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. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister stated that an approved pension revision had previously been suspended without payment. He said the Government is now taking steps to pay the arrears in stages. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala raised a supplementary question on pension anomalies affecting retirees from 2016 to 2020, noting that they had been informed the correction would be added from January 2020 but that it was later deferred by circular under the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration. He asked what action the Government has taken, given earlier statements by the President and Hon. Wijitha Herath that resolving this anomaly was a priority. 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 there is no pension discrepancy, noting that pensions for public officers retired on or before 01.01.2017 have already been revised under Public Administration Circulars 14/2019 and 03/2016. He said the 2025 Budget provides Rs. 10,000 million to revise pensions from 01.07.2025 for those retired before 01.01.2018, with further revisions planned for retirees before 01.01.2020 under stages 3, 4 and 5 of Circular 03/2016. He also noted that public sector salary increases will take effect from 01.01.2025, with payments from 01.04.2025 without arrears, and that the cost of living allowance for pensioners will continue at the level set under the 2024 Budget. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala raised Question No. 3519/2025 to the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government regarding pension discrepancies affecting government servants who retired before 31 December 2015. The question sought clarification on the issue and any measures being taken to address disparities in their pension entitlements. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that several plots acquired in 2006 were allocated for the Kandy Court Complex, a lawyers’ complex to be built at lawyers’ expense on lease, and parking. He stated that the 40-perch block mentioned had not been transferred to the Ministry of Justice, and that the Ministry cannot acquire separate land solely for lawyers’ chambers under its current mandate. He added that if the disputed 60 perches are within the acquired court land the matter can be discussed further, but current information indicates the CEB block is outside the allocated court area and available internal space has already been used. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva tabled the Committee on Public Finance report on regulations and orders relating to imports and exports control, monetary law, luxury tax on motor vehicles, and excise duty. He noted that the Committee recommended a policy review of Mattala Airport’s operations, as departure and arrival taxes of USD 30 each have not been levied since 2022 despite the airport’s debt and liabilities. He also said vehicle luxury tax exemption thresholds are being adjusted due to currency depreciation, and that taxes on electric vehicles are being increased while remaining below those on petrol and diesel vehicles. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma supported the Motion to bring abandoned development structures into public use, stating that public funds and borrowings had been spent on assets that now create maintenance costs, illegal activity, waste dumping and health risks. He said the Government will identify expenditure and asset details, complete and repurpose such structures for markets, trade, tourism, business support, education and training, using Budget allocations and Public-Private-People partnerships, with asset data systems and dashboards being developed under the Ministry of Finance and Planning and the Comptroller General’s Office. He also updated the House on SME parate execution relief, noting that about Rs. 81 billion of Rs. 212 billion in stage 3 default loans had been brought to banks for negotiation, with around Rs. 6 billion restructured, and urged remaining SMEs to engage with banks. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hiruni Wijesinghe supported the Motion to put unused buildings from past development projects into public use, arguing that many were built without assessing local need, access, or economic value and have since remained abandoned. She cited unmet needs in education and health, including unfinished multi-storey structures at Chilaw General Hospital, and said the Government had cancelled problematic PPP-style agreements and allocated funds to complete such facilities. She also referred to reusing abandoned paddy stores, identifying underused ministry buildings, and creating a national inventory and data system for state-owned buildings, with funds allocated to bring halted projects to usable standards. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody supported the Motion to bring unused buildings constructed under past development projects into public use, arguing that many such projects were politically driven and not based on local needs. He cited Gampaha District, where he said about 289 buildings from various special projects remain unused or incomplete due to issues such as lack of electricity, sanitation, access roads, or clear purpose. He stated that the Gampaha District Development Committee has decided to prepare a report assessing the cost and steps needed to make these buildings usable and to adapt them for practical public purposes. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera seconded Hon. Lal Premanath’s Motion on repurposing old and partially built public structures, arguing that such unused buildings represent wasted national wealth and borrowed public funds. He cited examples from Elpitiya, including post-tsunami Pradeshiya Sabha buildings, a disputed library project, and a COVID-era building allegedly constructed on private land, and linked such waste to broader public hardships during the economic crisis. He urged the Government to act quickly to convert these structures into productive assets. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath moved a Private Member’s Motion urging the Government to identify and rehabilitate unused or incomplete buildings constructed with foreign aid, loans, or public funds, arguing that many have become wasted assets and safety or public health risks. He said such structures include hospitals, schools, offices, community halls and sports facilities, while public institutions continue to spend on rented premises. He proposed a nationwide census, a detailed status report, and a multidisciplinary expert committee with community consultation to assess rehabilitation needs and suitable public uses. He also called for transparent implementation and funding through the Budget, private investment, foreign assistance, PPPs, or reallocation of inactive state funds. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara noted that Budget allocations for development projects are expected to be fully utilized within the year, highlighting funding for rural roads, rural bridges, and the Mullaitivu–Vaddavadukkal bridge, with significant allocations to the Northern Province. He said public transport reforms should define Government specifications for buses suited to urban, rural, and hill routes, and referred to allocations for 100 low-floor buses and proposals for 200 more. He also called attention to the potential for domestic bus production and the working conditions and revenue pressures faced by private bus crews, while expressing cross-party support for improving public transport. Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined the policy process on minimum specifications for public passenger buses, noting Cabinet and Sectoral Oversight Committee consideration in 2023 and 2024, and stating that Cabinet approved permit and fleet-replacement compliance measures but did not approve declaring the specifications as national policy or legislating import restrictions. He said the Ministry plans to use the Rs. 3,000 million Budget allocation to import higher-standard buses, including low-floor and expressway models, expand the SLTB fleet, and begin a gradual transition to electric buses through investor engagement. He also referred to the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill, which would expand regulatory powers over other passenger transport modes, and announced forthcoming enforcement against non-compliant decorative bus modifications. Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman Hennayake JJB AI summary Dinindu Saman Hennayake seconded Ravindra Bandara’s Motion to import only buses meeting public transport standards, arguing that past mismanagement and politicization weakened the CTB/SLTB and reduced service quality. He said the National People’s Power Government’s manifesto prioritizes strengthening public transport, including for rural communities, and noted Budget plans to import 1,000 new buses. He cited the repair of 65 buses by Lakdiv Engineers and SLTB revenue of Rs. 204 million per day in April as recent measures, and called for ending the use of lorry-chassis and lorry-engine buses in favour of safer, more comfortable public transport. Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara supported the proposal to modernize public transport, citing past school bus accidents and the risks posed by ageing buses. He emphasized the need to improve passenger comfort and accessibility, including low-floor buses for persons with disabilities, and referred to Budget plans for new buses and further SLTB procurement. He also argued that better public transport is important for tourism and Sri Lanka’s image as a destination. Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara moved a Motion urging the Government to legislate that future bus imports for both SLTB and private operators must be purpose-built for passenger transport, comfortable, and compliant with public transport standards, rather than bodies built on lorry chassis. He argued that current buses cause safety, comfort, maintenance, environmental and service-quality problems, particularly on long-distance routes, while noting that import policy should also account for rural and estate road conditions through suitable vehicle sizes. He linked the proposal to the Government’s policy vision and the Clean Sri Lanka programme, and raised concerns about competition between SLTB and private buses, private bus associations’ influence, passenger inconvenience, tourist impressions, and inappropriate practices such as loud music in buses. Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged that housing delivery be treated as a non-partisan national priority and implemented through public–private partnerships rather than relying solely on government expenditure. He argued that available funds and land should be used to mobilize the private sector, speed up implementation, revive construction-related industry, and avoid delays from procurement processes. Citing estimates of a housing need of around 900,000 units and 1.5 million landless people, he called for a practical mechanism with clear targets to address housing shortages. Private Members' Motion (P.25/2024): Providing Housing for Every Family in Sri Lanka Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka said Sri Lanka faces a housing need of about 937,678 units, with nearly 495,520 existing houses requiring upgrading or reconstruction, and argued that past housing projects often failed due to poor planning and weak implementation frameworks. He cited incomplete NHDA projects from 2017–2018 and failed housing villages in Hambantota as examples of unsustainable planning. He stated that the Government’s policy is to ensure a safe home for all, with the Ministry’s agencies supporting 1,764 houses this year, increasing the grant from Rs. 600,000 to Rs. 1,000,000, and planning to hand over urban regeneration units in Colombo, including at Kirulapone and Stadium Gama, later in the year. Private Members' Motion (P.25/2024): Providing Housing for Every Family in Sri Lanka Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued for a supply-side, practical housing strategy linked to industrial investment, citing Malaysia’s experience and proposals received from Turkey and China. He said BOI-supported prefabricated housing could be built quickly at around Rs. 1.1 million per unit and urged tailored housing models for urban, agrarian, estate, fisheries, indigenous, war-displaced and village communities. He questioned whether the national housing deficit exceeds 580,000 and called for cross-party cooperation to address it within 10 years, with J.C. Alawathuwala seconding the Motion. Private Members' Motion (P.25/2024): Providing Housing for Every Family in Sri Lanka Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake moved a Resolution calling for every household head to be facilitated to purchase, build or rent a home, framing housing as a non-partisan national priority linked to family security and economic revival. He cited past Sri Lankan housing initiatives and international examples, and stated that the country faces an estimated shortage of 400,000 to 500,000 housing units, including significant needs in Colombo, Gampaha and the Northern Province. He proposed replacing poor urban settlements with flats, expanding access through State and private financing channels, and treating a large-scale housing programme—estimated at about Rs. 2,500 billion for 500,000 homes—as a feasible supply-side economic intervention. Private Members' Motion (P.25/2024): Providing Housing for Every Family in Sri Lanka Read →