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- 5 May 2026 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the cost of production for paddy changes over time and that the earlier Rs. 150 per kilogram figure reflected the exceptional period of fertilizer shortages and high input costs. He said the cost of production would be recalculated for the Yala season, that the Paddy Marketing Board price may change from Rs. 120, and that support measures and subsidies would be adjusted to maintain stability while reflecting increased costs. Procedural and Main Business: Adjournment Motion Request and Agriculture Statement Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to reassess the paddy cost-of-production formula with state institutions and experts, arguing that the stated Rs. 95 per kilogramme was unrealistic given higher fuel, machinery, seed, and fertilizer costs. He called on the Government to fulfill its promise to pay and legislate a Rs. 150 per kilogramme price, relax the 14 per cent moisture standard where necessary, and expand procurement support for farmers during the Yala season amid continuing fertilizer shortages. Procedural and Main Business: Adjournment Motion Request and Agriculture Statement Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka raised concern over reports that millions of US dollars in Treasury funds had gone missing, stressing Parliament’s responsibility over public finance and the absence of reporting to the House. He stated that the Opposition had sought a debate at the Party Leaders’ meeting and by written request, and renewed the request under Standing Order 19(2)(c), supported by more than twenty Opposition Members standing in the Chamber. Procedural and Main Business: Adjournment Motion Request and Agriculture Statement Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake sought a ministerial statement on an alleged Rs. 13.2 billion financial fraud spanning FY 2024, FY 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, raising concerns over Central Bank supervision under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023. He questioned why the Bank Supervision Department, FIU, LankaPay and payment monitoring systems failed to detect or act on suspicious transactions reportedly flagged by commercial banks, including over 2,700 CEFT transactions. He also asked about possible involvement of other financial institutions, impacts on dividends, EPF/ETF, SLIC and shareholders, tax losses, remittances or cryptocurrency transfers, market capitalization losses, and disclosure around a debenture issue. He requested that the Government appoint an independent forensic auditor, arguing that a CBSL-appointed audit could create a conflict of interest. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Debt Service Payment and Central Bank Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Minister on an apparent contradiction about why Parliament was not informed of a serious incident discovered on 23 March, noting that Parliament sat from 7 to 10 April. He raised concerns about the Secretary to the Treasury’s non-attendance at the Committee on Public Finance and the lack of answers on repayment timelines and amounts. He also requested a clear statement from the Government and the Minister of Justice on the investigation into the incident and the death of Mr. Ranga Nishantha Rajapaksha, citing public suspicion. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Debt Service Payment and Central Bank Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha responded to eight questions raised under Standing Order 27(2) on state debt management and a suspected cyber-related diversion of external debt payments. He outlined the legal framework under the Public Financial Management Act and State Debt Management Act, explained the transfer of debt management functions from the Central Bank to the Public Debt Management Office from January 2026, and detailed the payment procedures and affected remittances. He stated that the issue was discovered on 23 March 2026, complaints were made to SLCERT, CID and the Financial Intelligence Unit, four officers have been interdicted following an internal inquiry, and investigations are continuing. He added that advisers indicated the incident is unlikely to be treated as a technical default, and said further information would be provided through Ministry Statements. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Debt Service Payment and Central Bank Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Government on alleged erroneous debt service payments, including a reported USD 2.5 million loss, a USD 600,000 issue involving the US Postal Service, possible double payments under Aswasuma, and missing promissory notes related to a French loan. He requested a detailed account of the standard debt payment process, responsible institutions and officers, the dates and actions taken under relevant Financial Regulations and the Payment Devices Frauds Report Act, and why Parliament was not informed earlier. He also asked about verification failures in changing payment details following a fake email, the timing and details of any CID or legal complaints, the status of law enforcement proceedings, and whether the incident constitutes a technical default under the IMF programme. He further questioned whether a fair investigation is possible while the Secretary to the Treasury and other responsible officers remain in office. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Debt Service Payment and Central Bank Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised concerns that state debt settlement funds had allegedly been paid to a party other than the creditor, citing Parliament’s control over public finance under Article 148 of the Constitution. He requested detailed information on the legal framework and institutional responsibilities for managing domestic and foreign public debt, including changes following the State Debt Management Act, No. 33 of 2024. He also asked for confirmed dates of the 10 payments reported to the Committee on Public Finance, through which USD 2.5 million was said to have been lost. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Debt Service Payment and Central Bank Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary SriLankan Airlines recorded a cumulative group loss of Rs. 323.5 billion from 2019/20 to 2024/25, including exchange losses of Rs. 214.6 billion and finance costs of Rs. 193.5 billion, despite reporting operating profits in most years and a total operating profit of Rs. 95 billion before exchange effects. For 2024/25, aircraft and spare engine lease rentals amounted to Rs. 40.4 billion, with lease or loan instalments being paid on 22 aircraft. As at 31 March 2025, total loans payable stood at Rs. 188.3 billion, including state bank loans, sovereign bonds, an overdraft, and deferred lessor payments, while 2024/25 principal repayments were Rs. 5.9 billion and interest payments Rs. 26.6 billion. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Energy, Nalinda Jayatissa provided annual Ceylon Electricity Board profit and loss figures from 2015 to 2025, showing major losses in most years, profits in 2023 and 2024, and a loss again in 2025. He stated that the main reason for accumulated losses was the absence of tariff revisions from 2014 to 2022 despite changes in fuel prices and exchange rates, and said a detailed report had been tabled in the Library. He added that the CEB is not currently making a profit, but any future profit would be passed to consumers through tariff revisions; questions on payments to unspecified “companies” could not be answered. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister said the Ministry and NAQDA face significant cadre vacancies and that an approved programme is being implemented to fill them. He stated that new hatcheries are being established and a major sea cucumber programme is planned, with the aim of involving more than 1,000 additional people by the end of the year. He added that the Ministry would consider the issues raised and keep Parliament informed. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan asked the Minister whether NAQDA has a programme to substantially expand inland freshwater fish production to meet national protein needs while also supporting export sectors such as ornamental fish and shrimp. He cited an annual fish consumption requirement of about 600,000 metric tons, with marine capture contributing around 300,000 metric tons and inland production only about 32,000 metric tons, arguing that inland output must increase significantly. Oral Questions Q.7-Q.9: Education Statistics, Aquaculture, CEB and SriLankan Airlines Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the allocation of a Ministerial Official Residence to the Speaker’s Private Secretary, citing a Public Administration Ministry advertisement regarding remaining residences for retail leasing. He referred to the Minister of Finance’s stated position that public resources should not be used unnecessarily and asked why such a residence had been granted in this case. Oral Question Q.6: Speaker's Personal Staff, Vehicles and Official Residence Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa clarified the Government’s policy decision to relinquish Ministerial Official Residences, noting that maintenance remains a State responsibility until the properties are repurposed, with some already converted into High Courts and other economic uses planned. He said the Speaker’s Residence is not being used as personal accommodation, and its staff are retained only for maintenance while the Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee considers alternative uses. Oral Question Q.6: Speaker's Personal Staff, Vehicles and Official Residence Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the allocation and use of official residences connected to the Speaker, stating that the Speaker’s Residence remains in use for official functions while the Speaker also occupies another official residence at Lauries Road. He further alleged that a ministerial official residence in the same complex had been allocated to the Speaker’s Private Secretary, tabling letters from the Ministry of Public Administration to support this. He asked for an explanation, arguing that maintaining multiple official residences in this manner was improper. Oral Question Q.6: Speaker's Personal Staff, Vehicles and Official Residence Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the three official residences attached to the relevant offices are not being used for private residence but are maintained for official state functions, meetings, and events. She cited recent and routine uses of the President’s House, Araliyagaha Mandiraya, and the Speaker’s Residence, and noted that maintenance is necessary due to the size of the premises, with staffing currently below the approved cadre. Oral Question Q.6: Speaker's Personal Staff, Vehicles and Official Residence Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya provided details on the Speaker’s official facilities, stating that he uses a petrol Mitsubishi car and a diesel BMW car, for which Parliament pays only the fuel allowance. She said the official residence at No. 8-1, Lauries Lane, Colombo 04 was allocated to him from 8 January 2025 while he holds office, with 12.5% of his monthly allowance deducted as rent and utility bills paid by the occupant. Oral Question Q.6: Speaker's Personal Staff, Vehicles and Official Residence Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Government is planning and implementing base infrastructure to expand electricity connections across the entire country, including islands and other remote areas. He said specific completion dates cannot be given until implementation progresses, and that expansion will depend on available financial capacity. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Additional costs from substandard coal cannot yet be quantified because they depend on shipment-specific generation levels and coal quality parameters, and the relevant process has not been completed. It was clarified that any shortfall is not met entirely through diesel generation; solar, hydropower, and other sources are used where possible, with diesel used only at critical times. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson asked the Minister about the impact of allegedly inferior coal at the Norochcholai power plant, noting that output had fallen from 810 MW to about 630–690 MW and required increased diesel-based generation. He highlighted the cost difference between diesel and coal generation and requested a clear statement of how much had been spent to date on generating electricity using diesel. Oral Question Q.5 (642/2025): Committees Investigated into Nationwide Power Failure on 09.02.2025 Read →