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 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the Amendment Bill supports the 2025 revenue proposals and defended the proposed maximum 15 per cent tax on service export income, arguing that such taxation has a basis in the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017 and is not unprecedented. He said the measure is intended to address fairness and compliance concerns, including among digital earners, while avoiding full exemptions that allow some taxpayers to pay no income tax. He also outlined the Government’s approach to direct tax reform, stating that the personal income tax threshold was raised from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000 per month due to fiscal constraints, while broader tax-base expansion should focus on reducing avoidance and evasion through technology. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera distinguished the proposed Milleniya BOI Zone in the Bandaragama electorate from the UDA project at Millawa, Horana, noting that even officials confuse the two. He argued that around 500 acres, including 244 acres already vested, have been prepared for an investment zone, but progress is being obstructed by leasehold claims held by Horana Plantations. He urged the Government and Prime Minister to prioritize industrial and business development in Kalutara, attract investors in line with the Budget’s investment zone proposals, and avoid relying primarily on taxation while productive land remains unused. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera opposed the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, arguing that increased taxation would discourage IT-sector entrepreneurs and undermine earlier government commitments to support investment and local enterprise. He also raised concerns over the stalled Milleniya Investment Promotion Zone, stating that substantial public funds had already been spent, land had been acquired and infrastructure initiated, yet the BOI was still turning away investors citing lack of suitable land. He alleged that attempts were being made to cancel the acquisition and return the land to Horana Plantations PLC due to private interests, and urged senior Ministers to ensure the project proceeds as a strategic investment hub for Kalutara District. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister supported amendments to the Inland Revenue Act, focusing on PAYE reforms intended to improve fairness in personal income taxation following concerns raised by professionals during the 2023 IMF-linked revenue measures. He argued that taxpayers had sought fair taxation, transparency and efficient public spending, and said the proposed relief would reduce or moderate PAYE liabilities despite salary increases. He illustrated the impact with salary and tax examples for university academics, stating that similar relief would apply across professions paying personal income tax. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake sought a scheduling clarification on the Committee of Selection before opposing the proposed 15 per cent tax on foreign-earned service income, arguing that it would discourage foreign exchange inflows from professionals and IT services that were previously exempt. He said the expected Rs. 10.2 billion revenue was small and counterproductive, proposing alternatives such as minor fuel price adjustments and warning that firms and individuals could route income through low- or zero-tax jurisdictions, keep funds offshore, or relocate. He urged the Government to negotiate with the IMF rather than accept measures he described as damaging, cited SLASSCOM’s export and startup targets, and said the policy was inconsistent with tax-free incentives in Colombo Port City. He also questioned the proposed increase in betting and gaming taxes to 45 per cent, calling for a regulator and a more sustainable revenue strategy. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva disputed the Deputy Minister’s claims on tax relief, arguing that several measures presented as concessions—such as double taxation relief, taxation on net income, and quarterly payments—were standard tax practices. He said the Government had failed to remove food taxes as promised and was still collecting revenue through the Special Commodity Levy, while also imposing higher taxes on domestic software income and small foreign-earning digital creators. He also criticized the Deputy Minister’s attribution of Central Bank interest rate reductions to the Government and called for legal action, rather than repeated allegations, against politicians accused of corruption. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill implements limited Budget changes from 1 April 2025 and clarified that the 15 per cent tax on service export income is a reduced rate negotiated from the 30 per cent rate previously agreed under the IMF framework. He stated that service exporters would be taxed on net profit, receive foreign tax credits under double taxation arrangements, face a 15 per cent cap, and pay through quarterly self-assessment rather than withholding at bank receipt. He also outlined related Budget tax measures, including higher withholding tax in certain cases with exemptions for low-income depositors, a 45 per cent top rate for liquor, tobacco, betting and gaming, and personal income tax relief through a higher tax-free threshold and adjusted slabs. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Moved the approval of the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited annual reports for 2021 and 2022, including the Auditor General’s observations, under the relevant provisions of the Conversion of Public Corporations or Government Owned Business Undertakings into Public Companies Act and the Companies Act. He noted that both reports had been considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Energy and Transport, with its report presented to Parliament on 9 July 2024. Both motions were put to the House and agreed to. Papers Presented: Finance Act Regulation and Annual Reports Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Moved the approval of several finance-related regulations, orders and notifications made by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, including measures under the Finance Act, Inland Revenue Act, Regulation of Insurance Industry Act, Imports and Exports (Control) Act, Excise Ordinance, Excise (Special Provisions) Act, and Special Commodity Levy Act. The motions included approval of a protocol amending Sri Lanka’s double taxation agreement with India and several Gazette-published instruments from late 2024 and early 2025, all of which had Cabinet approval and were agreed to by Parliament. A motion was also initiated concerning the 2021 Annual Report of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. Papers Presented: Finance Act Regulation and Annual Reports Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma responded to Opposition concerns on the Budget, stating that SriLankan Airlines’ legacy debts must be serviced while operational funding from Government will cease and restructuring continues. He outlined measures on parate execution relief for SMEs, including a 12-month extension, bank outreach and monitoring, while noting low uptake so far. He also reported progress on the National Single Window, QR-based student book allowances, monitored vehicle importation, reserve and exchange-rate stability, and plans to disburse the Rs. 1.3 trillion public investment allocation through strengthened project and Treasury monitoring. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister said the 2025 Budget must be understood as a response to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, citing long-term trade deficits, past policy failures, depleted reserves, weak investor confidence, and high debt servicing obligations. He argued that despite fiscal constraints, the Budget supports a production-based recovery, public welfare, and fair distribution, with allocations for health, education materials, fertilizer subsidies, MSMEs, energy, industry, fisheries, agriculture, and reactivating abandoned factories and agro-industries. He also defended engagement with the IMF as arising from debt pressures and prior wastage, and described the Budget as appropriate to the country’s bankrupt conditions. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih - Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees JJB AI summary During the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Rizvie Salih highlighted tourism as a key source of foreign exchange for economic recovery, but raised concerns about alleged illegal business operations and disruptive conduct by some Israeli tourists in surfing destinations, citing a recent newspaper article. He argued that such activity may reduce benefits to the Sri Lankan economy and damage the country’s reputation as a peaceful tourist destination. He also referred to renewed Israeli military action in Gaza following ceasefire breakdowns, citing reported civilian casualties and attacks on designated safe zones. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper praised Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva’s evidence-based contribution and argued that Sri Lanka should build a disciplined, service-oriented economy drawing lessons from Japan, while recognizing a broader public mandate for a new political culture across parties. He identified priorities including education reform to align skills with workforce needs, stronger digital infrastructure, improved regulation, greater FDI, and development of high-value services. He called for the establishment of a fully equipped development bank and proposed better use of the railway network for freight, including possible tolls on fuel bowser transport by road to encourage rail-based transport. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage — Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage defended the 2025 expenditure allocation of Rs. 714.1 billion for the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry, arguing that the Budget establishes a Sri Lankan economic model rather than adopting foreign ideological labels. He said the Government had not promised across-the-board public sector salary increases but had undertaken pay-structure reforms, including an additional Rs. 110 billion, in line with commitments on dignity of labour and teachers’ salaries. He rejected ethnic interpretations of a Speaker’s ruling, highlighted regional income disparities and the Rs. 13,250 million allocation for district and regional development, and outlined expanded social protection measures, including increased elderly allowance coverage and higher disability-related grants and eligibility thresholds. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary Ajantha Gammeddage supported the allocations under Head 912 of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, arguing that disciplined revenue and expenditure management is restoring public confidence after the economic collapse. He said tax compliance is improving, borrowing should be limited to productive growth-oriented projects, and state-owned enterprises should be restructured through better management to become profitable rather than remain dependent on public funds. He also referred to plans in Matara to cultivate fallow paddy lands and to use future local government-level funding for rural roads, village development, and revival of the rural economy. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Chandana Thennakoon JJB AI summary Chandana Thennakoon supported the Budget allocations under the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry, arguing that funds are being distributed across regions and sectors rather than concentrated in politically favoured areas. He highlighted allocations for rural roads, bridges, irrigation, drinking water, and human-elephant conflict mitigation, including specific projects in the Galgamuwa electorate and dry zone areas. He also cited increases in welfare benefits, education support, allowances for vulnerable groups, and relief measures for low-income families, presenting the Budget as focused on rural development and social support. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath supported the 2025 Budget’s Finance Ministry expenditure heads, arguing that the Government is shifting Sri Lanka from decades of import dependence toward a production-led economy with a 6 percent growth target. He said record allocations for education and health—Rs. 619 billion and Rs. 604 billion respectively—are key investments in development, and criticized previous administrations for failing to attract investment and relying on taxes on basic goods. He also addressed excise policy, citing the 1912 Excise Ordinance, alleged politically motivated liquor licence issuances between 2022 and 2024, current revenue shortfalls, and the need for a structured discussion on legal and affordable liquor sales in light of social demand. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Dr. Radhakrishnan emphasized that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, with Rs. 714.2 billion allocated and responsibility for key revenue institutions, must ensure disciplined fiscal management, policy consistency, monitoring, and avoidance of waste. He welcomed anti-corruption commitments and urged decisive action in revenue-collecting bodies such as Inland Revenue, Customs, Excise, and import/export control agencies to increase national revenue. He called for a people-friendly Budget that reduces burdens on low-income groups, promotes equitable regional development, and allocates funds fairly to both Government and Opposition MPs, including for plantation-area roads, childcare centres, schools, temples, and multipurpose development work. He also proposed establishing more industrial estates and cottage industries in the hill country, using available land and closed factories to provide employment for local youth. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal supported the Budget’s proposed digital transformation and improved management of state assets, arguing that underutilized lands, buildings and vehicles have contributed to economic decline and lost revenue. He cited unused public buildings in Puttalam and Musali, including a tourist information centre, health facilities, a bus stand and staff hostel, and urged that such assets be leased or repurposed for public benefit and income generation. He requested a new Open University building in Puttalam and the operational upgrading of health facilities, while also calling for better use and oversight of long-leased state coconut estates and other state lands. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister said the inaugural NPP Government’s Budget had been shaped by a month of consultations with unions, institutions, associations and the public, and argued that many Opposition criticisms repeated misrepresentations rather than engaging with policy. She framed the Budget as part of a broader “system change” intended to reduce privilege and patronage, support ethical entrepreneurs and public servants, and expand opportunities for women, persons with disabilities, youth and underserved communities. On youth employment, she said the Government was replacing patronage-based job allocation with pathways to meaningful work, but noted delays due to legal barriers and pending court-related issues arising from previous decisions. She thanked the President, Finance Ministry officials, State Ministers and others involved in preparing and refining the Budget under challenging conditions. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →