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- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha JJB AI summary Hon. Dinesh Hemantha argued that the Government’s inaugural Budget is part of a long-term plan to reverse economic contraction, maintain macroeconomic stability, and stimulate demand through public sector wage increases, welfare allowances, pensions, and employment creation. He said wage increases were phased to keep inflation in single digits and support investor confidence, while production growth was needed to meet rising demand. Addressing rice prices, he defended the Rs. 120 per kilo paddy price as a balance between farmer and consumer interests, said surplus stocks would be absorbed by the State, imports would be used to maintain a three-month buffer if needed, and action would be taken against monopoly pricing. He described the Government’s economic approach as a new model aimed at overcoming past policy failures while preserving economic and democratic freedoms. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Faiszer Musthapha stated support for anti-corruption measures but cautioned that investment activity should not be broadly treated as corruption. He urged the Government to develop a stronger programme to attract foreign direct investment, arguing that loan capital alone cannot drive development. He specifically requested reconsideration of the 15 per cent tax on BPO operations and proposed tax incentives and investor facilitation measures, citing India’s infrastructure and concession-based “plug-in” model as an example. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Faiszer Musthapha commended the Budget’s allocations for education, health and sanitary pads, but urged the Government to review vehicle tariffs, restore affordable permit schemes for public servants, and adopt lower duties for electric vehicles. He said high tariffs on building materials and the removal of first-home buyer tax relief were making home ownership unaffordable, and called for concessions for first-time homeowners. He requested stricter regulation of foreign employment and land leasing in the tourism sector, particularly in the South and East, and warned that current rules on 99-year leases and stamp duty could disadvantage Sri Lankans. He also urged the Government to strengthen investment incentives alongside industrial zone development. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake supported the 2025 Budget, stating that it fairly distributes the benefits of production and provides record allocations of Rs. 619 billion for education and Rs. 604 billion for health. He also highlighted funding for State digitalization as part of a new economic direction. Responding to Opposition criticism that the Budget is IMF-driven and underfunds key sectors, he cited an international survey indicating increased Government popularity from 24 per cent to 62 per cent within less than six months. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake said the inaugural Budget of the National People’s Power Government lays a foundation for advancing the country by reshaping its social, economic and political direction. He identified three main pillars: shifting to a production-based economy, involving all regions and sectors of the population in economic activity, and distributing the benefits of production fairly across groups including workers, public and private sector employees, estate communities, fishers, youth, children in care, and persons with disabilities. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala concluded by characterizing the Budget’s central objective as empowering people to make the country prosperous. He invoked a quotation attributed to Charlie Chaplin to emphasize trust in humanity and human potential. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala supported the 2025 Appropriation Bill, arguing that it initiates a broader social and economic transformation under the National People’s Power Government. He criticized Opposition arguments as fear-driven and inconsistent, while stating that the Government intends to use economic policy for public-oriented development rather than technical or personal gain. He highlighted planned State investment across 26 sectors and 287 projects, with particular emphasis on the Rs. 619 billion allocation for education, describing it as central to national development and the continuation of free education’s social purpose. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani supported the Budget as a people-centred response to the economic crisis, highlighting expanded welfare allocations including Aswesuma, support for persons with disabilities and kidney patients, and measures for women’s and children’s protection. She cited specific proposals for maternal nutrition, Thriposha funding, facilities for children with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders, increased health and education allocations, higher preschool meal and teacher allowances, increased scholarships and university stipends, and larger allowances for sports school students. Referring to Moneragala, she emphasized support for rural women, poor families, and talented children facing economic hardship. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan supported the 2025 Budget, highlighting allocations for Northern Province development, including Rs. 5,000 million for rural roads and district-level funding which he argued prioritizes war-affected areas on a per capita basis. He cited plans to revive the Kankesanthurai cement factory, Paranthan Chemical Company and Ottuchudanil tile factory, and to rehabilitate the Vattuvagal bridge. He also outlined proposed facilities and services for Mullaitivu and Mannar, including Fire Brigade units, hospital expansion, a public library, cultural centres, and grazing arrangements for cattle near the Kattukkarai tank. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama defended the Budget as a national, economy-wide plan prepared under severe poverty and food insecurity, rather than a set of sectoral allocations. He highlighted increased spending on education, school nutrition, rural transport, roads, seed production, smart agriculture, livestock, minor irrigation, research and development, and scientific waste management. He argued that these measures would support agriculture, industry, public services, and sectors such as tea and cinnamon, while rejecting Opposition claims on crime trends by citing homicide and grievous injury statistics for 2023 and 2024. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem criticised the Budget’s fiscal assumptions, arguing that the 6.7 per cent deficit, high debt-servicing burden, and reliance on Rs. 300 billion from vehicle import taxes create sustainability risks, especially after government statements suggesting duties may later be reduced. He proposed pension reform through a contribution-based or hybrid system, independent pension funds, complementary private pensions, and benefit indexation to inflation and GDP. He also raised concerns over killings, custodial deaths, and illegal weapons, urging compliance with Supreme Court guidelines, proper investigations, and stronger action to uphold the rule of law. He concluded by calling for improved tax collection, expenditure discipline, private sector-led growth, transparent public spending, and targeted social safety nets. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne supported the NPP Government’s inaugural Budget, arguing that the electoral mandate was for economic stabilization, accountable public finance, and social transformation after failed past governance. Focusing on education and basic services in Nuwara Eliya, she said estate and rural communities face severe hardship, including poor school transport, weak primary education, poverty, malnutrition, teenage pregnancy, and unsafe youth employment. She highlighted Budget provisions for marginalized groups and a Rs. 108.7 billion allocation for rural drinking water, citing acute shortages in Kotmale. She urged fiscal discipline and prioritization, rejecting demands for additional perks, posts, or vehicles while stating the Government would work to fulfil the public mandate. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana stated that the Budget prioritizes modernization of public and rail transport rather than privatization, and proposes strengthening state-owned enterprises through a holding company to generate returns without selling profitable assets. He said the Government will address public service staffing gaps, allocate record funds to education and health, increase Aswesuma and research and development funding, and pursue a model based on economic democracy, social justice, and environmental quality. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana argued that Sri Lanka’s ageing population and changing economy require stronger state support for eldercare rather than relying only on families. He said raising basic wages would improve retirement income for public and private sector workers, funded through taxes on higher incomes and capital gains. He rejected claims that the Budget was an “IMF Budget,” stating that its revenue measures targeted higher earners while supporting public investment and services. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana defended the 2025 Budget as a shift away from austerity and neoliberal policy toward a production-based, resilient economy focused on economic democracy, social justice and environmental quality. He cited increased capital expenditure, public sector wage rises, SME credit guarantees, public transport and railway modernization, SOE strengthening through a holding company model, and higher allocations for education, health, R&D and social protection. He argued that fiscal consolidation, including a 2.3 per cent primary surplus, should be achieved through restoring State capacity and taxing higher incomes, rather than burdening workers through indirect taxes. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman questioned the Government’s procurement practices, arguing that tenders should not be awarded solely on the lowest price and alleging irregularities in a wind power project and the release of 323 containers without Customs checks. He criticized the Government for not fulfilling promised public sector wage increases, citing teachers and workers who supported earlier protests, and called for compensation for a teacher injured during a demonstration. He also objected to proposed taxation on IT freelancers while alleging inaction on online casino taxation, and urged the proposed Anti-Corruption Committee Office to investigate both past corruption and current matters such as the wind power project, container releases, VFS, and passport-related deals. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara stated that expenditure had been incurred from the outset, but the provided excerpt is too brief to identify the subject matter, context, or any specific proposal, question, or demand. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman argued that successive governments, despite criticizing the open market economy introduced in 1977, continued or expanded privatization and market-oriented policies, citing the Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa administrations as examples. He questioned the NPP Government’s claim of pursuing “economic democracy” or a new economic direction while remaining within the IMF programme and following advice from the Central Bank, Treasury and IMF. He also challenged the Government on whether it consulted the public or farmers’ organizations in preparing the Budget and setting the paddy price at Rs. 120 per kilo. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan defended the Budget as a production- and export-oriented programme aimed at reducing the deficit while prioritizing agriculture, food security, poverty alleviation, infrastructure, and fair distribution of economic benefits. He said allocations for agriculture, Aswesuma, transport and other services were intended to rebuild the economy and involve the wider population, contrasting this with previous Budgets that he said benefited select groups. He criticized the Opposition’s approach to the debate and said it should support national recovery, while noting plans to improve revenue collection and streamline trade through a new Customs Act to address leakages. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Ajith Gihan supported the Government’s ceremonial Budget, arguing that it is grounded in the NPP policy framework “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” and aimed at rebuilding a weakened economy. He said the Budget’s foundation is poverty reduction through strengthening production and services, while noting that Sri Lanka must improve its export performance to match faster-growing Asian economies. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →