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- 22 February 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Asked what concrete measures and future policy direction are included in the current Budget for the tea industry. The question sought clarification on the Government’s planned support and forward path for that sector. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2023 Annual Report of the University of Peradeniya and moved that it be referred to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. She also presented regulations under the Insurance Industry Act, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2415/79 of 22 December 2024, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance; both motions were agreed to. Opening: Parliament Convenes and Papers Tabled Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera addressed the Motion on human–elephant conflict, linking the issue to historical development, irrigation and agricultural expansion that reduced elephant habitats, while stressing that responsibility should be shared across governments. He questioned whether the 2025 Budget contains any specific allocation, particularly for preventing elephant-train collisions, and asked the Minister to clarify the proposed technological solutions. He called for a cross-party, science-based approach involving wildlife, railway and other experts, and for better coordination among relevant departments to find a fair solution for people, elephants and the economy. Adjournment Motion: Elephant Deaths Due to Train Collisions Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s first Budget, arguing that the economic collapse and institutional weaknesses were rooted in past administrations and that the current priority is economic stabilization, productivity, exports, and rebuilding confidence. He said Rs. 20.9 billion has been allocated across government for science and technology, including funds for health testing, plantation crops, fisheries, farming, bamboo cultivation, and universities, with Rs. 5 billion to his Ministry. He also responded to criticism on public-sector pay, stating that past allowance-based salary adjustments created disparities and that the proposed increases would reach full implementation within one year and nine months from April 2025, without new taxes in the Budget. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara urged the Government not to deduct ETF and EPF from wages while presenting minimum wage increases as a major achievement. He criticized the proposed allocation linked to a feasibility study for Thambuttegama railway station, arguing that Anuradhapura needs practical investments in schools, transport reliability, agriculture, sports, and local infrastructure rather than projects chosen for symbolic reasons. He also called for the resumption or replacement of the “Urumaya” land deed programme, saying farmers with Swarna Bhoomi and Jaya Bhoomi permits should be given clear land title through a simplified process. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara praised the delivery of the Budget speech but criticized the Budget as unrealistic and inadequately funded, arguing that public sector salary increases were overstated and would shift fiscal burdens to a future government. He questioned the Government’s handling of national security, citing the recent court shooting and alleging failures in intelligence, arrests, and protection of MPs, while demanding stronger security for parliamentarians. He also argued that the proposed private sector minimum wage increase to Rs. 30,000 had limited practical effect because actual wages already exceed that level in many cases. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported the 2025 Budget, arguing that it is designed to stabilize the economy, revive agriculture, and address long-neglected regional needs, including in the North. He highlighted allocations for agricultural modernization, small-scale agri-enterprises, seed production, livestock development, dairy self-sufficiency, environmental protection, education reform, and rural innovation. He said the Government’s approach is to build a productive, technology-driven economy with opportunities for youth, entrepreneurs, farmers, women, and other affected groups, rather than returning to previous policy paths. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri defended the 2025 Budget as a forward development plan of a government in office for only three months, while noting that unpaid liabilities from past projects still constrain implementation. He highlighted salary increases, the procedure for Rs. 10 million decentralized MP allocations, expected foreign investment following visits to India and China, and new welfare measures for persons with disabilities and children in probation homes. He also cited allocations for mental health programmes, rural drinking water, rural roads, export agriculture, and value-added sectors such as gems and spices, while rejecting claims that districts such as Galle had been neglected. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala JJB AI summary Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala supported the 2025 Budget, describing it as citizen-centred and suited to current global political and economic changes. He emphasized the increase in public servants’ basic salaries, arguing that it restores dignity to labour and improves related entitlements such as pensions, overtime, and widows’ and orphans’ benefits. He also highlighted Budget measures for SME development through innovation and commercialization support, irrigation rehabilitation in schemes such as Rajangana, Minneriya and Huruluwewa, and Rs. 9 billion for Kelani Basin flood and disaster risk management. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe stated that the salary structure by grade is explicitly detailed in Annexure V of the Budget. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe welcomed the NPP/JVP Government’s mandate and shift toward a more liberal economic approach, while arguing that it represents a major departure from the JVP’s earlier ideology. He defended the development record of past UNP leaders, citing the Mahaweli project, the apparel sector and the open economy, and urged the Government to acknowledge those contributions while supporting key export industries. He also warned that the Opposition would scrutinize alleged wrongdoing, including the release of 300 containers and procurement issues in a wind power project, while supporting anti-corruption efforts. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Fasmin Sharif JJB AI summary Hon. Fasmin Sharif supported the 2025 Budget, describing it as inclusive and highlighting allocations for drinking water, welfare payments, public servants’ salaries, estate-sector housing and training, plantation wages, transport, agriculture, education, exports, and logistics infrastructure. He said Gampola had long been neglected despite its tourism potential and requested further funding for public facilities, water supply, hotels, spice gardens, and related development. He also raised concerns over alleged wasteful spending and poor official decisions linked to flood management in Akkurana, requesting ministerial attention and action. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda supported the inaugural budget, describing it as a people-centred programme based on social justice, good governance, economic democracy, and fairer distribution of growth. She highlighted allocations for child nutrition, Triposha, pregnant mothers, preschool meals and preschool teachers, as well as a Rs. 200 million national programme for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and district-level care support over five years. She also noted funding for preventing violence against women, youth entrepreneurship, and support for children in care homes, arguing these measures would promote inclusive participation in the economy. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka criticised the 2025 Budget, arguing that the Government was claiming credit for an economic recovery that official reports show began in 2023, and questioned the medium-term plan to manage the primary balance given recurrent expenditure exceeding revenue. He said the Budget relies heavily on increased indirect taxes that burden poorer households while providing a smaller allocation for public sector salary increases, and warned that planned new borrowing of Rs. 4,000 billion would add future burdens. He acknowledged some expenditure control but raised concerns over agriculture, paddy prices, fertilizer support, and the feasibility of the Government’s rice market interventions. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe argued that past misuse of public funds enriched political elites and connected business interests while leaving ordinary citizens indebted and underserved. He supported the Budget’s allocations for health and education, citing Rs. 604 billion for health, Rs. 185 billion for medicines and supplies, recruitment of about 10,000 health personnel, Rs. 619 billion for education, school restructuring funds, increased Mahapola stipends, and graduate recruitment to public sector vacancies. He acknowledged fiscal limits in a bankrupt country but said salary and allowance increases for health workers had been provided, with scope for future improvements, and called for action on crime and narcotics-linked underworld allegations while inviting cooperation in rebuilding the country. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary Lt. Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga defended the Rs. 100 million allocation for a feasibility study on using rail to transport agricultural produce from Thambuttegama and other hubs, arguing it could reduce post-harvest losses, prices, and road congestion. He rejected claims that a recent High Court incident reflected a national security failure, stating suspects had been arrested and that the 2025 Budget’s Rs. 404 billion security allocation, including aircraft and patrol craft procurement, was adequate because wasteful security deployments had been curtailed. He highlighted allocations for poverty relief and social empowerment, including increased Aswesuma payments and extended transitional assistance, alongside major health and education funding. He argued that anti-corruption governance, fiscal management, and support for a production economy would help attract FDI and achieve growth. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake supported the Government’s first Budget, arguing that it prioritizes the public interest and future generations, particularly through what he described as a historic Rs. 619 billion allocation for education. He highlighted specific provisions to develop the Jaffna Public Library and other regional libraries, linking them to the need to repair past damage to education and reconciliation after the 1981 burning of the Jaffna Library and the subsequent conflict. He criticized past administrations over alleged misuse of youth and public funds, and endorsed the proposed “Sri Lankan Day” allocation of Rs. 300 million as a measure to promote national unity, tourism, and economic recovery. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda said the Opposition viewed the Government’s inaugural Budget with cautious optimism and asked that its criticisms be used constructively, while welcoming measures such as public sector salary increases, welfare enhancements, digitization funding, and some agricultural allocations. He questioned whether proposed private sector wages, estate worker daily wages, graduate recruitment commitments, and funding for export crops and smallholders were adequate, and argued that allocations for “Sri Lankan Day” and “Clean Sri Lanka” appeared duplicative. He also urged attention to Galle District needs, including the Greater Galle Water Project Phase II, MCC Road, central Galle development, and Wakwella Bridge, and raised concerns about practical transport facilities for MPs from modest backgrounds. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne defended the Government’s first Budget, saying it should be assessed over the full five-year mandate and four remaining budgets, and argued that it does not burden the general public. He listed increased allocations and benefits for education, health, agriculture, welfare, irrigation, vocational training, fertilizer subsidies, public sector salaries, reduced fuel and electricity prices, and the proposed development bank to support rural livelihoods. He contrasted the Budget with previous administrations’ budgets, stating that ministerial and presidential privileges, official residences, vehicle use, and large vote-head allocations have been curtailed as part of a promised change in political culture. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Thanura Dissanayake supported the Budget as a structural and inclusive programme intended to change political culture, reduce waste, and integrate all regions, including the North, into the economy. He argued that the Government had already delivered relief measures such as increased fertilizer support, school supplies, and a Rs. 3,000 pension increase before the Budget. He outlined priorities including rural poverty reduction, digitalized public services, reduced bureaucracy, improved social protection and transport, the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, and basic public facilities. He also stated that the Government would not sell national assets, citing enterprises such as Milco, and would instead pursue a production-based economy. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →