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- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman Hennayake JJB AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman Hennayake questioned whether CEB projects costing around Rs. 36 million each had proceeded through special approvals without proper prioritization or due process, allegedly under political influence. He asked the Minister whether such projects are being reviewed and what institutional measures will be introduced to prevent irregular implementation in the future. Oral Question: Provisions for Electricity to Isolated Villages and Houses (Q.429/2025) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody responded to a question on two rural electrification projects, Annaasigala and Unakanda Ambakolaara, explaining their origins from requests made to the President’s Secretariat and to the CEB, and stating that the CEB Board approved implementation on 7 May 2024 after technical review and estimates. He gave the project costs as Rs. 36.64 million and Rs. 36.23 million respectively, noted that Forest Conservation approval for tree removal had been sought but the Department instead instructed construction through surveyed land without removing trees, and said relevant documents were placed in the Library. He stated that both projects had been temporarily suspended due to a contentious situation, with physical progress at 60% and 75% at the time of suspension. Oral Question: Provisions for Electricity to Isolated Villages and Houses (Q.429/2025) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe stated that five acres had been allocated for LRC staff housing and that 42 requests from state institutions and projects could not be approved based on reports. He clarified that the official answer did not record any unauthorized occupations, but said he would inquire and take action if the Member provided specific details. Oral Question: Projects Planned on Land of Walahanduwa Estate, Galle (Q.255/2024) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for details on planned subdivisions and project allocations at Walahanduwa Estate in Nugaduwa, Galle District. He sought information on the current status, expenditure, identified needs and expected benefits, which projects are considered essential, whether halted projects can be restarted, and the potential losses if they cannot proceed. Oral Question: Projects Planned on Land of Walahanduwa Estate, Galle (Q.255/2024) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged the Government to protect upcountry farmers during the harvest period by temporarily adjusting import taxes or pausing imports for one to two months. He disputed claims that farmers are receiving Rs. 280 per kilogram, stating that the price at Keppetipola is around Rs. 230, and called for immediate seasonal levies rather than references to past governments. Adjournment Motion: Control of Potato Imports During Harvesting Season Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman supported the proposal while arguing that such measures should be brought before problems emerge. He stated that the current Government had imposed a Rs. 60 per kg levy on imported potatoes since October 2024, describing it as the highest in five years, and contrasted this with levy changes in 2021 which he said benefited import lobbies rather than farmers. He cited past import dependence and declining domestic production, and said the Government is addressing the issue through technology, fair input prices, and soil and moisture conservation to improve yields. Adjournment Motion: Control of Potato Imports During Harvesting Season Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary The Committee agreed to amend Head 135, Programme 02, setting Development Activities expenditure at Rs. 3.183 billion recurrent and Rs. 11.019 billion capital, and ordered the amended provisions to stand part of the Schedule. It also approved the allocations for the Department of Rubber Development under Head 293 and the Department of Cinnamon Development under Head 337, including their recurrent and capital expenditure for development activities. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to the amended Capital Expenditure allocation of Rs. 12.038 billion and ordered it to stand part of the Schedule. It also approved allocations under Head 135, including Rs. 1.702 billion for Programme 01 recurrent expenditure and Rs. 69 million for Programme 01 capital expenditure, while noting Programme 02 allocations of Rs. 3.183 billion recurrent and Rs. 10.269 billion capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary An amendment was moved on behalf of the Minister of Finance during the 2025 Committee Stage under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure. It proposed replacing the relevant line on page 26 to set capital expenditure at Rs. 12,038,000,000. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that no immediate decision had been made on the issue under consideration, citing differing stakeholder views, macroeconomic implications and a possible Treasury burden, and said consultations would continue. He welcomed the increased allocation to the new Ministry in the Government’s first Budget debate and linked the Ministry’s work to the target of 3–3.5 per cent GDP growth in 2025. He thanked Ministry and parliamentary officials, plantation sector institutions, smallholders and workers, noting the sector’s foreign exchange contribution and the role of tea, coconut and rubber smallholders. He said the Ministry would pursue its national and strategic targets and that the sector was showing signs of recovery. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked the Minister whether action would be taken regarding the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) scheme. He stated that exporters are facing serious difficulties because of SVAT and inquired whether the Minister had paid attention to the issue. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha highlighted the global demand for coconut products and urged measures to support Sri Lanka’s coconut exporters, who he said face shortages and competition from countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines. He called for protection of the industry through measures including attention to the removal of SVAT and provision of low-interest loans, noting the sector’s foreign exchange earnings and target to reach USD 1 billion. He also questioned delays in distributing Russia-donated MOP fertilizer intended for coconut cultivation and urged that it be issued before the rains rather than being held for election-related timing. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake, speaking during the Vote on the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, focused on the coconut sector and said the Budget should support increased production, exports, intercropping, and value-added industries. He cited targets of about 3,000 million nuts annually and export earnings rising from Rs. 247 billion to Rs. 265 billion, while arguing that land fragmentation, alienation, and misuse of coconut estates had reduced production. He referred to past allocations of Kurunegala Plantations Limited lands and said stronger controls, improved inputs, fertilizer, irrigation restoration, and planned replanting/intercropping were needed to revive coconut cultivation, particularly in the North Western Province. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Arun Hemachandra argued that plantation sectors such as coconut, palmyrah, tea and cinnamon had declined due to past mismanagement, poor land use, the chemical fertilizer ban, weak value addition and lack of reliable data. He said the Government is beginning scientific approaches to issues such as animal damage and agricultural statistics, while also developing the palmyrah sector through a non-political board and seeking to strengthen export earnings. He emphasized that estate communities require basic rights, including addresses, land, housing and education, and that rebuilding tea and other plantation industries should proceed alongside environmental protection. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera said Sri Lanka’s tea industry is in a severe crisis, citing past mismanagement, audit concerns, halted replanting and factory development, and the impact of the abrupt shift to organic fertilizer. He stated that the Government has allocated funds for the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority, tea research, factory development, replanting, fallow land subsidies, direct planting and mechanization, while also reducing electricity and fuel costs to ease production expenses. He also defended the Department of Cinnamon Development against calls for abolition, saying it should be strengthened to promote Sri Lankan cinnamon internationally through short- and long-term programmes. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera spoke during the debate on the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure’s Head of Expenditure, emphasizing that national prosperity depends on addressing issues in the plantation sector, including tea, cinnamon, coconut and other crops. He noted the sector’s importance as a major foreign-exchange earner and responded to Opposition criticisms of current crises by implying that they also bear responsibility for those longstanding challenges. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala supported the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure expenditure, arguing that plantation policy must address the human and social conditions of estate communities, not only economic production. Citing hardships in estate line rooms, including youth vulnerability, family breakdown, drugs, and educational difficulties, he referred to allocations for estate housing and related infrastructure. He highlighted specific Budget provisions for child development centres, line-room roof repairs, sanitation, and estate road development as measures intended to improve living conditions and promote equal citizenship. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath said the Budget was prepared cautiously in the context of the country’s severe economic crisis and covers only an eight-month period. He acknowledged it would not meet all expectations in the tea sector, but argued that the Government had taken a positive step for plantations and called on the public, tea sector stakeholders, and Opposition Members to support it. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath argued that the Budget’s allocations for the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure address long-standing problems in the tea sector, particularly affecting tea-producing districts such as Matara, Galle and Ratnapura and the large estate-worker population. He identified labour shortages, high production costs, poor-quality fertilizer, the impact of the previous organic fertilizer policy, climate-related risks, weak use of contingency funds, and inadequate support from institutions such as the Tea Board as key challenges. He said the Budget provides for research, factory modernization, replanting and infilling, and improved support across the production-to-export chain, while also emphasizing the need to protect and modernize the “Ceylon Tea” brand in global markets. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera urged the Minister to support smallholder tea growers by reducing VAT on pesticides and weedicides and increasing the replanting subsidy, warning that current costs and weak incentives could reduce future tea export earnings. He questioned the decision to move the New Kegalle Smallholder Tea Development Authority office from Dehiovita back to Kegalle after significant expenditure, citing reduced access for over 25,000 growers in nearby areas. He also requested continuation of the SVAT mechanism for exporters, arguing that replacing it with cash VAT would create refund delays and working capital constraints. He further called for an inquiry and settlement for smallholders affected by the collapse of the Tea Shakthi Fund, and briefly raised concerns regarding the cinnamon industry. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →