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. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, answering on behalf of the Prime Minister and Education Minister, said the teacher-principal salary anomaly caused by the 2022 salary revision is under discussion with relevant institutions as public service anomalies are being handled service by service. He outlined measures to address delays in teachers’ efficiency bar requirements, including PSC-approved relief, reducing modules from 20 to 10, moving to an examination-based system, and implementing it from 1 July 2025 after Service Minute amendments. He also detailed the status of SLEAS and Teacher Educators’ Service recruitment approvals, examinations, interviews and PSC referrals, stating that differing exam and interview dates do not amount to separate recruitment timeframes. On placements and rural schools, he said vacancies and transfer data are being collected, priority will be given to officers in difficult areas, and primary school rationalization will focus on maintaining access within a 3 km radius rather than closures. 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 →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne stated that a loan issued in 2001 by the Mihintale Govijana Bank to the Limited Janatha Lanka Chilli Production and Marketing Farmers’ Company had been fully recovered as principal, but Rs. 1,975,233 in interest remains due and will be pursued under standard recovery procedures. He said an earlier decision not to recover interest had been revised, and notice had been issued to the company chairman, Mr. S. M. Chandrasena, to pay the outstanding amount. In response to supplementary questions, he said investigations are under way into fertilizer subsidy payments recorded as paid but not credited to farmers, including an alleged misappropriation of Rs. 2,934,310 affecting 155 farmers in Anuradhapura, with a CID complaint lodged and one officer arrested. Oral Question: Govijana Seva Bank, Mihintale - Loan Granted to Janatha Lanka Chillie Marketing Ltd. (Q.495/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary The Committee agreed to amend Head 101, Programme 02 by increasing recurrent expenditure to Rs. 1,650,000,000, incorporating Rs. 300,000,000 under Budget Proposal No. 37, while approving capital expenditure of Rs. 2,076,000,000. It also approved the listed recurrent and capital allocations for departments under religious, cultural, archaeological, museum, archives, and environment-related heads, including the Ministry of Environment and associated departments, to stand part of the Schedule. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Amendments Read →
- 17 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to insert increased recurrent expenditure of Rs. 8.6 billion into the Schedule and approved the relevant recurrent expenditure as amended. It also approved allocations under Head 101, including Rs. 640 million for Programme 01 recurrent expenditure, Rs. 109 million for Programme 01 capital expenditure, and noted Programme 02 allocations of Rs. 1.35 billion recurrent and Rs. 2.076 billion capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Amendments Read →
- 17 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB AI summary At the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill 2025, an amendment was moved on behalf of the Minister of Finance relating to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The amendment proposes substituting the recurrent expenditure allocation on page 9, line 14 with Rs. 8,600,000,000. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Amendments Read →
- 17 March 2025 Mr. Presiding Member AI summary The Presiding Member announced the allocation for the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs during the budget proceedings. The proposed expenditure was stated as Rs. 8.3 billion for recurrent spending and Rs. 5.425 billion for capital spending. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Amendments Read →
- 17 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister responded to issues raised during the Committee Stage debate on the Environment Ministry’s expenditure, stating that the Forest Conservation Department is already taking steps to identify and resolve disputes over tanks and paddy lands in Batticaloa, with a view to applying solutions island-wide. He reported the shooting death of the tusker “Unicorn” in Minneriya National Park and said a full investigation is under way, while outlining planned measures and allocations to address the human-elephant conflict, including wildlife funding, water retention systems, grassland development and research. He said plastics are currently regulated under the National Environmental Act, single-use plastics are banned, and amendments are being pursued to introduce Extended Producer Responsibility. He also stated that the absorption of 3,530 Multi-Purpose Development Task Force workers has been submitted to the Public Service Commission and appointments will be issued once approval is received. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the broad remit of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and highlighted Budget provision for artist and media professional housing, including 108 units within the Chinese-assisted Kottawa housing project. He cited the distribution of donated Saudi dates to 2,700 mosques, the National Maha Shivaratri event in Ratnapura, and Hajj arrangements, including efforts to reduce the Rs. 2.1 million recommended fee and improve pilgrim services. He emphasized religious and ethnic harmony, rejected abusive conduct in Parliament, and said the Ministry is planning further 2025 initiatives such as an International Performing Arts Centre, Artists’ Academy, multicultural centre network, and an institute for spiritual and philosophical studies. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 Hon. Chamara Sampath Dassanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dassanayake raised delays in issuing GSMB quarrying permits and environmental clearances, citing problems in areas such as Ampara and arguing that decentralised offices have not necessarily delivered faster services. He urged the Government to reduce unnecessary documentation, expedite permits, and improve administrative efficiency rather than continue blaming previous governments. He also criticised the Government’s failure to amend local government laws despite its parliamentary majority, warning that fragmented local council results could make councils unstable and calling on the Government to show tangible results before seeking further local authority control. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said the Clean Sri Lanka programme appeared to have stalled and urged the Government to implement it through strengthened local authorities rather than using the military, prison inmates, or one-off publicity activities. He criticised delays in environmental approvals and called on the Environment Ministry and related agencies, including the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, to act more efficiently and support lawful livelihoods such as sand and gravel transport. He also accused Government figures of making inaccurate or diversionary public claims, citing remarks about school attendance, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence, and the renewed focus on “Batalanda.” Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Anton Jayakody said the Budget represents the Government’s policy framework and urged the Opposition to contribute constructively to advancing it. He noted that environmental issues concern all sectors of society and expressed disappointment that the Opposition had not offered more substantive critique. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody argued that economic planning should be linked with environmental policy, citing demand for Sri Lankan Albizia timber used for cricket bats in South Asia. He referred to the Budget allocation of Rs. 1,000 million for Forest Department reforestation, including Rs. 400 million for timber plantations, and proposed promoting Albizia planting around estates to ensure future supply and market continuity. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody said the Government had consolidated environment-related institutions under the Environment Ministry and aimed to align environmental protection with the economy in line with Sustainable Development Goals. He said the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau would be reformed to prevent political interference, publish geo-mapped licence information, revise mineral pricing, strengthen royalty collection, and curb illegal mining. He also announced Water Resources Board programmes to protect groundwater, aquifers and springs, beginning in Badulla District, citing increased evapotranspiration and water loss. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB AI summary Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala stated that the budget’s environmental allocations under political leadership now recognize distinct ecosystem needs. He expressed confidence that these measures could support national environmental renewal. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake - Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the 2025 Budget provides increased allocations for the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, enabling expanded practical programmes across religious and cultural sectors. He highlighted plans to develop rural places of worship, implement the Puja Bhoomi Development Programme, support the Sangha, strengthen Dhamma schools and Shasanarakshaka Mandalas, and introduce initiatives such as “Punya Gramme” to promote village-level social cohesion. He also outlined support for Hindu, Islamic and Christian religious affairs, including cultural activities and places of worship, and said the Central Cultural Fund and related institutions would continue projects to conserve archaeological sites and national heritage. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister argued that Sri Lanka’s environmental crises, including landslides, floods and forest fires, are linked to past politically driven misuse of natural resources and cannot be addressed separately from economic and social policy. He said the Government aims to pursue environmentally friendly development through integrated planning across ministries, contrasting this with previous approaches he described as environmentally harmful development. He outlined the National People’s Power environmental policy, based on 13 principles and 80 actions, highlighting environmental justice, balancing development with conservation, sustainable resource use, and soil conservation in the central highlands. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri stated that the Government’s first Budget gives special attention to wildlife conservation and the human-elephant conflict, including allocations of Rs. 400 million to reduce the conflict, Rs. 274 million for electric fences, and Rs. 160 million for wildlife feeding zones. He argued that fences alone are insufficient and that corridors, biodiversity-based methods, community support, and increased staffing for the Department of Wildlife Conservation are also needed. He highlighted the economic value of national parks and wildlife facilities, plans to develop additional national parks and elevate the Giritale Wildlife Research and Training Centre, and emphasized protection of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity and forest resources. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister said the Environment Ministry’s institutions have been consolidated under one ministry for the first time, bringing 12 agencies under a framework intended to improve coordination, engage environmentalists through ten thematic committees, and support both conservation and economic activity. He said the 2025 Budget allocates Rs. 16,040 million to the Ministry, including plans to modernize the Environment Act after 24 years, introduce air quality monitoring and public alerts, and digitize Environmental Protection Licence processes. He also stated that Cabinet has approved 144 recruitments to the Central Environmental Authority and that 3,530 appointments for multipurpose development officers attached to the Department of Wildlife Conservation will be issued once Public Service Commission approval is received. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister opened the debate on the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Budget Head, arguing that religious, cultural, artistic and heritage work is central to social norms and national development. He outlined a total 2025 allocation of Rs. 13,725 million, including funds for the Ministry and departments covering Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian affairs, archaeology, museums, archives and cultural institutions. He said the Government would support religious education, festivals, worship-site development, solar projects, and the forthcoming public exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, while also investing in cultural heritage research such as work related to the Fahiengala human remains. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson moved the traditional token reduction of Rs. 10 under the relevant Heads during the Committee Stage debate and focused on the Ministry of Environment, particularly the human-elephant conflict. He said Wildlife Conservation staffing vacancies, inadequate guard huts, poorly maintained electric fences, and the absence of funding for new fencing were contributing to rising human deaths, elephant deaths and property damage, citing recent national and Polonnaruwa District figures. He proposed strengthening field staff, improving guard huts with electricity and water, repairing and expanding fencing, and creating a structured response programme. He also raised concerns about Yala National Park’s congestion, limited entry points, inadequate operational funding, poaching risks in underused blocks, and derelict bungalows, proposing additional gates, more guides, better monitoring and rehabilitation of accommodation. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →