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. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody stated that deficiencies in relevant offices had been assessed and budgetary and departmental funds would be used to remedy them, including constructing new offices where needed. He said the Government had requested vehicles from institutions including the Presidential Secretariat, and was coordinating with the Police, Pradeshiya Sabhas and Divisional Secretariats to secure vehicles for night mobile operations, with some already in use. Oral Question: Anti-Elephant Electric Fencing (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep JJB AI summary Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep stated that the matter was already under discussion and said future action would involve completing the audit processes properly. He indicated that the relevant institutions would then be aligned accordingly before proceeding. Oral Question: Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Manjula Suraweera Arachchi asked what action the Government will take regarding foundations and similar institutions allegedly maintained with public allocations and international funds without proper audits. He alleged that, in the Central Province including Nuwara Eliya, public funds and State assets had been misused through such a foundation for personal and family political purposes. Oral Question: Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep answered a question on the Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation, stating that it was established under Act No. 19 of 2005 and has an approved cadre of 217, with 181 currently in service. He provided details of the Foundation’s assets across its vocational, cultural, sports and community empowerment institutions, with full inventories tabled, and said 45 Community Empowerment Centres have been established, of which 44 are operational. He reported annual budget allocations from 2020 to 2024 ranging from Rs. 106.2 million to Rs. 172 million, and stated that audits for 2020 and 2021 are complete while financial statements for 2022 to 2024 are being prepared. Oral Question: Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary At the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2025, the Minister moved amendments on behalf of the Minister of Finance to increase capital allocations for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The total capital provision was amended to Rs. 5.5 billion, including a Rs. 500 million increase under Head 219, Programme 02, for the Department of Sports Development under Budget Proposal No. 27. The relevant recurrent and capital expenditures were put to the Committee and agreed to, and the Minister then moved that the Committee report progress and seek leave to sit again. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Sunil Handunnetti moved Committee Stage amendments to the Appropriation Bill, 2025, for the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development. The amendments increased the Ministry’s capital provision, including a Rs. 500 million increase under Head 149, Programme 02, Development Activities, raising capital expenditure there to Rs. 8.9265 billion and total capital to Rs. 9.138 billion. The related recurrent and capital allocations for Head 149 and the Department of Textile Industries under Head 303 were put to the Committee and agreed to. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti responded to Opposition criticisms by alleging past irregularities in the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, citing a 2020 Heraniyawaka gem pit tender where ministerial influence was allegedly sought before signing the agreement, and said related documents would be tabled. He said mining licence issuance had previously become politicized, noted enforcement and legal staff shortages, and stated that recruitment approvals had been sought while proper approvals would continue without tolerating abuse. He rejected calls for rapid liberalization or sale of State-owned enterprises, arguing that entities such as BCC, the Cement Corporation and Salt Corporation should be restructured for efficiency under continued majority public ownership with public-private-people co-governance. He also highlighted high sugar import expenditure in 2023 and indicated that the Government’s policy is to expand domestic production through proper use of available land. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to prioritize adequate infrastructure funding for the existing Bingiriya Export Processing Zone rather than describing it as a new zone or spreading limited funds across multiple projects. He said the Rs. 900 million allocation is insufficient for Bingiriya’s required electricity, water, effluent and land development needs, despite existing investor interest, and also noted the potential to develop Hambantota EPZ. He raised difficulties faced by coconut-based industries due to high raw material and energy costs, taxes and import implementation barriers, and called for continued banking relief for industrialists affected by COVID-era debt restructuring and parate action. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe JJB AI summary The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated that the National People’s Power’s first Budget is framed as part of an overall plan rather than being centred on a single Ministry. He said the coordinated work of industry, transport, technology, and agriculture is intended to establish the foundation for a production-based economy. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended the Ministry’s Estimates by arguing that Sri Lanka must build a production economy linked to global value chains, citing stagnant export earnings around USD 17 billion and weak growth as evidence of past policy failures. He outlined measures to support SMEs, improve market access, provide research, certification and skills support, address industrial land issues, improve ease of doing business, and coordinate entrepreneurship services across ministries and institutions. He also announced policy initiatives including a new SOP for vehicle assembly, changes for the gems and jewelry sector, an anti-dumping policy approved by Cabinet, duty-free raw materials for export production, and greater priority for local content in construction and development projects. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper said suspending or ending the moratorium alone is insufficient and called for a structured system to guide small entrepreneurs on appropriate loan sources. He argued that ordinary commercial bank loans are often unsuitable for sustainable small-business development, and that development banks should provide project support, expertise, and motivation rather than only disbursing funds. Referring to his legal experience with stays of parate execution, he noted abuses by both lenders and borrowers and urged the Government to introduce practical measures acceptable to all parties. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper requested an additional Rs. 4 million to provide a dedicated electricity transformer needed to commission the Sandankeni swimming pool in Kalmunai, noting that about Rs. 60 million has already been spent and that the facility should be affordable for local Tamil and Muslim students. He welcomed the Rs. 150 million allocation in the 2025 Estimates for completing the adjacent indoor sports arena and asked that it include dedicated facilities for girls and women, such as a badminton court. He also raised concerns about small entrepreneurs’ access to capital and asked whether the government would further extend the moratorium suspending parate executions beyond 31 March. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned how the Government intends to achieve its stated target of USD 28 billion in industrial exports by 2030 and argued that an export-led strategy requires a clear shift from earlier positions opposing export- and FDI-led growth under the Economic Transformation Bill. He urged the Government to expand and protect market access through agreements such as RCEP and other FTAs, noting risks to Sri Lanka’s US trade surplus and the need to maintain arrangements such as GSP+. He said high para-tariffs and resistance to services liberalization, including Mode 4 professional mobility, are inconsistent with joining major trade frameworks and building exports. He also referred to domestic innovation in electric three-wheelers and implied the need for supportive policies for such industries. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB AI summary Eranga Gunasekara responded to Opposition criticisms under the Youth Affairs and Sports Vote, arguing that past youth-related allocations had been politicized and citing alleged misuse of Rs. 1,000 million from a 2024 National Youth Services Council allocation, now before COPE. He said the 2025 Budget aims to restore the NYSC and develop youth over a 20–30 year horizon, with funding for “smart” youth societies, multimodal youth centres, IT and English training through “Evening IT,” and a V4R digital platform for young innovators and entrepreneurs. He also denied that the removal of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial NYSC Director was politically motivated, stating it followed Auditor General findings on financial malpractice and falsified documents. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya JJB AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya defended the Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry, arguing that problems inherited from previous governments cannot be resolved within four months and asking the Opposition to allow time for results. He highlighted Budget allocations for youth programmes, including Rs. 7 million to identify district-level artists and relaunch the National School of Drama in 2026, Rs. 12 million for domestic youth exchange to promote ethnic coexistence, Rs. 10 million for a Youth Film Festival, and Rs. 40 million for National Youth Awards. He also said the Government intends to revive the Belwood Aesthetic Resort under the National Youth Services Council as a centre for rural youth talent development. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara highlighted sports infrastructure projects completed or advanced during his tenure and urged the Government to centralize management of provincial sports complexes under the Sugathadasa Stadium Board to prevent deterioration. He called for the revival or continuation of programmes such as the Presidential Sports Awards, talent identification, coach training, and the High-Performance Laboratory, while requesting urgent recruitment of specialist staff, doctors, physiotherapists, Sports Officers and Assistant Directors. He also raised concerns over unpaid Paralympic athletes, inadequate athlete nutrition and hostel conditions, and the lack of preparation for major 2025 and 2026 international competitions. He further cautioned that cricket administration and factional disputes tend to dominate ministerial attention at the expense of other sports. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. Chathuri Gangani outlined the 2025 allocations for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, including Rs. 8,486 million for sports, and emphasized expanding opportunities for rural youth and school children. She highlighted women’s achievements in athletics, netball, wrestling and cricket, named several prominent athletes, and said the Government is addressing delayed reward payments through the National Sports Fund subject to Cabinet approval. She also referred to allocations for international tournaments, Presidential Sports Awards, athlete nutrition and travel, the “Kreeda Shakthi” programme, and additional university admission credits for National Sports Festival medalists. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga supported the Budget, arguing that Sri Lanka must shift from an import-driven consumption economy to a production-oriented economy based on entrepreneurship, innovation, and value addition. She highlighted allocations for industrial zones, SME revival, investment promotion, gem and jewellery research, tourism, and machinery imports, and said land and loan access should be fairly directed to genuine entrepreneurs. She also emphasized developing mineral and gem resources, creating specialized industrial zones, reducing post-approval delays, and branding value-added Sri Lankan products for global markets. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Dilith Jayaweera argued that the Budget’s revenue and expenditure assumptions are impractical, citing projected increases in tax revenue, import-related revenue, and the heavy burden of interest payments. He said the Government is continuing an IMF-driven approach rather than adopting a home-grown economic strategy, and urged it to rethink the Budget around an “Entrepreneurial State” model that promotes local production, creativity, and calculated risk-taking. He called for urgent support for MSMEs facing parate execution, warning of job losses and weaker tax collection, and highlighted distress among women affected by microfinance debt. He also criticized current welfare distribution as ineffective and proposed village-level self-sufficiency, people’s councils, capital generation, and support for women entrepreneurs. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sugath Thilakaratne - Deputy Minister of Sports JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne outlined the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ plans to use the 2025 Budget to improve Sri Lanka’s international sporting performance, citing the country’s limited Olympic, Commonwealth, and Asian Games medal record. He said the Ministry will work with sports federations to implement monitored high-performance, national, and junior pools, with data-based selection, residential training, performance analysis, and support beyond stipends. He also announced targeted programmes, including a javelin initiative aimed at identifying village talent and pursuing a possible Olympic medal in 2028, while noting that past sports infrastructure spending, such as container-based courts, would be examined. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →