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. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that Budget measures for migrant workers and remittances must create tangible benefits, including addressing high conversion charges, rather than relying on modest duty-free allowance changes. He criticized the concentration of expenditure under the President through the Finance and Defence Ministries and proposed that the President instead lead an Entrepreneurial Development Ministry focused on supporting micro, small and medium enterprises. He questioned an apparent discrepancy between the Rs. 50 million allocation for the Clean Sri Lanka programme in the Estimates and the Rs. 5,000 million cited in the Budget Speech, and noted the absence of a clear digital programme while referencing changing positions and rising costs related to MOSIP. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticised the Government’s inaugural Budget as lacking a transformative national vision, comparing it unfavourably with recent Indian and Singaporean Budgets. He argued for an “entrepreneurial State” approach to revive collapsed SMEs, restore investor and entrepreneur confidence, attract tourism and investment, and create youth aspiration, saying the allocation to the Industry and Entrepreneurship Ministry was inadequate for the scale of SME distress. He also questioned whether the welfare measures and campaign-style policy branding would be felt at grassroots level, describing the Budget as largely conventional and closer to neoliberal continuity than a new economic direction. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon defended the 2025 Budget, arguing that it is consistent with the Government’s policy direction and balances limited fiscal space with increased allocations for health, education, agriculture, industry, welfare, and basic infrastructure. He highlighted specific measures including higher stipends and allowances, support for child suspects’ transport to court, modernization of nutrition and food storage facilities, SME and dairy sector funding, and measures to address human–elephant conflict. He also rejected claims that the Government would undermine religion, citing allocations for religious affairs and places of worship, and said entrepreneur support would be channelled through existing state banks and Regional Development Banks rather than a new development bank. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Samaraweera defended the Budget, arguing that the Government is prioritizing public relief and economic revival while reducing its own privileges within fiscal constraints. He said the Government has no intention of driving away investors such as Adani, but will assess concessions based on benefits to Sri Lanka. He emphasized that public sector salary reforms, including for health workers, shift income toward higher basic salaries rather than allowances, and stated that existing overtime or extra-duty earnings would not be reduced while further salary improvements are intended as the economy recovers. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne argued that the Budget must be accompanied by credible plans to maintain security, rule of law, revenue, reserves, and export growth. He cited recent court and prison security alerts to stress the need for proper intelligence and procedures, and said economic stability achieved since the 2022 crisis should not be put at risk. He questioned whether projected revenues, including from vehicle imports, and the target of US$ 19 billion in exports are realistic, especially while essential goods are still being imported. He welcomed the Government’s continuation of the IMF programme and some practical policy shifts, while urging clearer long-term planning to avoid renewed economic difficulty. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that the Budget departs from neoliberal policy by intervening to raise private sector wages, including for plantation and other private industry workers. She said that despite financial and legal constraints, the Government has taken a compassionate, people-focused approach, and rejected claims that the Budget is neoliberal. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that the Budget is not neoliberal, despite being framed within IMF-related constraints and the fiscal limits of the State Finance Management Act of 2024. She said the Budget reasserts the state’s role through major allocations for social protection, education, health, and public investment, including Rs. 749 billion for social protection and about Rs. 1.9 trillion combined for education, health and welfare. She also cited proposed amendments to the Electricity Act to halt privatization and changes to strengthen the Paddy Marketing Board’s role in the paddy market as evidence of increased state intervention. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha said the Budget gives priority to public and private sector workers, oppressed groups, and others facing heavy social burdens, reflecting the movement’s longstanding focus on those subjected to injustice. He stated that investors and affluent groups are also not excluded, as the Government’s approach of “economic democracy” accommodates both social protection and investment. He rejected classical liberalism, social liberalism, neoliberalism, and full state-control socialism, arguing that this Budget is the first in Sri Lanka to present economic democracy as its guiding doctrine. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha argued that the Budget is based on “economic democracy,” aimed at ensuring that workers, pensioners, plantation communities, farmers and other groups who contributed to the economy receive a fairer share. He said wage and pension increases were designed to address past social injustices, with larger relief directed to groups that had suffered greater disadvantage. He cited the Government’s intervention in the paddy and rice market, including a Rs. 120 per kilo floor price for Nadu paddy and a Rs. 230 per kilo ceiling price for Nadu rice, as an example of calibrated state action to protect both farmers and consumers. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha argued that the Budget is based on “economic democracy” rather than classical liberalism, social liberalism, state-controlled socialism, or neoliberalism. He said the Government will neither withdraw from the economy nor take it over entirely, but will intervene where necessary, including by taking a fair stake alongside private actors, cooperatives and foreign investors. He also defended planned recruitment of 30,000 public servants to fill essential vacancies and justified public sector wage increases as a response to long-neglected wages and rising living costs. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha rejected Opposition claims that supporters of the Government were disappointed with the Budget and responded to criticism about the Government’s economic model. He stated that the Budget rejects Adam Smith’s laissez-faire approach and affirmed that the State will intervene in the economy as a central policy direction. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government’s first Budget as a departure from the JVP’s earlier anti-IMF and anti-neoliberal positions, arguing that it continues policies associated with the previous administration, including tax-based stabilization and market-oriented reforms. He questioned shifts in Government policy on India, the CEB, underutilized lands, free trade zones and investment boards, and alleged that the public had been misled about these changes. He also raised national security concerns following shootings and a killing inside a courthouse, calling for investigations into possible internal complicity and for stronger protection for judges and MPs. He further questioned the reduction of earlier promises to employ 35,000 graduates, including in teaching, IT and state services, to a 30,000-person youth employment scheme. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that dengue control assistants have served for eight years without being made permanent despite repeated promises, and said their contribution should be recognized. He noted that a Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by the Prime Minister and an officials’ committee chaired by the Secretary to the Prime Minister are considering the matter alongside about 7,000 similarly engaged workers across other public sector institutions. He said the Government expects to arrive at a durable solution for the dengue assistants within three months. Oral Question: Hospitals and Health Services in Kalutara District (Q.422/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana requested the line Minister to consider aligning the salary scales of the Police and Prisons Departments. He argued that both departments perform similar services and should therefore receive comparable pay. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Attorney-at-Law stated that the Government is treating a court incident involving a suspect disguised as a lawyer seriously and has appointed a committee to review security procedures. He said discussions with the IGP, prison authorities, the Judicial Service Commission, Police and the Bar Association would consider allowing armed guards in courts in special cases for high-risk inmates and strengthening court screening. He also noted that the inmate’s transfer from Boossa was handled properly, while acknowledging risks faced by prison officers due to underworld activity and the need to improve their allowances and welfare. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration provided figures on the prison system, stating that 5,218 officers serve across 318 institutions, with details by prison and related facilities. He identified major deficiencies including severe overcrowding, dilapidated and ageing buildings, inadequate sanitation, visitor facilities, transport, accessibility measures, infant care facilities, telephone access, and staff housing. He outlined ongoing and planned measures for 2025, including infrastructure repairs, sanitation and wastewater projects, new barracks, construction at Wataraka Open Prison Camp, proposals to reduce overcrowding and rehabilitate drug users, and plans to relocate the Colombo Prison Complex to Millewa, Horana, subject to implementation and budget allocations. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister presented the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption’s performance reports for the first three quarters of 2024 and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Parliamentary Business, which was agreed to. She also presented an amendment instrument to the Sri Lanka-India double taxation avoidance agreement under Section 75(1) of the Local Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, and moved that it be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, which was also agreed to. Papers Presented Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Budget, saying public acceptance was reflected in the absence of protests and highlighting reductions in expenditure under the President’s Vote. He argued that fisheries allocations must follow practical development needs, welcomed the reopening of vehicle imports, and said passport services had improved through online and same-day, 24-hour arrangements. Responding to concerns about a court shooting, he said the suspect had been arrested and investigations were continuing, while also calling for probes into alleged contract killings and witness tampering in major past cases. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy criticized the 2025 Budget for relying heavily on taxation, large borrowing, and optimistic revenue projections, and questioned whether allocations for fisheries, women entrepreneurs, micro-industries, tourism, foreign employment, and poverty reduction were practical or equitably distributed. He raised concerns about vehicle import policy and affordability, arguing that restrictions on older used vehicles would increase prices despite earlier government promises. He also demanded accountability over public security following the shooting of a suspect inside the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court, calling on the relevant ministers to answer or resign. He urged the Government to move beyond blaming the past, present realistic revenue and implementation plans, cooperate with the Opposition on tax evasion and smuggling, and demonstrate measurable results rather than describing the Budget as “historic.” Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera AI summary Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera briefly expressed confidence in the Government’s Budget, stating that the public had given the Government a mandate to uplift the country. He said the Budget was aimed at building a “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” and would guide the country forward. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →