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- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi addressed the human-elephant conflict, noting that both people and elephants are being lost and that reports had been received on the incident raised by the Member. He said the Government is implementing immediate measures in affected areas while developing longer-term solutions, despite staffing and logistical constraints faced by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and other agencies. He stated that adequate funding would be allocated in the forthcoming Budget, with inter-agency coordination and new research to support sustainable responses. Oral Question: Human-Elephant Conflict (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Presented the Committee on Public Finance report on regulations under the Intellectual Property Act relating to geographical indications, noting that such regulations must also come before the Committee when levies or fees are involved. He said the joint reporting process was intended to address concerns raised by the previous Parliament’s visa outsourcing matter involving GBS Technology Services and IVS Global-FZCO, where financial aspects had not initially come before the Committee. He referred to a 665-page committee report and a Supreme Court injunction connected to that issue, and urged that the matter be looked into further. Papers Presented Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development presented the Department of Commerce’s Annual Performance Report for 2022. He proposed that it be referred to the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee, and the House agreed to the motion. Papers Presented Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister thanked Members for raising health-sector issues and said further responses would be provided during the Budget Committee Stage. He addressed concerns at Karapitiya National Hospital, stating that the cardiac catheterization issue should be resolved within 10 days, while procurement for a second cath lab machine requires retendering due to a supplier and cost discrepancy. He said the Government would expedite the transfer of 42 estate hospitals to the Central Government and had submitted a Cabinet paper to regularize about 600 dengue assistants. He also announced planned recruitments in the coming weeks and months, including nurses, PHIs/family health officers, pharmacists, radiographers and other technical staff, while noting that shortages of specialist doctors remain difficult to resolve immediately. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara argued that longstanding failures in health policy had left hospitals with inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, and poor retention of specialists and other health workers. He said the Government is expanding cardiac and cancer treatment capacity through new cath labs and ADB-funded linear accelerators, and cited severe specialist shortages in several Ratnapura District hospitals. He stated that relief measures such as raising the PAYE threshold, increasing allowances, updating outdated cadre requirements, and recruiting trained allied health personnel are intended to improve the health service in line with the Government’s policy declaration. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the company involved in supplying chlorhexidine mouthwash was not blacklisted, but a previous supply default had been identified by the SPC, leading to cancellation of the tender and referral to the Technical Evaluation Committee to award it to the second lowest bidder. He said the SPC Chairman had complained to the CID regarding possible improper media conduct, and that an inquiry was ongoing. He also said the Public Service Commission had ordered the interdiction and inquiry of a doctor for allegedly violating the Establishments Code by campaigning for the SJB without resigning from a senior public service post. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe questioned the disparity between benefits received by Members of Parliament and those provided to the public. He argued that MPs receiving large sums through political power while people receive comparatively little amounts to misuse of power for personal benefit. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Asked how much financial assistance an ordinary person receives from the President’s Fund for heart surgery, contrasting it with a payment of Rs. 1 million received by the addressee. The intervention sought clarification on the level of support provided to the general public under the Fund. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara challenged claims that Members receiving assistance from the President’s Fund constituted misuse of state funds, asking for proof if such allegations were made. He also questioned the Government’s earlier position on abolishing the President’s Fund and similar funds, noting that it now appeared to say abolition was not possible. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera responded to a reference to his name, stating that the former Government had taken action in relation to the incident where 17 patients lost their sight. He said full compensation was paid and that steps were taken to restore and strengthen the National Medicines Regulatory Authority. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government and Opposition for discussing problems in hospital services without presenting a concrete plan to address overcrowded OPDs, staffing shortages, equipment issues, and standards in private OPDs. He demanded disclosure of President’s Fund payments to Members of Parliament from 2004 onward, stating that his request to the Presidential Secretariat had not been fulfilled and that he had filed an appeal. He also began raising concerns about pharmaceutical supply and regulatory coordination, referring to the need for the Medical Supplies Division, NMRA, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation to work together. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera moved a motion urging a formal action plan under a National Health Policy to address congestion, facilities, service quality, staffing, equipment, and standards in OPD services in State and private hospitals. He linked current health-sector problems to past governance failures, citing staff shortages, professional emigration, substandard medicines, and the Nuwara Eliya eye surgery cases, and said the Government would compensate the 17 affected patients. He also referred to measures including expanding access to the President’s Fund through Divisional Secretariats, providing special allowances for additional surgeries beyond duty hours, and strengthening the National Medicines Regulatory Authority under Act No. 5 of 2015 to ensure quality medicines. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister said the foreign exchange, vehicle import, and rice import regulations were part of a cautious approach following economic stabilization after a period of depleted reserves and import constraints. He argued that vehicle imports must be phased to avoid exchange rate, inflation, credit, and interest rate pressures, while prioritizing public transport and tourism-related needs. He linked the measures to broader policies on fiscal relief, support for farmers, fishers, SMEs, domestic value addition, customs capacity improvements, and efforts to reduce costs such as electricity and energy. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Ashoka Gunasena JJB AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena supported the regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act and the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, framing them as part of the Government’s effort to strengthen the economy and increase reserves. He criticised the Opposition’s interventions as obstructive and linked past governance to indebtedness, poverty and political repression, including references to the 1988/89 period. He said his political movement would continue its programme to build a prosperous country and invited the Opposition to join that effort. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad argued that Sri Lanka cannot rebuild or expand exports through import restrictions, high import taxes, or protectionist policies, because consumers and key export sectors depend heavily on imported goods and inputs. He said quality standards and enforcement should replace punitive duties, and cited the fertilizer restrictions under Gotabaya Rajapaksa as an example of how import controls damaged production. He identified high energy costs, restrictive land policies, and rigid labour laws as major barriers to investment and export growth, calling for reforms including lower energy costs, expanded wind and solar power in the North and East, and greater openness to market-based trade policy. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported the vehicle import regulations, explaining that imports are being reopened in limited categories after restrictions imposed during the foreign exchange crisis and debt default. She argued that controls and taxes are necessary to protect reserves, avoid rupee depreciation, and prevent renewed shortages of essentials as Sri Lanka resumes foreign debt servicing after restructuring. She also stated that the Government is prioritizing improvements to public transport and denied media reports that vehicles would be imported for MPs. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi supported the regulation under the Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017, saying it was part of a continuing six-monthly review process and was needed to facilitate foreign investment, including mergers and acquisitions, while safeguarding dollar reserves. He argued that recent vehicle import policy changes were phased to support public transport, commercial transport and private needs, and attributed high vehicle prices to rupee depreciation, past VAT increases and earlier import restrictions, noting that the luxury tax threshold had been raised from Rs. 3.5 million to Rs. 5 million. He also rejected Opposition allegations regarding foreign assembly positions and vehicle price promises, and said the Government was ending preferential practices in rice imports, taxi operations and land allocation for investment projects. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana - Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana supported regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act and the Imports and Exports (Control) Act relating to rice and vehicle imports, arguing that they are necessary while Sri Lanka rebuilds reserves after bankruptcy. He said vehicle imports would be phased, prioritizing tourism, public transport, buses accessible to persons with disabilities, and later goods, commercial, and private vehicles, while avoiding pressure on foreign exchange and fuel imports. He framed the measures within a broader government mandate to restore economic stability and achieve wider economic, social, and cultural freedom. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando used her maiden speech to state that the Government’s electoral victory reflected support for policy-based politics and a rejection of corruption, linking it to post-bankruptcy economic recovery after Independence Day. She defended the Government against Opposition criticisms, cited improved foreign relations, tourism, foreign exchange inflows and reserves, and said the forthcoming Budget would support stabilization, production, public transport reform and wider public benefit. She also highlighted plans in Ja-Ela to protect and develop the Muthurajawela ecosystem as a tourism and employment zone, and called for durable solutions for residents in flood-prone low-lying areas. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →
- 5 February 2025 The Hon. Nanda Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Nanda Bandara stated that the economy and society were stabilizing within a few months of the ongoing process, and that recent claims had been validated as people received relief. He said the Government would continue to proceed strongly. Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act Read →