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- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the Gazette regulation under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act revising electric vehicle taxes, arguing that it narrows disparities with petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicle taxes while still leaving EVs at comparatively lower rates. He said the broader vehicle import policy is being reopened in stages to balance personal mobility and industrial needs against foreign reserve constraints, while also encouraging locally produced or assembled EVs. He linked the measure to the Government’s revenue requirements, IMF-related VAT commitments, and the need to restructure loss-making State enterprises, stating that contingency planning and limited imports may be necessary in sectors such as salt. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that the new excise regulation on vehicle imports is primarily intended to compensate for an expected shortfall in the Government’s Rs. 5,042 billion tax revenue target, with higher duties likely to increase vehicle prices, reduce EV imports, and raise fuel consumption costs. He also criticized the handling of the War Heroes’ commemoration, saying it should have been formally led with full recognition of military sacrifices and a parliamentary minute of silence. He called for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address missing persons from both the North and South, provide compensation and closure to families, and prevent recurrence. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary In the debate on revising taxes on imported electric vehicles, the Member supported maintaining revenue measures while allowing luxury EV imports, arguing that EV taxes would remain lower than those on petrol, diesel, or hybrid vehicles and that revenue could fund public programmes. He also called for protection of domestic electric vehicle manufacturers and assemblers as vehicle imports resume after the economic crisis. Responding to Opposition claims, he rejected allegations of genocide by the armed forces, said wartime-acquired lands in the North and East had been or would be released where ownership was verified, and argued that the current Government was giving due recognition to war veterans. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Jagath Vithana opposed the regulation under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, arguing that sharply increasing taxes on electric vehicles undermines the shift to environment-friendly transport and may reduce demand rather than raise revenue. He proposed alternative revenue and industry-support measures, including temporarily suspending sugar imports to sell Kantale Sugar Factory stocks and importing copra or raw nuts instead of coconut oil to support local mills. He also called for EV charging points at fuel stations and urged practical policymaking in transport, referencing the recent fatal bus accident and rejecting proposals to require passengers to change buses mid-route as impractical. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government’s tax policy as inconsistent and revenue-driven, citing repeated tax increases and changes to vehicle and EV import duties despite earlier promises of affordability. He argued that higher EV taxes and equal treatment of locally manufactured electric vehicles, such as Vega’s three-wheeler, undermine domestic production and clean transport. He also accused the Government of moving away from renewable energy toward coal and diesel, referencing delays in solar grid connections, lack of approvals for renewable projects, and recent reliance on fossil fuel generation. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB AI summary Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne said Sri Lanka’s post-war reconciliation efforts had been inadequate and called for a credible transitional justice process covering truth, justice, reparations, non-recurrence, economic justice, remembrance rights, constitutional reform, and action against extremist ideologies and hate crimes. Addressing the Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act and Gazette No. 2421/42, she proposed revising excise duty bands for electric vehicles while keeping them below comparable petrol, diesel, and hybrid rates. She said the policy aims to raise transparent public revenue, support social justice, encourage domestic EV production, reduce foreign exchange outflows, promote environmental benefits, and be complemented by stronger public transport investment. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary The speech defended the Government’s revision of taxes on electric vehicles as part of a cautious reopening of the vehicle market after the economic crisis and import restrictions. It argued that while EVs support environmental goals and have lower operating costs, increased demand must be managed because Sri Lanka’s electricity supply still relies significantly on thermal generation and renewable capacity, including storage-backed solar, needs expansion. The Member said the tax adjustment was a Treasury and Finance decision intended to stabilize the market, protect foreign reserves, support economic recovery, and proceed prudently rather than burden consumers. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad criticised the increase in electric vehicle taxes from 15 to 30 percent, arguing that it treats vehicles as revenue instruments rather than supporting long-term energy and foreign-exchange savings. He said the policy contradicts climate and carbon-neutrality goals, burdens lower-income users such as three-wheeler drivers, and may increase future fuel imports. He called for lower EV taxes, support for solar-powered home charging, affordable electric three-wheelers, reduced recurrent expenditure, higher capital investment, and restructuring of loss-making State entities such as SriLankan Airlines and addressing corruption and losses in the Ceylon Electricity Board. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma — Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister explained the Order under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2421/42, stating that vehicle imports are being resumed in phases covering public passenger buses, production-related vehicles and private vehicles. He said excise duty revisions are intended to reduce large tax disparities between petrol/diesel vehicles and electric vehicles, protect foreign reserves and maintain expected revenue, with duties calculated by vehicle category, engine capacity or electric motor capacity rather than as a percentage of value. He added that early indicators such as duty revenue and Letters of Credit suggest the policy is functioning as intended, while the Government is also seeking to stabilize interest rates and improve affordable financing access for businesses, especially SMEs. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage — Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment AI summary The Minister moved for parliamentary approval of an Order under Section 3 of the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989, made by the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies. The Order was published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2421/42 dated 31 January 2025, presented to Parliament on 8 May 2025, and had received Cabinet approval. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, as Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, urged the Speaker to take an urgent decision to ensure the appointment of an Auditor-General. He indicated that he was presenting the matter formally to the House and requested immediate action. Points of Order and Privilege Matter: Death Threats to Hon. Rohana Bandara Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Under Standing Order 121(4), Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised an issue from the Committee on Public Finance concerning the vacancy in the post of Auditor-General. He noted that 41 days had passed without an appointment and asked whether the Government had any reason for not following the long-standing practice of appointing the senior-most officer of the Auditor General’s Department. Points of Order and Privilege Matter: Death Threats to Hon. Rohana Bandara Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister tabled a written answer on drinking water access in estate housing, stating that while most estate households rely on natural sources through communal or individual arrangements, less than 10 per cent have access to safe, protected drinking water. He said the community infrastructure division had not implemented UNICEF-initiated estate water schemes, but had implemented 27 drinking water schemes in 2023 and 2024 with a total allocation of Rs. 165,283,843.85. He also reported that the Poonagala LLG Capkade scheme had been completed on 20 September 2020, with the relevant annexes placed in the Library. Oral Questions: Plantation Community Infrastructure and Transport Issues Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Dr. Susil Ranasinghe stated that encroachments in canal reservations obstruct drainage and increase flood risk, and said the relevant Department is taking action to prevent such obstructions. He invited specific proposals on Ridibendi Ella and Deduru Oya to be submitted to the District Coordinating Committee, where they would be discussed with the Department, funding identified, and necessary flood control works undertaken. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna stated that around 43,000 items or cases from the previous year’s accumulation remain unresolved. He raised this as a point to the Minister, implying a request for clarification or action on the outstanding backlog. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala stated that the passport backlog has been reduced since the introduction of a 24-hour service, with 303,483 passports issued out of 349,483 applications received. He said 56,769 of the earlier backlog of about 110,000 applications had been cleared, leaving 43,231 pending, and that urgent applicants can now obtain a passport within a day under the one-day service. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government would prefer to pay pensioners the same cost of living allowance as serving public officers, but noted that pensioners have historically received a lower allowance, citing the 2024 increases to Rs. 6,025 for pensioners and Rs. 17,800 for serving officers. He said differences may reflect work-related costs borne by serving officers, but affirmed that pensioners should receive a fair pension and allowance to live with dignity, with steps to be considered in future Budgets. He also stated that reductions in medicine prices would benefit both pensioners and serving officers. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala raised the hardship faced by pensioners following the economic downturn and pointed to the disparity between cost of living allowances paid to serving public officers and pensioners. He asked what steps had been taken to fulfil the pre-election promise to equalise those allowances, noting that both groups face the same prices for essential goods. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the 2025 Budget includes a proposal to make relevant payments to pensioners. He added that future Budgets would also provide for such payments to ensure no pensioner is disadvantaged. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Asked for specific timelines and details on how the proposed staged payments would be made. The intervention sought clarification on the payment schedule and implementation process. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →