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- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Arun Hemachandra supported the Budget as a corrective response after bankruptcy, arguing that it addresses corruption, waste and past political excesses while increasing public servant salaries, expanding welfare measures and prioritizing digitalization through initiatives such as decentralized President’s Fund services, digital consular services and GovPay. He said the Government is changing political culture by reducing privileges, citing past presidential foreign travel entourages and costs, and highlighted the abolition of transferable duty-free vehicle permits as an anti-corruption reform. Responding to claims that the East had been neglected, he listed Budget allocations for education, hospitals, roads, fisheries, resettlement, water harvesting and development planning in the Eastern and Northern-Eastern areas, including projects in Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi supported the Government’s inaugural Budget, arguing that it fulfils election commitments while stabilizing inflation, the exchange rate and public finances. He highlighted public-sector salary and pension increases, higher disaster loan limits, electricity tariff relief, and expected spillover benefits for private industry and SMEs. He also cited allocations for pregnant mothers, school infrastructure, shoes for students, Daham Pasal education, and tourism measures including restarting a JICA airport terminal project and introducing e-ticketing at tourist sites. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara defended the Government’s Budget, citing foreign investment agreements signed during the President’s visit to China and criticizing Opposition claims over credit. He welcomed pension increases, particularly alignment with 2020 salary scales and the implementation of “One Rank, One Pension” for retired Tri-Forces personnel. Representing Kurunegala and Kuliyapitiya, he highlighted allocations for agriculture and irrigation rehabilitation, including neglected tanks, and called for upgrades to Kuliyapitiya Teaching Hospital, including equipment, ambulances, and ward expansion. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara supported the Second Reading of the Government’s 2025 maiden Budget, stating that it is viewed positively by the public and provides significant relief. He criticized the Opposition for portraying the Budget as capitalist and anti-people while, in his view, failing to acknowledge its success and public benefits. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga supported the Government’s maiden Budget, presenting it as an initial programme to address economic hardship while reducing political privileges and expanding public benefits. She highlighted salary and wage increases, support for vulnerable groups, school nutrition, preschool meals, sanitary pads, footwear, scholarships, gold-pawning relief, and allocations for entrepreneurship, SMEs, industrial zones, investment promotion, and digitization. She argued that anti-corruption measures and renewed international confidence would attract investment, and called on the Opposition to support the Budget rather than criticize it. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha argued that the 2025 Budget, framed within the IMF programme, does not deliver the direct consumer relief or development commitments expected from the NPP manifesto, citing rising prices of rice, coconuts, salt and other essentials despite welfare increases. He called for specific support for three-wheeler operators, whose vehicles are ageing and whose livelihoods have been affected by import restrictions and high replacement costs. He also urged greater attention to Ratnapura District, including assistance for estate and export crop farmers, action against clove re-export practices affecting local producers, and legal reforms to support gem mining livelihoods. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Budget against Opposition claims that it was an IMF or capitalist Budget, arguing that it begins a programme of economic democracy and social justice through allocations for health, education, housing, agriculture, and environmental initiatives. He highlighted measures including fuel price reductions, school supply assistance, pension increases, a higher fertilizer subsidy, and a guaranteed paddy price of Rs. 120 per kilogram with a consumer rice price ceiling of Rs. 230 per kilogram. He also referred to action on rice pricing, rehabilitation of electric fences to address human-elephant conflict, plans to expand big onion cultivation to reduce imports, and proposals for youth and cooperative farmer villages. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella argued that the 2025 Budget relies heavily on taxes such as income tax, VAT and the Special Commodity Levy, making it inconsistent with Government claims of being people-friendly and with NPP promises to remove VAT on essentials. She urged the Government to promote exports and foreign investment, citing Adani Group’s withdrawal, and to protect the independence and perceived independence of the legal system to maintain investor confidence. She welcomed the allocation for sanitary napkins for schoolgirls but called for stronger action to increase women’s labour force participation, specifically proposing that the State fund maternity benefits, estimated at Rs. 7.4 billion, in line with practices in many other countries. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister defended the 2025 Budget as focused on ordinary people, particularly groups without strong trade union representation, citing increased allocations for Triposha, nutrition packs for pregnant mothers, preschool meals, textbooks, uniforms, scholarships, student transport, and Aswesuma welfare benefits. He argued that the Budget links welfare recipients to productive sectors such as agriculture, small industries and livestock, while also supporting export crops and entrepreneurs. He highlighted major allocations for health services outside Colombo, postgraduate medical training, school and university development, and continuation of expressway infrastructure projects, presenting these as part of building a productive, knowledge-based economy. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Gayan Janaka JJB AI summary Hon. Gayan Janaka supported the Second Reading of the Government’s maiden Budget, arguing that it differs from previous Budgets by prioritizing concessions and relief for ordinary people rather than political interests. He said the Budget reflects proposals developed through public engagement and is part of a broader programme to rebuild the economy, link education with growth, and ensure citizens share in economic benefits. Responding to Opposition criticism, he asked for time for the new administration to implement its programme and said the Government would work to make the Budget’s proposals a reality. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson argued that the Budget should be assessed against the Government’s election promises, including public sector salary increases and a guaranteed paddy price of Rs. 154 per kilogram. He questioned the absence of relief on consumer prices and taxes affecting food items, citing the State’s constitutional duty to ensure basic needs. He urged cooperation between Government and Opposition MPs, proposed a post-Budget parliamentary workshop to improve coordination, and called for farmers to receive quality fertilizer at an affordable price, lower agrochemical costs, and a fair paddy price rather than politically driven free-fertilizer promises. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the NPP Budget, arguing that it provides the maximum relief possible for professionals and public servants within the constraints created by past mismanagement. He rejected Opposition claims that the Budget is defined by the IMF or former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, stating that its results should be judged over the Government’s five-year mandate. He also said the Budget reflects an inclusive national mandate across race, religion and region, and criticized past governments since 1977 for corruption, failed leadership and responsibility for crises including the Central Bank bond scam and Easter attacks. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith Agalakada JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Agalakada defended the NPP Government’s Appropriation Bill as consistent with its campaign commitments to build a productive economy, link working-age people to it, and distribute generated wealth fairly. He cited allocations for roads, dairy, innovation, coconut cultivation, youth agri-entrepreneurship, digitalization, job creation, social protection, nutrition, autism and neurological treatment, and support for Malaiyagam communities, while also referring to a planned Chinese-backed refinery investment. He rejected opposition characterizations of the Budget as a continuation of previous policies and argued that its spending priorities reflect the Government’s stated economic programme. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized the Budget as debt-dependent and lacking credible revenue measures, arguing that it remains within IMF and Treasury parameters despite the Government’s earlier policy promises and references to an Economic Council. She questioned how many commitments in the Government’s policy document are reflected in the Budget and said many proposals, including customs reform, port expansion, Trincomalee oil tank development and North-East industrialization, continue policies of previous administrations. She welcomed certain shifts, including support for foreign investment, international education, disability-related measures, estate hospitals and pension adjustments for 2016–2020 retirees, while urging the Government to acknowledge past opposition to similar economic reforms and the costs of political violence. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi highlighted Budget allocations intended to support under-resourced but talented young athletes, including Rs. 500 million for specialized sports schools in five provinces and an increase in the monthly nutrition allowance from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000. She noted the absence of a national sports information database by province, district and school, and said this gap was raised with officials at the Youth and Sports Ministry Advisory Committee. She also referred to allocations for women’s empowerment and protection, including Rs. 120 million to prevent violence against women and children and Rs. 720 million to strengthen institutional support. In addition, she cited Rs. 250 million for child-friendly transport for minors in detention attending court, arguing that the Budget focuses on practical support for vulnerable groups. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna supported the 2025 Appropriation Bill, stating that it was prepared under the State Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, within limits on primary expenditure, and framed around a national productive economy. He rejected Opposition claims that the Eastern Province had been neglected, citing Budget provisions for Eastern development and allocations for youth agro-entrepreneurship, dairy production, and human-elephant conflict mitigation. He argued that the Government aims to reduce inter-provincial economic disparities and protect citizens’ economic rights following the Aragalaya. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan said the Opposition would support beneficial Budget measures while offering constructive criticism, welcoming welfare programmes for low-income groups, rural children, pregnant mothers and plantation communities, particularly to address malnutrition. He urged stronger support for SMEs and farmers, lower interest rates, expert economic management, and conditions to attract foreign investment while continuing action against bribery and corruption. He called on the Government to ensure implementation of the proposed Rs. 1,700 basic daily wage for plantation workers by pressuring both private plantation companies and state entities, noting earlier promises of a Rs. 2,000 wage and rising cost-of-living pressures. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Appropriation Bill, arguing that the Budget is fair and inclusive despite the country’s economic difficulties, and contrasted it with past governments’ alleged misuse of state resources. He said the President had reduced personal expenditure and that the Government was seeking national development rather than benefits for officeholders. Responding to claims that the Eastern Province had been neglected, he cited allocations including funds for Kalmunai sports facilities, Eastern University, hospitals in Trincomalee and Ampara, a Trincomalee dockyard, Eastern infrastructure, Swami Vipulananda Institute, and a cardiology unit in Ampara. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Jagath Manuwarna JJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Manuwarna defended the Government’s Appropriation Bill, arguing that national security should be assessed not only by defence allocations but also by investments in policing, justice, identification systems, social integration, women and children, prisons, and culture. Referring to the Aluthkade court shooting, he said similar incidents had occurred in the past, accused previous political cultures of enabling crime, and noted that the alleged gunman was arrested within hours. He also supported the proposed digital ID system as a measure to prevent misuse of identity in secure places, and highlighted cultural funding, including renovation of the John de Silva Memorial Theatre, as part of building a safer and more humane society. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Sunil Rathnasiri clarified Budget 2025 allocations related to the Clean Sri Lanka programme and the President’s Vote. He stated that Rs. 5,000 million has been allocated for Clean Sri Lanka, while the President’s Vote has been reduced from Rs. 6,601 million in 2024 to Rs. 2,992 million in 2025, including reductions in both recurrent and capital expenditure. He said his intervention was intended to correct what he described as a mistaken impression raised in the debate. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →