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- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma responded on behalf of the Finance Minister to a question on SriLankan Airlines’ financial performance, listing annual profits and losses from 2014/2015 to 2023/2024, including a Rs. 166 billion loss in 2021/2022 and a Rs. 3.87 billion profit in 2023/2024. He attributed losses to factors including mismanagement, politicization, fuel price increases, airport closure, aircraft lease cancellation costs, interest costs, the Easter attacks, COVID-19 travel restrictions, currency depreciation and economic turmoil. He stated that a Board-approved comprehensive Business Plan would be submitted to an EGM for shareholder approval, with future action to follow, and placed the detailed answer in the Library. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines Profit/Loss and Customs Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to provide year-by-year details of SriLankan Airlines’ profits or losses from 2015 to date, along with the reasons for those financial outcomes. He also sought information on what measures the Government intends to take to prevent the airline from continuing to incur losses. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines Profit/Loss and Customs Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi questioned the implementation of the Lunugamwehera project, citing allegations that vested interests outweighed public needs under the previous Government. He noted deficiencies in elephant protection centres, including in Kolonna, Ratnapura and Udawalawe, where basic resources were lacking despite their tourism importance. He asked whether the Minister had identified new programmes and approaches for elephant conservation or would continue with existing plans and officials. Oral Question: Wild Elephant Detention Centre in Lunugamwehera (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi replied that Rs. 431.89 million had been spent on the Lunugamwehera National Park elephant detention centre, including tanks, roads, culverts, vegetation clearance, fencing, and railway sleeper transport. He stated that funding came from the World Bank’s Ecosystem Conservation and Management Project and the Wildlife Conservation Fund. He acknowledged allegations regarding the project and said a preliminary ministerial inquiry is underway, with further action to depend on its findings. Oral Question: Wild Elephant Detention Centre in Lunugamwehera (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka provided details on landslide-risk locations in Matale District affecting 42 families and outlined the Government’s resettlement assistance scheme. He stated that existing grants for land purchase, house purchase, or construction are insufficient, and a Cabinet Memorandum is being prepared to increase allocations while allowing interim use of funds for basic habitable units. He also noted temporary rental assistance, evacuation coordination during heavy rainfall based on National Building Research Organization warnings, and proposed Disaster Management Act amendments regarding residents unwilling to relocate from high-risk areas. Answers to Written Questions: Landslide Risk Areas Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka provided details of identified landslide-risk areas in the Badulla District, stating that 241 families or locations had been identified across several Divisional Secretariat divisions. He outlined existing resettlement assistance, including grants for land purchase, land with a house, or house construction, and said a Cabinet Memorandum is being prepared to increase these amounts due to current market prices. He also noted temporary rental assistance for affected families, evacuation arrangements during heavy rainfall based on National Building Research Organization warnings, and proposed amendments to the Disaster Management Act concerning persons unwilling to resettle from high-risk areas. Answers to Written Questions: Landslide Risk Areas Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayaka AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayaka provided details of landslide-risk areas in the Kegalle District, listing 241 identified risk locations or families across several Divisional Secretariat areas. He outlined the existing resettlement assistance amounts and said a Cabinet Memorandum is being prepared to increase grants for land purchase, land-with-house purchase, and house construction due to current market costs. He also noted temporary measures, including rental allowances, interim housing arrangements, evacuations during heavy rainfall based on NBRO warnings, and proposed amendments to the Disaster Management Act for persons unwilling to resettle from high-risk areas. Answers to Written Questions: Landslide Risk Areas Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka urged the Government to act without mismanagement and to fulfil pledges made during its election campaign. He specifically called for swift legal action against major fraudsters, those implicated in the Central Bank bond scam, and cases referred to in the alleged 400 corruption files. He also asked the Government to deliver promised reductions in electricity tariffs and fuel prices by curbing ministerial commissions. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister clarified the status of Sathosa rice procurement tenders for 5,200 metric tons, stating that the first tender was not rejected but could not proceed because the two bidders did not individually meet the requirement to supply the full quantity under government procedure. He added that the second tender received no bids and the third was rejected on quality grounds, disputing claims that tenders had been repeatedly rejected. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka urged that the programme under discussion be continued with a clear plan, consistent workflow, and a proper legal framework, noting apparent contradictions in its legal basis. He argued that its credibility depends on addressing waste and corruption in public service and politics, including through transparency over reported expenditure of about Rs. 7 million on the launch ceremony. He also called on the Government to set an example internally, referring to allegations that some ruling party politicians had presented false educational qualifications during the last General Election. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka said the Clean Sri Lanka programme, launched by the President on 1 January, had not been adequately explained to the public, Cabinet, Government MPs, or implementing agencies, leading to confusion over its scope. He urged the Government to improve communication and public awareness, and to focus on practical infrastructure needs including waste collection and disposal, waste-to-energy options, tourist sanitary facilities, and sanitation in remote villages and schools. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said the Clean Sri Lanka Project is part of the Government’s mandate to reform political culture and public administration, rejecting Opposition claims that the programme or the Government would fail. She cited recent measures including debt servicing, economic stabilization, increased Aswasuma benefits, fertilizer subsidies, pension increases, schoolbook support, and reduced ministerial expenditure as evidence of progress. She also referred to stronger excise revenue collection and enforcement against tax defaulters, arguing that the Government would continue efforts to curb waste, corruption, and divisive political campaigns. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said Customs trade unions had begun action after 270 containers were allegedly released without inspection, and tabled the unions’ letter to the Director-General of Customs, raising concerns about possible contents and revenue loss. He reiterated allegations about expenditure on the Clean Sri Lanka launch, claiming his intervention reduced the cost from Rs. 7 million to Rs. 900,000, and questioned who funded related Christmas lighting, drone shows and entertainment. While stating that Clean Sri Lanka was a positive initiative, he argued that it should first address shootings, homicides, the underworld and drug trafficking before focusing on waste management. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha defended the Clean Sri Lanka programme against Opposition claims that it is unclear, arguing that any ambiguity should be clarified while proceeding with its broader social, economic and political reform aims. He linked the programme to the Government’s electoral mandate, saying it seeks to address economic collapse, social problems, corruption of political culture and public discontent inherited from previous administrations. He also cited recent peaceful elections and restraint in the use of official privileges as evidence of a changed political culture, and rejected Opposition criticism on issues such as rice and paddy as politically motivated. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva urged the Government to define “Clean Sri Lanka” as including action against corruption and called for implementation of the Committee on Public Finance’s 665-page report, including investigation of the visa issue. He said Opposition members had also avoided privileges and used unpaid volunteers in initiatives such as 1990 Suwaseriya, and expressed willingness to cooperate if the programme is properly implemented. He questioned the Government’s handling of electricity tariffs, alleging misleading claims about CEB losses despite large profits, and said PUCSL consultation showed greater tariff reductions were possible. He also called for transparent regulation of petroleum and water pricing through the PUCSL, with proper consultations to identify and correct errors. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Clean Sri Lanka was presented as a broad governance and cultural reform programme rather than a short-term street-cleaning initiative, with examples cited such as reduced presidential expenditure, fewer entourages and security arrangements, and ministers avoiding costly official residences. Ravindra Bandara said government members were not seeking bar permits, car permits or commissions, and argued that investigations into corruption were proceeding through commissions and the Attorney-General’s Department. He also referred to the Rs. 6,000 school-supplies payment for eligible students, including Samurdhi beneficiary families and children in smaller schools and care institutions, while saying beneficiary lists would be corrected. He urged the Opposition to offer constructive proposals and said the Government expected to continue its mandate and pursue local and provincial election victories. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to act on alleged corruption and profiteering, citing a medicine reportedly reduced from Rs. 76,000 to Rs. 370 and the delayed tabling of the bar licence list promised within 48 hours. He said the Government, with its parliamentary majority, should stop blaming past administrations and directly address any “mafia” or wrongdoing. He also raised concerns about alleged manipulation within the Ceylon Electricity Board, particularly system-control practices and the influence of union figures, comparing it to the former diesel mafia. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha questioned the Government’s vision, scope and funding mechanism for the Clean Sri Lanka programme, stating that officials and the public appear to lack a common understanding of its activities and objectives. He asked for a clear activity list and raised concerns about practical implementation, including waste disposal after clean-up activities and enforcement against vehicle accessories. He argued that the programme should address issues he described as political and economic “mafias,” including liquor licence allocations, trade agreements such as ETCA and the Singapore agreement, the rice market, electricity tariffs, and the pharmaceutical sector. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana highlighted deaths and economic losses caused by human-elephant conflict, dengue, floods, landslides and other climate-related hazards, citing Sri Lanka’s ranking in the Global Climate Risk Index and annual disaster losses exceeding USD 300 million. He defended the Clean Sri Lanka programme as a response to these challenges and rejected claims that its launch cost over Rs. 7 million, stating the committed amount was about Rs. 900,000. He urged Opposition Members and the wider public, including private entities, state institutions, volunteers, expatriates and experts, to support the programme, noting that rupee and dollar accounts had been opened for contributions. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Illegal mining activity is under investigation and has been stopped, with authorities assessing the extent of extraction beyond permitted volumes. CCTV monitoring of truck movements has been introduced, revealing frequent removal of loads and attempts to avoid or disable surveillance. Legal action will be taken after the over-extraction is quantified. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →