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- 8 April 2026 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera criticized the Government’s handling of rising fuel, electricity and living costs ahead of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, arguing that warnings and relief proposals earlier made by Hon. Sajith Premadasa were dismissed but later adopted. He questioned the fulfilment of compensation and housing promises to victims of Cyclone “Ditva,” particularly estate workers still reportedly in temporary shelters, and called for land and housing solutions outside estates if necessary. He argued that new relief measures were insufficient because they mainly covered Aswesuma beneficiaries and excluded many working poor, public servants, businesses and private-sector workers. He also linked electricity tariff increases to alleged coal procurement losses cited in the Auditor General’s report, challenged reversals on rice imports and other pledges, and urged Government members to intervene to protect the public from further cost burdens. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Wasantha Piyathissa said current fuel, gas, electricity and transport cost increases stem from a global energy crisis and supply disruptions, not Government mismanagement, and stated that relief measures had been outlined by the President. He contrasted this with the previous economic collapse, citing corruption and dollar shortages, and claimed the Government has improved fiscal discipline, saved Treasury funds, funded Cyclone “Ditva” relief without new debt or money printing, and pursued anti-corruption investigations. He also referred to public sector salary increases, plans to recruit 73,000 workers including 23,000 teachers, energy infrastructure projects involving the Trincomalee oil tanks and Muthurajawela-Katunayake pipeline, and corrections to Aswesuma beneficiary targeting. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe criticized the Government’s handling of fuel and electricity pricing, arguing that stated fuel reserves and global conditions did not justify recent price increases and citing comparative regional data and World Bank-related indicators on tariffs, food affordability and unemployment. He alleged failures and irregularities in coal procurement, referring to an Auditor General’s report, tender manipulation, substandard coal and large financial losses, and warned that delays in coal imports and non-payment to renewable power producers could trigger a major electricity crisis. He urged the Government to reduce fuel prices if supplies were secure, investigate procurement fraud rather than minor offenders, and address rising production costs, farmer difficulties and inadequate relief for affected communities. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani seconded the Adjournment Motion, arguing that the Government restored economic stability after taking office in 2024, citing a reduced deficit, higher current account surplus and increased revenue. She said the Government had responded to Cyclone “Ditva” and current global war-related energy pressures without passing the full burden to consumers, and outlined a Rs. 100 billion relief package covering electricity users, fisheries, fertilizer, tea smallholders and Aswesuma beneficiaries. She assured continued supplies of fuel, gas and essentials during the festive season and called for collective support to manage the global situation. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Dharmapriya Wijesinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Dharmapriya Wijesinghe moved an Adjournment Motion on the global supply-chain and energy crisis arising from Middle East war tensions, noting risks to fuel, gas and coal supplies, higher global fuel prices, and increased freight and insurance costs. He stated that the Government is committed to maintaining essential energy supplies, public services, economic activity and supply chains while coordinating responses to daily-life difficulties. He called for cooperation among Parliament, public institutions and society to manage the crisis and minimize its impact on the economy and the public. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Minister of Finance on modernizing Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange and payment systems to better support tourism, digital services, freelancers, startups and SMEs. He sought details on recognized hard currencies, barriers to using currencies such as the Indian Rupee, Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen and Russian Ruble, foreign exchange spreads and profits, and the limited availability of platforms such as PayPal, Wise and Skrill for inward receipts. He also asked about regulation of cryptocurrency activity and raised concerns over an alleged NDB fraud and the Central Bank’s supervisory response. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Digital Payment Platforms in Foreign Exchange Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government is systematically releasing lands in the North and expects the relevant land to be released by July, noting that surveys have begun and earlier building and site plans are available. She stated that the Ministry would then seek to proceed quickly with a permanent office, including exploring construction next year. She also noted that 18 new post office buildings and 211 renovations had been completed islandwide in recent years at a cost of Rs. 1,200 million, with further construction and maintenance planned. Oral Question: Mulliyawalai Post Office (Q.1/1318/2025) Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, the Deputy Minister stated that the Mulliyawalai Post Office is operating in a rented private building and that its reserved land remains within an Army security fence, with an oral assurance of release by July 2026. She provided details of 24 Northern Province post offices operating in rented premises and their monthly rents as of January 2026. She said action is being taken to reacquire the Mulliyawalai land for the Postal Department, but no 2026 Budget allocation has been made because the land has not yet been formally released; construction funding may be considered in 2027 once it is cleared. Oral Question: Mulliyawalai Post Office (Q.1/1318/2025) Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media about the Mulliyawalai Post Office in Mullaitivu, noting that it has operated in a rented building since its inception and that the land allocated for it is currently under the Sri Lanka Army. He requested district-wise details of post offices in the Northern Province functioning in private buildings and their monthly rents, as well as the Government’s plans, including any 2026 Budget allocation, to construct a permanent building for the Mulliyawalai Post Office. Oral Question: Mulliyawalai Post Office (Q.1/1318/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister provided details on the Clean Sri Lanka Programme, including the membership of its Task Force, expenditure of Rs. 2,497.41 million against a Rs. 5,050 million 2025 allocation, and reported financial and physical progress of 49.5 per cent and 69.86 per cent respectively by 31 December 2025. She stated that coordination structures have been established from national to village level, largely with voluntary participation, while experts, institutions, civil society, private sector actors and international partners contribute technical, financial and labour support. She also outlined donation mechanisms, related legal and administrative measures, digital and media outreach activities, and examples such as urban forests and canal plastic-reduction initiatives. Written Answers to Questions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education for details on the “Clean Sri Lanka” Presidential Task Force, including its current membership, projects implemented and completed, total and project-wise expenditure, and progress on tasks I to IX listed in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2415/59 of 19 December 2024. He also sought reasons if the requested information could not be provided. Written Answers to Questions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Minister reported that title registration has been implemented in 138 Divisional Secretaries’ Divisions, with 951,096 land parcels completed and 482,139 title certificates issued for private parcels by 31 December 2025, supported by 1,059 staff. He outlined proposed amendments to the Registration of Title Act, No. 21 of 1998, including changes to institutional designations, expanded registrar appointments, cadastral map procedures, digital extracts, fee provisions, correction and rectification powers, and treatment of grants and acquired land in the title register. A draft incorporating these reforms is being prepared for submission to Cabinet approval. Written Answers to Questions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera submitted a written question to the Minister of Justice and National Integration on the July 2025 committee report reviewing the Debt Conciliation Ordinance and its procedures. He sought details on whether the report was received, the committee’s membership, its main recommendations, administrative actions taken, proposed legal amendments and their progress, as well as the current composition, staffing, and 2026 allocation of the Debt Conciliation Board. Written Answers to Questions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake addressed reports of a Rs. 13.2 billion fraud at a Sri Lankan bank, stating that the President is intervening, depositors are not affected, and the bank is not at risk of collapse due to capital requirements and regulatory oversight. He said any wrongdoing by bank owners, senior officers, or employees should be dealt with through appropriate Central Bank and audit interventions. He also criticized foreign media reports suggesting fuel shortages or economic paralysis, arguing that fuel supply has been maintained despite global pressures and that the economy is growing at 5.2 percent. Debate: Amendment of Standing Orders 119(4) and 120(4) and Committee Stage Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath discussed the role of COPA and COPE under Standing Orders 119 and 120, arguing that they must move beyond audit discussions to effective follow-up on fraud, corruption and institutional inefficiency. He cited recent COPA actions, including recovery of payments for excess or misused fuel by former provincial officials, and examples of irregular conduct such as improper vehicle registration. He supported proposed amendments to Standing Orders to allow Parliament, after debate on COPA recommendations and ministerial observations, to refer findings of fraud or corruption to bodies such as the CID or the Bribery Commission for legal action. Debate: Amendment of Standing Orders 119(4) and 120(4) and Committee Stage Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake supported the intent of proposed Standing Order amendments but argued that existing COPE and COPA mechanisms under Parliament’s fiscal powers should be corrected and expedited rather than creating a new process. He raised concern that public officers are deterred from taking discretionary decisions due to overlapping scrutiny from audit, anti-corruption and law enforcement bodies, and urged that international recommendations be adapted to Sri Lankan conditions. He also called for urgent scrutiny of Central Bank bank supervision following reported irregularities at NDB, references to Cargills Bank and Sampath Bank matters, and questioned the role of CBSL supervisory and audit functions, requesting ministerial and Cabinet attention to strengthen bank balance sheets and the supervisory framework. Debate: Amendment of Standing Orders 119(4) and 120(4) and Committee Stage Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Clarified that VAT and the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) should not be treated as equivalent, noting that VAT applies to value addition across the supply chain while SSCL issues, particularly for motor vehicles, relate to imports and resale practices. Explained that charging SSCL at import and not again on resale is intended to ensure fair and balanced taxation. The related Bill was then passed with amendments to Clauses 2–4. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva sought clarification from the Minister on the broader tax incidence of the 2.5 per cent Social Security Contribution Levy. He asked what its VAT-equivalent burden would be compared with VAT, noting that SSCL is non-creditable and functions like a provincial sales tax rather than a value-added tax. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said investment incentives would be assessed case by case against national interest criteria such as foreign exchange, employment, technology transfer and infrastructure, replacing blanket tax holidays with a maximum 10-year limit and no extensions. He stated that a 15 per cent minimum tax aligned with BEPS principles is proposed to address profit shifting, while broader investment promotion would depend on political stability, transparency and ease of doing business. He also clarified that SSCL on motor vehicle imports would not cascade on secondary sales, and noted that new Central Bank Act rules allow exporters to invest domestically in dollar bonds. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva said the Committee on Public Finance had repeatedly sought a clear definition of “strategic” in the relevant policy or proposal. He questioned whether the prioritisation criteria were based on technology or other considerations, noting that the current presentation appeared to rely only on investment size and labour. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →