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 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna questioned the Minister on allocations for Northern Province investment projects, asking how Rs. 500 million was assigned to Kurikkattuwan despite it not appearing in the listed Major Investment Project framework for 2025–2027. He also raised concerns about the Rs. 717 million allocation and increased total cost for Mayiliddy Harbour, noting it had not been handed over to the public, and alleged that Rs. 315 million listed in the 2024 BOQ for the Northern Province was not reflected on the ground. He requested clarification on the funding source and approval process for the Kurikkattuwan allocation. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the Government’s use of statistics, stating they were drawn from sources such as UNICEF, the World Bank, the Central Bank, and the Department of Census and Statistics, while criticising Opposition claims on governance and the economy. He highlighted rural and estate poverty, income inequality in Polonnaruwa, and human–elephant conflict, citing recent local deaths and hardships. He argued that the Budget addresses earlier Opposition concerns by providing 30,000 jobs, expanding Aswesuma by 400,000 beneficiaries with Rs. 233 billion allocated, and increasing the preschool meal allowance from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100, concluding that it was a successful Budget of the National People’s Power Government. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government would address accumulated administrative issues, including regularizing appointments for employees without EPF coverage and clearing pension backlogs for around 800 retirees. He also said a policy proposal had been made to manage surcharges when recovering the 60 per cent Government contribution, to prevent gratuity payments being fully absorbed, and linked these measures to strengthening social empowerment and service delivery. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe outlined Trade Ministry plans to improve access to affordable fish through processed, frozen packs sold via Sathosa in collaboration with the Fisheries Corporation, with a target of expanding the retail network by 1,000 outlets over three years. He also addressed longstanding administrative and pension issues affecting Samurdhi/Divineguma/Aswesuma staff, including unresolved appointments, delayed pensions, unsettled funds, and the status of 1,100 Samurdhi Banks. He said a Cabinet Paper has been submitted on the disputed recovery of 60 per cent Government EPF/ETF contributions, related surcharges, pending appointments, and retirement benefits, while implementation would proceed subject to the outcome of ongoing court proceedings. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka rejected claims that he opposed support for Hon. Sugath Vasantha de Silva and asked that adequate time be given for line Ministers to respond to questions in debates. He disputed government statements on the Chandrika Wewa and Kiriibbanwewa floating solar projects and the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm, saying these initiatives had already begun or progressed earlier and should not be presented as new. He said the Government must resolve doctors’ pay and structural salary concerns without encouraging strikes or vilifying doctors, and argued that Sunday and holiday work should be compensated differently from ordinary monthly pay. He also welcomed fisheries plans but urged timely payment of the promised Rs. 25 per litre diesel subsidy, noting delays since November and hardship to fishing communities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara JJB AI summary The Hon. Nandana Pathmakumara supported the Budget allocations under the Ministries of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, saying the Government aims to assist vulnerable groups including the poor, sick, mentally distressed, elderly and differently-abled. He responded to Opposition questions on promised graduate employment by stating that recruitment for 30,000 graduates would follow proper application and interview procedures rather than arbitrary appointments. He highlighted the growing needs of the elderly, citing numbers of indigent elders in homes and cases of residents lacking identity documents or family support, and called for structured measures to ensure their dignity and access to services. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary The Hon. Imran Maharoof raised fisheries issues affecting Trincomalee District, calling for modernization of traditional fishing practices, restoration of loan facilities, and inclusion of housing and support programmes for fishermen. He asked the Minister to resolve disputes involving the Navy, including blocked access for fishermen in Pulmoddai. He also questioned the enforcement of purse seine fishing rules, arguing that if it is banned under the 1986 regulations, the ban should be applied uniformly nationwide rather than only in the North and East. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan argued that the 2025 Budget allocation for fisheries is insufficient, particularly the reduced capital allocation, given the dependence of Trincomalee and the Eastern Province on the sector. He called for stronger action against Indian trawlers, dynamiting, small-mesh nets and especially purse seine fishing, proposing a full ban and joint monitoring teams with fishermen. He urged government intervention over alleged land encroachment by the Raigam salt project affecting inland fishers, strengthening of fishermen’s cooperatives, ice plants, value addition, completion of Oluvil harbour, concessional credit and multiday fishing centres. He also requested housing support for fishers and assistance for aquaculture through free fingerlings and development of inland water bodies in Trincomalee. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna questioned apparent inconsistencies in reported allocations for fisheries infrastructure in the Northern Province. He asked for clarification on the Myliddy fisheries harbour funding and handover status, and on whether the 2025 allocation for the Northern Province fisheries industry was Rs. 465 million or included the Rs. 500 million cited for Kurikattuwan jetty works at the District Coordinating Committee meeting. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva questioned whether remarks by the SLFP General Secretary reflected the SLFP or Opposition view on persons with disabilities and urged cross-party cooperation under a “leaving no one behind” policy. He said the Budget would raise the disability allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000, expand beneficiaries from about 150,000 to at least 400,000, eliminate waiting lists, and enforce accessibility measures. He also announced a Rs. 1 billion allocation to build a national disability database, arguing that data-driven policy is needed to integrate persons with disabilities into social welfare, education, technology, daily life, and national development. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa outlined increases to supplementary medical professionals’ public holiday allowances, annual salary increments, overtime-related benefits, and basic salaries, along with PAYE tax relief that exempts Grade II and Grade I officers and gives limited relief to some Supra Grade officers. He said the package covers about 5,500 workers and is the maximum currently affordable to the economy. He urged supplementary medical professionals not to be misled by claims from trade union figures, to avoid strike action, report to work, and continue discussions on further improvements as economic conditions improve. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa clarified ahead of the Health Ministry Vote that a threatened doctors’ strike had been withdrawn after discussions and that health services were continuing normally. He said seven supplemental health professional cadres, including pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists, radiographers and therapists, had served significantly during the economic crisis and that the Government was increasing their remuneration to retain skilled staff. He outlined increases in basic salaries across grades, from about Rs. 22,000 at entry levels to about Rs. 43,320 at the highest grade, along with higher overtime hourly rates from April. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged corrections to Aswesuma beneficiary selection, including Divisional Secretariat-level grievance redress, use and modernization of Samurdhi banks, promotions for long-serving Samurdhi officers, and wider coverage after the economic crisis. He called for stronger action against Indian trawlers, support for inland fisheries and the proposed Aquaculture Centre of Excellence in Mannar, and urgent coastal protection for Vankalai. He also requested redesign of Oluvil Harbour to benefit Eastern Province multi-day boat owners, targeted modernization support for IMUL vessels, and revocation or clarification of the Kalpitiya/Chilaw night-diving ban following NARA’s findings. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Ajith Gihan supported the Budget allocation for the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic Resources and Marine Resources, arguing that the new Government should be given time to address long-standing problems in the sector. He cited the scale of Sri Lanka’s maritime zone and fisheries employment, and said high fuel, gear and operating costs, institutional debt, and neglected bodies such as NAQDA, North Sea Ltd. and Cey-Nor had weakened the industry. He stated that the Government plans rule-based management, revival of aquaculture, inland fisheries, prawn farming and related institutions, with technology-enabled progress expected within a year. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana urged the Government to implement its fisheries-related election commitments, particularly reducing diesel by the promised Rs. 160 per litre and paying overdue kerosene subsidies for fishermen in areas such as Beruwala. He raised concerns about high fish prices, fuel and gear costs, salt shortages affecting dry-fish production, and imports of fish products that he said depress local fishermen’s incomes. He also called for introducing satellite-based fish-location technology, expanding cold storage capacity, allowing competitive importation of approved VMS devices, and supporting mechanization for net-mending and related activities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi said fuel subsidy payments to his fishing boats had been received for November but not for the subsequent four months, citing bank statements as evidence. He rejected insinuations against fishers, asked what had happened to the promised Rs. 150 per litre support, and questioned who was receiving the alleged Rs. 60 commission under previous arrangements. He urged the authorities to stop making false claims and ensure the subsidy is delivered properly. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Rathna Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage clarified that the Government had not promised fuel at Rs. 150 per litre, but was instead providing a Rs. 25 per litre fuel subsidy for fisheries, capped at Rs. 300,000 per multi-day trip with proportionate limits for smaller craft. He disputed claims that no assistance had been paid, citing subsidy payments allegedly made to vessels associated with Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi said the promised fuel relief for fishers had not been fully paid, with some areas receiving only the first tranche and no payments for four months. He argued that the relief originated under Ranil Wickremesinghe and called for the Government to provide the promised Rs. 150 per litre diesel subsidy by removing the specified harbour and bank-related components. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Rathna Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage responded to the Leader of the Opposition’s claim that fuel subsidies were not being provided, stating that fuel relief had been given since the President assumed office. He said Rs. 863 million had already been disbursed out of an allocation of Rs. 3,000 million and undertook to table district- and vessel-level details of the subsidies for transparency. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that poverty eradication and community empowerment require accurate, consistent data, including a clear poverty definition, reliable household income and expenditure indicators, and targeting down to Divisional Secretariat and Grama Niladhari levels. He criticized the Government’s reliance on cash transfers without a broader programme for savings, investment, production and exports, and called for lessons from Samurdhi and Aswesuma to address exclusion and ineligible beneficiaries. He also demanded action on promised graduate employment and fuel relief for fishers and other vulnerable groups, supported stronger farmer and fisher pension and insurance schemes, and urged development of the blue economy within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone under a sustainable model. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →