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. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva criticized the Government’s proposed salary or allowance increase, noting that while his party’s Blueprint had proposed Rs. 57,500 the previous year, the Government had added only Rs. 300. His remarks were cut short when the Chair informed him that his allotted time had expired. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva acknowledged positive Budget measures such as expenditure cuts, anti-corruption funding, digitalization and improved targeted welfare, but questioned whether the Government had a coherent growth and investment strategy within IMF fiscal constraints. He called for relief to EPF members affected by domestic debt restructuring, citing alleged unfairness compared with relief for foreign investors, and suggested using a parliamentary motion to address it during the Budget process. He warned that debt sustainability would require sustained high growth, criticized continued funding for SriLankan Airlines and proposed electricity sector amendments that may deter private investment, and urged transparent, procedure-based decision-making on projects such as Adani. He argued that the Government must clearly state whether it is pursuing a social market, export-led economic model and align legislation and policy accordingly. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva warned against government arrogance and intolerance of criticism, citing past incidents and the experience under the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration, while urging the current Government to listen to constructive Opposition input during the Budget debate. He argued that rebuilding the country is a collective parliamentary responsibility and expressed hope that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake would be open to persuasion, referencing a past discussion on sovereign bond restructuring. Opening the 2025 Budget debate for the Opposition, he questioned whether the Budget reflected the Government’s own political-economic programme or continuity with the Treasury-led framework of the previous administration, contrasting it with Dr. N.M. Perera’s ideologically clear 1970 Budget. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva commented on the first Budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as Minister of Finance, acknowledging the Government’s large parliamentary majority and its ability to pass the Budget. He argued that the JVP-led Government has not been able to deliver on its promises to the public and therefore cannot meet the demands he has raised in relation to the Budget. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa said the Ceylon Electricity Board is taking measures to address system imbalances and find a stable solution to electricity system instability. He asked Members not to continue referring to the earlier “monkey incident” and stated that the Government would provide a response on the matter. Question by Private Notice: Recent Islandwide Power Outage Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Energy to explain the causes and response to the recent nationwide power failure, including the reported monkey incident at the Panadura Substation, restoration delays, prior warnings of grid instability, and whether negligence, technical failure, or sabotage was involved. He also sought information on preventive measures and timelines, the economic impact and possible compensation for affected businesses and households, and the CEB’s recent average generation cost and cost-reflective pricing policy. He expressed disappointment that the Minister was absent to answer questions on what he described as an important incident that occurred ten days earlier. Question by Private Notice: Recent Islandwide Power Outage Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip (on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development) JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on behalf of the Minister of Finance regarding the relevant investment zone, stating it was established on 4 March 2019 with estimated total investments of USD 47.23 million across five companies. The response detailed estimated direct employment of 3,465 jobs, with 429 actual jobs reported so far, and noted that indirect employment is expected to be about three times direct employment. It also outlined ongoing infrastructure works, including access roads, water and electricity supply upgrades, internal roads, fencing, and 2025 funding and completion plans. Oral Question No. 2 (112/2024): Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha) SJB AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development seeking details on the Bingiriya Export Processing Zone. It requested the date of establishment, the number and value of investments received, direct and indirect employment generated, and measures being taken for further development of the zone, with reasons if the information cannot be provided. Oral Question No. 2 (112/2024): Bingiriya Export Processing Zone Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said further details would be provided later regarding payments for household electricity, air conditioning and water bills, as well as the reduction of an insurance premium from USD 37. He indicated that the Minister would subsequently clarify the benefits or payments received by various officers. Oral Question No. 1 (98/2024): Sale of Petroleum by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned whether the Government has entered into any new fuel supply contracts, alleging that fuel continues to be procured from the same suppliers under the same premium arrangements as before. He also challenged claims that new appointees to petroleum-related institutions would serve without benefits, citing reported allowances paid to the current Chairman, Executive Director, and CPSTL Managing Director, and asked the Minister to confirm whether he accepts these details. Oral Question No. 1 (98/2024): Sale of Petroleum by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Government is taking steps to reduce taxes and has not imposed any new taxes, while providing the maximum possible reliefs. He said a detailed report would be submitted and that the Government would explain how the Petroleum Corporation incurred losses, including the role of former Ministers in charge, with the relevant Minister expected to respond. Oral Question No. 1 (98/2024): Sale of Petroleum by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the Government’s earlier statements that fuel taxes, including around Rs. 50 per litre, were unfair and would be reduced. He asked whether those assurances were inaccurate or whether the Government still intends to reduce the taxes, noting that five months had passed without action and requesting a timeframe for any reduction. Oral Question No. 1 (98/2024): Sale of Petroleum by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Read →
- 18 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip (on behalf of the Minister of Energy) JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Energy, the Minister reported that fuel-related tax revenue amounted to Rs. 265.63 billion and profits to Rs. 42.04 billion for the relevant period. He stated that investigations are ongoing into whether fraud occurred in fuel sales, and that no definitive conclusion can be given until they are completed. Other parts of the question were deemed not applicable. Oral Question No. 1 (98/2024): Sale of Petroleum by Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan supported holding the delayed local authority elections and welcomed increased representation for women and youth, while urging that this representation be matched with real powers. Citing increased membership and allowance costs after 2018, he requested the Minister to conduct the election on the basis of the 2022 committee recommendation to reduce councillors to about 4,714, which he said would save about Rs. 750 million annually and improve stability. He also called for greater powers and resources for local bodies, noting examples from India and Toronto and pointing to service limitations such as waste collection in Trincomalee. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara denied claims that the Opposition sought to postpone the Local Authorities election, arguing that Clause 3 of the Government’s Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill itself permits the Election Commission to call nominations within three months of the Act coming into force. He requested that election scheduling take account of the Budget Debate ending on 21 March, noting practical difficulties for smaller Opposition parties in campaigning while participating in parliamentary proceedings. He also urged the Government and Election Commission to ensure refunds of nomination deposits already paid by parties and independents, citing significant financial burdens and ongoing discussions with the Treasury. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Faiszer Musthapha supported the Bill to cancel the 2023 local government nominations and call fresh nominations, arguing that holding a 2025 poll on old nominations would be impractical given the 2024 electoral register, while noting its need for a special majority in light of the Supreme Court judgment requiring the election. He urged the Government to use the Bill’s three-month implementation window to amend the local government electoral framework, particularly to improve women’s effective representation by revisiting nomination thresholds. He also called for rationalizing the enlarged number of local authority members, citing the cost to the Treasury. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake supported the Bill to cancel the 2023 local government nominations and call fresh nominations, citing party leaders’ consensus after the new Parliament met and practical changes in parties, candidates and public mandate since the postponed poll. He referred to the Supreme Court’s findings on the 2023 election postponement, including the violation of fundamental rights and the Court’s determination that this Bill requires a two-thirds majority, while stressing that the election must be held expeditiously. He argued that statutory timelines allow polling around late April after the Budget, supported refunding candidate deposits, and noted proposed 25% youth nomination allocation and strengthened women’s representation. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Read →
- 17 February 2025 Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake AI summary Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake outlined budget proposals to re-initiate the Giribawa–Eppawala Water Supply Scheme with Rs. 1,000 million, using surface water sources such as Rajanganaya Tank to improve drinking water access in dry-zone areas. He proposed Rs. 10,000 million in 2025 to recruit 30,000 people to essential Public Service vacancies on the basis of qualifications, skills, and approved cadre needs. He also proposed a phased public sector salary revision costing Rs. 325 billion, including raising the minimum basic salary to Rs. 40,000, increasing annual increments by 80 per cent, allocating Rs. 110 billion in 2025, revising retirement benefit calculations from 2025, and increasing distress loan limits to Rs. 400,000. He further noted agreed increases to the private sector minimum wage and referred to reconsideration of plantation workers’ wages. Appropriation Bill, 2025: Second Reading - Debate Adjourned Read →
- 17 February 2025 Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies AI summary The Prime Minister said the 2022 crisis reflected both economic collapse and political failure, creating humanitarian hardship and leading to a public mandate for systemic change at the 2024 elections. Presenting the Budget as the foundation for that mandate, he argued that the new Government had stabilized the economy, strengthened reserves and the rupee, lowered Treasury Bill rates, restored investor and international partner confidence, and expected about 5 per cent growth in 2025. He acknowledged the role of the IMF-supported reform programme and debt restructuring in stabilization, while stating that the Government seeks greater economic sovereignty and sensitivity to the pressures placed on citizens by measures such as higher taxes, interest rates and cost-reflective energy pricing. Appropriation Bill, 2025: Second Reading - Debate Adjourned Read →
- 17 February 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Proposes Budget 2025 allocations to address port congestion and improve logistics, including Rs. 500 million each for initial work at the Examination Yard/Bloemendhal supply park, a rail-based internal container dry port at Chetiyagoda, and upgraded port digital systems, plus Rs. 1,000 million for advanced scanning systems at Colombo Port and Bandaranaike International Airport. Sets out a digital economy programme centred on a Universal Digital ID, stronger cybersecurity and data protection laws, a Digital Economy Authority, expanded digital payments, and support for private investment in emerging technologies. States targets to grow the digital economy beyond USD 15 billion and 12 per cent of GDP within five years, including ICT/BPM exports of USD 5 billion, and proposes an additional Rs. 3,000 million for this purpose. Appropriation Bill, 2025: Second Reading - Debate Adjourned Read →