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- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha supported the 2025 Budget as the National People’s Power Government’s first step toward its “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” programme, arguing that it marks a shift from previous Budgets toward social, economic and political transformation. He highlighted projected revenue of Rs. 4,960 billion, total expenditure of Rs. 7,190 billion, increased allocations for salaries, education and health, including Rs. 185 billion for medicines, and measures to support industry, small investment, agriculture and tourism. He also emphasized national harmony, development of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, support for persons with disabilities, autistic children and the elderly, and a “scientific” public sector salary increase that raises basic pay. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam supported the Budget as a citizen-focused programme that reduces privileges for politicians and directs funds to health, education, transport, rural roads and provincial development. He highlighted allocations for schools, buses and railways, and argued that development should be viewed nationally rather than through constituency-specific claims. He drew attention to grievances of Tamil plantation workers in the Ridigama and Raddagoda areas, including access to schools, buses, public officers, postal services, hospitals and police, and said he had intervened with local officials to extend an SLTB bus service to Panagama Annoor Central College and improve administrative access. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe – Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development AI summary Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Budget implements the NPP’s economic programme within current IMF constraints while laying the basis for faster growth from 2029 through a production-oriented economy involving the state, private sector, and cooperatives. He outlined measures including Ease of Doing Business and legal reforms, digital economy funding, lower production costs, investment in industrial land, ports and infrastructure, SME and skills support, development finance, R&D commercialization, trade promotion, and an export target of US$19 billion. He argued that the Budget departs from the previous economic model and is intended to initiate broader development-focused reforms between 2026 and 2028. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar – Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources AI summary The Minister stated that the 2025 Budget allocates Rs. 11.4 billion to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources. He assured that additional attention would be given to fisheries development across the entire Eastern Province, not limited to Valaichchenai. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. Hizbullah supported the 2025 Budget’s welfare and development allocations but argued that salary increases for public and private sector workers were insufficient and too heavily staggered. He said the Eastern Province had been neglected compared with specific allocations for the Northern Province, and requested capital funding for flood-damaged infrastructure, schools, roads, bridges, South Eastern University flood protection, and teacher recruitment. He called for rehabilitation of Oluvil Port as a fisheries harbour, expansion of Valaichchenai fisheries harbour, revival of the Valaichchenai Paper Mill with investment, and implementation of irrigation and tank-integration plans to address flooding and improve agriculture. He also welcomed the Justice Minister’s proposal to transport children separately from adult prisoners and noted unresolved administrative issues in some newly created local authorities in the North and East. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage supported the NPP’s inaugural Budget, arguing it responds to the economic crisis inherited from previous governments and implements the “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” manifesto within current IMF constraints. She highlighted allocations for women’s empowerment and combating gender-based violence, support for marginalized children, and increased funding for health and education. She also cited reductions in Presidential expenditure, the removal of concessionary vehicle permits, and changes to public employment practices as evidence of fiscal discipline and reform, while inviting cross-party support for the Government’s rebuilding programme. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna welcomed the NPP Government’s allocation of significant funds to the Northern Province. He also expressed appreciation for the President’s and Prime Minister’s visits to the North, describing them as historically noteworthy. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister said the Budget prioritizes social protection and relief for vulnerable groups by reallocating resources away from privileges and waste, including Rs. 232 billion for Aswesuma and increased allowances for kidney patients and elderly persons. He highlighted child-focused measures, including Rs. 500 million to improve care institutions, Rs. 250 million for child-friendly transport for legal proceedings, Rs. 1 billion for a Rs. 5,000 monthly allowance for children in residential care and orphans, and improved school access. He also stated that the Government would strengthen anti-corruption institutions, expand mental health and counselling support for youth and parents, and increase funding for prisoner skills development to support reintegration. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan said the Budget contains measures intended to benefit the public, including allocations for upcountry communities to improve livelihoods and living standards. He also welcomed increased education funding, noting that in the war-affected North some children still study without proper classrooms, and referred to earlier allocations and ongoing construction work to improve school facilities. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman supported the Budget as the National People’s Power Government’s first “people’s Budget,” arguing that it allocates relief and development despite inheriting a bankrupt economy and liabilities such as SriLankan Airlines debt. He highlighted major allocations for health and education, including Rs. 604 billion for health, Rs. 619 billion for education, increased Mahapola and vocational training stipends, school infrastructure, nutrition, teacher development, sports schools, and support for poorer districts such as Badulla. He also said the Budget aims to eradicate poverty through education and economic strengthening of welfare-recipient families, provides a fair wage structure for public servants, and includes funds to address the human–elephant conflict. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister defended the Budget’s public sector wage reforms, stating that they preserve a 1:4 wage progression while addressing long-standing salary anomalies and pension-related issues. He said Rs. 325 billion would be allocated over three years, raising the minimum basic salary to Rs. 40,000 and increasing wages across grades, with phased implementation due to fiscal constraints. He rejected claims that overtime and allowances for doctors, nurses, and university academics were being reduced, arguing that revised calculations and higher basic salaries would increase earnings, and invited further proposals on medical trainees’ hours during the Health Ministry debate. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe defended the Budget’s wage proposals, rejecting Opposition claims that the increases are minimal and describing them as the largest wage increase in Budget history. He said the private sector minimum basic wage would be raised from Rs. 21,000 to Rs. 27,000 from 1 April and to Rs. 30,000 from 1 January through amendments to the National Minimum Wage of Workers Act, increasing related benefits such as EPF, ETF, gratuity, bonuses and overtime. He also said plantation sector wages had been negotiated to a daily minimum of Rs. 1,350 with additional productivity incentives, while efforts continue to raise monthly incomes closer to Rs. 40,000. Responding to concerns about funding 30,000 recruitments, he stated recruitment would be phased through examinations and interviews and that allocations would be sufficient for an estimated 15,000 recruits over six months. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticised the Budget as making politically attractive promises without adequate allocations, questioning how 30,000 public service jobs could be funded with Rs. 10,000 million if salaries are to reach about Rs. 60,000. He argued that the Mahapola and student stipends, dry-ration parcel value, and preschool teacher allowance increases are insufficient, and warned that limited parcel distribution could create local disputes ahead of elections. He also said district development allocations are inadequate, especially for Badulla, and raised concerns about the fairness of allocating Rs. 6,000 million to the North while other provinces share Rs. 9,000 million, though he stated he did not oppose assistance to the North. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma outlined Budget allocations across key sectors, including transport, water, housing, regional development, food security, environmental protection, entrepreneurship, energy, and other public services. He stated that these allocations, such as Rs. 73.9 billion for railways, Rs. 254 billion for food security, and Rs. 190 billion for quality-of-life facilities, are intended to support the Government’s economic programme to rebuild the country. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma defended the Budget against Opposition criticism, arguing that past administrations were responsible for high-cost commercial borrowing and the country’s debt crisis. He said the Budget is designed around growth facilitation, policy continuity, local value addition, and support for SMEs, enabling businesses to plan and expand production. He cited multiple SME-related policy measures, including export development, tariff policy reform, Free Trade Agreements, use of underutilized State lands, one-stop-shop implementation, insolvency law reform, certification support, and improved SME financing through a development bank and banking mechanisms. He also listed Budget allocations for innovation, youth entrepreneurship, agriculture, dairy, coconut, trade promotion, freshwater industries, and an SME line of credit. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan said his party does not oppose the Budget’s development objectives, noting that a government Bill had passed unanimously the previous day with 187 votes. He urged the Government to use the current political moment to bring forward a federal-based solution to the ethnic issue, asserting that it would receive support in Parliament and among the Sinhala public. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan criticised the Budget’s expenditure structure, arguing that recurrent spending is too high and capital investment too low for economic recovery, and formally objected to the Rs. 442 billion defence allocation in the absence of war, particularly given unresolved resettlement, land return, and military presence issues in Tamil areas. He questioned how the Government’s stated vision of a united and prosperous Sri Lanka would protect the identities, dignity, language rights, and political rights of Tamil, Sinhala, Up-country Tamil, and Muslim communities. He said appeals to the diaspora, especially the Tamil diaspora, must be accompanied by credible engagement with the Tamil political question, including recognition of Tamils as a national people. Citing Singapore and historical discussions of federalism, including S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike’s 1926 writings, he urged reflection on constitutional and political arrangements to ensure unity and trust. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said the Budget provides the largest recent public-sector salary increase, with basic salaries raised for the first time since 2016 and the existing Rs. 7,500 in allowances absorbed into the new salary structure while the Rs. 17,800 cost-of-living allowance remains. He gave examples for PL-1 employees, Grama Niladharis, doctors, Development Officers, management service officers and teachers, stating that increases will begin from April and be phased over three years, with annual increments also rising by 80 per cent. He rejected claims of miscalculation or misinformation about the figures and said further explanations, including on doctors’ overtime concerns, would be provided. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe defended the Government’s first Budget presented by President Anura Dissanayake as a historic and transformative plan for the next five years. He argued that it seeks to rebuild productive capacity, reduce rural poverty, and reverse decades of corruption, economic decline, and rising poverty. He dismissed Opposition criticism as politically motivated and said sections of the public, media, and analysts had responded positively to the Budget. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister rejected a claim that he had described the ARDL autoregressive model as the Government’s economic model, stating that it is a statistical tool rather than an economic model. He argued that older production-function and macroeconomic models cited in debate are being overtaken by behavioural, complexity and AI-based approaches, and said the Government’s economic model should be assessed over its five-year term before being defined or labelled. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →