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- 21 January 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna raised concerns over alleged large-scale fraud in sand mining and sales by CPL, despite recorded tender-based sand income of Rs. 132.8 million from 2021 to 2023. He cited audit findings and inquiries indicating a Rs. 746.6 million loss at Mukkutoduwawa and a further estimated Rs. 400 million loss from unauthorized excess mining at Palai estate. He stated that investigations are ongoing and alleged involvement of prominent politicians and contractors. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Sand extraction and sale took place on Chilaw Plantations Limited lands to generate income and supply potting sand for coconut cultivation, but the Minister said the activity caused environmental harm, failed to meet its objectives, and involved irregular transactions, leading the Ministry to suspend operations and order investigations. He provided annual coconut income and production figures for 2019-2023, noting a decline in 2023 yields due to rainfall and climate factors, fertilizer shortages linked to COVID-19 and the economic crisis, high input costs, management weaknesses, and malpractices. Measures proposed to improve yields include proper fertilizer use, water conservation and harvesting, pest and weed control, mulching, cover crops, organic manure, intercropping, erosion control, micronutrients, stronger agronomic supervision, better estate management, and reduced harvest losses. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam thanked the Minister for taking corrective action and asked whether, in addition to future revisions, arrears due from 2020 onward could be paid within the current or following year. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary Pensions for officers who retired between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2019 have been revised only up to the first two stages under the relevant Public Administration Circulars, while stages 3 to 5 remain pending due to earlier Cabinet suspensions and a need for a further policy decision. A Fundamental Rights case is pending before the Supreme Court, after which the matter is to be submitted to Cabinet for a decision on payments. Implementing the remaining stages for 112,984 retirees would require an additional annual provision of Rs. 7,704 million, and 1,254 of those retirees have since died. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that although the original question concerned the Kolonnawa plan, he would examine the broader issues raised due to their public importance. He affirmed that land or areas reserved for public use would not be allowed to be diverted to other purposes. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma criticized past management of SriLankan Airlines, citing leased aircraft kept unused at a cost of nearly USD 1 million per month per aircraft, and argued that such losses were ultimately borne by the public. He stated that the Government’s policy is not to run public entities into losses and then sell them, but to improve efficiency through appointed boards, while considering options such as private investment and public-private partnerships where appropriate. He said boards have been directed to present alternatives and that progress would be reflected in future financial statements. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake challenged the Government to clarify its policy on loss-making State-Owned Enterprises in the context of the IMF Agreement. He asked whether entities such as SriLankan Airlines would be commercialized or privatized, or whether the Government would retain them and continue absorbing their losses. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma said large losses had arisen from opaque and poor management practices. He argued that pricing should follow a cost-recovery basis, taking account of both production costs and legacy financial obligations, while minimizing burdens on the public. He added that institutions should be properly managed and relief extended where feasible, rather than allowing unsustainable losses to be transferred to the public. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Deputy Minister on the financial turnaround of 90 state entities from a Rs. 820 billion loss in 2022 to a Rs. 784 billion profit in 2023, noting that three cited entities showed a shift from a trillion-rupee loss to about Rs. 200 billion profit. He asked whether this was due to earlier lack of fiscal discipline or the Government taking excessive profits, and, if so, when the promised Rs. 160 reduction in fuel prices would be implemented. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma cited the Ceylon Electricity Board’s financial performance, noting a loss of Rs. 298 billion in 2022 and a profit of Rs. 61.235 billion in 2023. He then asked whether there were any other entities to be discussed. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma cited the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s financial turnaround, noting a Rs. 617 billion loss in 2022 and a Rs. 120 billion profit after tax in 2023. He indicated that further figures could be provided if required. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma noted SriLankan Airlines’ financial turnaround, stating that the airline recorded a loss of Rs. 73.264 billion in 2022 but a profit of Rs. 3.8 billion in 2023. The remark highlighted the change in the airline’s reported financial performance between the two years. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that he had details available up to 2023 and indicated he would read from a list concerning Profit After Tax. The remarks appear to introduce or provide financial figures in response to a matter under discussion. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested discussion on several major state-owned and public service institutions: the Ceylon Electricity Board, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, SriLankan Airlines, the Road Development Authority, and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. The intervention appears to seek parliamentary attention to the performance, management, or policy issues relating to these entities. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning answered a question on state-owned commercial entities, stating that 90 are currently functioning, including 52 identified as strategically important. He said information on their profits or losses, return on investment, accumulated profit or loss, and capital and loan investments over the relevant periods had been tabled in annexes placed in the Library. He also noted that audited financial information was incomplete for several entities due to reasons such as recent commencement of operations, accounts not being prepared, non-operation, unavailable information, or inadequate recording of operations. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to provide details on all Government-owned companies, corporations, and commercial establishments currently operating in Sri Lanka. He requested figures on their profits or losses, return on investment over the past 15 years, cumulative financial performance since commencement, and the value of short- and long-term capital and loan investments, or an explanation if the information cannot be provided. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that repairs and restoration work are underway for damaged sports facilities, including the track and other affected areas. He added that a significant allocation has been included in the year’s Estimates for sports development. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera thanked the Minister for inspecting the venue following his question, but outlined continuing defects at the sports complex, including damage to the 400-metre track, blocked drainage, poor pool maintenance, absence of changing rooms, lack of storage for provincial sports equipment, inter-agency coordination problems, and failing rainwater systems at the indoor stadium. He asked whether the Government would allocate funds to rectify these shortcomings and ensure cooperation between the Department of Sports Development and provincial officials. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma rejected claims about rate changes being implemented without approval, stating that any increases take effect only after parliamentary approval and due process. He asked for details of any entity acting contrary to regulations and said the matter would be investigated, while indicating that measures to provide relief to eligible persons would be presented. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando questioned the Government on the increase in withholding taxes despite relief announced on PAYE. He highlighted delays and lack of awareness among eligible senior citizens seeking refunds under the mechanism limited to Sri Lankan resident citizens aged 60 or above with annual income not exceeding Rs. 1.2 million, and asked whether action would be taken with a clear timeline to address the bottlenecks. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →