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- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan urged the Minister to market local products under their historic and place-based names, specifically proposing “Aanaivilunthaan Salt” and “Kurinjatheevu Salt,” similar to Ottuchuddan tiles named after Pandara Vanniyan. He expressed willingness to cooperate in advancing these productions and called for the swift commencement of the Parantan industrial estate. 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. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage raised concerns about riverbed gem miners and illegal mining cases, stating that many are being arrested and handcuffed under Section 81 procedures while awaiting regularisation. He requested that such miners not be handcuffed, that they be allowed to work temporarily without licences subject to fines if necessary, and that the Government address export taxes of about 23% which he said had reduced gem exports by around 30% from the 2023 level of about US$ 470 million. He urged intervention through the National Gem and Jewellery Authority to strengthen the sector. 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. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Waruna Liyanage raised concerns about the impact of the 18% tax on the gem sector, stating that it has caused serious adverse effects. He said taxes on the assessed value of gem imports have halted imports from African countries and left around 3,000 Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in the cutting and polishing sector without opportunities. He urged the Minister to address the issue, recalling prior requests to remove the tax. 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. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage welcomed the appointment of the Deputy Minister of Sports and urged expedited completion and proper staffing of the Ratnapura Provincial Stadium, including restoring a jogging track area that he said had been used for a shopping complex. He called for addressing vacancies in sports coaching, establishing youth squads at under-15, under-17 and under-19 levels, and improving maintenance of provincial and district sports facilities. Turning to industry, he raised concerns about a National Gem and Jewellery Authority circular requiring Rs. 20 million annually to renew licences for backhoe machine use in gem mining, arguing that the increase from Rs. 1 million would be unaffordable for many miners in Ratnapura. 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. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa urged the Sports Ministry to inspect the athletes’ hostel near the Ministry, particularly meal times, nutrition, and living conditions, and to provide necessary facilities. He also asked the Minister to review issues concerning dual-citizenship and third-generation Sri Lankan athletes in sports such as football and rugby, arguing that their participation could strengthen high-performance national teams where player shortages exist. He said earlier recruitment of Sri Lankan-origin rugby players from Fiji had been politicised and requested that the matter be examined on accurate information. 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. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa argued that industrial growth requires a more competitive tax regime, MSME financing reform, and policies that support local intellectual property and manufacturing, citing the Vega three-wheeler as an example of locally developed products being taxed like imports. He said sports policy should be treated as an economic sector rather than welfare, with investment in high-performance systems, sports tourism, e-sports, leisure sports, and sustainable use of national facilities ahead of events such as the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He called for athlete and coach allowances, including for Paralympians, to be restored by increasing the share of the Ministry budget reaching athletes and youth to at least 21 percent next year. He also proposed reforming the 1973 Sports Law to reflect the modern sports 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. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged the Sports Minister not to interfere in Sri Lanka Cricket administration, citing the ICC suspension and loss of the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, and warned against risking Sri Lanka’s co-hosting of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and its expected economic benefits. Addressing the Industries Minister, he called for investigations into declining gem and jewellery exports and NGJA revenue, alleged conflicts of interest and delays in Ratnapura licensing, and requested faster licensing reforms. He also proposed action to revive or improve several state-linked industrial assets, including the Ottusuddan Tile Factory, Elephant Pass and Mannar salterns, BCC Lanka, Valachchenai Paper Mill, Kahatagaha Graphite, and Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar companies, including restoration of worker and farmer incentives. 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. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan welcomed the increased 2025 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Industries and Enterprise Development but argued that it remains insufficient, citing the Rs. 26 million allocation for reviving the Kantale Sugar Factory as inadequate. He called for Sri Lanka to become industry-led by allocating at least 5 percent of the Budget to industry and entrepreneurship, with emphasis on R&D, technology upgrading, SME finance, digitization, renewable energy, export diversification, and skills development. He also identified weaknesses in State-Owned Enterprises and proposed reforms including public-private partnerships, restructuring, digitization, stronger audits, and cost controls. 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 Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ 2025 budget allocations, including recurrent expenditure of Rs. 7,100 million and capital expenditure of Rs. 5,500 million, and said the Ministry aims to improve implementation after past underutilization of funds. He stated that reforms to the National Sports Act and new regulations covering 73 national sports federations are nearing completion and undergoing legal vetting, with a Gazette to be issued shortly. He also said the Ministry has intervened in issues involving the National Olympic Committee and other federations, and intends to resolve such matters lawfully, including defending its actions in court if necessary. 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. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Opposition Leader opposed the Government’s proposed 15 per cent tax on export services, arguing that it would harm IT and digital service exporters, and questioned whether the Minister and Government had a unified policy on the measure under the IMF framework. He also called for a coordinated ministerial response to worsening global tariff conditions affecting exports, including tariffs linked to United States trade policy. He raised the killing of a tusker in the Minneriya–Kaudulla area and urged systematic elephant conservation using habitat mapping, corridors and GPS tracking. He further pressed the Government to honour employment commitments to 35,000 graduates, proposing immediate induction placements with stipends despite cited legal obstacles. 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 Hon. Sunil Handunnetti outlined the Government’s plan to revive Sri Lanka’s productive economy by expanding industrial output, raising exports from US$16 billion to US$19 billion in 2025 and targeting US$28 billion in industrial exports by 2030. He identified limited industrial land, weak coordination, and slow approvals as key constraints, and said the Ministry is seeking to increase land allocated for industry, introduce entrepreneurship education after Grade 9, and coordinate agencies through district and divisional industry bodies. He also referred to the re-establishment of a Cabinet Committee on Exports and highlighted priority sectors including vehicle components, steel, footwear, apparel, gems and jewellery, event management, film, and beauty/cosmetics. 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. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary A formal cut of Rs. 10 from the relevant Heads of Expenditure was moved during the Committee Stage, while raising concerns about Youth Affairs and Sports policy direction. The speech called for an end to political manipulation of youth institutions, questioned graduate job promises, and sought clarity on the future of the National Youth Corps. It also questioned weaknesses in sports administration, including why only 28 of 73 registered associations participate in National Games, and pressed the Government to act on Sri Lanka Cricket reforms, table the Chitrasiri Report, and clarify whether changes to the SLC Constitution will be made before or after the 31 March elections. Concerns were also raised about politicized stadium projects and the need to prioritize grassroots and school cricket facilities. 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.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayatissa addressed the 24-hour token strike by some paramedical and allied health professionals over alleged allowance cuts, stating that the Government had facilitated discussions with the Ministry of Finance but that the unions had already decided to continue the strike. He argued that the recent pay adjustment had substantially increased basic salaries and related allowances, within the limits of the economy, and said public sector pay rises already represented a major fiscal commitment. He said patient care was being disrupted unfairly, instructed health institutions to protect staff continuing to work, and invited the striking professionals to pursue further dialogue rather than actions that endanger patients. Ministerial Statement: Health Sector Strike by Paramedical and Allied Health Professionals Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that public sector appointments, including teacher recruitment, are being made according to established criteria, Public Service Commission procedures, and identified vacancies, rather than arbitrarily. She said nearly 10,000 appointments have already been made and a committee under the Secretary to the Prime Minister is coordinating further recruitment. Regarding 20,000–25,000 education sector vacancies, she said recruitment is delayed by a pending Supreme Court case, and the Government will proceed if the Court permits after the Attorney-General presents the Cabinet decision at the next hearing. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Export of Sri Lanka's Textiles and Apparels and Ministerial Clarifications Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on education expenditure, graduate employability and unemployment, stating that per-student expenditure is not separately maintained for primary and secondary levels, while tertiary costs vary significantly by discipline. She noted that no comprehensive official study exists on exact annual per-student costs across all education levels, and that national graduate employment data are incomplete, though 2022 tracer data show differing employment rates across fields. She outlined measures including university career guidance programmes, industry linkages, skills training, labour forecasting, expansion of vocational and technological education, and recruitment of 35,000 graduates to existing vacancies, with Rs. 10,000 million additionally allocated and teacher recruitment subject to a pending Supreme Court case. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Export of Sri Lanka's Textiles and Apparels and Ministerial Clarifications Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said discussions on broader tariffs are ongoing, but the immediate issue is the United States’ reciprocal tariff policy under its fair trade framework, which he described as a general US policy recalibration rather than a measure aimed specifically at Sri Lanka. He stated that Sri Lanka is preparing to respond through diplomatic channels, while noting US support in the country’s IMF-linked debt restructuring process. He added that the Government would avoid speculation until official details are released and would act strategically through continued diplomatic engagement. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Export of Sri Lanka's Textiles and Apparels and Ministerial Clarifications Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake sought clarification on potential US tariff increases affecting Sri Lankan apparel exports, noting reported moves to reshore women’s apparel production and an 18.1 percent rise in Sri Lanka’s April apparel exports to the US. He warned that selective tariff increases on trade-surplus countries could harm Sri Lanka as it recovers from bankruptcy, and urged the Government to negotiate a 10- to 15-year special tariff arrangement with the Trump Administration, citing the sector’s 1.2 million direct jobs. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Export of Sri Lanka's Textiles and Apparels and Ministerial Clarifications Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the Government’s assessment of possible US reciprocal tariffs expected to be announced in April 2025 under a “fair trade” framework. He said Sri Lanka is examining potential impacts on key export sectors, especially apparel and textiles, rubber products, coconut-based products and plastics, which together account for about 86 per cent of export earnings to the US. He noted ongoing coordination among the Finance and Trade Ministries, the Export Development Board and diplomatic channels, including engagement with the USTR through the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington and stakeholder discussions in Colombo, to prepare policy responses. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Export of Sri Lanka's Textiles and Apparels and Ministerial Clarifications Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Finance on the potential impact of renewed US protectionist trade policies and tariff increases on Sri Lanka’s textile, apparel and general exports, noting the sector’s importance and its 1.2 million direct employees. He asked whether the Government had assessed these risks, engaged with US authorities or sought special accommodation, and taken steps to preserve market access through GSP or alternative arrangements. He also sought details on export market diversification, FDI and trade agreements, consultations with industry on competitiveness, support for affected workers and firms, and how Sri Lanka could use its location to attract US investment. Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Export of Sri Lanka's Textiles and Apparels and Ministerial Clarifications Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Provided details on drinking water projects in Badulla District estates, noting that only about 10 per cent of estates and surrounding households have access to safe drinking water despite existing natural and scheme-based sources. He reported 103 projects implemented from 2004 to 2024 at an approximate total cost of Rs. 209.1 million, including Government/Plantation Human Development Trust and NWSDB/WASSIP projects, and confirmed completion and full funding release for the Punagala LLG Kepkade housing scheme water project. In response to supplementary questions, he said older UNICEF-era schemes had deteriorated due to poor design and ageing pipelines, announced future estate water projects across several districts, and undertook to conduct and submit an audit on the Punagala scheme. Oral Questions: Teachers' Service and Principals' Service Salary Anomalies (Q.502/2025), Estates in Badulla District Drinking Water Projects (Q.505/2025), Damage to Cultivations by Wild Animals (Q.498/2025) Read →