charged only a Rs. 50 Special Commodity Levy. He challenged the Minister’s statement that the tax is an IMF condition and urged the Government, consistent with its election pledge to consult on an amended IMF agreement, to negotiate with the IMF to remove the VAT and develop a workable plan for the domestic sugar industry. Private Notice Question: VAT on Locally Produced Sugar Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti said locally produced sugar became subject to VAT from 1 January 2024 as part of a broader rationalization of exemptions, but argued that VAT removal alone would not address the sector’s difficulties. He stated that the Government has maintained farmer cane payments and employee benefits, fixed State-sector ethanol sales to distilleries at Rs. 800 per litre, and plans to establish a floor price for brown sugar while curbing mislabelled imports. He also said the Government will not privatize the Pelwatte and Sevanagala factories, and is preparing measures including brown sugar exports, market standardization, tourism-related use of factory lands, and resolution of land title issues to restore profitability. Private Notice Question: VAT on Locally Produced Sugar Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa clarified that his question was not about removing VAT on imported sugar, but about the rationale for imposing VAT on locally produced sugar. He sought a specific explanation from the Minister on the tax treatment of domestic production. Private Notice Question: VAT on Locally Produced Sugar Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti provided data in response to the Opposition Leader on Sri Lanka’s sugar industry, identifying Pelwatte and Sevanagala as state factories, Ethimale as private, and Gal Oya as a public-private partnership. He tabled production figures showing Lanka Sugar Company produced 39,721 metric tons in 2024, about 6.03% of national sugar demand of 658,678 metric tons. He stated that imports were mainly refined white sugar, with 564 million kg imported in 2024 and 140 million kg from January to February 2025, and clarified that imported sugar is subject to a Rs. 50 per kg Special Commodity Levy while local sugar bears 18% VAT and 2.5% SSCL. Private Notice Question: VAT on Locally Produced Sugar Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on challenges facing Sri Lanka’s domestic sugar industry, particularly affecting about 250,000 people in the Uva-Wellassa region. He asked the Government for data on Lanka Sugar Company factories, domestic production, imports, tax treatment, reported losses at Gal Oya, Ethimale, Pelwatte and Sevanagala, and the profitability plan for State-owned sugar institutions. He questioned why locally produced sugar and ethanol are subject to VAT and other taxes while imported sugar is reportedly treated more favourably, and requested urgent action to reduce losses, protect cane farmers, and address ethanol pricing and tax burdens. Private Notice Question: VAT on Locally Produced Sugar Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary The Government stated that any misuse of properties or unlawful expenditure of public funds will be addressed under existing law. It indicated that legal action would be taken against those responsible where wrongdoing is established. Oral Question: Local Authorities Properties in Galle District (Q.871/2025) Read →