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- 10 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan urged the Government to expedite unfinished school development works under the “Nearest School is the Best School” programme and to use the 2025 education budget allocations effectively, including for teacher training colleges, sanitation, water, computer facilities, and incomplete Tamil language training infrastructure. He requested swift action to release 2,500 estate-sector teacher appointments, clarifying that appointments should be based on “Tamil schools” rather than “Tamil-medium schools,” and called for more graduate teachers to improve A/L access and university admission rates among estate students. He also proposed further development of selected estate schools for science and mathematics A/L streams, continuation of National Tamil Language Day as a national event, and attention to stalled works such as the Kotagala Training College. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Speaker in the Chair AI summary The Committee continued consideration of the Appropriation Bill, 2025, resuming from 8 March. The item before the Committee was Head 126, relating to the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, specifically Programme 01 on Operational Activities with recurrent expenditure of Rs. 39.36 billion. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Government teacher transfers are governed by the National Teacher Transfer Policy, though recent implementation lapses were acknowledged; inter-zonal transfers were conducted in several years, with annual transfers to resume from April 2025. The response also stated that irregularities in school admissions had been reported, and that intermediate-grade admissions would henceforth be made only through circulars where vacancies exist, not by ad hoc letters. Vacancies were reported in the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service, Teacher Educators’ Service and Principals’ Service, with recruitment processes under way, including pending PSC procedures, Cabinet approval for principals’ recruitment, and further examinations to fill remaining posts. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that he had suspended the project after becoming aware of the issue and instructed the Ceylon Electricity Board to investigate expenditures and possible recoveries. He said further action would follow once the report is received and asked that the question be submitted formally for a detailed response, noting that he could not provide figures at that stage. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Ceylon Electricity Board implemented 208 generation and transmission projects from 2020 to 2024, with further small-scale annual distribution projects under ten-year distribution development plans. He noted that the Badulla District had one relevant project, the Uma Oya Hydropower Project, under the Ministry of Irrigation’s multi-purpose development programme. He said projects are selected according to the CEB’s long-term generation and transmission plans approved by the Public Utilities Commission, not on external requests, and tabled details on funding, estimates and expenditure. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary Rs. 2,000 million has been allocated in 2025 for compensation payments related to land acquisitions for the Ruwanpura Expressway, with the aim of completing those payments within the year. The Minister also stated that issues concerning local authority rates could be discussed with the relevant Pradeshiya Sabha to determine appropriate action. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda raised concerns about 592 acquired plots in the Homagama DS Division, noting that only six have been properly valued after about 10 years. He said affected owners cannot build or sell their land, while local authorities continue to levy rates despite the lands being treated as state land. He asked the Minister what immediate steps will be taken to resolve these valuation and ownership-related hardships. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that land acquisition for the Ruwanpura Expressway began in 2016 and covers about 210.1 hectares, including 2,910 plots, with compensation governed by the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 compensation regulations, and LARC/Super LARC committee procedures. He said project stoppages and Cabinet decisions had caused delays and hardships for affected residents, including delayed compensation, higher rebuilding costs, loss of income, and incomplete houses. He reported that Rs. 5,098 million had been paid by the end of 2024, with further allocations made from 2022 to 2025 and Rs. 129.66 million paid in 2025 for 31 plots. Oral Answers to Questions Read →
- 8 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Head 171, Programme 02 on Development Activities by increasing recurrent expenditure to Rs. 14.3 billion and capital expenditure to Rs. 734 million. The increases, amounting to Rs. 1.1 billion recurrent and Rs. 450 million capital, were linked to Budget proposals Nos. 21, 39, 45 and 49, and the amended allocations were ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Women and Child Affairs moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill 2025 for her Ministry. The amendment replaces the relevant allocation figures with Rs. 15.234 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 842 million for capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage, speaking during the debate on the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs expenditure on International Women’s Day, emphasized women’s economic empowerment as essential to sustainability and dignity. She cited rising female contributions to household income and said the Budget allocates Rs. 63 million for women’s economic empowerment, particularly for low-income urban women, through projects, market access, and training. She also referred to support for young women entrepreneurs, alternative livelihood programmes for women working abroad, and measures such as preschool breakfast programmes to reduce the burden on women managing households and income activities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi spoke in support of the 2025 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs, arguing that longstanding policy failures had contributed to serious social risks affecting women and children. Citing Central Province police data, he highlighted high levels of child abuse, sexual violence, domestic violence, suicides, vulnerable children, and drug or alcohol risk, with particular concern over Nuwara Eliya District and the lack of adequate shelters or safe homes. He said the Budget proposes targeted measures including nutrition packs for pregnant mothers, preschool breakfasts, allowances for preschool teachers, support for pregnant women, and facilities for children with autism as part of a more scientific intervention plan. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer supported the Head of Expenditure of the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs on International Women’s Day, arguing that the Government has prioritized women’s and children’s rights within its development programme. He highlighted increased women’s representation under the National People’s Power, while noting remaining issues in safety, poverty, equality, education, political participation, and access to state services, and called for further representation, including at local government level. He said the Budget provides measures to support mothers, strengthen children’s health, safety and education, and promote play and sports, and stated that the Government would work with all parties on necessary legal reforms. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined Women’s Week activities and emphasized early childhood development, detailing Budget allocations for preschool breakfasts, teacher allowances, maternal nutrition, Thriposha, institutional child care, and safe transport for children in custody. He said breakfast support will rise to Rs. 100 per child and target undernourished children through MOH identification, while preschool teacher allowances are proposed to increase to Rs. 6,000 from June. He also announced measures for institutionalized children, including monthly support, school admissions, vocational training, and a planned autism treatment model centre at Lady Ridgeway Hospital with district expansion over five years. He further highlighted women’s and children’s protection mechanisms, village-level mobilization, and greater awareness of the 1929 and 1938 toll-free counselling lines. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha supported the Votes of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, describing the Budget as focused on women’s empowerment, family strengthening, poverty reduction and children’s rights. She highlighted the social and economic contribution of women, including migrant workers, and said the Government would improve protections through training, proper contracts, recognized agencies, a contributory pension scheme, loan schemes and education support for migrants’ children. She also raised the need to address basic service conditions for women police officers, including long-unmet requirements such as proper footwear. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan argued that women’s representation in politics, higher education and public employment remains inadequate despite women comprising over half the population, and called for legal reforms to guarantee at least 50 per cent representation and access. He highlighted the economic vulnerability of female-headed households, especially in the North and East, and urged expanded training and self-employment support. He criticized reductions in the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs allocations, including cuts to women’s development and child development programmes, and called for substantially increased funding. He also noted that most children in care homes are there due to family poverty rather than orphanhood, proposing income support to families as a way to reduce institutionalization. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara called for stronger gatekeeping in child protection, arguing that admission to orphanages should be properly assessed by probation officers and used only as a last resort, particularly where poverty is the main reason. He urged funding for supervision, transport and victim support, and emphasized zero tolerance for violence against children, family-based alternative care, reunification, adolescent mental health services, drug rehabilitation and vocational training for convicted youth. He welcomed the allocations for child protection and welfare and said amendments to the outdated Children and Young Persons Ordinance, 1939, would be expedited. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister marked International Women’s Day by highlighting women’s economic and social contributions and said the Government’s first Budget includes gender-sensitive measures, with Women and Child Affairs now elevated to a Cabinet ministry. She said the Ministry is pursuing policy and structural reforms through a National Action Plan, nationwide Women’s Week programmes on empowerment, legal awareness, protection and health, and a focus on women’s equality, dignity and remuneration. She also noted allocations for child and maternal welfare, including Rs. 7,500 million for nutrition support for expectant mothers and an increase in the preschool morning meal allowance from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100 per child. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna argued that gender inequality in Sri Lanka is driven by discriminatory attitudes and inadequate legal and policy implementation, citing harassment in public transport, intimate partner violence, rape statistics, and under-16 pregnancies. She called for gender-responsive budgeting from the next Budget, with coordinated planning across ministries such as Education, Health, Justice, Finance, Foreign Employment and Women and Child Affairs, including practical measures like girl-friendly school sanitation, nutrition programmes for estate-sector women, and inclusion of transgender persons. She criticised the low capital allocation for the Women and Child Affairs Ministry and questioned policies affecting women, including cost-reflective electricity tariffs and reports of a 15 per cent tax on migrant worker remittances, urging greater investment in women’s economic empowerment. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha said details should be sought from the Central Bank on the measures and instruments it can use to monitor and, where necessary, direct financial institutions, including on activities affecting interest rates. He acknowledged a gap between policy rates and prevailing market interest rates, and said Central Bank monitoring combined with broader economic revival measures should address the issue. He added that maintaining price levels, a normal yield curve, and long-term financial system stability are key objectives of the economic recovery effort. Question by Private Notice: Proposed Abolition of Simplified Value Added Tax Read →