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- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa stated that the Government intends to rebuild the country while providing relief to the public. He also said the Government is ending the public burden of maintaining retired Presidents and their households. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayathissa presented Government Valuer assessments and maintenance costs for official residences allocated to former Presidents and a former First Lady, arguing that the State is carrying an unjustifiable financial burden. He cited high property values and monthly rental estimates, including Rs. 4.6 million for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Wijerama Mawatha residence, and detailed recent repair and maintenance expenditure borne by the State. He said some former office-holders had vacated their residences, while others remained, and indicated that the valuation of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s residence would be tabled later. He called for former Presidents to relinquish such residences, stating that the Government intends to change the political culture around post-retirement privileges. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman raised concerns over delays at Sri Lanka Customs, stating that around 3,000 containers were stuck and that demurrage and port-related costs would be passed on to consumers, including for essential goods. He called for an investigation and suspensions over the reported release of 323 containers, particularly those allegedly requiring “red line” checks, and asked who authorized the releases. He also criticized rising rice and coconut prices, urged the Government to gazette a guaranteed paddy price, remove the Rs. 65 per kg levy on imported rice if it was inherited from the previous administration, and resolve contradictions over public servants’ vehicle permits. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister opened debate on economic stabilization measures, including a Gazette to establish a textile production zone in Eravur with a USD 35 million investment, tax concessions, projected returns of about USD 300 million, and around 490 direct jobs. He compared recent FDI figures with the Government’s reported USD 3.78 billion Hambantota refinery investment, argued that corruption allegations and demands for commissions deter investors, and questioned the outcomes of past foreign travel expenditure by MPs and officials. He also rejected claims linking reduced security for former Presidents to renewed insecurity in the North, citing recent electoral support across regions, and highlighted migration and suicide statistics as evidence of continuing economic and social pressures the Government says it seeks to address. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Related Economic Measures Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said the passport issuance crisis was inherited from the previous Government and is being managed through online appointments, urgent-review committees, and controlled daily issuance of around 2,900 passports despite a nominal cap of 2,500. He stated that about 586,935 applications had been received since January 2024 and about 587,094 passports issued, with a remaining backlog of roughly 125,000, while stock is conserved pending replenishment. He cited inadequate prior ordering and the pending writ case C.A. 609/2024 as barriers to normalization, and said the Government is expediting legal proceedings, considering an expert committee report, and initiating emergency procurement of five million passport booklets, with normalization expected after August 2025. He added that the current supplier, Thales DIS Finland Oy, is delivering monthly lots under the existing tender, and that the e-passports issued comply with ICAO standards. Question by Private Notice: Delay in Issuing Passports Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Energy to provide import data for petrol, diesel, kerosene and crude oil for the period 21 October to 30 November 2024. The question requested the tax per litre, total tax collected for each fuel type, and amounts paid as unloading or landing fees, and asked for reasons if the information could not be provided. Oral Question: Fuel Imports (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene and Crude Oil) Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that efforts to bring informal economic activity into the formal sector must protect livelihoods and future security. He said informal vendors or structures should not be removed overnight without providing alternative sites or means of income, and that any such action would be accompanied by plans to integrate affected persons into the formal economy. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Alternatives are being considered to provide fair relief to traders without placing an undue financial burden on the Urban Development Authority. The matter is still under review, with alternative investors and proposals being sought, and specific timelines will be provided once a final arrangement is reached. Oral Question: Olcott Mawatha Traders and Floating Market Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya stated that ministers and MPs are using non-luxury, fuel-efficient official vehicles sourced from ministries where available, while some continue to use personal vehicles. She said fuel expenditure has been reduced from a monthly average of Rs. 3.24 million up to November 2024 to under Rs. 1 million, and that Rs. 37 million was saved by not using two bulletproof vehicles at the Prime Minister’s Office. She rejected concerns over vehicle use as unfounded and requested Hon. Chamara Sampath to submit the relevant document for examination. Oral Question: Vehicle Assignments to Government Members Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Vehicle imports in 2025 will be managed to support economic expansion while staying within IMF-related reserve constraints and prioritizing passenger, goods, and private transport needs. The Minister stated that the Government has not decided to cancel or invalidate vehicle permits for eligible officials, but allowing all estimated 15,000–20,000 outstanding permits at once would undermine 2025 