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- 12 March 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister said the expanded Ministry now brings agriculture, livestock, land, irrigation and Mahaweli functions together, while acknowledging inefficiencies, vacancies and the need to correct malpractice in key departments. He said the Government’s priority is food security through higher domestic production, earlier cultivation using full reservoirs, and imports only when necessary, citing the recent rice shortage and African Swine Fever’s impact on the pig industry. He stated that paddy purchasing for the 2024-2025 Maha season was set at production cost plus 30 per cent to ensure farmer profitability, and that similar attention was given to potato farmers. He also addressed data limitations, value-added rice uses, and said land requests for crops such as sorghum and durian would be assessed cautiously due to past misuse in land alienation. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticized the Government’s rice duty policy, arguing that maintaining the Rs. 65 duty and adding Rs. 10 benefited large millers rather than farmers or consumers, and said import duties should have been reduced during shortages to lower prices and regulate the market. He urged priority completion of the North Western Canal’s 12 km Bowathenna-Wemedilla tunnel, noting that USD 370 million is required for the project to deliver benefits. He also raised concerns about the egg industry and requested the removal of VAT on eggs, stating that there is limited value addition at most points of sale. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha moved the customary Rs. 10 reductions to the Agriculture-related heads of expenditure and used the debate to argue that Sri Lanka’s agriculture and irrigation achievements should not be characterized as part of a “76-year curse.” He attributed recent agricultural damage to the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government’s sudden chemical fertilizer ban, citing reduced Maha and Yala harvests, continuing effects on tea yields, and the coconut shortage. He highlighted historical irrigation and settlement programmes, including Gal Oya and the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme, as central to rice self-sufficiency and increased paddy yields. He also questioned whether the Government’s Budget matches its manifesto, challenging the claim that agricultural land can generate Rs. 3 million per acre annually and asking where the necessary allocations are reflected. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake tabled certified schedules on Parliament’s electricity, telephone, food, and fuel expenses for 2023 and 2024, emphasizing the need for full transparency and frugality in the use of public funds. He highlighted fuel expenditure by former office holders, including the former Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Chairman/Deputy Chairman of Committees, and contrasted these figures with lower fuel expenses recorded under the current Parliament. He requested that, where audit findings justify it, the Speaker consider initiating legal action. Ministerial Statements Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified that expenditure information he tabled on 27 February about former Speakers, office-bearers, vehicles, fuel and the Speaker’s Residence was obtained in writing from the Speaker’s Office with approval, responding to public claims by former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that it was inaccurate. He said Parliament’s administrative spending involves public funds and should be accountable, welcomed the decision to subject such expenditure to audit, and sought to table finance-officer-certified reports. He specified that the reports include fuel expenditure for relevant office-bearers across periods in 2023, late 2024 and early 2025. Ministerial Statements Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government stated that while he did not have all the specific details requested, steps would be taken to appoint a suitably qualified officer. Oral Question: Provincial Commissioner of Revenue - Uva (Q.392/2025) Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised a supplementary question about the appointment of the Provincial Commissioner of Revenue in Uva, noting that the post is usually filled by experienced Inland Revenue officers but is currently held temporarily by an officer from the Accountants’ Service. He requested that the vacancy be gazetted and a proper permanent appointment made promptly, given that qualified officers have applied and the matter has gone to court. Oral Question: Provincial Commissioner of Revenue - Uva (Q.392/2025) Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka’s prisons have capacity for about 10,700 inmates but currently hold around 30,000, including approximately 19,000 remand prisoners, creating overcrowding problems in Polonnaruwa, Colombo, and elsewhere. He said funds have been allocated this year to address sewerage issues, including in Polonnaruwa, after no allocations in the previous two years, but emphasized that infrastructure measures alone are insufficient. He added that a committee appointed three months earlier is working to reduce the remand population and that the Ministry intends to act expeditiously. Oral Question: Prison Guard Vacancies (Q.125/2024) Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Public servants’ salaries have been increased this year, and the Minister stated that the relevant group’s salaries will also rise accordingly. He added that further discussions could be held to consider additional allowances and relief measures. Oral Question: Prison Guard Vacancies (Q.125/2024) Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister provided figures on the approved cadre, current strength, and vacancies for male and female Prison Guards, noting 729 male and 117 female vacancies. He said recruitment is underway through a competitive examination, internal recruitment from the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force to the Prisons Emergency Response Tactical Unit, and limited competitive recruitment from junior departmental employees. He also stated that Cabinet-approved increases to allowances, expanded overtime eligibility, uniform provision, and training programmes have been introduced to address staffing pressures and improve prison service capacity. Oral Question: Prison Guard Vacancies (Q.125/2024) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Head 186, Programme 02, increasing Capital Expenditure to Rs. 7,330,000,000 by incorporating Rs. 3,000,000,000 under Budget Proposal No. 10, while approving Recurrent Expenditure of Rs. 4,513,000,000. The Committee also approved allocations for Head 227, Department of Registration of Persons, under Programme 01: Rs. 2,000,000,000 for Recurrent Expenditure and Rs. 2,520,000,000 for Capital Expenditure. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to insert the specified allocations into the Schedule, including an increased Rs. 9.871 billion for Capital Expenditure and sums under Head 186. The Committee approved Rs. 239 million for Programme 01 Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 21 million for Programme 01 Capital Expenditure, and noted Programme 02 allocations of Rs. 4.513 billion recurrent and Rs. 4.330 billion capital for Development Activities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena JJB AI summary An amendment was presented at the Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill on behalf of the Minister of Finance relating to the Ministry of Digital Economy. The proposal sought to replace the Ministry’s capital allocation with Rs. 9,871,000,000. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Head 196, Programme 02, increasing Capital Expenditure to Rs. 2,925,000,000 by incorporating Rs. 750,000,000 under Budget Proposal No. 24, while Recurrent Expenditure of Rs. 2,570,000,000 was also approved. The amended allocations were ordered to stand part of the Schedule, and the Ministry of Digital Economy allocations were then stated as Rs. 6,752,000,000 recurrent and Rs. 6,871,000,000 capital. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary The Member criticized the timing of local election nominations during the Budget Committee Stage, saying it hindered MPs’ participation in Parliament. He argued that while taxation is necessary, the Government’s tax policy has burdened lower and middle-level IT workers while continuing large tax incentives, including to major IT companies, and called for action to enable PayPal inflows to support online businesses. He also raised concerns about alleged misconduct by governing party organizers in Batticaloa, including threats and an assault complaint, and urged the Prime Minister to intervene while asking the Digital Economy Ministry to support rural IT access and promote technology investment beyond Colombo. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Digital ID programme during the debate on the Ministry of Digital Economy Votes, rejecting allegations that biometric data would be misused, sold, or transferred to India. He said biometric information would be stored as non-reversible hashed templates, with security support from Sri Lanka CERT, and announced that a Cyber Security Bill would introduce mandatory standards across government agencies. He stated that the programme would move from physical cards to a durable and eventually fully digital ID accessible through a DigiLocker app, while existing NICs remain valid during the transition. He argued that digitalization, led under the President’s portfolio, is central to improving public administration, reducing corruption and costs, and supporting economic growth. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi argued that public sector digitalization is necessary to prevent manipulation and corruption, citing the Auditor-General’s 2022 findings on Central Cultural Fund payments for archaeology-related recruitments made without proper provisions. He said digital systems would improve accountability and referred to Barcelona’s smart city model as an example of using data and technology to manage costs, address urban challenges, and improve public services. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi outlined the distinctions between digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation, arguing that the Ministry of Digital Economy should focus on end-to-end transformation to improve productivity, public service delivery, transparency, and data-driven governance. He cited planned and ongoing measures including SLUDI implementation, ICT infrastructure development, Rs. 160 million for a Data Protection Authority, progress on the GovPay platform, and a total allocation of Rs. 15.77 billion to improve public service efficiency. He also stressed the need to operationalize the Personal Data Protection Act, develop a Digital Security Bill framework, and establish cybersecurity protocols to protect critical systems and national security. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that digital transformation should be used to improve public services and reduce expenditure without adding to the Budget. He proposed real-time railway tracking and CCTV in wildlife crossing zones to prevent elephant–train collisions, digital infrastructure and inter-agency networks for the courts, digital nomination and asset-declaration processes for elections, and reduced parliamentary printing through electronic documents and desk screens. He also called for stronger digital systems in policing and a dedicated unit in the Ministry to coordinate implementation of the digital economy across government. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Anton Jayakody said the Government has more than doubled research funding and strengthened the Ministries of Science and Technology and Digital Economy with expert advisory support to better harness natural resources, including Eppawala phosphate, Pulmoddai mineral sands, biodiversity, environmental data, and rare-earth elements. He stated that a countrywide rare-earth survey is planned this year to assess their economic potential, particularly in relation to future technologies such as electric vehicles. He also rejected claims that chromium in lime used by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board could endanger drinking water, arguing that the cited figures were misleading and that public confidence in treated water should not be undermined by inaccurate comparisons. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →