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- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan argued that defence spending and troop deployment remain disproportionately high in the North and East despite the absence of war, while social welfare, education staffing, and capital investment are underfunded. He questioned the continued military presence, alleging that camps and military-run commercial activities affect civilian life and contribute to social harm in Tamil areas. He criticized repeated government commitments to a “domestic mechanism” for accountability as inadequate, and called for fair inquiry and a political solution. He also demanded the release of lands in Valikamam North and other areas still held as High Security Zones, noting prolonged displacement of Tamil residents. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government has depoliticised the Police and public service, with appointments and transfers handled through independent commissions, and has instructed institutions under his Ministry to operate without political interference. He stated that stalled corruption and crime investigations have been restarted, the FCID re-established, and Police restructuring is under way, including a Central Criminal Investigation Unit and provincial investigation divisions. He cited recent seizures and arrests linked to narcotics, financial crimes, pyramid schemes, cybercrime and organised crime, and said CID sub-units and MOUs with institutions are being developed to speed up investigations. He also said Police salaries have not been reduced, allowances are being consolidated into basic salary, and a separate Police salary structure is planned for the next Budget. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara raised concerns about the reduction of Police allowances for special election duties to ordinary service levels following the Presidential and General Elections. He urged the Government to allocate funds, including around Rs. 10 billion if necessary, to pay proper duty allowances and argued that maintaining Police morale is essential for combating crime and upholding law and order. He also called for better treatment of Police officers and an end to politicisation of the service. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara questioned reports that 160 OIC appointments would be made on political grounds, contrasting this with earlier interview-based appointments by senior police officials and urging that the Police Service be allowed to function independently. He asked what steps the Government would take to address a reported shortage of 20,000 police officers, noting that the Budget refers to broader public sector recruitment. He argued that the Budget reduces the special 40 percent police allowance to 22 percent, lowering take-home pay despite stated salary increases, and also said the special allowance for parliamentary staff had been reduced from one-third to one-fourth. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara moved the customary Rs. 10 cut on the expenditure heads under discussion at the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill 2025. He questioned the Government’s progress on its pledges to combat fraud and corruption, punish offenders, and recover stolen assets, noting that the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, must be fully implemented. Referring to his previous Private Member’s Bills on anti-corruption and restitution of stolen assets, he asked why the Government had not yet presented its promised stolen-assets recovery legislation 158 days after assuming office. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on stalled or incomplete playground and sports infrastructure projects in Mannar District, citing Pallimunai, Emilnagar and Naruvilikulam. He said allocated funds had been unutilized, returned, or reportedly spent without visible progress, and requested the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to investigate possible irregularities and ensure completion of the works. He also asked that funds be reissued and pending works under the School Cricket Development Programme, including side-wickets and school ground development projects, be completed. Questions by Private Notice - Construction Work in Mannar & Release of Tamil Political Prisoners Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Expected benefits of the Galle Port development include breakwaters to protect Galle Fort and Galle Road, a safe harbour for southern fishing boats, a dedicated passenger terminal for cruise tourism, mixed-use development near Dewata beach, and employment generation. The answer states that the original EIA was completed in the early 2000s and a Supplementary EIA for land reclamation was finalized on 9 January 2025, with public comments from the consultation period now under evaluation. It further notes that stakeholder engagement has occurred and social impacts and mitigation measures have been identified. Oral Questions 4 & 5 - Port City Project & National Youth Corps Centre (Q.432/2025) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan (on behalf of the Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera) JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation to provide details on the proposed “Port City” project associated with Galle Port. The questions sought information on expected benefits, whether an environmental feasibility study had been conducted, changes made following earlier public protests, and whether community impacts had been considered. Oral Questions 4 & 5 - Port City Project & National Youth Corps Centre (Q.432/2025) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that business registration processes have become faster and more accessible, particularly for younger entrepreneurs moving from sole proprietorships to partnerships. He said fee reforms are being considered, including a shift to a paid-up capital basis and rationalized charges, and added that further facilitation of easier registration would take into account the proposal raised. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Raised the issue that company registration costs of around Rs. 35,000–50,000 may be burdensome for SMEs and start-ups. Proposed creating a “small companies” category, similar to the UK model, with lower paid-up capital thresholds and a pathway for such firms to graduate later as they grow. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Of the 202,426 registered companies, only about 65,000 are active, and approximately 25,000 to 27,000 pay taxes. Wasantha Samarasinghe said ICT upgrades are being expedited and that Cabinet approval has been obtained to fill the Registrar General post, which is currently held in an acting capacity, with recruitment being fast-tracked among qualified candidates. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake noted a disparity between the number of registered active companies and those paying tax, stating that only about 23,800 of roughly 205,000 registered companies pay Inland Revenue. He urged the Government to ensure all 202,426 active companies are brought online, can be registered within a day, and are covered by a mechanism to ensure tax compliance. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister answered a question on the Registrar of Companies, naming Mrs. K.A.P. de Silva as the current Acting Registrar General and providing a timeline of recent officeholders and vacancies. He stated that 223,383 companies had been incorporated from 5 May 2007 to 31 January 2025, with 202,426 active companies, and that registration normally takes two to four working days. He also reported total incorporation revenue of Rs. 9,906.748 million from 2003 to 2024 and said company-related processes under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007 are online and computerized, though the Department is not fully automated. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake sought detailed information from the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development on the Registrar of Companies, including current and past officeholders from 2015 to 2024. He requested statistics on company incorporations to date and by selected years, average incorporation time, revenue earned from incorporations, the number of active companies, and whether the Registrar of Companies Department has been fully automated. Oral Question 2 - Companies Registered with Registrar of Companies (Q.426/2025) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the projects under discussion are expected projects and that, as a general practice, investors are selected through open tender procedures. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the accuracy of the Urban Development Authority’s reported 125.98 hectares of land within the city and asked for independent verification, stating that he believed the extent was higher. He noted that only 15–20 hectares appeared to be allocated to 20 listed projects and asked what plans existed for the remaining roughly 100 hectares, including whether the Government had prepared or was preparing an overall development plan. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing whether the Urban Development Authority has identified its land holdings within Colombo city, with details for each parcel. He further requested information on which of those lands are earmarked for investment projects and the specific projects planned for each land, and asked for reasons if such information is not available. Oral Question 1 - UDA Lands in Colombo City (Q.258/2024) Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister said the Norwood Divisional Secretariat, established after the 2019 gazette revising the Ambagamuwa Division, is currently operating from a 1,500-square-foot Grama Niladhari office despite serving over 200,000 people with 110 staff. He noted that a proposal was submitted to move it to an unused Railway Department building in Hatton with about 7,000 square feet of completed space, but stressed that no final decision has been made. He said the Ministry will study this and any alternative proposals after consulting relevant parties, and clarified that the matter was discussed openly at the District Coordinating Committee rather than decided secretly. Adjournment: Motion on Prevention of Relocation of Norwood Divisional Secretariat to Hatton Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary Norwood Divisional Secretariat, established as a sub-office in 2019 and fully operational in 2023, is serving about 250,000 people with around 110 officers from premises of only about 1,500 square feet. Due to overcrowding, long travel distances, transport costs, and inadequate facilities—especially during rainy periods—officials and the public have requested a temporary relocation until a proper building is provided. A proposal to use a building associated with the railway station was submitted to the District Coordinating Committee on 30 January, but the matter remains only a proposal and is not a final decision; the relevant Minister is expected to address the technical and location issues. Adjournment: Motion on Prevention of Relocation of Norwood Divisional Secretariat to Hatton Read →
- 27 February 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend the Schedule on page 7 to revise Head 1, Programme 02, Development Activities, providing Rs. 20 million in recurrent expenditure and increasing capital expenditure to Rs. 6.1 billion. Members then approved the insertion of allocations for several expenditure heads, including the Office of the Prime Minister, Judges of the Superior Courts, Office of the Cabinet of Ministers, Public Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, and part of the National Police Commission. These approvals were recorded as procedural votes on recurrent and capital expenditure under the relevant programmes. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Read →