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- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that continuous auditing already exists for ministries, departments and statutory bodies through the National Audit Office and related committee processes, but audit findings often recur because corrective action is not taken properly or on time. She said the Government will strengthen the authority of Accountants and Chief Accountants through circulars, refer disciplinary and legal matters promptly, and improve implementation of audit recommendations through the Ministry of Finance. She also proposed amending Standing Orders to allow COPE and COPA to make binding decisions, strengthening surcharge processes for misuse of public funds or property, and treating such findings as impediments to appointments and promotions. Private Members' Motion (P.19/2024): Course of Action for Implementing Audit Recommendations Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the existing parliamentary follow-up process for Auditor General’s reports under Standing Order 120, including the requirement for subject Ministers and the Minister of Finance to report back within eight weeks on COPE recommendations. He emphasized COPE’s powers to summon persons, inspect documents and institutions, recall Ministers where responses are unsatisfactory, and refer matters to the Attorney General for legal action. He argued that the process should move beyond reporting and enable more direct initiation of legal proceedings arising from audit findings. Private Members' Motion (P.19/2024): Course of Action for Implementing Audit Recommendations Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama defended the Government’s record during its first six months, citing elections, the Budget, and the passage of the Proceeds of Crime law as evidence of progress. He said the Motion to implement Audit recommendations was consistent with Government efforts to strengthen institutions, but argued that such reforms require time and ethical governance as well as legislation. He referred to recent and ongoing corruption-related proceedings, including a sentencing in the North Central Province case and delays in a 2018 bribery case, to argue that the rule of law is now being applied more equally. He also stated that action would be taken against those responsible in the case of the deceased schoolgirl and that relevant institutions would be strengthened. Private Members' Motion (P.19/2024): Course of Action for Implementing Audit Recommendations Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri argued that audit queries should not be treated as proven findings or used for political purposes, noting that only matters established through replies and surcharges should lead to legal action. He urged the Government to disclose surcharged cases, seek the Attorney General’s advice, and refer proven corruption, fraud and bribery matters to court regardless of political affiliation. He also called on the Justice Minister to introduce necessary legal processes and criticized the lack of visible action on alleged corruption despite prior promises. Private Members' Motion (P.19/2024): Course of Action for Implementing Audit Recommendations Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri moved a resolution calling on the Government to establish a programme to implement recommendations in Audit Reports to prevent fraud and corruption in ministries, departments, and statutory bodies. He said the proposal reflects commitments previously made by the present Government on political platforms and presented it as a reminder to act on those commitments. Private Members' Motion (P.19/2024): Course of Action for Implementing Audit Recommendations Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara urged the Government to ensure fertilizer is available in the market and to credit allocated fertilizer funds directly to farmers’ accounts without delay. He argued that farmers can purchase fertilizer only once the money reaches them, especially amid rising seasonal prices, and called for a proper and fair process supported across party lines. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara questioned the implementation of the fertilizer subsidy, asking how many farmers had actually received funds in their bank accounts. He argued that allocating or holding funds elsewhere was insufficient, because farmers can purchase fertilizer only once the subsidy money is credited directly to them, and questioned whether Rs. 200 million was adequate to complete the programme. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Rs. 2,300 million has been released nationwide, not only for the Anuradhapura District. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara criticized Government figures, including Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, for allegedly telling trade union leaders not to make further demands despite having previously supported protests and wage demands. He said the Opposition was not protesting but urging the Government to fulfil its promise to provide the fertilizer subsidy, noting that the Yala cultivation season had already begun and referring to the relevance for Anuradhapura District. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. T. B. Sarath JJB AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath stated that there was no cause for alarm and assured that he would provide the internal audit report. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary As Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva said he would summon the relevant persons and investigate claims that his name had been used in a matter without his involvement. He clarified that the Board of Directors changed after 2019 and was not the Board appointed by them, and stated that if anyone had misused his name, he would seek maximum punishment. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that a person’s name may have been misused in relation to a failed project and said that matter could be investigated. He emphasized that his main point was the project’s failure and the losses incurred. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe alleged that loans to the “Shakthi” rice millers’ co-operative in Polonnaruwa resulted in an Rs. 800 million loss. He cited an internal audit report, stating that it recorded rice being given to Hon. T. B. Sarath and to the person he was addressing, implying the matter required scrutiny. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva briefly responded to an allegation made in the House that he had dues and that a rice millers’ co-operative had caused losses to the Government. He appeared to contest or seek clarification on the claim. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government is already implementing policies related to diplomatic appointments, housing, MPs’ pensions, and food security, and has established a multi-ministry Food Security Committee to address shortages. He criticised past decisions to wind down Sathosa and the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment, citing major debts, losses, asset sales and disrupted distribution, and rejected the “Shakthi Sahal” model on the basis of audit findings showing losses and unpaid dues. He outlined plans to rebuild wholesale and co-operative distribution, form producer co-operatives, restart CWE facilities, purchase paddy at guaranteed prices, sell rice at controlled prices, provide fertilizer subsidies, address new demand from liquor and poultry-feed industries, and use storage capacity such as the Dambulla cool rooms to stabilise supply and consumer prices. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Supported the motion but argued that policy should prioritize strengthening domestic agriculture and distribution rather than relying on imports of essential foods. Citing the “Shakthi Sahal” programme and the Paddy Marketing Board’s limitations, he proposed State-backed buffer stocks and support for both large and small millers, including cooperative and private-sector participation. He also referred to the Dambulla “Prabashwara” cold storage project and called for farmer training in Good Agricultural Practices so produce can be stored properly to reduce price volatility. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB AI summary Champika Hettiarachchi said the Government was implementing NPP manifesto commitments on national food security, including domestic production of locally producible foods and maintaining three-month buffer stocks. He cited measures to strengthen Sathosa, Lak Sathosa and co-operatives, improve transport, staffing, storage, digitization and port clearance, and reduce prices and post-harvest losses. He also referred to broader efforts to curb alleged profiteering in imports, strengthen agriculture and industry, and end what he described as previous practices favouring cronies. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera criticized Hon. Rohana Bandara’s Private Member’s Motion on State intervention in essential food imports and distribution, arguing that it was politically motivated and echoed policies already contained in the NPP Government’s programme. He stated that the Government is implementing plans to strengthen agriculture, food security, productivity, value chains, market stability, land management, input management, climate risk management, and research. He blamed previous administrations, including the UNP’s “Regaining Sri Lanka” policy, for weakening State involvement and damaging agriculture, and asserted that the current Government has public endorsement to rebuild the agro-economy. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara moved a resolution calling for a government programme to increase State intervention in importing and supplying essential foods, medicines and other items, arguing that control by a few traders has contributed to shortages, hoarding and price volatility. He cited recent shortages of rice, coconut and salt, and said the Government failed to ensure timely fertilizer subsidies, fair paddy purchasing and adequate buffer stocks, leading to weak State procurement and reliance on imports. He urged priority for boosting local agricultural production, including timely provision of TSP and other inputs for the Yala season, and questioned government spending, tender procedures and possible corruption in procurement processes. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that, under the previous legal framework, Ministers and State Ministers were entitled to receive two salaries. He noted that this practice has now changed and only one salary is being drawn. Private Members' Motion (P.2/2024): Curtailing Privileges of MPs and Former Heads of State Read →