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. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera asked what action is being taken against those who authorized construction and maintenance of facilities on properties not legally vested in the State, using public funds. Citing the “Jnanapradipa” library begun by the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha in 1984, he noted that national funds have been spent for decades despite unresolved legal ownership and ongoing court cases, and questioned how accountability and future ownership will be addressed. Oral Question: Local Authorities Properties in Galle District (Q.871/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that the 28 km tunnel project had faced complications, including an allegedly improper decision to bring in a second tunnel boring machine, which he said may have wasted about USD 50 million. He also referred to a further reported USD 50 million taken for other activities, along with alleged technical and procedural weaknesses. He said technical and financial assessments are being pursued to determine the project’s past and current status before deciding further action. Oral Question: North-Central Great Canal Project (Q.836/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Susantha Kumara Nawarathna raised a second supplementary question noting that the relevant project showed only modest physical and financial progress. He alleged that there were reports of funds being used for other purposes and asked what action would be taken to address the issue. Oral Question: North-Central Great Canal Project (Q.836/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary The Minister outlined progress and funding for the North-Central and North-Western Great Canals, noting limited results despite significant ADB-funded expenditure over the past decade. He said Rs. 7,800 million has been allocated under “Vāri Mahima – Our Heritage” for irrigation rehabilitation, including Rs. 3,250 million to make the North-Central Great Canal usable. He also stated that Cabinet has approved renewed discussions with the ADB to secure further support and deliver irrigation benefits to farmers. Oral Question: North-Central Great Canal Project (Q.836/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe, replying to Question 836/2025, provided details of the North-Central Great Canal Project, initiated in March 2015 and implemented in six phases covering canal, tunnel and water-transfer works from Moragahakanda through to Mahakandarawa Oya, with a map placed in the Library. He said the project will benefit Matale, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura by providing reliable irrigation to 12,300 hectares, supporting 25,000 farm families, supplying 40 million cubic metres of drinking water annually to about 150,000 families, and improving groundwater and local economic activity. He stated that completion is scheduled for 24 June 2025, but progress is currently 20.5 per cent physically and Rs. 40,600 million financially, with delays attributed to tunnel tender re-evaluation after Uma Oya leakage concerns, COVID-19, the 2022 economic crisis, input shortages and price increases, and delayed loan disbursements. Oral Question: North-Central Great Canal Project (Q.836/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Thousands of school infrastructure projects are reported to be incomplete, poorly executed, or halted, indicating a systemic issue rather than isolated failures. The priority identified is to complete such works to ensure children’s safety and school functionality, while also pursuing action over losses and non-performance across the system. Oral Question: Kuliyapitiya Central College Function Hall (Q.801/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB AI summary Asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will conduct an audit into the Deyata Kirula project, citing alleged misuse and loss of public funds during its implementation. He stated that the resulting wastage had contributed to the project being stalled for years. Oral Question: Kuliyapitiya Central College Function Hall (Q.801/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti stated that the proposed park is currently linked to a single applicant investor, while labour recruitment and worker transport remain major constraints in the area. He said these issues discourage larger investors, but discussions with chambers are underway to attract further investment, and proposed District Industrial Promotion Boards could help identify investors and address the problem. Oral Question: Welangolla Estate Industrial Development (Q.791/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne acknowledged concerns over the increased use of chicken manure after earlier soil-building practices using cattle and organic manure with chemical fertilizer had declined, stating that relevant departments were intervening. He said the fertilizer subsidy for farmers had been increased from about Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 per 2 hectares from the last Maha season and would continue. He also noted a new Rs. 30,000 per 2 hectares subsidy for approved inter-seasonal crops grown in paddy lands during Yala, and said Kalpitiya’s specific needs would be examined within ongoing discussions. Oral Question: Kalpitiya Agricultural Flooding (Q.585/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary In response to Question 381/2025, the Prime Minister provided data on National Schools and Provincial Council schools, including provincial distribution and numbers of students, teachers, and non-academic staff, with annexes placed in the Library. She stated that the previous Government converted 23 Provincial Council schools into National Schools. She also outlined development measures for those schools, including repairs, quality input grants, demolition of unsafe structures, sanitation improvements, safety measures, provision of furniture and equipment, and related infrastructure works. Oral Question: National Schools Distribution and Development (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister acknowledged that some officers had applied for leave correctly but left without formal approval because approvals were delayed by institutional or timing constraints. He stated that the Ministry would consider compassionate relief in such cases and take steps to provide it where appropriate. Adjournment Motion and Adjournment Debate: Public Administration and Provincial Council Elections Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Upul Kithsiri asked whether relief could be provided to public servants who left Sri Lanka during the economic crisis after attempting, but failing, to obtain timely leave approval through proper procedures. He requested the Minister to consider measures allowing such officers, who hoped to resume their local posts on return, an opportunity to regularize their status. Adjournment Motion and Adjournment Debate: Public Administration and Provincial Council Elections Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister provided figures on no-pay leave granted to public officers, stating that 3,766 had obtained local no-pay leave and 8,121 had gone abroad with approval on foreign no-pay leave, while no data had been reported on officers who left without approved leave. He explained that Public Administration Circular 14/2022 was issued following a Cabinet decision and operates outside the Establishments Code, outlining differences in eligibility, service obligations, foreign remittance requirements, seniority and pension treatment, and approval procedures. Adjournment Motion and Adjournment Debate: Public Administration and Provincial Council Elections Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government about the implementation of Circular No. 14/2022, which allowed public officers to take local or foreign no-pay leave without prejudice to seniority and pension. He noted that short notice for foreign employment and delays in leave approval had led some officers to leave without approval and risk losing their public service posts. He requested figures on officers who obtained local and foreign no-pay leave, those who went abroad without approval, reasons for non-approval, actions taken against them, and whether the Minister accepts that current leave-approval procedures are inconsistent with the circular and institutional code. Adjournment Motion and Adjournment Debate: Public Administration and Provincial Council Elections Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala supported the Bill’s provisions enabling courts to receive and record remote testimony through contemporaneous audio-visual links, arguing that this would improve security, reduce transport costs, and speed up criminal justice proceedings, especially for high-risk prisoners and organized crime cases. He said existing criminal laws are insufficient to address organized crime and noted that the Ministry of Public Security has submitted a Cabinet memorandum to draft new legislation targeting organized criminal groups, including shootings and related offences. He also framed the amendments as part of the Government’s mandate to strengthen accountability and act against impunity. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala responded to Opposition criticisms before supporting the Bill, rejecting claims of politicizing Community Policing Committees and citing provisions in the Bill on taking evidence abroad, applications by witnesses or victims, and costs. He argued that the Government was giving effect to pending legal reforms, including measures to strengthen prosecution of white-collar and other crime, and said further amendments could be introduced if gaps remained. He stated that the Bill would help protect witnesses and use technology-driven procedures to prosecute offenders more effectively and uphold the rule of law. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the Code of Criminal Procedure amendments enabling courts to dispense with personal attendance of accused persons and to receive remote testimony and electronic submissions, citing security concerns such as the Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder and the need to expedite cases. He urged the Government to address pending High Court judicial appointments, improve outdated court technology and staff capacity, and establish a supervisory mechanism for technology adoption across justice-related institutions. He also called for parallel amendments to the Civil Procedure Code to permit remote evidence in civil and commercial cases, particularly involving overseas witnesses. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha supported the use of technology to improve court efficiency, noting its potential to enhance access and fairness for persons with disabilities, including the hearing-impaired. He also addressed State debt management, arguing that Sri Lanka’s crisis reflected poor borrowing practices and non-productive expenditure, and cited projects with low returns and Auditor General concerns over unreported debt funds. He said the State Debt Management Act and related measures should improve transparency, parliamentary reporting, coordination among responsible agencies, and the productive use of borrowed resources. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticized the Government’s reported decision to restrict Kotelawala Defence University medical faculty admissions to foreign students and cadets, excluding Sri Lankan civilian students. He argued that KDU provides a domestic pathway for students who narrowly miss State medical admission, retains foreign exchange that would otherwise be spent on overseas medical education, and helps address doctor shortages in regional hospitals. He questioned whether the Minister of Education and Government members support the decision, asked how public investment in KDU is being justified, and urged the Government to reverse the policy. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake noted that the debate included a Finance Bill and said the Deputy Minister had addressed its legal aspects while others had discussed the economic aspects. He requested that the amendments be viewed positively, emphasizing that they were based on laws introduced under Ranil Wickremesinghe and that bringing them forward now was beneficial. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →