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- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera AI summary Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera supported the Budget, arguing that it provides relief and addresses long-neglected areas such as workers’ wages, university student allowances, education, health, and support for orphaned and institutionalised children. He highlighted allocations including increased Mahapola payments, over Rs. 615 billion for education, a monthly grant for children in care, plantation-sector development, road development, and restoration of the Jaffna Public Library. He criticised the Opposition for claiming the Budget reflected their own plans while also objecting to it, and accused former ministers of failing to address displacement and housing needs in areas such as Aranayake and Kegalle. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera AI summary Hon. Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera supported the inaugural Budget of the NPP government, arguing that it seeks to elevate the country and ensure that benefits reach the public. He contrasted it with previous budgets, stating that past systems failed to return benefits to people despite their hard work. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Rathna Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Rathna Gamage said the Budget significantly increases the Environment Ministry allocation to Rs. 16.7 billion, compared with about Rs. 8.6-8.7 billion in the previous two years, to support nature and animal welfare. He contrasted this with a reduction in the President’s Vote from Rs. 6.6 billion to Rs. 2.98 billion, arguing that cuts at the top reflect the Government’s political approach and fiscal priorities. He urged public support for the Budget’s plan to rebuild the country. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage supported the 2025 Budget as the Government’s first budget, arguing that it advances a production economy with public participation and fair distribution. He highlighted allocations and measures for agriculture, fisheries and food supply, including Rs. 35 billion for paddy cultivation, Rs. 5 billion for paddy procurement, Rs. 78 billion for irrigation, a proposed rail-based harvest transport system, Rs. 500 million for the Northern Coconut Triangle, and an increased fisheries allocation of Rs. 11.4 billion. He also outlined plans for cooperative village-level paddy harvesting, milling and distribution, and cited increases to welfare and education-related allowances such as pre-school meals, scholarships, university bursaries, kidney patient support and elderly assistance. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Mohamed Sali Naleem requested that land be provided to Muslim journalists and called for increased Budget allocations and development projects for the Eastern Province. He cited strong Muslim electoral support for the National People’s Power, including over 80,000 votes in Ampara District, as context for the request. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem argued that the 2025 Budget has not adequately addressed the needs of the Eastern Province, despite its war-affected status and contribution to national income. He requested direct budgetary allocations for Eastern development rather than reliance on anticipated Indian funding, citing needs including rural roads, Eravur hospital congestion, the unfinished Aligar National School indoor sports facility, widening of the Eravur–Pottuvil main road, and completion or protection measures related to Oluvil Port and coastal erosion. He also called for funds to protect South Eastern University from flooding caused by waters passing through the Kaliyodai Bridge. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary The Hon. Danushka Ranganath stated that the government is implementing multiple welfare-oriented proposals under the theme “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life.” He expressed confidence in the continued progress of the NPP government and concluded his remarks. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath supported the Budget, highlighting allocations for estate schools, housing for plantation workers, vocational training for plantation youth, the Clean Sri Lanka programme, and a proposed Sri Lankan Day national festival. He argued that these measures aim to improve housing, education, formal employment opportunities, and social, environmental and ethical development, while stating that Rs. 5,000 million has been allocated for Clean Sri Lanka and Rs. 300 million for Sri Lankan Day. He rejected Opposition claims that the Budget reflects Ranil Wickremesinghe’s policies, contrasting it with past spending and noting reductions in government privileges such as vehicle permits, vehicle imports and MPs’ insurance. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary Hon. Danushka Ranganath supported the Government’s Budget, framing it as the start of a broader social transformation following the recent political change and as a response to inherited political, economic and social distress. He stated that major allocations to health and education aim to improve living standards, and highlighted Rs. 7,583 million for the welfare of the Malaiyaha Tamil community, including estate-sector improvements to roads, water and sanitation in areas such as Kalutara. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Athula Welandagoda JJB AI summary Athula Welandagoda defended the first NPP Government Budget as a national plan aligned with the public mandate and criticized the Opposition for offering distortions rather than substantive alternatives. He argued that past governments lacked coherent planning, contributed to bankruptcy and division, and failed on reconciliation and national development. He highlighted allocations such as Rs. 20 billion for over 1,450 kilometres of elephant fencing and emphasized tourism development, protection of national assets such as Sigiriya, and a target of over 3 million tourists as key components of the Government’s economic strategy. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara defended the 2025 Budget, rejecting Opposition claims that it continued previous privatization policies, lowered the PAYE threshold to Rs. 50,000, or cut research funding. He cited allocations for R&D, Triposha, estate housing and infrastructure, plantation youth training, orphaned children, disaster compensation, student stipends, and health benefits, with particular reference to projects in Badulla and Haputale. He also stated that elections would not be postponed, criticized communal politics and misinformation, and said the Government was reducing official expenditure through more restrained practices by the President and Ministers. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe sought to respond to comments by Deputy Minister Wasantha Piyathissa regarding claims that more funds had been allocated to the North than to the East. He indicated that members had raised concerns about regional disparities in allocations, but the excerpt ends before he elaborates further. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa — Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment AI summary Deputy Minister Wasantha Piyathissa defended the Government’s first Budget against claims that it lacked vision or was externally driven, stating that it was prepared by officials, professionals and the new administration to promote clean and people-centred governance. He highlighted public sector salary increases, higher disaster loan limits, export targets of about USD 19 billion, use of underutilized state lands, tourism development, and plans to connect rural producers and youth entrepreneurs to markets. Responding to criticism that the Eastern Province had been neglected, he cited allocations and assistance for provincial development, agriculture, irrigation, youth cooperatives, dairy, fisheries and schemes such as Gal Oya, saying these measures would benefit communities across the East. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath — Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary Deputy Minister P. Ruwan Senarath defended the Government’s inaugural Budget as a national plan to rebuild the economy after the September 2024 change of government, arguing that national recovery requires patience, discipline and public sacrifice. He cited examples such as China, Singapore and Cuba to support the need for long-term planning and adjustment, and contrasted the Budget with what he described as previous governments’ politically motivated allocations. He rejected Opposition criticisms, including claims that the Budget was province-specific or IMF-driven, stating that it was intended for the whole country and reflected the Government’s promised “system change.” Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Kanthasamy Prabu responded to a reference to his name by noting that, although the Budget does not contain allocations specifically earmarked for Batticaloa District, sectoral allocations by the National People’s Power Government are expected to fund projects benefiting the district. He specifically cited allocations for the long-pending Mundeni Aru project and said funds would flow through the relevant ministries and sectors. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma clarified that the Budget includes a specific allocation for development in the Eastern Province, contrary to a claim that no funds were allocated. He stated that foreign assistance from India is recognized as an additional source of support, while wider Budget programmes in sectors such as roads, education, health, and fisheries would also benefit the province. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan said the Budget contains welcome progressive measures, including welfare expansion, education and health allocations, plantation wage increases, anti-intoxicant goals, the Clean Sri Lanka programme, and funding for the Jaffna Library and Vattuvagal Bridge. He argued, however, that the Eastern Province, particularly Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Digamadulla, has received no specific equitable development allocation despite war damage and recent flood losses. He called for Budgetary attention to stalled bridge projects and lagoon/tank crossings in Batticaloa, including links such as Naripul Estate–Pankudaveli, Thikilivattai–Sandiveli, Kinnaadi–Murukandy and Mandur–Kurumanveli, to address flooding, transport and economic development needs. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera supported the 2025 Budget, presenting it as a mandate-based plan to rebuild the country after economic collapse and criticising the Opposition for failing to offer substantive objections. He said the Budget strengthens the State sector, promotes productive national economic activity, reduces wasteful spending, mobilizes tax revenue and labour, and directs benefits to the public. He also argued that the Government is leading by example by cutting perks and improving efficiency and cleanliness in the State apparatus. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi defended the 2025 Budget as aligned with the NPP’s policy of economic democracy, productive growth, and fair distribution, rejecting Opposition claims that it is either insufficiently socialist or neoliberal. He argued that Opposition references to past open-economy policies and comparisons with Adam Smith, Ronnie de Mel, and Deng Xiaoping were historically inaccurate and outdated. He said the Budget sets out its macroeconomic principles and goes beyond fiscal measures by allocating funds for national reconciliation, religious and cultural activities, Northern and Eastern development, the Jaffna Library, and improved living standards for the Malaiyagam Tamil community. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel described the NPP’s inaugural Budget as a “citizens’ Budget” intended to distribute benefits across all regions and communities, with emphasis on youth, children, women, and historically neglected areas such as the plantation sector. She highlighted allocations for maternal and child nutrition, women’s and children’s protection, care homes, child-friendly justice transport, school meals, preschool teachers, scholarships, vocational trainees, sports school nutrition, and drug rehabilitation programmes. She said the Budget also advances commitments to strengthen plantation-area hospitals and improve the living standards of the plantation Tamil community, including allocations for housing, infrastructure, land and house titles, vocational training, and smart classrooms. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →