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- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary Hon. Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni stated that rabies control is a priority for the Ministry of Health, noting that annual deaths in Sri Lanka have fallen from about 300 two decades ago to 20–30 but remain higher than in comparable countries. He said current spending includes about Rs. 280 million on human post-exposure treatment, Rs. 180 million on animal vaccination, and Rs. 200 million on sterilization, and called for a review of the cost-effectiveness and outputs of these programmes. He proposed streamlining vaccination and developing a more systematic national programme for stray dog management that extends beyond the Health Ministry’s remit. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama raised concern that the stray dog population had become an acute crisis, citing incidents in Matara District involving attacks on calves, road accidents, and increased hospital costs from injuries and dog bites. He said earlier measures and proposals, including sterilization programmes, had ceased in 2025 and asked the Deputy Minister whether there is a short-term action plan to expedite control measures. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody responded to concerns about forged sand transport permits, stating that the Ministry had discussed raids on clandestinely printed permits and the introduction of more secure permits with the relevant authority, with measures to be announced shortly. He said there is currently no controlled price for sand, but noted that the State levy is Rs. 600 per cubic metre, while the general yard price is around Rs. 8,500, with transport costs varying by distance. He undertook to follow up on the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau’s pending publication of the levy and said a media statement would soon clarify the State levy and yard release price for public awareness. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. E.M. Basnayaka JJB AI summary E.M. Basnayaka raised concerns about forged sand mining permits allegedly issued by sand yard owners despite the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau’s official permit system, saying this creates difficulties for tipper drivers during transport. He also said permits are being resold at higher prices by sand sales centres, yards, and intermediaries, increasing costs for transporters and consumers, and asked whether a uniform controlled price for sand could be introduced. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing whether Community Water Supply Centres under the Department of National Community Water Supply are being transferred to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, and if so, what procedure is being followed. She sought clarification on whether all related properties would be taken over, whether the New Medagame, Dehiattakandiya unit had been transferred without a formal audit, and whether Cabinet approval had been obtained. Oral Question: Takeover of Community Water Supply Centres by NWSDB (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure for details on tea smallholders in the Kalutara District, including their numbers, contribution to national tea exports, and the number of Tea Small Holding Development Societies providing fertilizer and equipment. He also sought information on welfare measures for smallholders, the procedures for membership enrolment and elections in those societies, and whether those details would be tabled in the House. Oral Question: Tea Smallholders in Kalutara District (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary The report of the Committee on Public Finance was presented, concerning Resolutions under the Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023, listed as Nos. 01 to 10 in the Supplement to Order Book No. 2(2) dated 14 May 2025. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Presentation of Committee Reports Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning said the Government had quickly introduced amendments and a relief mechanism for SMEs, with grace periods based on loan principal size extending to June, September, or December 2025. He reported that Rs. 160.8 billion in eligible SME principal was covered, Rs. 57.365 billion had approached banks, and Rs. 5.729 billion had already been restructured. He urged remaining eligible borrowers to contact banks and said guidance had been sought from the Central Bank to extend relief windows fairly. Procedural: Questions on Bank of Ceylon Relief and Allied Health Graduates - Final Business Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Asked the Deputy Minister about the status of Government relief measures concerning the parate law and the restructuring process initiated with the involvement of the Ministry of Finance. Requested an update on the current progress of that process. Procedural: Questions on Bank of Ceylon Relief and Allied Health Graduates - Final Business Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma detailed Bank of Ceylon’s SME lending and support, stating that Rs. 37.629 billion had been granted from January 2025 to date, with 137,975 active SME loans outstanding at Rs. 147.685 billion as of 30 April 2025. He provided breakdowns by district, loan size, and borrower category, noting lending to women and youth entrepreneurs and outreach beyond the Western Province. He also outlined non-credit support initiatives, including district SME forums, advisory councils, village development programmes, and awareness programmes. In response to supplementary issues on debt restructuring and parate law relief, he said relief periods had been granted by loan category, Rs. 5.729 billion had been restructured so far, and remaining eligible borrowers were urged to approach banks for restructuring assessments. Procedural: Questions on Bank of Ceylon Relief and Allied Health Graduates - Final Business Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra asked the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning for detailed information on Bank of Ceylon support to SMEs following its reported Rs. 30 billion pre-tax profit in the first quarter of 2025. She requested data on SME loans granted and repaid in 2025, district-wise and size-band breakdowns, amounts provided to women and youth, and details of any non-credit support programmes for SMEs. Procedural: Questions on Bank of Ceylon Relief and Allied Health Graduates - Final Business Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe responded to concerns over the proposed closure of the NEXT factory in the Katunayake Zone, stating that 1,416 of 2,825 workers are affected and that the Labour Department, management, trade unions and BOI will discuss the company’s compensation proposal and possible remedies. He said the company had not properly notified the Department in advance as required and had not engaged the Government or BOI on its stated high production costs. He also criticized the Opposition for prolonging parliamentary proceedings, raising unrelated issues during debates on Finance Act instruments, and questioning security practices, while asserting that the Government’s approach is to avoid special privileges and focus on addressing corruption. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe supported the Gazettes, stating that the Embarkation Tax concessions for Mattala, Ratmalana, and Jaffna departures were intended to promote tourism, while the changes to vehicle import luxury limits aimed to provide public relief and support economic growth. He criticized the Opposition for using the debate to raise unrelated issues such as salt shortages and a closed factory, and said such matters should be raised separately. He argued that recent local authority election results should not be read as a mandate against the Government, citing what he described as a clean campaign under the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, and said the Government’s performance should be assessed by December. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku - Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister announced the launch of the National Aeronautical Search and Rescue Committee to coordinate emergency aviation responses across state agencies, citing gaps exposed by incidents such as the X-Press Pearl fire. He said airport and aviation tax policy should support wider economic objectives, including extending a prior Embarkation Tax reduction for one year, fully exempting departures from Mattala, and strengthening legal mechanisms to recover about US$27.7 million in reported unpaid remittances from airlines. He outlined development plans for Mattala across seven investment sectors beyond passenger traffic, measures to ease overcapacity at Bandaranaike International Airport including eGates and a Terminal 2 contract by September, and a Rs. 750 million terminal investment at Jaffna International Airport to expand services and destinations. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof referred to the recent Local Government Election results in Trincomalee District, stating that the SJB won 36 seats and secured control of the Kinniya Urban Council in his Muttur electorate. He thanked voters and said discussions were under way with other parties to form administrations in local councils where possible. He also criticized Government Ministers and MPs for, in his view, acting as though they were not in government during the debate. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran responded to Opposition criticisms, stating that the underused Vavuniya Economic Centre would be repurposed following a District Development Committee decision and that land issues would be discussed under the Prime Minister’s leadership. He cited increased National People’s Power representation in Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu as evidence of public confidence, and said the Government had allocated Rs. 5,000 million for road and infrastructure rehabilitation in the Northern Province. He also defended changes to embarkation fees and the Luxury Tax threshold, arguing these would promote tourism through MRIA and Palaly, support airport development including the revived BIA terminal project, and make vehicle purchases more accessible. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. Nanda Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Nanda Bandara supported the Orders relating to the embarkation levy and the luxury tax on vehicle imports, arguing that reducing the levy to USD 30 and waiving it for MRIA would help expand airport operations, tourism, and foreign reserves. He said the controlled reopening of vehicle imports and the increase of the luxury tax threshold from Rs. 3.5 million to Rs. 5 million were intended to provide relief while protecting dollar reserves. He linked these measures to the Government’s broader programme of reducing state expenditure, curbing corruption, attracting investment, strengthening agriculture and SMEs, and preparing for debt repayments from 2027. He also invited constructive Opposition proposals while rejecting what he described as destructive criticism. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Nilusha Lakmali Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Nilusha Lakmali Gamage supported the Orders under the Finance Acts extending embarkation tax concessions for airlines operating from BIA, Ratmalana, Jaffna/Palaly and MRIA, arguing that these measures would encourage aviation activity and tourism-related foreign exchange earnings. She also supported the amendment raising the luxury tax exemption threshold for non-electric motor vehicles from Rs. 3.5 million to Rs. 5 million, describing it as relief intended to stimulate vehicle sales. She linked the measures to the Government’s development and anti-corruption agenda, rejected Opposition criticism of broken promises, and condemned an incident in which she said a woman MP’s right to speak had been questioned. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam urged the Government to operationalize the completed but unused Vavuniya Economic Centre, built with 52 stalls at a cost of Rs. 263 million, to help farmers sell produce at fair prices. He argued that the North and East face a compounded economic burden from the war, with many widows, orphans, disabled persons, displaced families, and affected communities still lacking adequate development support 16 years after 2009. He called for practical measures including releasing unused lands held by the Forest Department for cultivation, improving access to finance, facilitating investors, and implementing quick programmes to help people become economically self-reliant. He also referred to India’s reported US$62 million grant for Kankesanthurai Port development and highlighted the need to improve its basic facilities. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala argued that the local government election results showed a significant decline in support for the Government and said council administrations should be formed according to the law. He accused the Government of failing to keep promises on electricity tariff reductions, questioned how it would meet 2028 debt obligations amid lower growth forecasts, and cited factory closures and reduced industrial activity as signs of economic stress. He urged the Government to engage investors, prevent job losses, ensure delivery of welfare benefits such as Samurdhi/Aswesuma and maternal food packs, and focus on rising living costs and public needs. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Read →