economic targets. He said any review of past permit arrangements as compensation for inadequate pay or benefits would be considered separately. Oral Question: IMF-related Economic Measures and Vehicle Imports Policy Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Najith Indika JJB AI summary Najith Indika asked the Minister to clarify the Government’s position on vehicle permits for senior officials, noting public debate after the President’s remarks on a television programme. He said vehicle imports had been halted since 2020 and questioned whether previously issued permits for senior officials would be cancelled. Oral Question: IMF-related Economic Measures and Vehicle Imports Policy Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha stated that vehicle imports would be reopened only gradually under the IMF programme, prioritizing economically essential transport and goods transport before private vehicles. He said foreign reserves, though above USD 6 billion, could not be used to meet accumulated demand at once, and decisions would be guided by the Finance Ministry and Central Bank. He rejected claims that price increases were intended to protect leasing companies, explaining that revisions followed IMF-consistent inflation indexation of administered prices and were not made to benefit any specific group. Oral Question: IMF-related Economic Measures and Vehicle Imports Policy Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Asked the Government to clarify its position on permitting vehicle imports following reports of a policy decision. She specifically questioned whether the import plan is intended to protect leasing and finance companies or serves a broader policy objective. Oral Question: IMF-related Economic Measures and Vehicle Imports Policy Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, Prof. Anil Jayantha confirmed that an IMF official had commented on social spending and stated that Rs. 205 billion was allocated for 2024, of which Rs. 159.5 billion, or 77.5 per cent, had been spent. He said the allocation was part of broader welfare spending across more than 38 programmes, but acknowledged that fiscal limits and weaknesses in beneficiary identification, data collection, verification, and implementation of the Social Welfare Information System had delayed disbursement. He added that interim short-term measures would begin from 25 January 2025 to address eligible persons who had been left out. Oral Question: IMF-related Economic Measures and Vehicle Imports Policy Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development whether the Government was aware of the IMF Senior Mission Chief’s statement on 23 November 2024 that Sri Lanka had not met IMF social spending targets. She requested details on 2024 Budget allocations and actual spending for Aswesuma beneficiaries, the elderly, chronically ill persons and disabled citizens, including the percentage spent, the IMF-required social spending amount, and the reason adequate funds were not allocated. Oral Question: IMF-related Economic Measures and Vehicle Imports Policy Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Prof. Anil Jayantha stated that the Government would conduct detailed cost analyses to identify non-value-added activities and skills gaps for reform. He emphasized that efficiency and cost reduction in banking would be pursued through gradual digitalization and technology adoption, while maintaining selective physical outreach and considering international expansion. Oral Question No. 3 & 4 – 149/2024 & 176/2024: Bank of Ceylon Financial Status and Performance Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Asked whether a bank with 8,500 staff and 658 branches can further expand its branch network while improving automation, noting that international banks often operate with fewer staff per branch. He questioned what measures are being taken to reduce high administrative costs, which he said contribute to higher lending rates for the public. Oral Question No. 3 & 4 – 149/2024 & 176/2024: Bank of Ceylon Financial Status and Performance Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary The Minister stated that return on equity in State banks should be assessed through a detailed decomposition analysis to identify operational drivers, including administrative cost impacts. He noted that financial conditions are stabilizing and emphasized the importance of a sound financial system, with State banks playing a major role. He also said past appointments to bank governing bodies had included unqualified or inexperienced persons, and cited the appointment of the current Bank of Ceylon Chairman, a former Citibank Country Director, as an example of merit-based selection. Oral Question No. 3 & 4 – 149/2024 & 176/2024: Bank of Ceylon Financial Status and Performance Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake acknowledged the response given and contrasted deteriorated financial discipline before 2022 with improvements under the new Board and CEO Russel Fonseka appointed in 2022–2023. He asked whether the fall and subsequent recovery in return on equity was accepted, and whether the causes related to administrative costs or staff competencies and efficiency issues. Oral Question No. 3 & 4 – 149/2024 & 176/2024: Bank of Ceylon Financial Status and Performance Read →
- 23 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Responding on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Prof. Anil Jayantha provided detailed information on the Bank of Ceylon, including its incorporation date, current leadership, 658 branches, 8,214 employees, Rs. 253 billion paid-up capital, and compliance with Basel capital adequacy requirements. He tabled financial performance data, stating that profits ranged from Rs. 20.3 billion in 2014 to Rs. 40.3 billion in 2023, with estimated profits of about or above Rs. 100 billion for 2024-2026, alongside ROA, ROE, administrative cost, net interest margin, and total asset figures. He further stated that no loans above Rs. 1 billion had been written off, though provisions exceeding Rs. 1 billion had been made in accordance with International Accounting Standards and internal procedures. Oral Question No. 3 & 4 – 149/2024 & 176/2024: Bank of Ceylon Financial Status and Performance Read →