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. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake noted that hydropower can meet only about 35 percent of electricity needs, while thermal generation costs significantly more. He argued that selling electricity below production cost creates losses and cautioned against using hydropower pricing as the basis for overall tariffs. He called for a responsible pricing approach that avoids financial losses while protecting consumers. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that energy pricing depends on rainfall and weather conditions, particularly as hydropower availability changes. He indicated that there is currently no major issue, but suggested that the coming dry season could affect the next price adjustment. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked for clarification on whether electricity tariffs would be increased, noting that the average selling price of Rs. 28–29 is below the production cost of Rs. 39.30. He stressed the need to balance the financial viability of the utility with avoiding excessive burdens on consumers. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the Government is adhering to a cost-reflective framework. The remark indicates a commitment to aligning energy-related pricing or policy decisions with underlying costs. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake referred to an accumulated loss of Rs. 288 billion and annual staff-related cash outflows of about Rs. 6 billion, asking whether pricing is being set on a cost-reflective basis. He questioned the current selling price methodology and whether it complies with IMF requirements for cost-reflective pricing. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy provided data on the Ceylon Electricity Board in response to a parliamentary question, stating that the CEB was incorporated on 1 November 1969 and that Government equity in it stood at Rs. 991.43 billion as at 30 November 2024. He detailed the CEB’s short- and long-term loan position, reported staff numbers as at 31 December 2024, and stated that total staff-related costs for 2024 amounted to Rs. 53.074 billion. He also stated that the CEB does not pay PAYE tax on behalf of staff and had ceased PAYE deductions and remittances from 1 November 2020. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on the Ceylon Electricity Board’s incorporation date, government capital investment, and its short- and long-term loan liabilities. He also requested information on CEB staffing numbers and monthly expenditure in 2024 on salaries, overtime, allowances, bonuses, transport and other emoluments, and asked whether CEB pays PAYE tax for its staff and, if not, when and why it stopped. Oral Question No. 179/2024: CEB Payment of Loans and Staff Emoluments Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera urged the relevant Minister to take leadership on the Kerawalapitiya matter, noting its links to the environment, local government and energy sectors and the CEB’s role in purchasing power. Referring to the recent blackout, he asked whether the Government was stopping or limiting new rooftop solar connections after reports concerning about 1,400 MW of capacity, and requested clarification on future steps to promote solar power, citing its impact on over 1,000 enterprises, 25,000 employees and foreign exchange savings. Oral Question No. 152/2024: Waste-to-Energy Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy provided written answers on the Kerawalapitiya Waste-to-Energy plant, stating that the CEB pays Rs. 36.20 per kWh and receives a Treasury reimbursement of Rs. 13.10 per kWh. He said the plant requires 650–700 metric tons of municipal solid waste daily but received an average of 584 metric tons per day in 2024, mainly from the Colombo Municipal Council with coordination by the Western Province Waste Management Authority when needed. He also stated that around 15,000 metric tons of ash have accumulated at the site and that Environmental Protection Licences were obtained for January–July 2023 and August 2024–August 2025, with management conducted under Central Environmental Authority conditions. Oral Question No. 152/2024: Waste-to-Energy Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Energy for details on the Kerawalapitiya Waste-to-Energy Power Plant, including the CEB’s unit purchase price, the daily waste requirement for optimal operation, and the average waste supplied in 2024. He also requested information on the local authorities supplying waste, ash accumulation and environmentally sound ash management measures, and whether an Environmental Protection Licence had been obtained for 2023. Oral Question No. 152/2024: Waste-to-Energy Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary A licence to explore mineral sands in Mannar had been issued under a previous Government, though questions remain about whether proper public procedures were followed. Relevant agencies and Ministers are to examine whether the matter falls under industries or energy, with guidance from the District Coordinating Committee. The Minister stated that any project harming livelihoods or public interests in the low-lying Mannar Island should not proceed, and that the Government will act cautiously and in line with public opinion. Speaker's Announcements: Opposition Representation in Parliamentary Committees Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara defended the 2025 Budget as a “Citizens’ Budget” and a first step in system change, arguing that it redirects state resources from political privileges to public benefit and reflects the mandate of the NPP Government. He highlighted allocations for youth and sports, vocational education, digital initiatives, public sector recruitment, youth entrepreneurship, agriculture, and sports infrastructure, including refurbishment of Sugathadasa Stadium. He said 30,000 public sector recruitments would be conducted through planned examinations and interviews, with graduates prioritized, and stated that the Government would implement the Budget after its passage. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. R. M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary Hon. R. M. Jayawardhana defended the NPP Government’s first Budget, stating that it was organized around 12 priority areas including health, education, transport, agriculture, social protection, national security, and public services. He clarified that the proposed Sinhala-Tamil New Year “essentials pack” would be a concessional Lanka Sathosa package worth about Rs. 15,000 sold for Rs. 10,000, not a free handout. He highlighted increases to Mahapola and other student stipends, allocations for SMEs, industrial parks, tourism, agriculture, education, and Eastern Province irrigation, and said the Government was seeking to sustain Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar companies without closures. He concluded that the Budget provided salary and pension improvements and reflected better public financial management. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that the Budget should focus more on credible revenue generation, private-sector-led growth, and reducing the State’s footprint rather than expanding expenditure and promises. He welcomed the Government’s engagement with the IMF, India and the United States, and its apparent shift away from isolationist or socialist policies, but questioned how the spending gap would be funded without new taxes or borrowing. He also said digitalization should be used to rationalize the public service, criticised the proposal to create 30,000 new government jobs as contradictory, and urged the creation of a pension fund mechanism to manage future liabilities from salary and pension changes. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera supported the 2025 Citizens’ Budget, arguing that it reflects the NPP’s election mandate and responds to an inherited context of sovereign bankruptcy, weak tax collection, poor fiscal management, and inefficient state-owned enterprises. He said the Budget seeks to raise tax revenue fairly, strengthen public financial management, reduce state expenditure, and establish fiscal discipline through limits on political perks, foreign travel costs, nepotism, and political appointments. He also cited international comments, including by U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, as evidence of confidence in the Government’s transparency, governance, and business environment. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe welcomed beneficial measures in the Budget and said the Opposition would support positive initiatives while guiding the Government where needed. He urged timely guaranteed prices and irrigation funding for flood-affected farmers in the Eastern Province, especially Ampara, and called for greater education allocations, including development of South Eastern University with proposed Faculties of Medicine and Law. He also stated that the Opposition is ready for elections, called for a new Constitution to address the ethnic question, and raised concern that the Clean Sri Lanka programme has not yet adequately included Tamil or Muslim representation. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Nanda Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Nanda Bandara supported the National People’s Power Government’s inaugural Budget, arguing that it redirects resources from political privileges to public welfare and development. He highlighted major allocations for health, nutrition and education, including hospital improvements, medicines, school infrastructure, preschool support, teacher training, student assistance and salary increases for teachers, as well as pension adjustments. He rejected Opposition claims that the Budget was IMF-driven or a continuation of the previous Government’s policies, and stated that the Government would use transparent tendering and anti-corruption measures to ensure funds reach communities. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva supported the Government’s first Budget, arguing that it is inclusive and centred on security, empowerment and inclusion, particularly for persons with disabilities and marginalized groups. He highlighted allocations and measures including Rs. 100 million for a national disability database, an increase in the disability allowance to Rs. 10,000, local production of assistive devices, low-floor buses, care and skill development centres, and improved health and special education services. He said these measures would help integrate persons with disabilities into the economy and society, and called for Opposition support for the Budget. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that the 2025 Budget has neglected the Eastern Province, citing only a brief reference to development through Indian multi-sector grant assistance and no substantive domestic allocations for key needs. He highlighted recent flood damage linked to Gal Oya/Senanayake Samudraya, calling for downstream development, a secondary dam, proper bridge repairs, and smart irrigation planning to address climate change impacts on agriculture. He also said the Budget lacks provisions for Eastern tourism and transport infrastructure, including rail improvements serving destinations such as Nilaveli, Arugam Bay/Pottuvil and Pasikudah. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj supported the 2025 Budget as a “people-centric” recovery Budget, highlighting Rs. 749 billion for social protection alongside salary increases, education assistance, health and nutrition programmes, transport, and other household-support measures. She cited specific allocations including Rs. 6,000 for 650,000 schoolchildren, Rs. 1.4 billion for sanitary pads, Rs. 12.5 billion for Thriposha and nutrition programmes, and funding for Suwaseriya, medicines, disability support, rehabilitation, and children in care. She also outlined measures for youth leaving care, housing and jobs for vulnerable young women, regional development in the North, East and Hill Country, rehabilitation of the Vattuvagal bridge, technical education, and action to secure the Rs. 1,700 daily wage for plantation workers. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →