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- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage defended the Budget’s public-sector salary increases, stating that Rs. 5,000 would be added to basic salaries in 2025 with further 35 per cent tranches through the 2026 and 2027 Budgets, while also improving pensions, loan eligibility and allowances. He argued that the Budget reduces privileges for political office-holders and redirects resources to citizens, with major allocations for education and health and an increased PAYE threshold of Rs. 150,000. He contrasted these measures with past expenditure he characterized as wasteful and said the Government’s approach aims to protect real incomes through price stability and investment in rural communities and industries. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said the 2025 Budget was framed without additional tax burdens and was intended as an initial recovery platform after economic bankruptcy, with allocations for education, healthcare, SMEs, rural development, vulnerable groups through Aswesuma, and development in the North and East. He said the Government would implement the Clean Sri Lanka programme, including action on narcotics, road discipline, institutional strengthening, legal reforms, and restoration of the rule of law. Responding to Opposition claims, he cited increased revenue collections by Inland Revenue, Customs, and Excise in late 2024 as evidence of improved administration rather than new taxes. He also stated that public sector salary increases are provided for in the Budget, with Rs. 110 billion allocated for the first-year enhancement in addition to the existing salary bill, and that related circulars would follow. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana said the first NPP Budget’s impact would only be clear after implementation, and urged the Government to provide transparent details on the promised phased public-sector salary increases and not reverse them after elections. He warned that the projected Rs. 325 billion salary cost could rise with new recruitment and said revenue targets from excise, customs, inland revenue, exports, and tourism must be managed carefully to avoid future tax increases. He also called for revising vehicle import tax structures to reduce burdens on small cars while taxing luxury vehicles more, and urged the Government to protect both farmers and consumers through fair paddy prices, limits on routine rice imports, and action against exploitative milling and harvesting practices. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara supported the 2025 Budget as a response to Sri Lanka’s economic collapse and argued that it provides a path to recovery while protecting democracy and prioritizing ordinary citizens. Focusing on education, he said the Budget reflects the State’s duty to guarantee every child’s right to education and addresses disparities between under-resourced rural schools and well-equipped popular schools. He highlighted allocations including over Rs. 619 billion for education, increased Mahapola and bursary payments, Rs. 135 billion for university quality and research, and funding for sports schools and libraries, while rejecting Opposition criticism and presenting the measures as genuine “system change.” Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran welcomed several Budget proposals, including those on the digital economy, production, exports, agriculture and dairy, but said allocations and implementation plans for Tamil areas in Ampara District and the Eastern Province remain unclear, particularly regarding proposed Indian assistance. He requested that Indian-funded development address local priorities such as the neglected Thirukkovil Base Hospital, citing severe shortages of doctors, specialists, facilities and past exclusion from major health investments, and also urged implementation of pending projects such as the Kalmunai cultural hall. He called for protection of dairy farmers by restoring the 4,000-acre Vattamadu area, gazetted in 1976 as pasture land, to grazing use after its later inclusion within a forest boundary led to access restrictions, arrests and inadequate pasture for livestock. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha described the 2025 Budget as women-centered, citing allocations for pregnant mothers’ nutrition, Thriposha, rural hospitals, school breakfasts, preschool teachers, scholarships, and student athlete nutrition. She highlighted a proposed five-year national programme for children with neurological conditions, beginning at Lady Ridgeway Hospital with Rs. 200 million, and support for children without birth certificates or parental protection, including birth registration and a Rs. 5,000 monthly allowance. She argued that these measures address burdens often borne by mothers and women, including in vulnerable families and communities affected by crime. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha defended the National People’s Power Government’s first Budget, arguing that current economic difficulties resulted from previous governments’ failed policies, fiscal mismanagement, corruption, and reliance on IMF-led recovery after bankruptcy. She said the Budget aims to stabilize the economy, prevent further restructuring, strengthen domestic production and exports, and allocate development support across regions and sectors including agriculture, fisheries, industry, infrastructure, and urban issues. She highlighted proposals such as Rs. 11.3 billion for agricultural and agro-industrial productivity, including cinnamon, tea smallholders, coconut, and rural women’s participation, while rejecting Opposition criticism that the Budget is merely a “handout” budget. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that Budget 2025 does not reflect the Government’s electoral mandate and instead follows restrictive fiscal targets under the Public Financial Management Act and IMF-related debt sustainability framework. He said the Government had abandoned pledges to renegotiate for a more people-centred approach, warning that expenditure caps, primary surplus targets, and optimistic growth and revenue assumptions could undermine growth, social protection, and debt repayment capacity by 2028. He called for urgent renegotiation of IMF, bondholder, and fiscal targets, justice for EPF/ETF members affected by domestic debt restructuring, and a poverty-reduction strategy based on production, jobs, savings, consumption, and exports rather than handouts alone. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) seeking detailed information on Sri Lanka’s official reserves, external debt stock, and projected external debt service requirements for 2025-2028. He asked which institution is responsible for arranging foreign exchange for debt servicing, whether the Government has plans to source foreign currency through 2033, and whether the Central Bank has the tools to meet IMF-agreed reserve targets. He also questioned the continued role of the Central Bank in issuing Government securities after the enactment of the Public Debt Management Act, No. 33 of 2024, and sought details on the Public Debt Management Office, borrowing decisions, amounts raised, instruments used, and rates in 2025. Question by Private Notice: Plans for Achieving Foreign Reserve Targets and Debt Servicing Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister responded that additional Budget funds have been allocated to address the human-elephant conflict, emphasizing the need to protect both people’s lives and property and Sri Lanka’s protected elephant population. He said approaches used for other species in other countries are not applicable to elephants in Sri Lanka, and noted that ongoing interventions in Ampara and Batticaloa would continue with Members’ support toward a sustainable, scientific solution. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Aruna Panagoda raised concerns over a fence erected by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board around a lagoon, stating that it was decided without requests from residents or public representatives and obstructs a road used for decades. He questioned the justification based on safety risks, including a reported suicide, and asked the Minister to intervene and review the decision to protect public access. He also noted alleged damage to embankments and water leakage into fields, suggesting that official reports on the site’s condition may be inaccurate. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Waruna Liyanage asked the Government to consider reintroducing and funding the National Insurance Trust Fund’s disaster insurance scheme in the next Budget, noting that it had provided significant relief to disaster-affected people. He suggested that support could be sought through the IMF programme and highlighted the recurring annual flood risk in Rathnapura. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekera responded on behalf of the Minister of Defence to questions on natural disaster compensation from 2017 to 2024, stating that district-wise details on property, business, and loss-of-life payments had been submitted as annexes. He explained procedures for verifying land ownership for claims above Rs. 10,000, while allowing District Secretaries to consider residence history or owner consent in certain cases. He outlined current relief rates for cooked meals and dry rations, and said revised NBRO property-damage valuation estimates had been prepared for approval due to increased construction costs. He added that all compensation due for fully assessed houses from 2017 had been paid by end-2024, with remaining delays linked to pending District Secretary proposals, late assessments, or documentation issues to be submitted by 28 February 2025. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Defence to provide district-wise annual figures from 2017 onward on compensation paid and outstanding for deaths, property damage, and business losses caused by natural disasters. He queried whether the disaster insurance scheme under the National Insurance Trust Fund and Circular No. 03/2016 is recognized as relief for victims, and raised concerns that Circular No. 01/2020 requiring proof of land ownership for compensation above Rs. 10,000 has prevented many families from receiving payments. He also asked whether daily allocations for dry rations and cooked food and the assessment values under the 09.09.2020 circular would be increased to reflect current needs. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister responded to a question regarding the delayed pension of Mr. K.A. Nihal, a former Chief Medical Laboratory Technologist at the National Hospital, Galle. He stated that discrepancies in laboratory store inventories during Mr. Nihal’s period in charge led to an inquiry under Financial Regulation 104(4), begun on 09.09.2024, to determine any recoverable losses before pension action can proceed. The Minister said the preliminary report is not provided to the officer, but final recommendations will be notified in writing, and the committee report is expected in the first quarter of 2025, after which pension processing will be carried out without delay. Oral Question: Karapitiya Teaching Hospital Staff Matter (Incomplete) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to an Adjournment Motion on excise licences, citing Section 28A(1) of the Excise Ordinance and stating that a retail liquor licence for Kegalle Beverages (Pvt) Ltd. in Periyaneelavanai, Ampara, had been approved under the previous government. He said no excise licence approvals had been granted since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed duties as Minister of Finance and Planning, and that licences issued under the previous government are under investigation. He added that the government’s policy for developing Ampara and the Eastern Province is not based on issuing bar permits, but on planned investment in health, education, roads and tourism zones through the Budget. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara said the new Government’s position on bar permits is aligned with concerns raised about corruption, noting that although it could have resumed issuing permits after coming to power, the President halted the process. He stated that names connected to alleged bribery in the issuance of permits had been tabled in Parliament by the Chief Government Whip, and that investigations into the matter had now begun. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister defended the National People’s Power Government’s inaugural Budget as the first step in a five-year economic programme within IMF-related constraints following the debt crisis. He said the Budget prioritizes a production- and export-oriented economy through allocations for rural roads, fisheries, livestock, plantations, SMEs, tourism and industry, and referred to a planned National Export Development Plan. He also highlighted welfare increases for senior citizens, elderly persons, students and chronic kidney patients, arguing that the Government is directing resources to previously neglected groups while asking the public for patience as economic reforms are implemented. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando criticized the Government’s Reconstruction Budget as continuing the same post-1977 economic policy framework previously opposed by its leaders, citing past Budget speeches by Sunil Handunnetti and Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He accused the Government of inconsistency on issues such as alliances, nationalism, the Adani wind power project, and claims about ending vehicle permits. He urged the Government to resolve the Italian driving licence recognition issue affecting Sri Lankan expatriates, particularly from Wennappuwa, and questioned Budget provisions on diaspora incentives and tourist vehicle permits. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam sought clarification on whether the listed projects for the Eastern Province were funded by Indian grants or special allocations, or through Sri Lanka’s Budget using taxpayer funds. He referred to a 2021 request by the TNA and other Tamil parties to the Indian High Commissioner for increased Indian funding to the East, given larger allocations to the North, and asked the Deputy Minister to specify the funding source of the projects mentioned. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →