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- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe defended reforms at Sathosa and other state institutions, saying the Government was bringing private-sector expertise into public bodies to strengthen them rather than sell them. He said Sathosa faced long-standing irregularities, including Rs. 350 million worth of goods unaccounted for since 2014, ongoing CID complaints, weak computer systems, and quality-control issues in rice procurement, and outlined steps such as filling 21 vacancies, appointing an acting CEO, and procuring an integrated stock and sales system. Responding to allegations on tax evasion and procurement, he said the Government would not protect offenders and was acting through the Consumer Affairs Authority, Inland Revenue Department and other agencies, citing VAT details of several companies named in the debate. He also said vehicles held by the Presidential Secretariat were being redistributed to institutions as required and rejected claims that appointments were based on union affiliation rather than merit. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi defended the Government against Opposition claims based on 2019-2024 data, arguing that many problems in Sathosa and related institutions were inherited from previous administrations. He cited alleged past irregularities in leases, expenditure, and management, and said the Government had reversed a decision to close the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment, while planning wholesale hubs in Colombo, Matara and Kurunegala and enabling Sathosa and cooperatives to import directly. He outlined plans to buy 100,000 MT of paddy, revive mills and Sathosa services, relocate loss-making outlets, open about 150 new outlets, and digitize trade and asset systems using Budget allocations. He concluded that these reforms aim to make Sathosa and cooperative institutions competitive and profitable while supporting consumer price stability. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns over tax treatment and pricing disparities between imported white sugar and local brown sugar, urging the Government to promote brown sugar through Sathosa, reduce sugar imports, and use molasses rather than maize for spirit production to avoid shortages affecting poultry feed and Thriposha. He called for coordinated action by relevant Ministries to legally import coconut husk/fibre to support coconut-based exports, criticizing inconsistent production data from the Coconut Research Institute and warning that export targets may be undermined. He also questioned shortages and alleged political interference in Sathosa management, staff transfers and appointments, and requested ministerial intervention. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper welcomed the Speaker’s ruling on the conduct of Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna, saying it upheld parliamentary dignity and expressing hope that the sanctions would lead to a change in conduct. He also referred to the former IGP’s surrender before court, arguing that all suspects should similarly be allowed to appear in court without obstruction rather than being arrested en route. Turning to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, he urged the Minister to address technical problems at the Valachchenai Paper Mill, noting that the Estimates allocate funds for Hingurakgoda rice mill modernization but not for restoring full operations at Valachchenai. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. R.G. Wijerathna JJB AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna argued that Regional Economic Centres have not met their stated objectives of ensuring fair producer prices, effective marketing, islandwide distribution, and affordable consumer prices. He cited inactive centres in Jaffna, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi built at significant public cost, and said the Nuwara Eliya centre handles only about 20 per cent of local vegetable production while traders, rather than farmers, effectively determine prices. He called for stronger inter-ministerial coordination to build a national distribution network, measures to reduce post-harvest losses through improved transport and packaging, and a Ministry-affiliated unit to oversee the transparency and use of management trust funds. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi requested the Minister to establish a five-member selection committee of relevant state officers in each Grama Niladhari Division to identify poor households fairly. He said VAT reductions may lower prices generally, but relief schemes often fail to reach the poorest because benefits are distributed according to outdated lists. Referring to the proposed Sinhala and Hindu New Year package of goods worth Rs. 5,000 for Rs. 2,500, he urged that it be extended to all poor and vulnerable people during the current difficult period. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the Aswesuma welfare benefit scheme is under review, including both past benefit allocations and new applications. He said beneficiaries will be reselected according to the relevant criteria and that the process is expected to be completed within the next few months. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Dilip Wedaarachchi raised concerns about the selection process for Aswesuma welfare benefits, stating that many preselected beneficiaries are not poor. He said this has caused problems and implied the need for a review of beneficiary eligibility. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi urged that the Hambantota Saltern be managed without political interference and through a proper programme, noting it as a national resource that generates revenue. He raised concern over a Rs. 50 increase in milk powder prices and called for an investigation into the decline in production and cattle numbers at the Ridiyagama NLDB Dairy Farm. He requested that officers be appointed to properly manage both the saltern and the dairy farm, suggesting that improved management of the farm could support a programme to provide milk to schoolchildren in Hambantota District. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Dilip Wedaarachchi raised concerns about the sharp decline in Hambantota Salterns’ salt production, citing figures falling from about 70,061 metric tons in 2022 to 26,736 metric tons in 2024. He asked the Minister to investigate the causes, alleging poor management, political appointments, procurement irregularities, and inadequate brine water management, while also noting rainfall impacts. He urged that salt be included in food security planning and that Hambantota Salterns, employing many permanent and temporary workers, be protected as a national asset. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the Government’s record under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, rejecting Opposition allegations on corruption, milk powder prices and rice or paddy interests. He said the Government had improved MILCO by increasing payments to dairy farmers, restoring employee benefits, settling part of its bank debt and pursuing fresh milk self-sufficiency. He alleged past irregularities in Sathosa, Ministry premises works and cooperative purchases, tabling an investigation report on the “Umangdawa Green Hut” premises and citing specific procurement and rent-payment concerns. He urged the Opposition to abandon what he described as old political practices and accept the new Government’s approach. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath urged the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development to strengthen food security and cooperative institutions in Batticaloa, citing pressures from past shortages, current price increases, and limited access to fair-priced goods. He requested approval for fuel allocations to cooperative-run stations in Vavunathivu, Vakarai, and Valachchenai, increased funding and lending capacity for cooperatives through Provincial Councils, and investment support for dryers, warehouses, and rice mills. He also called for more Sathosa outlets in Batticaloa, noting only three serve a district of about 600,000 people, and asked that shortages of Cooperative Development Officers and delays in permanent appointments be addressed. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Faiszer Musthapha argued that attracting FDI and developing industry require incentives such as industrial zones, particularly in the context of Sri Lanka’s FTA with India and high energy and labour costs. He said investor confidence depends on faster and more effective commercial dispute resolution, calling for amendments to the Arbitration Act to allow interim relief and to exclude low-value lease or hire-purchase disputes from mandatory arbitration. He also urged coordination with the Minister of Justice to fill more than 15 vacant High Court posts, warning that judicial delays and understaffing undermine investment promotion. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged reforms to company registration and SME incorporation, proposing a reduced Rs. 10,000 fee and rapid online registration for companies with paid-up capital under Rs. 500,000 to improve access to credit and growth. He called for the Consumer Affairs Authority under Act No. 9 of 2003 to be digitized and reoriented toward effective consumer protection, including action on monopolistic or oligopolistic pricing in essential sectors. He also discussed the Mahapola Trust Fund and SLIIT issues, stating that any dues to Mahapola should be examined, and advocated stronger national branding, export expansion, and pragmatic use of open-economy policies. He supported the President’s USD 36 billion export target by 2030, stressing the need for FTAs with countries such as India, Singapore, Thailand and China to build market access and reduce external risks. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Biyanwila JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Biyanwila defended the Government’s conduct and budget priorities under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, stating that Government MPs had not sought personal privileges and that tax revenue, including the Rs. 65 rice tax, would be directed to public services such as health and education. He argued that market prices for key commodities were declining, public sector salary increases would support economic growth, and the Government had begun strengthening paddy procurement through warehouse preparation, funding, farmer support, and cultivation of fallow lands. He also said the Government intended to depoliticize and rebuild the cooperative sector and Sathosa, including transforming cooperatives beyond retail functions into production-oriented institutions linked to grassroots communities and local products. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security has consolidated 17 institutions to improve food security, market access and daily consumer welfare, while correcting past misuse of public resources. He alleged widespread irregularities in cooperatives, Lanka Sathosa, Economic Centres, Mahapola, STC and related entities, citing uncollected cooperative loans, missing audit files, undervalued asset sales, loss-making rental arrangements, unusable imported rice-milling machines and missing public funds. He stated that investigations are under way and that the Ministry will standardize governance and refocus institutions on their intended functions, including fair prices for farmers and consumers and support for vulnerable students. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar said his objective was to prevent fraud and noted that, regardless of differing figures, VAT on refined domestic sales should be paid in addition to import levies. He requested the Minister to obtain the relevant details from the Inland Revenue Department, stating that the companies and quantities had been recorded in Hansard. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe addressed allegations or concerns regarding taxes on coconut oil imports, citing Customs data over four months across several HS codes with a total customs value of about Rs. 36.6 billion. He stated that import duties are collected at entry and VAT applies when refined products are sold domestically, and said the issue has also been referred to Plantation Industries due to food security concerns linked to imports equivalent to about 200 million coconuts. He invited details of any company alleged to have committed fraud, noting that the Prime Minister has referred the matter to relevant agencies and that investigations are proceeding. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Government’s failure to deliver promised VAT relief on food, education and health, arguing that food prices have not fallen six months after the President assumed office. He demanded action to recover over Rs. 6 billion in alleged unpaid VAT and SSCL on imported crude coconut oil refined and sold locally, citing replies from the Prime Minister, the Inland Revenue Department and Fiscal Policy Department, and asked what steps would be taken against three companies allegedly involved. He also raised concerns over paddy storage losses, burnt warehouses and the Government’s dependence on private rice millers, calling for measures to curb the “rice mafia” while protecting both farmers and consumers. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the 2025 Budget allocation for cooperative sector development and argued that cooperatives, serving around 8 million people, should be strengthened as everyday service institutions rather than only crisis-response mechanisms. He called for government intervention, through education and qualified appointments, to address fraud, corruption, and ad-hoc governance in cooperative societies, with the National Institute of Cooperative Development expanding training in management, finance, audit, services, and ICT. He raised concerns about entities such as “Saubhagya” and “RCD Co-op Bank” soliciting deposits under the guise of cooperatives, posing risks to depositors. He also said the Registrar of Companies should guide more registered companies toward CSE listing and improve eROC systems to widen safe investment options and help businesses raise equity capital. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →