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- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha corrected the Opposition Leader’s figures on NEXT, stating that the company has multiple facilities and has proposed a workforce reduction of about 1,416 rather than a complete closure, and tabled a related document. He supported two Extraordinary Gazettes of 31 January 2025: one continuing a 50 per cent concession on the departure levy to support tourism, and another raising the motor vehicle Luxury Tax threshold from Rs. 3.5 million to Rs. 5 million. He also cited recent local authority election results as evidence of a mandate for the Government, defended continued engagement with the IMF as a consequence of prior economic mismanagement, and argued that fuel and gas queues have ended while markets and growth are stabilizing. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over the closure of the NEXT apparel factory and the loss of around 2,000 jobs, urging immediate government intervention to prevent further factory closures and provide relief to affected workers. He criticized proposed electricity tariff increases in light of earlier government promises, calling for targeted relief for low-use households while maintaining overall cost recovery under IMF commitments. He also called for stronger welfare measures for war veterans and Civil Security Department personnel, evidence for allegations linking SJB leaders to the underworld, and decisive action against rising violence. Citing sharp increases in food prices, salt supply planning failures, risks to GSP+ and trade access, and looming 2028 debt repayments, he urged stronger scenario planning, investor confidence, FDI, production growth, and support for IT exports. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government will respond to questions raised under Standing Order 27(2) and rejected attempts to discourage the movement of salt from the North to the South. He emphasized that goods should move freely across Sri Lanka in both directions and said divisive agitation on regional trade would not be permitted. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister rejected Opposition claims about local government results and the handling of the salt shortage, stating that allegations that 51,000 metric tons of imported salt were given to one private company were false. He said imports were arranged after requests from producers and after heavy rains damaged Hambantota and Puttalam production, with tenders through the State Trading Corporation, Cabinet approval for additional imports, and temporary permission for private importers. He outlined national salt demand, washing and supply constraints, allocations to Lanka Salt, Sathosa and dried-fish producers, and said the Government would prevent excessive retail pricing while reviewing relevant ownership arrangements when existing agreements end. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva sought clarification regarding references to the online visa issue, stating that the Committee on Public Finance had previously brought the matter before Parliament and court, including concerns about threats. He asked the Government to clarify which Opposition Members were being referred to and raised concern over the delay in appointing an Auditor General. As Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, he questioned whether a politically influenced appointment was being considered and emphasized the need for the Auditor General’s independence. Debate: Finance Act Order - Tax Exemptions and Government Policy on Renewable Energy Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that the proposed measures are intended to raise the revenue needed to fund development plans and advance Sri Lanka’s national objectives. Debate: Finance Act Order - Tax Exemptions and Government Policy on Renewable Energy Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary The speech supported gazettes relating to tourism-related charges and vehicle luxury tax amendments, arguing that tourism recovery requires efficient visa processing, airport development, and stronger legal mechanisms to ensure airlines remit fees collected through tickets. It stated that exemptions continue for children under five, airline crew, and short-term transit passengers, and criticized past stalled airport and online visa projects while saying the Government had restored legal and procedural compliance. The speaker also explained proposed Luxury Tax threshold increases for vehicles, citing depreciation and price increases after years of import restrictions, and linked the measures to wider economic activity, investment, tourism arrivals, and capital spending. Debate: Finance Act Order - Tax Exemptions and Government Policy on Renewable Energy Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma – Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined Gazette Extraordinary No. 2421/30 and No. 2421/41, stating they were intended to support due process and development objectives. He explained that several airport-related concessions had expired between December 2024 and March 2025, and proposed extending them for one year, including a reduced embarkation fee at Mattala and a 50 per cent reduction to USD 30 for passengers using Bandaranaike, Ratmalana, and Jaffna airports. Debate: Finance Act Order - Tax Exemptions and Government Policy on Renewable Energy Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka – Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing AI summary Moved for parliamentary approval of an Order made under Section 2(1) of the Finance Act, No. 25 of 2003, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2421/30 of 31 January 2025 and presented on 8 May 2025, noting Cabinet approval. He also tabled the related notification listed as Item No. 2 on the Order Paper. Debate: Finance Act Order - Tax Exemptions and Government Policy on Renewable Energy Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised an urgent question under Standing Order 27(2) on the February 2025 nationwide power outage, noting that PUCSL had rejected the CEB’s explanation blaming high solar penetration and had initiated an independent inquiry. He questioned the consistency of curtailing rooftop solar while approving procurement of 152 MW of solar power at international pricing, arguing that this creates uncertainty and may disadvantage local renewable energy providers. He asked the Energy Minister for generation cost comparisons, justification for international solar procurement, reforms to ensure fair access for Sri Lankan providers, limits on foreign competition for smaller NCRE projects, the status of LNG import plans, and whether electricity tariffs will rise under cost-reflective pricing. Oral Questions - Various Tabled and Private Notice Questions Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna – Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary The Minister replied to Question No. 582/2025 on Southern Provincial Council cultural buildings, stating that the Central Government allocates development funds to Provincial Councils and that their accounts are audited by the Auditor General under the Provincial Councils Act and reported to Parliament under the Constitution. He said the Southern Provincial Council received Rs. 16,694.488 million from 2015 to 2019, including Rs. 1,366.13 million for the Southern Provincial Cultural Ministry, during which 28 buildings were constructed. He added that there were no buildings without a current use, though one is to be handed over to the Ministry of Justice and another is to be completed for a joint project with industrial and tourism authorities. Oral Questions - Various Tabled and Private Notice Questions Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma – Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that coordination would be undertaken between the Board of Investment and the Urban Development Authority to gather the necessary information. He assured that the relevant agencies would provide a proper and timely response and take appropriate action. Oral Question: Millennium City Housing Complex, Oruwala - Lands for Common Amenities (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma – Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning acknowledged that residents of the complex appear to face a practical lack of common amenities beyond documentation issues. He said the Government would conduct an inquiry, verify on-site whether the recorded land extents are physically available, and present findings with appropriate remedial measures. Oral Question: Millennium City Housing Complex, Oruwala - Lands for Common Amenities (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma – Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister responded on behalf of the Finance Minister regarding BOI land in Athurugiriya leased to Ceylinco Developers for a 99-year housing project. He stated that the project was planned and constructed according to UDA-approved drawings, that land reserved for common amenities is physically in use for that purpose based on preliminary verification, and that no BOI alienation of such land or allocation of marshland outside the complex had occurred. He added that any specific issues could be examined and necessary action taken following inquiry. Oral Question: Millennium City Housing Complex, Oruwala - Lands for Common Amenities (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for details on the Millennium City Housing Complex at Oruwala, including the extent of Steel Corporation land purchased by Ceylinco Developers, whether the Urban Development Authority approved the development plan, and what lands were required, planned, and physically reserved for common amenities. The question also sought clarification on whether common-amenity lands were instead allocated from marshland outside the complex, the legality of such action, any alienation of reserved lands, and measures taken to recover or address those lands. Oral Question: Millennium City Housing Complex, Oruwala - Lands for Common Amenities (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna asked whether a particular doctor had been appointed to an end post by the Ministry of Health through proper procedure and with Public Service Commission approval, stating that the matter was unrelated to an ongoing court case and was raised in the public interest. He further asked whether the Government was aware of the large donations received by Jaffna Teaching Hospital during the COVID period since 2019, and requested confirmation that those funds had been properly used. Oral Question: Director of Jaffna Teaching Hospital Appointment (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the closure of the CWE had been done without properly identifying its assets and liabilities, resulting in expired leases and outdated rents at properties including Welisara and near the head office. He said inspections found expired or absent agreements for warehouses and small shops, issues with access to an adjacent court, and properties islandwide leased under questionable arrangements, including to political associates. He outlined steps to obtain valuations, execute new two-year lease agreements at fair market rates, regularize documentation through a legal panel, and re-establish the CWE as the “National Co-operative Wholesale Establishment” to intervene in wholesale trade. Oral Question: Warehouses of Co-operative Wholesale Establishment in Welisara - Lease (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage raised a supplementary question on the condition of co-operatives, citing the Gampaha Co-operative and alleged irregular promissory notes at its head office. He asked the Minister how long the Ministry would take and what procedure it would follow to regularize not only warehouses but also shops and plots leased out under various arrangements. Oral Question: Warehouses of Co-operative Wholesale Establishment in Welisara - Lease (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe – Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development AI summary The Minister answered a parliamentary question on warehouses under the Ministry’s purview, stating that there are five warehouses and that some have been leased to Lanka Sathosa and Abans PLC. He provided the floor areas and current monthly rents for three leased premises, including two to Lanka Sathosa and one to Abans. He said the premises have been referred to the Government Valuation Department for reassessment of rent at current government valuation, after which further action will be taken. Oral Question: Warehouses of Co-operative Wholesale Establishment in Welisara - Lease (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary ICU development projects at nine hospitals, in addition to Kandy, have stalled because the original contractor was unable to proceed amid the financial crisis. Legal action is under way, and the Legal Division is considering whether to retender the projects or permit the company that acquired the contractor to continue them. Necessary financial allocations will be made once that decision is taken. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital - Donations for Purchase of Surgical Items (Q.3/2025) Read →