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- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara requested the Ministry of Finance to intervene in grievances involving disabled tri-forces personnel, police, Civil Security Force members, and some public and semi-government employees regarding loan or instalment arrangements linked to SDB. He noted that legal action and protests had occurred, with concerns that consent under Form 238 of the Financial Regulations had not been obtained for extending instalments, and urged mediation to secure a fair solution. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister provided details on the SDB “Uththamachara” loan scheme for disabled military personnel, stating that 6,368 recipients had received Rs. 41.1 billion since 2014, including 5,303 recipients and Rs. 28.2 billion from 2020 to 2024. He explained that the scheme is salary-based and not available to retirees, with repayment periods generally from one to ten years, and that variable-rate EMI loans may have their tenors adjusted when interest rates change. He said interest had been retrospectively reduced to 13 per cent, interest is not charged on unpaid interest, restructurings are done by agreement without additional charges in relevant cases, and unresolved borrower grievances may be referred to the Central Bank’s Financial Consumer Relations Department. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for details on SANASA Development Bank’s “Uththamachara” loan scheme for retired military officers, including Central Bank regulation, disbursement figures, pension-based lending criteria, and repayment periods. He also sought clarification on COVID-19-related recovery extensions, whether they led to interest payments exceeding the principal, whether such extensions were made at the Bank’s discretion, and what steps would be taken to ensure fairness for affected borrowers. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Rs. 451 million has been recovered in lease rentals from 12 Fund-owned factories leased to operators, after the Fund had previously declined to a very low balance. Defaults by some lessees are being addressed through notices and engagement, with legal or administrative action proposed if payments do not resume. The Minister said the Fund will be comprehensively reviewed, and non-viable operators may be replaced with parties able to continue operations. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera raised concerns about the decline of small tea-factory units under the Tea Shakthi Fund and noted that some leased factories have not generated the expected lease payments. He asked what action would be taken regarding those factories and the resulting financial losses. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Fund, established in 2000 with Rs. 781 million from the Treasury, shareholders, and member insurance contributions, remained profitable until 2008 but subsequently recorded losses. He attributed the decline to poor management and alleged fraud and corruption noted in audit reports, and said inquiries would be conducted with appropriate action to follow. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Nishantha Perera raised concerns that audit reports indicate mismanagement and misuse of a Fund financed by small tea holders. He asked the Minister what measures would be taken to prevent future misuse. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Tea Shakthi Fund was established in 2000 under Act No. 47 of 2000 and currently has about 140,000 members, including 94,425 share members. As of 1 February 2025, the Fund held Rs. 451.85 million in fixed deposits and bank balances. Planned uses include settling Rs. 208 million in shareholder liabilities, maintaining a Rs. 135 million welfare insurance fund for small tea holders, releasing Rs. 33 million in retained initial deposits when needed, and seeking Cabinet approval for concessional revolving credit schemes for tea replanting. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake tabled documents relating to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s September 2023 visit to Wolverhampton and London, arguing that Foreign Ministry funds were used for what was initially described in official correspondence as a private visit. He cited requests and budget allocations amounting to about £40,000, plus related rupee releases, including accommodation, protocol costs, and other expenses, and noted that later internal documentation reclassified the trip as an “Official Programme.” He questioned how public expenditure was incurred for a private visit by the former President and spouse, and requested an investigation and action against responsible officials. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 Hon. Presiding Member AI summary The Presiding Member urged reforms to expand tourism, including better facilities at destinations such as Sigiriya, designated nightlife opportunities with safeguards, support for hotel investors, and improved security to attract higher-spending visitors and increase foreign exchange earnings. He also called for long-term measures to raise remittances by promoting skilled migration and improving welfare, airport facilities, and dignity for returning migrant workers and their families. He requested clarification and investigation into misunderstandings over UAE visit visa procedures raised in COPA, arguing that mischaracterization of lawful migration processes had caused harassment and harmed workers who generate foreign exchange. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Government’s tourism policy, citing recent international recognition of Sri Lanka as evidence of improved global perception and disputing Opposition claims about inaction. He outlined initiatives for tourism development in the North and North-Central, including plans related to Mannar, Talaimannar, Wilpattu access, and the Talaimannar–Rameswaram ferry, and denied that SLTDA land in Kuchchaveli had been allocated for sand mining. He reported increased tourism FDI, clearance of a 5,000-plus SLTDA registration backlog, planned expansion of training, regulation of informal accommodation, and Budget allocations for city-based promotion and upgrading 100 attractions. He also said the Government would introduce a contributory pension scheme and social protection fund for tourism workers while expanding tourism benefits to less-developed areas. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma said the Government’s foreign affairs and economic strategy is based on integrating Sri Lanka into global value chains while ensuring investor protection, transparency, accountability and zero tolerance for corruption. He cited proposed investment protection legislation, investor-ready industrial sites in the North, continued engagement with the IMF Programme and debt restructuring process, and strengthened bilateral and multilateral ties with partners including Japan, India, China, the World Bank and ADB. He also emphasized tourism promotion, people-to-people diplomacy, sovereignty in investment decisions, support for overseas Sri Lankan businesses, and a target to raise exports from US$19 billion to US$40 billion within five years through diversification and trade facilitation. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Government’s calculation of foreign exchange earnings from tourism, arguing that arrival numbers alone are insufficient without assessing actual per-tourist spending and whether high-spending visitors are being attracted. He also urged Hon. Vijitha Herath to use his influence within his party to support a credible investigation into accountability issues that the affected community can trust. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concern that a series of recent murders and unresolved law-and-order issues are creating a public security crisis with potential effects on tourism, and called for urgent action and clarity from authorities. He questioned the Government’s continuation of the previous debt restructuring and IMF framework, arguing that current growth, revenue, and debt assumptions are unrealistic and urging renewed engagement with creditors and international financial institutions to avoid difficulty meeting debt service obligations by 2028. He also called for export market diversification, stronger trade and investment links with India and China including FTAs and dedicated industrial zones, and proactive engagement with the United States to mitigate possible tariff impacts. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary The Minister said the integration of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment was intended to increase foreign inflows through tourism, remittances and investment while restoring Sri Lanka’s international standing after the economic crisis and debt restructuring process. He outlined ongoing diplomatic and economic engagements with India, China, the UAE, Japan, the EU, the US and multilateral bodies, including planned MoUs, grant-funded projects, refinery proposals, GSP+ review preparations, and measures to address potential US tariff impacts through market diversification and investment promotion. He also reported progress on consular digitization, including online applications for civil certificates through missions abroad, and said discussions with Italy on driving licence recognition are continuing after issues arose over differing Sri Lankan licence formats. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy moved the customary Rs. 10 reduction under Head No. 112 during the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2025, and argued that foreign affairs should be used more strategically to advance economic diplomacy, digital economy linkages, export markets, diaspora engagement, tourism, food security, and social priorities. He called for region-specific diplomatic planning, stronger embassy roles, and structured engagement with Sri Lankans and other supporters abroad beyond remittances and fundraising. He specifically urged urgent action to renew or resolve driving licence conversion arrangements for Sri Lankans in Italy and Poland, noting that unresolved administrative issues are restricting employment opportunities. He also proposed improved digital remittance channels, higher-value tourism products, and reforms to hotel and skills training. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister explained that a project to procure 1,000 smart boards using Telecommunications Regulatory Commission funds was intended to integrate with a proposed Chinese-supported school digitization project covering a centralized control room, studio, and 500 additional boards. She stated that the procurement proceeded rapidly in 2024 using unofficial specifications and a single-supplier process, costing Rs. 1.7 billion plus about Rs. 430 million in service and installation charges, while the Chinese component remains unfinalized. The equipment is currently stored at Pattalagedara Teachers’ Training College because it cannot be used for its intended networked purpose until the Chinese-supported facilities are agreed and implemented. She said a formal investigation has begun into possible financial or procedural irregularities, and discussions continue with China to secure the remaining facilities. Ministerial Statement: Provision of Smart Boards and Equipment for Schools Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of The Hon. Imran Maharoof) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of Imran Maharoof, asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government about delays in designating Thoppur Sub-Divisional Secretary’s Division and the Kinniya Pradeshiya Sabha area as separate Divisional Secretary’s Divisions. He sought details on the obstacles to implementation, including the status of the Local Government Commission’s approval for Kinniya, and asked whether the Government would address disparities in the population distribution of Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Trincomalee District. Procedural: Point of Order on Public Petitions and Committee Discussion (Q.429/2025 Answer) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary As Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannilage tabled figures on Samurdhi staffing, vacancies, retirements and pensions, noting 17,624 Samurdhi Development Officers and 2,093 Samurdhi Managers in service as of 31 January 2025, with approval sought to fill 2,513 Development Officer vacancies. He outlined the supervisory structure, functions and promotion schemes for Samurdhi Development Officers and Managers, and reported that most pending pension files for retired officers had been forwarded to the Department of Pensions or were being regularized. He also detailed Samurdhi programme plans, including 1,097 Samurdhi Bank Societies, the 2025–2029 empowerment of two million low-income families under Aswasuma, the “Sipdora” scholarship programme for 56,000 A/L students in 2025, and concessional microfinance lending through Samurdhi Banks. Oral Question: Samurdhi Development Officers and Samurdhi Managers Details (Q.382/2025) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Identification of eligible consumers should be handled by Divisional Secretariats or relevant local authorities. The Hon. Kumara Jayakody clarified that the Ceylon Electricity Board does not proactively canvass consumers, but provides electricity connections based on applications received. Oral Question: Provisions for Electricity to Isolated Villages and Houses (Q.429/2025) Read →