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 April 2026 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe alleged corruption in coal procurement for the Norochcholai power plant, citing reduced output, substandard coal, non-accredited testing certificates, and possible overpayment for low-quality coal. He criticized the conduct and independence of the COPE Chair and questioned the absence of the Lanka Coal Company Chairman during proceedings. He called for an independent COPE Chair and a proper investigation, warning of major financial losses, higher electricity bills, industrial disruptions, and load-shedding. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof supported the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Energy, alleging corruption in the coal import process and accusing Government members of trying to deflect responsibility by attacking the Opposition. He argued that the Government, elected on an anti-corruption platform, must answer for rising energy prices and procurement issues rather than rely on past promises or political attacks. He called on the Government to acknowledge the allegations, provide solutions, and address the impact on the public. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Najith Indika JJB AI summary The Hon. Najith Indika rejected the Opposition’s no-confidence motion over the coal tender, arguing that while some consignments had lower-than-required values, there was no basis to allege deliberate fraud by the Minister or Government. He explained the coal import testing and payment process, stating that 80 per cent is paid on load-port results and the balance after destination testing, with adjustments or withholding where specifications fail. He said the Government had restored competitive term tendering, imposed penalties and sought recoveries from suppliers under tender conditions, contrasting this with unrecovered past losses. He also defended the appointment of the COPE Chair, saying it should be held by someone without a compromised record. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri challenged the acceptance of a coal procurement tender for the Lakvijaya Power Plant, arguing that a required company registration could not legally be deferred over a USD 20 shortfall. Citing page 102, section 6.1.3 of the Special Audit Report on 2025/2026 coal procurement, he said the Auditor General found that fairness was violated by not giving other capable suppliers the same opportunity. He stated that the Ministry Secretary had accepted the report at COPE and called on the relevant Minister to resign rather than “whitewash” the matter. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas responded to Auditor General findings on coal procurement losses, stating that around Rs. 9.6 billion has already been withheld from the supplier through payments and bid bonds against an estimated Rs. 22.3 billion loss. He said penalties have been imposed for delayed coal shipments, further recoveries will be pursued where required, and shortcomings identified by the Auditor General have been addressed in upcoming tenders. He maintained that there were no irregularities in the procurement or penalty recovery process and assured that the public would not bear any additional electricity costs due to the coal matter. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas said the coal agreement was signed after Auditor General concurrence and incorporation of recommendations, with relevant documents available to be tabled. He rejected claims of an Rs. 8,000 million loss as based on assuming the full energy shortfall was replaced by diesel generation, arguing that actual costs depend on the dispatch mix and different fuel costs. He stated that about Rs. 9.6 billion has been withheld from the supplier through unpaid amounts and a bid bond, with penalties also being pursued for delayed vessels, and said future tenders have been adjusted in line with audit observations. He assured that no costs arising from the coal issue would be passed on to consumers through electricity bills. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas - Deputy Minister of Power JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas responded to issues raised following the Auditor General’s Report on coal procurement, stating that the supplier’s registration fee payment complied with tender eligibility rules and tabling the relevant procurement committee minutes. He said umpire samples had been tested or sent for testing through accredited Bureau Veritas laboratories, and defended the accreditation status of the laboratories used for coal quality parameters while tabling supporting documents. He acknowledged gaps in tender and registration arrangements, noting that 2026–2027 criteria would be tightened through higher financial and supply thresholds, ministry-selected laboratories, and a multi-supplier reverse bidding model to reduce dependency on one supplier. He also stated that the agreement was signed subject to Attorney General concurrence and said the Ministry would continue addressing remaining shortcomings. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera supported the No-Confidence Motion by alleging that the coal procurement matter, cited by the Auditor General, reflected major corruption despite the Government’s anti-corruption mandate. He highlighted findings on Trident’s alleged lack of accreditation for sample verification and the expiry of umpire samples, and argued that those involved should face prosecution under the Public Property Act, Penal Code, and related corruption and conspiracy provisions. He called on COPE, the Bribery Commission Director General, and the Attorney General to act promptly against those responsible. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar opposed the No-Confidence Motion against the Minister of Power, arguing that current coal procurement for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant is being conducted transparently and without corruption. He cited audit findings and local and foreign laboratory testing, including further samples sent to Australia, to reject allegations of substandard coal or fraud during the present period. He contended that past coal procurement was controlled by politically connected groups and said the Opposition’s accusations were unsupported and politically motivated. 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 Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that the importation of substandard coal has increased electricity generation costs and could lead to higher electricity bills, citing a National System Operator letter indicating an additional coal-related cost of about Rs. 20 billion and possible total increases beyond the President’s Rs. 15 billion relief package. He disputed the President’s stated Rs. 7.5 billion coal procurement loss and called for updated CEB price data to be checked by the Public Utilities Commission. He also raised concern over alleged pressure by the COPE Chairman on the National Audit Office and warned that parliamentary majorities would not prevent accountability for those responsible. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir AI summary Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir stated that substandard coal had been brought to the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant, but argued that the wider environmental damage was a more urgent concern than allegations of fraud. He said fishing, agriculture and public health in areas from Karambewa to Kalpitiya had been affected by ash and coal dust, and urged the Environment and Health Ministers to investigate, including reported increases in cancer and respiratory disease. He also requested the Health Minister to expedite the opening of the hospital built in Kalpitiya to serve the local population. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that the coal tender complied with High-level Procurement Committee requirements, stating that supplier eligibility depended on registration before bid submission, not before issuing bidding documents. She contrasted this with the previous award to Potencia LLC, which she said supplied coal for three years while unregistered following a Cabinet decision, and challenged the Opposition to show any comparable ministerial interference by Minister Kumara Jayakody. She also addressed laboratory accreditation concerns, stating that Mitra SK South Africa was accredited for key coal quality tests but lacked only ash composition capability, with related issues examined at COPE and to be handled through government and committee oversight. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra stated that the Opposition’s intervention was primarily based on the Auditor-General’s Special Report on coal. She thanked COPE Chairman Hon. Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera for initiating the request for the report to be considered by Parliament in an impartial manner. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva cited IMF and National System Operator documents to argue that losses linked to substandard coal shipments contributed to Ceylon Electricity Board losses and therefore to electricity tariff increases under IMF-mandated cost-reflective pricing. He said reduced coal-based generation from April to June would require more expensive diesel generation, estimating an additional cost of about Rs. 19 billion, or 57 per cent of the Rs. 33 billion tariff increase sought. He tabled the relevant IMF and NSO documents and asked the Government to provide counter-data if it disputed the figures. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka alleged serious irregularities in the coal procurement for Norochcholai, citing CEB, PUCSL, Auditor-General and system operator findings that coal quality and testing processes were deficient. He questioned the extension of the import window, delays in appointing committees and laboratories, failure to test umpire samples, and the use of laboratories he said lacked required accreditation, arguing these actions made tender cancellation and penalty recovery impracticable. He also denied personal allegations, referred to legal action he had taken, and stated that substandard coal would create generation shortfalls requiring higher-cost diesel generation, estimating a Rs. 19–25 billion cost impact to consumers. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana rejected allegations raised by the Opposition Leader regarding coal quality at the Lakvijaya power plant, arguing that the PUCSL assessment relied on non-accredited laboratory data and flawed ash-content methodology. He said the Auditor-General’s Special Report was brought before COPE at the request of its government-side Chairman to identify and correct issues, and alleged that past procurement practices favoured certain suppliers while the present tender process was transparent. He acknowledged lower GCV in some consignments but said penalties, including for delays, had been imposed under the applicable framework, and stated that COPE would table its report shortly for further debate. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne challenged the Government’s account of the coal testing process, citing COPE evidence that the laboratory was not accredited when certificates were issued and referring to a Special Audit finding of Rs. 22.4 billion in losses from non-scheduled power generation. He questioned whether responsibility was being shifted to the Lanka Coal Company General Manager while Ministers, the Chairman and the Secretary avoided accountability, and urged the Bribery Commission and other agencies to act impartially under the Anti-Corruption Act. He also referred to the LCC Chairman’s resignation letter and argued that, given the allegations, the relevant Minister should not continue in office. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Opposing a no-confidence motion debate on the Minister of Power and Energy, Sajith Premadasa alleged serious fraud in the importation of substandard coal and argued that the Minister’s position had become untenable. He cited PUCSL findings on reduced generation efficiency, low calorific value, increased fly-ash emissions, an estimated Rs. 8.497 billion loss from nine vessels, and risks of load shedding, and also referred to Auditor-General observations on unregistered suppliers, premature contracts, invalid quality accreditation, and emergency procurement issues. He further linked the coal issue to what he described as a government policy favouring fossil-fuel generation over renewable energy, stating that consumers face higher costs and weakened energy security. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka rejected allegations that a coal procurement tender was awarded to an unregistered supplier, arguing that the Auditor-General’s Report showed registration only had to be completed before bid submission and that the decision was made by a High Procurement Committee of officials. He also disputed claims that coal testing lacked accreditation, citing certifications from Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in South Africa and Indonesia regarding the laboratories used for relevant tests. He stated that contractual mechanisms exist to penalize and recover losses from substandard coal, with further confirmatory testing underway, and denied political intervention in the procurement process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando argued that the no-confidence motion was intended to challenge alleged wrongdoing in coal procurement, not merely to test parliamentary numbers. He said the Government had moved from denying problems to admitting the coal was substandard, and demanded answers on why an allegedly unregistered bidder was allowed, why procurement criteria were relaxed, and whether the Auditor-General’s findings would be accepted. He alleged failures involving an invalid load port report, inaction after early warnings on substandard coal, and improper tender procedures that increased costs from about USD 98 to USD 142 per metric ton. He also questioned reported meetings with a supplier during the tender process and suggested these matters indicated possible collusion or fraud. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →