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- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer regarding an Urban Development Authority payment, confirming that while the then Chairman had approved it subject to procurement approval, there was no evidence such approval was obtained. The answer stated that procurement authority lay with the Procurement Committee and that the activity was linked to instructions for attractive opening ceremonies and publicity for leasing commercial constructions in Colombo. It further noted that failure to follow procurement procedures prevented open bidding by state and private entities and the selection of the most beneficial option for the government. Oral Question: TRIAD Company Payment to Urban Development Authority (Q.7-Q.8/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing for details on expenditure for media coverage of the opening ceremony of 42 shops at Bastion Mawatha, Pettah. He sought confirmation of an alleged Rs. 17.64 million advance payment to TRIAD Company out of a total Rs. 19.30 million cost, whether procurement procedures were followed, who authorized the payment, why such expenditure was necessary, and why a government media institution was not used. Oral Question: TRIAD Company Payment to Urban Development Authority (Q.7-Q.8/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe (on behalf of the Hon. Padmasiri Bandara) JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing to clarify expenditure on media coverage for the opening ceremony of 42 shops at Bastion Mawatha, Pettah. The question sought confirmation of whether Rs. 17,639,938.86 was paid as an advance to TRIADE out of a total cost of Rs. 19,301,403.61, whether procurement procedures were followed, who approved the payment, why such expenditure was incurred, and why a State media institution was not used. Oral Question: TRIAD Company Payment to Urban Development Authority (Q.7-Q.8/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government is monitoring industrial park operators through park committees and will support viable closed or distressed enterprises with financial and technical assistance, including coordination with banks and relevant Budget provisions. He stated that recovery plans are being requested from closed operators and that, where feasible, they will be encouraged to restart operations before any reallocation is considered. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Sri Lanka - Current Status (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ministry had analyzed the reasons behind the closure of 408 industries, particularly in the context of COVID-19 and the economic crisis. She sought clarification on whether the Ministry had intervened to support viable closed industries to restart operations. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Sri Lanka - Current Status (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that limited industrial land and inefficient use of existing plots are major concerns. He said the ministry will work with current allottees to improve productivity and capacity, while issuing notices to holders of idle or under-developed plots to either vacate or submit development plans. If they fail to respond within three months, legal action will be taken to repossess the land and reallocate it to active investors through park committees. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Sri Lanka - Current Status (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Industrial Development Board Chairman has already taken action on the matter. He said that, due to limited allocations and high demand, priority this year will be given to completing the Elpitiya and Kalutara-area industrial estates before initiating new estates. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Elpitiya (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that land allocation problems in several estates stemmed from the absence of a national plan and are currently handled by estate-level committees. He said allottees who have not begun construction or submitted plans have been instructed to commence within six months or present a commencement plan, with reasonable extensions possible. If they fail to comply, plots may be repossessed under the lease’s non-use condition and reallocated to active investors. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Elpitiya (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated that after the new Government took office, a review of industrial estates identified significant expenditure and wastage at Elpitiya. He said the Industrial Development Board is redirecting funds under a new efficiency-focused plan, with oversight by both the IDB and the Ministry. He added that past deficiencies and supplier-related issues are being addressed and that future contracts will follow stricter procedures to reduce costs. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Elpitiya (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera questioned the supervision and funding allocation for infrastructure development, particularly in Phase II works. He raised concerns that road widening and related activities appeared irregular and potentially wasteful, and asked who was responsible for overseeing them. Oral Question: Industrial Parks in Elpitiya (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the gem mining sector faces regulatory, legal, and land rights issues linked to past political interference and varying scales of mining activity. He noted that unpaid security deposits had required the Authority to spend Rs. 11 million in 2024 to close and rehabilitate pits. He said the Government is establishing oversight mechanisms from the District Secretary to Divisional Secretariat level and a legal support team under the Authority to strengthen enforcement and supervision. Oral Question: Gem-Mining Permits (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara welcomed proposals to reduce court delays but argued that a Select Committee would be premature until the Attorney-General’s Department, Judiciary, Government Analyst’s Department and related institutions are given adequate staffing, resources and allowances. He emphasized the independence of the Attorney-General and Judicial Service Commission, citing major cadre shortages, heavy prosecutorial workloads, and the need to restore public trust amid political interference and unfair public attacks. He said the Government would strengthen these institutions, recruit staff, consider special treatment for salary structures, provide training, and introduce amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, including audio-visual witness testimony, to address delays caused by witness non-appearance and security concerns. Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice Read →
- 1 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to insert and approve recurrent and capital expenditure allocations under several Heads in the Schedule, including Head 232 and Heads 233 to 236 and 326. The approved allocations covered the Department of Government Analyst, Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Law Commission of Sri Lanka, Department of Official Languages, and Department of Community Based Corrections, with all questions put and agreed to. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Members agreed to the insertion of specified recurrent and capital expenditure allocations in the Schedule for several Heads, including Head 110, Courts Administration, the Attorney-General’s Department, the Legal Draftsman’s Department, and the Department of Debt Conciliation Board. The agreed allocations included Rs. 10,997.65 million recurrent and Rs. 4,998.7 million capital expenditure for Courts Administration, and smaller recurrent and capital provisions for the Attorney-General, Legal Draftsman, and Debt Conciliation Board. The proceedings then moved to Head 232, the Department of Prisons, with proposed allocations of Rs. 15,773 million recurrent expenditure and Rs. 4,507 million capital expenditure. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister thanked Justice Ministry officials and acknowledged constructive Opposition proposals on judicial reform, while stating that constitutional reform and abolition of the Executive Presidency remain Government commitments to be implemented according to its own roadmap. He said allocations have been made for reparations, reconciliation, and missing persons mechanisms, and pledged to address Northern and Eastern concerns while protecting judicial independence and avoiding political interference. He cited justice-sector vacancies as a cause of delays, noting recruitment of 753 officers, and said investigations and indictments on corruption, money laundering, past crimes, and the Easter attacks are proceeding without improper disclosure. He also referred to the Proceeds of Crime Bill as a mechanism for recovering assets derived from crime and rejected allegations of “deals” in relation to judicial accountability. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha urged reforms to judicial promotions, calling for reasons and due process when senior judges are overlooked, and asked that Standing Orders prevent parliamentary privilege from being used to attack judges outside established disciplinary mechanisms. He proposed legislation requiring reasons when appellate courts refuse leave or notice, reallocating some Supreme Court jurisdiction to ease its caseload, restoring appellate flow through the Court of Appeal, and creating subject-specific benches in the Supreme Court. He also called for expedited relief for prisoners whose remand periods pre-date the 2024 amendment, greater use of community service, relocation and improvement of urban prisons, continuous legal education, and skills-based rehabilitation for prisoners. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi argued that the Government’s mandate is to restore justice, transparency, institutional independence and public trust following past misuse of public assets and funds. He outlined a series of proposed laws and reforms, including measures on public procurement, public asset management, state enterprises, investment protection, AML/CFT, proceeds of crime recovery, disability rights and other regulatory areas. He noted Budget allocations of Rs. 80.2 billion for law and order and Rs. 14 billion to strengthen Mediation Boards, stating that the objective is to protect and recover public assets and hold those responsible for corruption accountable. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam said the Ministries of Justice and National Unity are central to nation-building in a country affected by decades of war and communal tensions. He stated that institutions under the Ministry of National Unity have been allocated Rs. 2,895.5 million and argued that resolving the national question, promoting harmony, addressing corruption, and ending impunity are necessary for development. He highlighted Budget measures to assist 1,350 people with war-damaged properties, 5,000 families of the disappeared, and victims of the Easter bombings, saying the Government would use these mechanisms to pursue justice and unity. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe said a proposal reportedly approved by the previous Cabinet should be resubmitted, gazetted and brought before Parliament, with implementation from May if necessary. He urged upgrading prison-based production, including the Welikada laundry for hospital linen, and expanding private-sector partnerships to establish 10–20 industries in each prison to help offset operating costs. He also proposed CSR coordination to pay small outstanding fines for long-detained inmates and requested action on Welikada Prison’s long-unrepaired drainage system under the Municipal Council. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe urged attention to staff retention in the Attorney General’s Department amid high taxes and living difficulties, linking the issue to prosecutorial capacity and deficiencies in police investigations. He called for urgent digitalization of court processes to reduce litigation costs and improve access to fundamental rights remedies, and supported reforms to reduce case delays to about 18 months. He also requested prison and sentencing reforms, including remission for long-term prisoners based on good conduct, deduction of remand time from final sentences, retrospective implementation of Cabinet-approved measures, and relief for inmates imprisoned for minor drug offences or inability to pay fines, citing overcrowding and rehabilitation considerations. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →