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- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti – Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti supported the Bill as a necessary legal mechanism to recover misappropriated public assets and act on corruption cases through lawful and transparent procedures, rather than political discretion. He assured that the Government would not use the law for personal or partisan purposes and said it would help address past failures where COPE, COPA and Auditor General findings had not led to recovery or punishment. He cited cases including the Easter attacks, Central Bank bond scam, sugar tax issue, Mahapola/Malabe property matter, Gin–Nilwala project, dairy cow imports, SriLankan Airlines aircraft deals, fertilizer transactions, coal procurement, SATHOSA rice diversion and the X-Press Pearl compensation issue as matters requiring investigation, accountability and recovery under the proposed law. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D.V. Chanaka stated that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna supports the Bill to vest proceeds of crime in the State, while warning that such laws must not be used for political purposes, citing past examples including the FCID and public property legislation. He urged the Government to recover criminally obtained assets held overseas and use them as previously promised, including for debt repayment. He also alleged misuse of COPA proceedings regarding a vehicle linked to Yoshitha Rajapaksa and tabled related documents, and challenged Government claims on foreign reserves by citing Central Bank data on reserve levels before and after September 2024. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala – Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs AI summary The Minister supported the Proceeds of Crime Bill, stating that it creates a framework to investigate, restrain, manage, vest in the State, and dispose of property derived from criminal activity, including assets moved overseas. He said the Bill addresses gaps in existing laws on bribery, public property, money laundering, terrorist financing, and criminal procedure, and establishes mechanisms such as a Proceeds of Crime Management Authority, a dedicated police unit, inter-agency and international cooperation, and a Compensation Fund. He emphasized that the Government intends to recover illicitly acquired assets, return them to lawful owners or custodians where appropriate, and target criminal wealth, including in cases linked to narcotics trafficking. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam supported the Proceeds of Crime Bill and commended the Minister of Justice, while proposing amendments including a clear monetary threshold under Clause 53(4)(b), safeguards against possible abuse of investigative powers under Clause 71, and statutory provisions on remuneration for members of the Proceeds of Crime Management Authority. He argued that these changes would prevent future misuse of the law and undue ministerial influence. He also rejected allegations made during the debate concerning decentralized budget allocations and criticized what he described as a personal attack in response to corruption allegations he had raised. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ms. Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB AI summary Hon. Kaushalya Ariyarathne criticized Opposition figures facing CID inquiries and court cases, arguing that such involvement should not be treated as a point of pride. Referring to alleged properties linked to members of the Rajapaksa family, she said the Government would use the powers in the bill under debate to recover stolen assets and return them to the public. She emphasized the need for strong implementation and public awareness after the bill is passed, with further steps to be outlined by the Minister of Justice. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported the Proceeds of Crime Bill, linking it to public demands after the economic crisis and IMF governance recommendations for asset recovery legislation. She argued that the Bill demonstrates political will to recover illicitly acquired public wealth and strengthens investigation, prosecution and court powers, including through a designated senior police officer and a Proceeds of Crime Management Authority. She highlighted the rebuttable presumption on unexplained wealth and non-conviction-based asset recovery as key mechanisms, with recovered assets to be credited to the Consolidated Fund and potentially used for reparations and institutional strengthening. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan asked the Minister to table in Parliament the MoUs referred to in the Minister’s statement, arguing that doing so would build public and parliamentary confidence. He noted that similar actions in the past had been criticized as “selling out,” and sought clarification and transparency by requesting that all such documents be submitted to Parliament. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath outlined the outcomes of the Indian Prime Minister’s April 2025 visit to Sri Lanka, highlighting agreements and support across debt restructuring, tourism, digitalization, energy, transport, agriculture, investment, and religious-cultural projects. He stated that India agreed to restructure bilateral debt, convert about USD 100 million in recent loans into grants, reduce interest and extend the tenure of the swap facility, and provide grants for Mannar Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit and the Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling upgrade. He also noted Indian financial support for projects in Anuradhapura, the Thirukoneswaram Kovil in Trincomalee, and the Seetha Eliya temple area in Nuwara Eliya, describing these as measures to strengthen religious ties and tourism. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that a zero-tariff approach is not the only option under consideration and that the Government is exploring alternatives in response to the issue raised. He said a meeting with US authorities would be held that night and that information would subsequently be provided to Parliament. He also argued that tariff comparisons should not focus on a single country, noting differing rates in India, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar, and said the matter relates more to the trade deficit than to tariff levels alone. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka should respond pragmatically to new US tariff pressures by offering zero-duty market access and a stronger investment climate for US companies, positioning Sri Lanka as a gateway to India. He highlighted the importance of US trade to Sri Lanka, citing 875,000 export-related jobs and a significant share of exports to the US, while noting broader shifts toward deglobalization. He called for a full-day parliamentary debate on trade policy, stating that the issue should not be addressed incidentally during other debates in breach of procedure. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha said the Government had engaged diplomatically with the White House, USTR, the IMF and Sri Lanka’s Embassy in Washington before and after the 2 April 2025 US tariff announcement, and that a Presidential Special Committee was appointed to propose responses. He said discussions focused on mitigation options linked to reducing the trade deficit used in the US tariff formula, with further virtual talks with USTR scheduled and a letter from the President to President Donald Trump acknowledged by the White House. He rejected claims of inaction, noting the US applied a global formula and that negotiations were expected only after figures were issued. He also outlined efforts to diversify markets through EU GSP+, the UK DCTS and opportunities in China, the Middle East, India and South Asia, while identifying apparel and food exports as priority sectors affected by the US measures. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a question to the Minister of Finance on the reported 44 per cent US tariff on Sri Lankan exports, asking what diplomatic, trade, and policy steps had been taken since 18 March 2025 to prevent or mitigate it. He sought details on engagement with the US administration and USTR, any request for a special exemption, comparative tariff treatment of competitor countries, and five-year export data to the US. He also asked for short- and long-term strategies to protect sectors such as apparel, rubber, tea, and marine exports, diversify markets, improve competitiveness, and support affected exporters, especially SMEs, framing the issue as a national concern. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the suspension of parate powers ended on 31 March 2025 and will not be extended, noting that banks used parate 2,263 times from 2019 to 2023 to recover Rs. 113.7 billion, while Stage 3 default loans stood at Rs. 1,380 billion as at end-2024. He outlined several MSME relief and revival measures, including ADB-supported and Consolidated Fund loan schemes, Central Bank circulars on restructuring and Business Revival Units, grace periods for eligible borrowers, possible interest write-offs, extended repayment terms, and a grievance mechanism for auction-related disputes. He also said an MSME Advisory Committee and a scorecard-based capacity grading mechanism are being introduced, with the framework developed through consultations among the Central Bank, ministries, banks, finance companies and MSME representatives. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over the unresolved difficulties facing MSMEs and the wider industrial sector, particularly after the expiry of the suspension of banks’ parate execution powers and the threat of new US reciprocal tariffs. He asked whether the Government would extend the parate suspension, table data and a Central Bank roadmap on parate execution, and introduce measures such as affordable working capital, interest relief, and loan restructuring for distressed and blacklisted businesses. He also sought clarification on the Government’s response to the proposed 44 per cent US tariff on Sri Lankan exports, including efforts to secure alternative market support such as an expanded Indian apparel quota, and called for an All-Party Conference to address the issue. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on pension payments for officers absorbed into the Department of Samurdhi Development, stating that payments had been halted for about three months due to statutory issues but had resumed following legal advice. He said the issue was not in the election manifesto, though it was being treated as a priority, and noted that 60 per cent of the EPF amount due to the Government is currently deducted from retirement gratuity before pensions are paid. Further action will depend on the pending court decision in SC/Contempt 07/2024. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority and Officer Pensions Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Waruna Liyanage) SJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment regarding the suspension of pension payments to retired employees of the Department of Samurdhi Development, formerly the Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority. It asked whether the Government accepts that the stoppage has caused hardship to retirees and dependents, noted a manifesto pledge to resolve the issue, and sought reasons for non-payment and details of measures for a permanent solution, including whether retirement gratuity could be withheld as a temporary arrangement. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Samurdhi Authority and Officer Pensions Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa reported staffing levels at the district’s sole District General Hospital, stating that 300 of 320 approved nursing posts are filled and the remaining 20 will be provided within about six weeks. He added that seven vacancies in the approved health staff cadre of 198 have received approval to be filled, and that a long-pending cadre revision has been initiated to allow further staff increases. Oral Question: Chilaw General Hospital Development Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan raised concerns about severe infrastructure and staffing shortages at the Puttalam District General Hospital, noting high daily outpatient numbers and the lack of proper clinic and drug storage facilities. He questioned why two major hospital buildings have remained incomplete for years and urged the Minister to allocate funds urgently, fill junior and nursing staff vacancies, and prioritize the hospital given the district’s large population of fishermen, farmers, and industrial workers needing emergency care. Oral Question: Chilaw General Hospital Development Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Chilaw Hospital was upgraded from a base hospital to a District General Hospital in 2011 and transferred from the Provincial Council to the Central Government in 2013. The Minister stated that stalled development works will be restarted, including completion of the ward complex with operating theatres with Rs. 700 million, the Accident and Emergency Unit with Rs. 300 million over two years, and the sewerage system with Rs. 82 million through the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. He added that the hospital currently has 41 specialists, 958 total staff and 644 inpatient beds, and that facilities will be developed according to District General Hospital standards under the Master Plan. Oral Question: Chilaw General Hospital Development Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary The Member drew the Deputy Minister of Defence’s attention to recruitment and allowance issues concerning Sri Lanka Navy Information Technology Unit personnel recruited under Naval Message No. 5 of 2004, which stated that uniforms would not be provided under that scheme. He tabled the relevant 2004 and 2023 naval messages and the 2024 Internal Audit Management Committee minutes, noting inconsistencies in later recruitment instructions. He said an audit sample found Rs. 1,293,850.34 in uniform allowances had been paid in 28 instances, and emphasized that this reflected weaknesses in internal controls rather than fraud by the sailors. Oral Question: Soldiers Recruitment Special Workwear (445/2025) Read →