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- 21 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amended recurrent and capital expenditure allocations in the Appropriation Bill, including Rs. 471.5741 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 189.4034 billion for capital expenditure. Members also approved allocations under Head 102 for operational and development activities, including Rs. 248.693718 billion in recurrent expenditure and Rs. 13.315 billion in development capital expenditure. The proceedings then moved to Head 237, Department of National Planning, where an amendment was proposed to Programme 01 during the Committee Stage. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill, 2025, relating to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The amendment proposed allocations of Rs. 471,574,100,000 for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 189,403,400,000 for capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka - President AI summary The President stated that the Government’s position is to procure power on a competitive, least-cost basis. Responding to concerns about Adani’s statement and the claimed value of the project, he said the cited “USD 1 billion” figure was inaccurate, that other bids could be considered, and that no investor had withdrawn. He urged that the issue not be used to create a perception of instability. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera argued that Sri Lanka should not procure power from Adani at 8.26 US cents per unit and should instead use competitive procedures for wind and solar energy procurement. He said there would be no objection to purchases around 5 US cents if achieved through a competitive process. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka - President AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka rejected claims that projected government revenues, including those expected from reopening vehicle imports, would not materialize. He challenged critics to identify any investor who had withdrawn after committing to Sri Lanka, arguing that unsubstantiated statements about investors leaving could undermine confidence and create instability. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka - President AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said the Government inherited a bankrupt economy in which revenue is almost entirely absorbed by interest payments, public sector salaries and pensions, while many state enterprises carry large debts and losses. He argued that the Government’s immediate priority was macroeconomic stabilization, including continuing the IMF Extended Fund Facility and moving from unilateral debt default to an agreed creditor standstill from 21 December. He cited the restart of Japanese and Chinese funded projects, the costs of stalled infrastructure during default, and new energy projects with India and the CEB as evidence of improving stability and restored external confidence. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence; Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary The President said the Government allowed the full Budget debate and acknowledged that some criticisms reflected pain, anger, or valid concerns, including references to land issues and a missing Presidential Secretariat file. He stated that the Government intends to change the long-standing economic policy direction, but argued that this must be done gradually and in a planned manner because Sri Lanka inherited a bankrupt and crisis-hit economy. He emphasized that economic stabilization is the Government’s first priority before attempting major policy shifts. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim argued that the NPP Government inherited improved macroeconomic conditions compared with the 2022 crisis, but that these gains were achieved through severe sacrifices by the poor, lower middle classes, SMEs and the private sector. He questioned whether the Budget delivers the promised “system change,” and criticised the Government for accepting the previous debt restructuring framework without seeking better terms. Citing projected 2025 external payments of about USD 3.3 billion against usable reserves of about USD 5.1 billion, he warned of reserve pressure, especially with vehicle import allocations, and asked for a clear plan to increase exports and dollar inflows before repayments intensify from 2028. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar alleged continued non-collection of around Rs. 6 billion in taxes on imported crude coconut oil that is refined and sold locally, citing Inland Revenue correspondence and prior answers by the Prime Minister, and urged the Government and Finance authorities to issue instructions and act. He also requested scrutiny of Lanka Coal Company appointments and dealings, and called for formal inquiries into alleged irregularities in Shell Gas purchases and emergency fuel procurement during the economic crisis, including COPE’s inability to summon relevant officials. He framed these issues as matters that began under the previous Government but require action by the present administration. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Amila Prasad raised sector-specific concerns affecting betel cultivators, the pottery industry, cashew growers, cane/bamboo crafts, cooperative investors, digital scam victims, and coconut oil-related revenue fraud, asking relevant ministries to ease regulations, investigate abuses, provide training and inputs, and introduce legislation where needed. He questioned the Government’s approach to revenue generation, dollar inflows, and IMF-related policy, while crediting the previous administration’s role in stabilizing the economy. He also warned that new US-China trade tensions could affect Sri Lanka through increased competition from Chinese goods and higher input costs, and urged the Government to outline concrete trade and economic responses, including bilateral and free trade arrangements. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a Point of Order seeking clarification on the country’s post-2022 economic recovery process. He stated that after Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy, President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged the IMF and that the country exited bankruptcy by September 2024, urging the Government to continue that programme while also reviving the economy through domestic investment. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake defended the Government’s early performance, citing the reopening of factories in the North, revival of the Elephant Pass salt factory, debt reduction at Milco, and electricity tariff reductions as evidence of delivery. He argued that the State should remain an active economic player in strategic areas while also attracting private investment, and referred to planned capital spending, the Central Expressway, ports, and large industries. He also highlighted the President’s recent foreign visits and diplomatic relations, and said rule of law and security matters, including Easter Sunday investigations and the Arugam Bay incident, were being handled professionally. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake defended the Government’s first Budget, saying it reflected the National People’s Power’s programme and mandate, while acknowledging fair criticism from some Opposition members. He rejected Opposition claims that the Government was “only talk,” arguing that it had already acted by avoiding nepotism in ministerial, presidential, prime ministerial, diplomatic, and state institutional appointments. He said the Government was prioritizing merit-based appointments and reducing public waste, contrasting this with past practices of family patronage in politics. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakkiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakkiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam criticized the Government’s finance policy, alleging that it had failed to tax cigarette companies adequately, recover large corporate tax concessions, address non-performing loans in State banks, or protect senior citizens affected by the increase in Withholding Tax. He demanded action on liquor licences issued under the Finance Ministry, citing alleged violations of the Excise Ordinance in Kilinochchi and permits granted to manufacturers such as Mendis. He also raised the unresolved losses of The Finance Company depositors and argued that the Government had not delivered substantive benefits to the Northern and Eastern Provinces despite its political claims. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar rejected Opposition allegations against Government members and argued that past violence, including ethnic riots, the PTA, the burning of the Jaffna Library, and the 1983 prison killings, was linked to former UNP governments. He said the Government would prioritize North and East development after decades of war, in line with the President’s call to channel financing to villages. He listed planned or ongoing projects including rehabilitation of Kurikattuwan and Vattuvagal bridges, revival of the Paranthan Chemical Factory, reopening the Ottuchuddan rice mill and Anaikoddai salt pan, rehabilitation of Kurinjattivu salt pan, a modern industrial zone in KKS, new investment in Mullaitivu, and rebuilding the Periyapandivirichchan coastal area. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe responded to Opposition allegations about rice imported by the State Trading Corporation, citing a Sri Lanka Standards Institution certification dated 30 December 2024. He stated that tests for arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury were within permitted limits and urged members not to create public concern without evidence. He tabled the SLSI report, which was placed in the Library. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran argued that sound financial planning and targeted investment are needed to rebuild the economy, noting that the North and East have received low allocations and that war-affected factories should be reopened to create employment. He opposed proposed mineral sand testing and extraction at Thirukkovil by the private company Damsila, warning of impacts on coastal dunes, fisheries, mangroves, coconut cultivation, paddy lands, tourism and river ecology. He also requested that the Government protect 4,000 acres of pasture land at Vattamadu from cultivation, provide additional land for cattle farmers, and establish dairy processing facilities to support milk production. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that development funding must be directed through a proper, purposeful process rather than ad hoc allocations. He warned that merely announcing large sums to appease affected communities, while diverting resources elsewhere, would fail to rebuild the areas concerned or protect and strengthen people’s livelihoods. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam questioned the Government’s approach to allocating Rs. 500 million for Jaffna, referring to a DCC meeting where views were sought on how to spend the funds. He argued that the war-affected North requires a comprehensive needs assessment and coordinated planning before allocations are made, rather than ad hoc requests for suggestions. He reiterated that development of the North and East should be based on identified needs to rebuild the weakened regional economy. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam raised concerns about depositors of The Finance Company, particularly in the North and East, arguing that many war-affected and retired persons relied on such deposits for income and have received little or nothing following the company’s 2019 liquidation. He questioned the collection of nearly Rs. 1 billion shortly before closure, criticized the sale of assets at low values, and urged the Finance Ministry to ensure repayment of capital with interest and provide justice to affected investors. He also highlighted the case of 14 Samurdhi Development Officers in Jaffna whose Grade I promotions were delayed from 2006 to 2012 due to missing interview records, requesting corrective action for the administrative error. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →