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- 17 February 2025 Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President; Minister of Defence; Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary The President moved the Second Reading of the Government’s first National Budget, framing it as a response to the 2022 economic, social and political crisis and as a mandate arising from the 2024 elections. He attributed the crisis to structural governance and fiscal failures, said the new administration had stabilized reserves, the exchange rate and financial conditions, and projected around 5 percent growth in 2025. He acknowledged the role and social costs of IMF-backed reforms, highlighted completion of external debt restructuring in December 2024, and stated that the Government’s objective is to rebuild economic sovereignty through its own policy framework while maintaining stability and international confidence. Appropriation Bill, 2025: Second Reading - Debate Adjourned Read →
- 17 February 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies met on 17 February 2025 with the listed Members in attendance. No substantive speech content, proposals, questions, or policy arguments are provided in the supplied text beyond the committee name, date, and participants. Parliamentary Structure and Committees Read →
- 17 February 2025 Committee on Public Finance AI summary The Committee on Public Finance considered fiscal and public finance matters under the chairmanship of Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, with members from government and opposition participating. The proceedings concerned committee scrutiny of financial policy, revenue and expenditure-related issues, and the accountability of public finance decisions within its parliamentary mandate. Opening and Papers Presented Read →
- 17 February 2025 Committee on Public Accounts AI summary The Committee on Public Accounts presented its membership for the 2025-02-17 sitting, listing Hon. Arachchinda Senarath as Chairman and the other Members serving on the Committee. No substantive debate, findings, recommendations, or questions are recorded in the provided extract. Opening and Papers Presented Read →
- 14 February 2025 Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned the Leader of the House’s statement that power cuts were not an urgent matter, noting that the public was closely observing the issue. He requested that the Minister of Power and Energy provide clarification in Parliament, especially given the cost of convening the sitting. Points of Order and Procedural Matters: Supreme Court Determination and Parliamentary Procedures Read →
- 14 February 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested a ministerial statement on recent and possible upcoming power cuts, particularly the risk of power shedding on Sunday if solar generation and industrial demand are low. He asked the Minister to explain the causes of the outages and the measures being taken to stabilize supply, including whether factories would be operated on Sunday to balance demand and supply. He also linked the issue to broader concerns about transparency, competitiveness, administrative changes, and foreign investors leaving the country. Points of Order and Procedural Matters: Supreme Court Determination and Parliamentary Procedures Read →
- 14 February 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake referred to the Supreme Court determination on the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill and asked the Government to consider a less costly electoral system. He noted prior discussions on reducing election expenditure from Rs. 8,900 million to Rs. 2,900 million and said the public viewed the current cost burden as excessive. He requested clarification on whether reforms could improve affordability and efficiency. Points of Order and Procedural Matters: Supreme Court Determination and Parliamentary Procedures Read →
- 14 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the 2025 Disbursement Bill to Parliament. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Committee Report: Public Finance Committee - Disbursement Bill 2025 Read →
- 14 February 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa tabled Finance Commission recommendations for 2025 and an order under the Fiscal Management (Responsibility) Act, moving that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, which the House agreed to. He also laid orders relating to the establishment of the Department of Public Health and Family Medicine at the University of Moratuwa under the Universities Act and a customs import duty schedule under the Customs Ordinance, which were ordered to lie upon the Table. Tabling of Papers: Auditor-General Reports and Ministerial Orders Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. D. V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D. V. Chanaka supported the Motion on reducing privileges and argued that Alliance MPs and Ministers should renounce salaries and fuel allowances if they claim to serve voluntarily, in line with electoral pledges to abolish perks. He again raised concerns over imported hydrated lime for drinking-water treatment, alleging chromium levels above permitted standards, inadequate segregation of stock, and repeated testing, and called for immediate segregation, re-export, compliant procurement or tested local sourcing. He also requested that any compensation for property damaged during the Aragalaya be accompanied by a list of perpetrators and that recovery be made from those responsible, rather than from taxpayers. Private Members' Motion 5: Abolishing the Pension Scheme of Members of Parliament Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi supported the Motion to abolish a policy-based privilege for public representatives, arguing that public anger stems from broader economic hardship and the misuse of public wealth rather than the loss of pensions alone. He said similar proposals had been made by his movement in 2001 and 2018, rejecting claims that they were motivated by personal benefit. He urged Parliament to implement the reform as part of changing the political culture and noted that the Government agreed such measures should have been taken earlier. Private Members' Motion 5: Abolishing the Pension Scheme of Members of Parliament Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara supported the Motion while arguing that claims of selfless service by MPs are hypocritical if salaries are routed through party accounts before members receive payments, and he urged either abolishing pensions or ending such salary arrangements. He defended the need for reasonable parliamentary facilities and dignity for MPs, while opposing excessive privileges and dismissing minor public claims such as meal deductions. He also called for proper investigations into the Lasantha Wickrematunge murder, saying officials now in authority should proceed with cases rather than blame the Attorney-General or use public lists to divert attention. Private Members' Motion 5: Abolishing the Pension Scheme of Members of Parliament Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake supported the Motion to abolish MPs’ privileges and pensions, stating that people’s representatives should serve without such benefits. He noted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had initiated legal steps to reduce or abolish privileges for MPs, the President and Ministers, and that a committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Chitrasiri had recommended such reforms. He urged that the Motion be enacted into law and said the Government agreed with the Opposition Member Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s proposal. Private Members' Motion 5: Abolishing the Pension Scheme of Members of Parliament Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake JJB AI summary R. M. Gamini Rathnayake addressed the Private Member’s Motion on abolishing MPs’ pensions, stating that although the issue has been debated repeatedly, implementation has not occurred. He said the Government is prepared to support and pass the Motion if it is brought in good faith, while providing figures on current pension payments: 330 retired MPs, 182 spouses and seven dependants receive pensions, with about Rs. 35 million paid monthly and Rs. 150 million allocated for January-April 2025. He traced the pension scheme to a 1976 decision and said the current Parliament reflects a new political culture opposed to perks and privileges. Private Members' Motion 5: Abolishing the Pension Scheme of Members of Parliament Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake moved a Motion to abolish the pension scheme for Members of Parliament with immediate effect, arguing that it is viewed by voters as an unfair privilege and has contributed to declining public trust in Parliament. He said the proposal should apply prospectively, not retroactively, and framed it as part of creating a new political culture focused on public service rather than personal benefit. He noted that 215 former MPs currently receive pensions and said misconceptions about parliamentary benefits, including pensions, housing, salaries and vehicles, should be corrected through transparent action. Private Members' Motion 5: Abolishing the Pension Scheme of Members of Parliament Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala supported the motion, emphasizing that embassy and consulate Labour Welfare Officers must act promptly and effectively to assist more than one million Sri Lankan migrant workers, whose remittances are a major source of foreign exchange. He cited the difficulties faced during COVID-19 as evidence of past neglect and called for suitable appointments, greater resources, and stronger funding for labour sections. He also urged missions, particularly in places such as Dubai, to protect Sri Lankan employment opportunities and remittance potential by addressing issues around visit visas, foreign agents, and job quota allocations, citing the Philippines as a model for migrant worker support. Private Members' Motion 4: Appointment of Labour Welfare Officers Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri moved a private members’ motion calling for a proper methodology to appoint Labour Welfare Officers responsible for supporting Sri Lankan migrant workers. He argued that past appointments were influenced by political patronage and urged the Government to establish a transparent, merit-based process with advertised applications, clear service criteria, and attention to education, capacity, and relevant skills. He also asked that vacancies be filled promptly, noting that migrant workers face abuse and welfare issues overseas and require effective official support. Private Members' Motion 4: Appointment of Labour Welfare Officers Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara urged the Government to ensure paddy procurement prices are competitive with prevailing market rates, warning that otherwise farmers will sell to private traders and state purchasing efforts will fail. He proposed expediting Yala cultivation, considering an additional crop where possible, and providing prompt credit support to small millers through District Secretaries to strengthen procurement and supply. He also called for proper stock management and rotation of purchased rice to avoid past mismanagement, framing the motion as a cooperative effort to protect both farmers and consumers. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government is implementing a programme to maintain rice availability and price stability through guaranteed paddy prices, state procurement, and market intervention via the Paddy Marketing Board, SATOSA, and cooperatives. He stated that Rs. 5 billion has been allocated to the PMB, with additional bank-backed financing including a planned Rs. 10 billion pledge loan for SATOSA, and that the Government aims to procure about 10 per cent of the season’s paddy, store it mainly as paddy, and mill and sell rice below market prices. He also outlined plans to use private and state mills, reopen storage and milling capacity, and increase Yala production to offset flood-related Maha shortfalls and prevent further market instability. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →
- 7 February 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof supported the motion to establish a programme for maintaining Government rice stocks, while questioning whether current controlled rice prices benefit farmers, consumers, or intermediaries. He highlighted difficulties faced by farmers in the Eastern Province, particularly Trincomalee, including flood damage, inadequate drying facilities, damaged agricultural roads, and unrepaired tanks. He called for compensation, infrastructure repairs, tank rehabilitation, and broader programmes to protect and encourage farmers. Private Members' Motion 3: Making Arrangements for Maintaining a Rice Reserve Read →