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- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera asked whether the Ministry would act to reclaim the tsunami-damaged Magistrate’s Bungalow site near Panadura beach, which he said had remained vacant and may have been leased to the private sector for 33 years. He argued that, given Panadura’s importance as a judicial hub and the reliance on rented accommodation, the site or other vacant UDA land should be used to provide official quarters for the High Court Judge and the Magistrate. Oral Question Q.1 (233/2024): Establishment of Provincial High Court for Western Province Read →
- 5 May 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva briefly explained several instruments tabled, including Port City duty-free provisions allowing multiple USD 2,000 purchases within a year, amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, Motor Traffic regulations on preferred vehicle numbers, and the Rehabilitation, Reorganization and Insolvency Bill. He noted concern that Port City employers may terminate employees without the Commissioner of Labour’s recommendation following court-directed changes to the Act. On the insolvency proposals, he welcomed the shift from liquidation to restructuring for defaulting SMEs but urged that the court-supervised negotiation period with creditors be extendable from 60 days to around 180 days. Papers: Reports and Regulations Tabled Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary On behalf of the Committee on Public Finance, Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva tabled orders and rules issued under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021. The documents included orders published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2475/28 of 13 February 2026 and rules published in Gazette Extraordinary Nos. 2471/52 to 2471/55 of 16 January 2026. Papers: Reports and Regulations Tabled Read →
- 5 May 2026 Mr. Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne] AI summary The Speaker conveyed two Presidential messages under the Public Security Ordinance: a proclamation bringing Part II into operation islandwide from 28 April 2026 due to the post-cyclone situation, and an order calling out the Armed Forces to maintain public order. He also announced the Supreme Court’s determination on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, stating that it may be passed by a simple majority except Clause 31(4), which requires a special majority unless amended as proposed by the Court. The Speaker further noted that Clauses 4, 9 and 28 were to be deleted at Committee Stage, that Clause 34 was found constitutional, and ordered the full determination to be printed in the Official Report. Opening: Message from the President - Public Security Proclamation Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake argued that the coal procurement issue should be assessed on whether Minister Jayakody had any corrupt intent or plan, noting that corruption or crimes usually leave identifiable evidence. He said the dispute concerned differing coal quality test results between the supplier and the buyer, and that moving to a mutually acceptable laboratory after rejecting the supplier’s proposed lab was a permissible step. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe stated that the first shipment should be halted and that no further orders should be placed. His remarks indicate opposition to proceeding with the relevant procurement or delivery, though no additional context or justification was provided in the excerpt. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said that, although coal procurement procedures may have been followed without ministerial interference, the lower output from received coal indicates a lapse that must be examined for causes and remedies. He argued that ministers carry a degree of moral responsibility for failures within their sectors, even where systems are imperfect, and referred to responsibilities in reducing technical losses, generation costs, and uncertainty in electricity generation. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake argued that the Opposition had not presented a specific, evidence-based charge against the Minister. He acknowledged, however, that electricity generation output from imported coal had been lower than expected and indicated willingness to address that issue further if necessary. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations that Minister Jayakody interfered with a lawful procurement process, arguing that any such claims should be proven in court with documents. He stated that procurement timelines vary under National Procurement Commission rules and maintained that the existing process was not altered for corrupt or improper purposes. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Clarified that the procurement matter had been submitted to and handled by the Cabinet. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha questioned why the tender period had been reduced to 21 days. The remark sought an explanation regarding the procurement timeline, implying concern over the shortening of the standard tender process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake defended the procurement process, stating that it had not been changed and that no procedural fault or ministerial interference had occurred. He challenged critics of the no-confidence motion to take legal action if they believed there was wrongdoing, and asked them to identify any specific act by the Minister that distorted the established process. He contrasted this with typical forms of procurement manipulation, such as emergency purchases or changing laboratories, and denied that such subversion had taken place. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the Minister on why the BAG tender scheduled for April was postponed until August. He specifically asked that the explanation not rely on a claim that existing stocks were sufficient. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake outlined the coal procurement process, stating that the established stages and approval barriers—Master Procurement Plan by Lanka Coal Company, bid evaluation by Cabinet-appointed committees, delivery scheduling, legal clearance by the Attorney General, and Cabinet award—remain unchanged. He emphasized that Ministers are not involved in bid evaluation and asked opponents to identify any specific stage in the process that had been altered, noting that no such change had been demonstrated in their speeches. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Government had continued the existing coal procurement procedure, involving tender evaluation by Bid Evaluation Committees, approval by High-level Procurement Committees, and final award by Cabinet. He outlined the established quality control process for coal shipments, including testing at loading, insurance mechanisms, testing on arrival, and penalties or procedures if standards are not met. He argued that any allegation of wrongdoing should identify whether the Minister of Power interfered with or changed this established process during the past 18 months. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister said the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Energy was not supported by all Opposition parties and outlined its three allegations relating to coal supply for Norochcholai, action under Gazette 2412/08 on reducing losses and costs in the power sector, and an indictment under the Bribery Act. He argued that the coal procurement procedure now being used was established in 2023 before the current Minister took office, and that the Government is operating and enforcing the inherited tender system rather than introducing a new process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha questioned Minister Jayakody’s credibility by referring to alleged past misconduct involving a Provisional Acceptance Test report and employment-related action, and challenged him to deny it in the House. He alleged that problems at the Norochcholai power plant began after the current Government’s coal consignments and claimed the coal supplied was of historically poor quality. He demanded independent laboratory verification of the coal quality and alleged collective responsibility and protection by Government members for corruption in the procurement process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected the no-confidence motion over coal procurement, arguing that Cabinet acts collectively and that tender decisions were made through technical and procurement procedures rather than by the Minister alone. He said alleged corruption claims and loss estimates, including the cited Rs. 22 billion figure, should be properly examined, while noting that about USD 15 million had already been withheld from the supplier over performance and quality issues. He stated that if alternative generation such as diesel is required due to coal shortfalls, the Government will calculate and seek recovery of the additional cost from the supplier, while ensuring uninterrupted power supply without passing extra costs to the public. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman criticized the Government for not securing the Minister’s resignation over a reported Rs. 22 billion loss linked to substandard coal, arguing that the public would ultimately bear the cost through Treasury funds, tariffs, and litigation. He contrasted this with past ministerial resignations over allegations and accused the Government of failing to uphold its promised political standards. He also alleged undue influence by the COPE Chair on the Auditor General’s Department during preparation of the report and requested the Speaker to investigate, while commending the Department for issuing the report despite pressure. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy defended the Government’s anti-corruption record and said the National People’s Power was committed to ending misuse of public property and enforcing the law equally. He cited his previous work at Lanka Fertilizer, claiming recoveries through performance bonds and penalties, and said his party would act against wrongdoing even within its own ranks. Addressing coal procurement allegations, he denied interfering in specifications or favouring suppliers, said he had refused a Cabinet paper related to “Potencia PLC,” and argued that past procurement practices had failed to impose bonds, quality action, or delay charges, which the Government was now changing. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →