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- 7 March 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Asked the Government to specify the exact location where the failed stocks are being stored. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board is not using the hydrated lime stock that failed quality requirements and that the request to raise permissible limits predated the current administration. He said tenders include specified quality parameters, stocks are tested both on receipt and before use, and non-compliant supplies are rejected and must be replaced by suppliers. He assured Parliament that only SLS-compliant hydrated lime is used for water purification. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka raised concerns about imported hydrated lime used in drinking water treatment, alleging that recent consignments exceeded the chromium limit and questioning changes to the Sri Lanka Standards specification from 10 mg/kg to 12 mg/kg. He challenged inconsistencies between the Minister’s and NWSDB Chairman’s statements on when the standard was amended, disputed claims about higher international limits, and argued that global drinking water standards have generally tightened due to health risks. He asked why failed stocks remain in stores, whether a new tender with relaxed specifications could permit the same supplier to use them, and called for a transparent investigation, standardized testing, and action against unreliable suppliers or laboratories. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena outlined measures to reduce elephant–train collisions and train cancellations, reporting that 286 trains operated the previous day with only one cancellation. He said the transport sector’s main institutions, particularly SLTB, had deteriorated due to politicization and underinvestment, and proposed rebuilding services through 1,100 new buses, Rs. 3,000 million for low-floor city buses, 200 expressway buses, and the revival of Lakdiva Engineering. He also detailed delays and costs linked to the Kandy Multimodal Transport Terminal, stating that Rs. 7,730 million has been allocated with civil works targeted for completion by May 2027, alongside Rs. 1,500 million for related access and parking facilities to address Kandy congestion. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister discussed the National Water Supply and Drainage Board under the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, noting that pipe-borne water coverage remains insufficient despite growth in connections since 2014. He said the Board faces heavy financial pressure from legacy debt, delayed capital projects, non-revenue water, staffing costs, and poorly planned procurements, which have contributed to tariff pressures. He identified several long-delayed projects, including Greater Colombo, Jaffna-Kilinochchi, and Laggala, and stated that the 2025 allocation includes over Rs. 49 billion to stabilize the NWSDB, complete delayed works, reduce non-revenue water, and rationalize costs. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar moved the customary Rs. 10 cut under the relevant expenditure heads and focused on the construction, housing, urban development and ports sectors. He argued that the construction industry is in crisis due to high interest rates, raw material costs, currency pressures and heavy taxation, and called for tax rationalization, public-private housing models, smart city planning, and pilot projects outside the Western Province. He welcomed committee action on flood control in Kolonnawa and Colombo drainage, while urging coordinated implementation. He also asked the Government to regularize title deeds for relocated urban apartment residents, waive unfair penal interest, improve maintenance or allow resident management, and sought progress on the East Container Terminal. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake tabled a detailed answer on Port of Colombo operations, providing terminal-wise data from 2015 to 2024 on ship calls, container throughput, operational profits, efficiency indicators, general cargo volumes, projections, and Sri Lanka’s global container-handling ranking. The figures show total container handling rising to 7.79 million TEUs in 2024, with major contributions from CICT, SAGT and SLPA-operated terminals, while SLPA operational profits increased substantially over the period, reaching Rs. 36.3 billion in 2023 after a higher figure in 2022. Further supporting tables, including efficiency and projection data, were tabled for the House. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Ports Authority Terminals Operations (Q.304/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Ravi Karunanayake) SJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation seeking detailed data on port terminal operations from 2015 to date, including ship arrivals, container volumes, operational profits, SLPA income and profits, and terminal efficiency measured by containers handled per hour. It also requested national figures for containers and general cargo handled from 2020 to 2024, projections for the next ten years, and Sri Lanka’s global ranking in container handling over the past five years, with reasons required if the information cannot be provided. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Ports Authority Terminals Operations (Q.304/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy tabled an answer on the Thambapavani Wind Power Park, stating that it began on 04 March 2019 with LKR 2.1 billion in local investment and USD 125 million in foreign investment, generating 103.5 MW at a unit cost of LKR 12.19. He provided annual net energy supplied to the grid from 2021 to 2024 and stated that a radar-based bird detection system automatically shuts down turbines when birds are detected within 500 metres. He further noted that studies indicate around 400 MW of wind power potential on Mannar Island, including the existing plant, a 50 MW project under tender, and 250 MW of further developable capacity. Oral Question: Thambapavani Wind Power Station (Q.154/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Ajith P. Perera) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of Ajith P. Perera, asked the Minister of Energy for detailed information on the Thambapavani Wind Power Station, including its construction start date, local and foreign investment amounts, installed capacity, unit generation cost, and annual energy supplied to the National Grid from 2021 to 2024. He also requested details on measures to protect migratory birds and their effectiveness, as well as the potential for additional wind power projects on Mannar Island and their expected capacities. Oral Question: Thambapavani Wind Power Station (Q.154/2024) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media for details on the number of registered pharmacies and pharmacists in Sri Lanka and whether pharmacies are legally required to operate under registered pharmacist supervision under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 05 of 2015. He sought confirmation of a pharmacist shortage relative to registered pharmacies and requested information on measures already taken and planned to address it. He also questioned eligibility requirements for the External Pharmacist Examination, including the GCE A/L Chemistry credit requirement, and highlighted the low recent pass rate of 99 out of about 1,700 candidates. Oral Question: Shortage of Pharmacists and External Pharmacist Examination (Q.492/2025) Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised concerns about the emigration of doctors and nurses following the economic and political crises, citing the public cost of training medical professionals and the resulting financial loss to the State. He argued that economic instability, inability to afford vehicles, loan burdens, and inadequate conditions are key reasons doctors leave the country. He specifically called for better support for postgraduate medical trainees, including fair remuneration, accommodation, and practical benefits, noting their central role in the health system. Adjournment Motion: Challenges Faced by Medical Specialists (Postgraduate Trainees) Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary The House agreed to an amendment to Head 111, Programme 02, increasing recurrent expenditure to Rs. 213,520,000,000 by adding Rs. 250,000,000 under Budget Proposal No. 40, while capital expenditure was approved at Rs. 52,757,000,000. Members then approved the relevant recurrent and capital allocations for the Department of Government Information, Department of Government Printing, Department of Ayurveda, and Department of Posts under their respective programmes. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary An amendment was moved at the Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill on behalf of the Minister of Finance to revise the recurrent expenditure allocation for the Ministry of Health and Mass Media. The proposed substituted figure is Rs. 413,249,998,000. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister closed the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, noting contributions from 35 MPs and acknowledging proposals on health, indigenous medicine, media and postal services. He said Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital should be reviewed and reorganized, Seeduwa Vijaya Kumaratunga Hospital developed as a specialized hospital, and that the Budget provides substantial phased basic salary increases for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff over about 20 months. He rejected allegations of discrimination in changes to Muslim-language broadcasting during Ramadan, said state media institutions would be strengthened as national media models, and stated that VAT obligations and arrears are being settled. He thanked officials and staff across the Ministry’s 42 institutions, citing the Rs. 604 billion allocation and pledging political leadership to restore public confidence and improve services. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna criticised the 2025 Budget’s health allocations, arguing that while overall expenditure requires major revenue-raising, health spending increases and regional allocations to the North and East remain inadequate compared with defence and other items. He questioned rising Health Ministry travel expenses, cited shortages and migration of doctors as a major public investment loss, and proposed that government MPs donate their salaries to support national needs, including doctors’ vehicle import costs. He also raised specific grievances about alleged medical negligence cases in Mannar and Jaffna, lack of justice for affected families, and disparity in education-related allocations, including a comparatively small allocation for the Jaffna Public Library. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna highlighted the shortage and emigration of doctors, citing Sri Lanka’s low doctor-to-population ratio, recent departures of about 1,800 doctors, and the risk of further migration by around 5,000 more. He argued that the Budget addresses pressures on health and related sectors by reducing overall state expenditure, increasing development allocations, and raising public sector salaries, with emphasis on improving doctors’ basic pay rather than relying on allowances. He also referred to the effects of PAYE tax after the 2022 bankruptcy declaration and said the Government aims over future Budgets to create structured working hours, adequate leave, and improved professional conditions to retain and attract medical professionals. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika argued that Sri Lanka’s strong health indicators were achieved largely through the commitment of health workers working under difficult conditions, and said the Budget begins to provide them with better facilities, recognition and salary structures. He said health-sector migration was driven not only by pay but also by wider national uncertainty, and claimed the Government is addressing this through salary increases, reduced taxes, improved procurement and anti-waste measures, including Rs. 1,750 million in savings from medicine procurement. He stated that doctors and other health workers will receive higher basic pay, extra-duty rates and take-home pay from April, and invited health workers to raise remaining concerns with the Government for further discussion. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem said the Health Ministry’s allocation to the Eastern Province, estimated at about 0.12 per cent of the total, was insufficient and requested additional funding. He welcomed the decision to provide a 160 kW generator to operationalize the new Chinese-funded building at Eravur Base Hospital, and asked that the hospital’s old generator be transferred to Eravur Ayurvedic Hospital. He also sought an MRI scanner and a state Osusala pharmacy for Batticaloa, and highlighted shortages of specialists, medical staff, facilities and doctors’ quarters at Eravur Base Hospital. He further requested that the rural hospital at Meeraikerni be upgraded with inpatient care, a permanent doctor, nurses and necessary resources. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. Ashoka Gunasekara AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasekara argued that the Budget recognises and supports the health sector, including doctors, nurses and other professionals who sustained services during the economic crisis, while reducing pressures that contribute to brain drain. He highlighted allocations for indigenous medicine, including Rs. 574 million for the Department of Indigenous Medicine and related services, support for Ayurveda, Sinhala traditional medicine, Unani, Siddha and homeopathy, and programmes such as medicinal plant cultivation under “Osu Diriya” to reduce imports. He also cited funding for hospital-based Ayurveda services, health worker training, screening for people over 35, and school-linked first-aid training aimed at improving household-level preparedness. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →