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. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala argued that the Budget marks a major shift from the JVP’s past policy positions and largely continues the former Government’s IMF-aligned economic path. He questioned how the Rs. 2,200 billion deficit and non-tax revenue targets would be financed, warning that many proposals may remain unimplemented as in previous years. He said public sector salary and welfare increases are inadequate given rising living costs, and welcomed higher education expansion involving the private sector while criticizing earlier opposition to domestic private education options. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta supported the NPP’s inaugural Budget, describing proposals such as health-sector digitalization as long-term measures to modernize public services. He highlighted the proposed “Sri Lanka Day” as a national cultural festival intended to promote unity among communities, attract diaspora tourism, and support local arts, crafts, and traditional industries. He also backed an additional Rs. 100 million for skills development of convicted prisoners, arguing that rehabilitation and employability are needed to reduce recidivism. Referring to a recent triple homicide raised by the Opposition, he said the deceased had previously named alleged threats in YouTube interviews and urged Members to view them. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Government’s first Budget as a people-centred and structured programme, highlighting allocations for neglected groups and the health sector’s record Rs. 604 billion allocation. He said the Government is addressing medicine and equipment shortages, hospital queues, health staff facilities, transfers, allowances, training issues, and professional migration through short-, medium-, and long-term measures, including improved data systems and primary care development. He also stated that public sector salaries and related allowances have been substantially increased after nine years, with tax burdens on professionals reduced, and said the impact would be visible in salaries by early April. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake defended the 2025 Budget as the National People’s Power Government’s inaugural programme to restore economic stability, expand production in agriculture, industry and services, and ensure wider participation and fair distribution of benefits. He rejected Opposition claims that it is an election, IMF, or anti-private-sector Budget, citing proposals for investment protection, port and logistics development, exporter support, and measures to improve GDP growth, inflation stability, and the current account. He highlighted allocations and initiatives for social protection, health, education, early childhood nutrition, public transport, prisoners, orphans, persons with disabilities, youth employment, and youth mental health. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma clarified allocations in response to Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan’s concerns, stating that Rs. 5,000 million has already been provided for Northern Province development. He added that the Appropriation Bill increases monthly allowances for kidney patients and persons with disabilities from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000, and for the elderly from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000, effective April. He said these provisions apply nationally while also giving specific funding attention to the Northern Province. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan welcomed increased Budget allocations for the North, particularly the proposed reconstruction of the historically significant Vattuvaakal Bridge, but urged that funds be distributed across all five northern districts rather than concentrated in Jaffna. He questioned the lack of clarity on the President’s statement that India would develop the East and asked the Government to specify what projects India would undertake and whether reduced allocations reflected electoral considerations in Batticaloa. He called for urgent attention to the Vanni districts’ basic needs, including roads, schools and hospitals, and requested that the President, Ministers, Governor and officials ensure proper allocation and implementation of development funds. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Government’s first Budget, arguing that it responds to the public mandate to stabilize the economy, strengthen social welfare, and change prior political and economic practices. He highlighted provisions including allowances for orphans and children in remand homes, salary increases and higher annual increments across public sector grades, and revised remuneration for doctors. He stated that the Budget provides relief to workers, pensioners, plantation communities, and vulnerable groups without new burdens, asset sales, or additional debt, while redirecting reduced wasteful expenditure toward welfare, infrastructure, and the production economy. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Budget as relying on pre-Budget tax increases while adopting policies similar to those previously opposed by the Government, and questioned whether revenue targets under the IMF programme are realistic. He welcomed digitalization initiatives such as the Unique Digital Identity, but urged the Government to operationalize the Data Protection Authority and raised concerns about taxes on digital services, ICT exports, and creator-economy earnings. He questioned the affordability of vehicle imports under current taxes, the viability of a development bank without collateral-lending reforms, the removal of SVAT for exporters, and the Government’s approach to FDI and investor relations. He also contrasted current education allocations with earlier pledges and raised concerns about transport spending priorities. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s maiden Budget against Opposition claims that it follows past IMF or corporate-oriented policies, arguing that its distinction is a shift toward increasing incomes, production, rural industry, entrepreneurship, and public trust in taxation. He cited steps including a planned Rs. 50 billion development fund through State banks, onboarding of 15,000 entrepreneurs, salary and pension increases, private-sector wage measures, digital payment reforms, transport modernization, and support for children leaving institutional care. He said Rs. 99 billion is allocated under economic services and entrepreneurship, including Rs. 38 billion for SME development, and outlined industrial plans such as reviving Valaichchenai Paper City, Paranthan chemicals industry, Kankesanthurai salt works, State paper reuse, and the Northern Coconut Triangle. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena defended the 2025 Budget as the National People’s Power Government’s first effort to address hardship through targeted welfare, poverty alleviation, agriculture, employment and tourism support, while acknowledging fiscal and administrative constraints. He cited planned expenditure of Rs. 8,835 billion, expected revenue of Rs. 4,990 billion, school supply and footwear grants for low-income children, and post-climate damage repairs in areas such as Anuradhapura. He argued the Government would follow principles of meritocracy, pragmatism and honesty, reject corruption, and strengthen public sector basic salaries while raising the PAYE/APIT tax-free threshold from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000. He also detailed salary increases for categories including university academics and medical officers, presenting them as fair adjustments based on analysis rather than agitation. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Chief Government Whip (Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa) AI summary The Chief Government Whip responded to a question by Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana on health-sector remuneration, acknowledging the extra-duty work of doctors and health support staff. He stated that the Budget increases the basic salaries of doctors and all public servants, and that extra-duty payments will be calculated on the full revised basic salary despite the increment being granted in three stages. He said April 2025 salaries would be significantly higher than March 2025, citing an increase of over Rs. 26,000 for a preliminary grade medical officer after internship, and added that the State Minister of Health and Media would provide further details. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana raised a point of order concerning reductions to doctors’ overtime payments, stating that the “80/1” extra duty payment had been reduced to “120/1.” He linked this to wider concerns over doctors’ remuneration and benefits, including the absence of vehicle permits, transport allowances, or drivers, and recalled that lowering the retirement age during a previous Health Minister’s tenure contributed to a reported exodus of nearly 2,000 doctors. He urged the Government and the Minister of Health to safeguard doctors and address these employment conditions. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim criticised the Budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, arguing that it continues Ranil Wickremesinghe’s IMF-aligned economic programme through debt restructuring, cost-reflective pricing, tax increases, public-private partnerships, privatization and private-sector land release. He accused the JVP of abandoning its past socialist and anti-IMF positions, misleading voters who expected a “system change”, and betraying those who supported or sacrificed for its earlier Marxist politics. He also contended that the JVP had contributed to Sri Lanka’s economic setbacks by opposing foreign investment, free trade zones and education reforms, while stating that the SJB acknowledged past faults and had formed to correct them. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned the basis for identifying Aswesuma beneficiaries, arguing that the programme was implemented without updated national poverty statistics or a current HIES-based poverty line, resulting in inclusion and exclusion errors. Citing LIRNEasia and World Bank-related poverty figures, he asked why Sri Lanka lacks its own updated data and urged a more scientific, data-driven poverty eradication strategy integrating consumption, savings, production and exports. Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Data on Poverty, Aswesuma Programme and Law and Order Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the poverty and census data used in preparing the Budget, including official poverty lines, HIES 2019, the Multidimensional Poverty Index 2019 and a 2023 household survey, and gave timelines for forthcoming statistical releases. He said the next HIES will run from January 2025 to January 2026, with reports due in June and August 2026, and updated Parliament on the Population and Housing Census, including delays in Colombo and Gampaha and a preliminary enumeration report due on 5 March 2025. On Aswesuma, he stated that cash transfers alone cannot eradicate poverty and that the Government is developing an integrated, data-driven poverty-exit approach, while acknowledging beneficiary selection issues and describing the appeals and additional application processes. Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Data on Poverty, Aswesuma Programme and Law and Order Read →
- 19 February 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa, raising questions under Standing Order 27(2), asked what updated poverty data and sources were used in preparing the Budget and when new HIES and census reports would be released. He sought the Government’s position on whether the Aswesuma programme can eradicate poverty, its beneficiary selection issues, funding sources, and sustainability. He also asked whether the Government has a broader poverty-eradication strategy beyond cash assistance and what plans exist to protect exporters and poor communities affected by global tariff changes and protectionism. Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Data on Poverty, Aswesuma Programme and Law and Order Read →
- 19 February 2025 Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that the Bandarawela Public Playground was renovated by the Department of Sports Development, including drainage, and handed over to the Bandarawela Municipal Council on 19 January 2022, making the Council responsible for maintenance thereafter. He said the ground is intended for athletics rather than cricket, and departmental expenditure on the renovation was Rs. 16.4 million in 2019, Rs. 41.7 million in 2020 and Rs. 1.7 million in 2021. He added that no 2025 departmental allocations have been made because the ground belongs to the Municipal Council, though the Ministry would look into the matter and take necessary steps if maintenance is not being carried out. Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities Read →
- 19 February 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the Ministry would examine the second supplementary question, while clarifying that the matter falls under the Ruhunu Tourism Bureau rather than his Ministry. He explained that the relevant Ministries were involved only in land acquisition, and that future administration had been handed over to the Southern Province Ruhunu Tourism Bureau, which would be informed to address the issues raised. Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to report on the current status of the Holuwagoda Development Project. He sought details on the extent of agricultural land expected to be developed, obstacles preventing its agricultural use, and whether the project’s benefits have materialized in proportion to the expenditure incurred. Oral Questions: Holuwagoda Development Project and Sports Facilities Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody said the Government has minimized oil-based power generation and is using LNG, hydro, and solar to lower average electricity generation costs. He stated that policy will focus on expanding solar capacity, with the aim of stabilizing and sustainably reducing electricity tariffs over three years rather than allowing sharp fluctuations. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Read →