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- 4 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged the Ministry of Finance to act on recommendations made by the Committee on Public Finance regarding online casinos. He said he had raised the issue under both the current and previous Governments, disputed claims that no online casinos operate, and warned that such operations may be generating very large daily revenues similar to offline casinos. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Read →
- 4 March 2025 Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha clarified that casino operators are not tax-exempt and described the issue as one of non-declaration, non-payment, and avoidance across multiple sectors and professions. He said the Government intends to reduce these practices gradually by creating a fairer, simpler, and more convenient tax payment system, including through digital technology, while allowing for cases where taxpayers may be unable to pay immediately. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Read →
- 4 March 2025 Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Prof. Anil Jayantha stated that the parties under discussion fall within the applicable framework and are not exempt from taxation. He argued that they therefore cannot simply avoid paying tax. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Read →
- 4 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned why taxes should not be imposed on the relevant group or entities being discussed. The remark indicates support for applying taxation as part of the policy debate, though the excerpt does not provide further context on the specific tax, sector, or legislative matter. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Read →
- 4 March 2025 Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha stated that all individuals are subject to tax law under the Government’s framework, including those engaged in online or other forms of business. He acknowledged practical and technical difficulties in tracing and enforcing tax collection, but said the Government is not exempting such taxpayers and will move progressively to improve enforcement. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Read →
- 4 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned the Government’s proposal to tax online service exporters, contrasting it with the absence of taxation on online casinos. He asked why online casinos are not being charged even a 5 per cent tax while online workers could face a 15 per cent tax, urging the Deputy Minister to address this apparent disparity. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Read →
- 4 March 2025 Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha explained that the proposed 15 per cent tax rate on export services was negotiated under the IMF programme, alongside the removal of some measures such as the Imputed Rental Income Tax. He argued that residents should pay tax on income earned locally or abroad subject to thresholds, while export service income receives a concession compared with ordinary income tax slabs. He stated that routing such earnings through banks is required to verify eligibility under self-assessment, and framed the measure as consistent with tax fairness and global efforts to address cross-border tax avoidance. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned why the tax on services exports was only reduced from 30% to 15% after IMF discussions rather than being removed entirely, citing the need to increase dollar inflows from SMEs in IT and digital services. He urged the Government to reconsider and fully withdraw the remaining 15% tax in line with its digital export promotion policy, and also called for the suspension of the OSA pending new legislation. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government remains committed to freedom of expression and that Cabinet has initiated a public consultation process to identify amendments to the Online Safety Act, with a concept paper to be submitted by the relevant ministries. He stated that no arrests, remands, or prosecutions have occurred under the Act to date. He also explained that the proposed tax on profits from service exports by residents, including IT services, was reduced from the previous Government’s proposed 30 per cent to 15 per cent, with non-resident migrant worker remittances excluded and expected 2025 revenue estimated at about 0.04 per cent of GDP. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on its election pledge to amend the Online Safety Act and asked whether its operation would be suspended pending amendment, citing concerns over freedom of expression. He requested data on arrests, remand orders and convictions under the Act. He also sought clarification on the proposed 15 per cent income tax on foreign exchange earnings from IT services, including the number affected, expected revenue, whether the policy would proceed, and what mechanisms or studies exist to assess its impact on the digital economy and remittance channels. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the National Equipment and Machinery Organization became inactive after staff retired under the voluntary retirement programme from 3 August 2023 and that responsibility now lies with the State Engineering Corporation following its merger. He said the Corporation is in a weak financial position, with about Rs. 10 billion in debt and monthly interest costs of Rs. 20–30 million, limiting its ability to settle old project payments. He added that the equipment is valued in the billions and that feasible next steps will be decided after a structured review. Oral Question 2: National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Q.4838/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Upul Kithsiri raised a supplementary question about institutions seeking new funds despite prior records showing payments under past budgetary allocations. He asked what action the Ministry would take regarding responsible officers and staff, including retired personnel and remaining employees without assigned duties, and whether those staff would be redeployed productively. Oral Question 2: National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Q.4838/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister explained that NEMO was merged into the State Engineering Corporation by a 2021 Cabinet decision and later inactivated under a 2023 Cabinet decision, with remaining staff placed on voluntary retirement. He said equipment from NEMO projects had been left in various locations and the Ministry is working to identify and return it to SEC custody, despite difficulties including unpaid contractors and local resistance. He added that a review into the causes of the situation is planned, but audit work has not yet begun as information gathering is still underway. Oral Question 2: National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Q.4838/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Upul Kithsiri raised concerns about unpaid claims for projects dating back eight to ten years, noting that some requests exceed the Rs. 10 million allocation available to each MP. He also highlighted stalled projects where heavy machinery has been abandoned and is deteriorating, including in Kolonnawa, and asked whether an audit has been or will be conducted on these halted projects and idle assets. Oral Question 2: National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Q.4838/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary The Minister provided a written answer detailing the succession of line ministries responsible for urban development, construction and housing from 1992 to the present, and the Ministers in charge from 2010 onward. He stated that project details, including names, values and current status under each Minister, were tabled as an annex and placed in the Library. He further noted that four projects listed in the annex were halted midstream, while the remaining 345 had been completed through handover, termination or other decisions. Oral Question 2: National Equipment and Machinery Organization (Q.4838/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Chandima Hettiaratchi moved an Adjournment Motion calling for the reorganization of the National Youth Services Council, its branches, and related bodies such as the National Youth Corps to better deliver youth empowerment, leadership development, vocational training, and social service programmes under the Government’s “A Fulfilled Youth” policy. He alleged that public funds of the Council, including Rs. 100 million transferred before the Presidential Election, had been misused for election campaigning, and said such institutions must be restored to serve youth and the public. He cited Budget allocations of about Rs. 4,000 million for youth institutions and Rs. 38.6 billion for SMEs and youth entrepreneurs, arguing that these should support youth participation in economic, social, technological, and leadership development. Adjournment Motion: Reorganization of National Youth Services Council Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that a Cabinet sub-committee has been appointed to address a two-year-old issue affecting stalled projects, and said the Government intends to resolve it quickly despite having been in office for only three months. He emphasized support for public-private partnerships and the need to attract investors to move the affected projects forward. The Committee then approved the relevant recurrent and capital expenditure allocations under Head 119 before reporting progress. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government has recognized solar power with battery storage as a policy priority and is developing a promotional tariff to attract investors, allowing daytime charging and nighttime supply to the grid. He said a committee is finalizing the framework, which will be submitted to Cabinet before announcement. He also noted that renewable energy proposals pending since February 2022 are legally complicated because projects below 10 MW require special PPAs while those above 10 MW must be procured through bidding, but the proposals have been grouped together. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody responded to questions on the CPC Chairman’s remuneration, stating that the current Chairman oversees CPC, CPSTL and Trinco Petroleum Terminals Limited but draws only the CPSTL salary, and denied misuse of insurance benefits. He outlined electricity-sector projects including the Habarana–Kappalthurai 220 kV transmission line, battery storage projects at Hambantota and Kolonnawa, and studies on Victoria/Randenigala hydropower expansion and pumped storage. He said amendments to the Sri Lanka Electricity Act are being prepared for completion by 27 June 2025 after consultations, and maintained that the Government does not intend to use emergency power procurement, instead selecting the lowest-cost available generation including CEB-owned diesel plants if necessary. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage questioned the Government’s handling of energy policy, particularly the absence of clear ministerial responses after power outages and reported statements opposing solar projects in Hambantota. He warned that halting or retendering renewable energy projects selected under the 2022 expression-of-interest process could undermine investor confidence, create compensation liabilities, and delay efforts to reduce dependence on emergency diesel generation. He urged the Minister to clarify whether past selections were flawed, provide a roadmap for reducing costly thermal power use, and ensure policy consistency in implementing the renewable energy framework established under the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority Act and related plans. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Read →