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 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that the Government had already explained its approach to addressing the economic crisis, emphasizing relief for affected people, stabilization, and rebuilding. He said the Government would not repeat past mistakes or impose avoidable hardship, and that Parliament had been mandated by the people to implement these solutions. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando questioned the Government’s debt management commitments in relation to its policy manifesto “Prosperous Country, Beautiful Life.” He asked whether the Government’s acknowledgment of public pressure under the relevant Agreement amounted to an admission that its promised debt sustainability analysis and manageable debt-service targets were not accurate. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister, replying on behalf of the Finance Minister, stated that the IMF Extended Fund Facility was approved with the first USD 330 million tranche disbursed on 20 March 2023, and acknowledged public hardship from prior actions such as tax reforms, utility tariff increases, and targeted social assistance. He said the Government had introduced mitigating measures including a higher PAYE tax-free threshold, selected VAT exemptions, reduced export service levy, schoolchild allowances, increased fertilizer support, and fuel subsidies for fisheries. He added that social safety nets, including Aswesuma, are being expanded and reviewed, with the 2025 allocation raised to Rs. 232.5 billion, while further relief would be considered within fiscal constraints. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to state when Sri Lanka’s agreement with the IMF was signed and whether the Government recognizes the public pressure arising from its terms. He further asked whether the agreement would be amended to provide relief, what measures would be taken if so, and, if not, the reasons for not doing so. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya presented foreign exchange and import/export control instruments issued under the Foreign Exchange Act and Imports and Exports (Control) Act, and moved that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. She also presented a report responding to matters raised by the Committee on Public Accounts regarding the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and its institutions, moving its referral to that Committee. In addition, she tabled multiple Orders under the Universities Act relating to degree-awarding approvals for specified private and professional higher education institutions, which were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented Read →
- 10 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa clarified the Government’s position regarding media reports that Rs. 7 million had been spent on the Clean Sri Lanka launch. He stated that only about Rs. 900,000 had been approved for payment, that no payments had yet been made for items such as a singer, lyricist, or website, and that higher quotations were not procured. He said the claims made in Parliament the previous day were false and that no Treasury expenditure above Rs. 900,000 had been made or intended for the launch. Procedural Clarification on Media Report Read →
- 9 January 2025 Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayasinghe AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayasinghe said inflation had been reduced from the extreme levels of 2022 and 2023 to a disinflationary position, though not deflation, and argued that it must be kept under firm control without destabilising the economy. He highlighted that real wages in the public, formal private, and informal sectors had fallen sharply since 2021, making wage recovery and expanded assistance schemes important, with further wage increases to be considered in the Budget. He also said the Government was monitoring possible artificial shortages and cartel activity, particularly in essential goods such as rice, and would intervene where market behaviour created instability, while rejecting arbitrary price controls. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister rejected the Adjournment Motion’s claims that the Government was failing to address shortages, high prices and market distortions, arguing that the NPP had inherited a severely weakened economy requiring gradual and prudent corrective measures. He denied allegations that the Government had promised an immediate 60 per cent reduction in electricity tariffs, stating that tariff reductions must be calibrated to avoid harming production. He said recent price pressures should be assessed through inflation trends, noting that the previous administration had presided over very high food and headline inflation, while the current Government was working to stabilize prices, support production and implement structural reforms. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala said the Government should stop blaming past administrations and use its large mandate to address current hardships, particularly food insecurity, high rice prices, fuel taxes, electricity bills, public sector salary delays, and retirees’ deposit interest. He urged the Government to fulfil election promises, including reducing living costs and prosecuting corruption cases by correcting technical defects and refiling withdrawn indictments. He also questioned actions against audio equipment in three-wheelers and buses, warned against restoring taxes on essential food items, and called for urgent action on passport appointment delays to support foreign employment, study, remittances, and reserves. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan defended the 50-day-old Government against Opposition criticism, arguing that previous administrations were responsible for the 2022 economic collapse and that the new Government has a mandate to rebuild the country. He referred to the President’s Throne Speech roadmap, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, district and divisional coordination efforts, environmental protection, rural economic upliftment, and action on human-elephant conflict. He called for fair and constructive Opposition engagement while emphasizing the Government’s commitment to corruption-free, rules-based governance, economic democracy, and broad-based recovery. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Lasith Bhashana Gamage said the Government’s initial relief was removing what he described as corrupt elite family politics and addressing a bankrupt economy, collapsed production, and social hardship. He cited measures including increasing the fertilizer subsidy from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000, assistance to 186,500 fisher families, expanded Aswesuma benefits for vulnerable groups, and a Rs. 6,000 allowance for schoolchildren, beginning with Aswesuma beneficiary families and small schools. He said development and welfare work would continue through District and Divisional Coordinating Committees until local authorities are constituted, while acknowledging implementation issues in Aswesuma and price pressures linked to past decisions. He argued that the Government would manage issues such as rice and salt supply and continue its programme despite Opposition criticism. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB AI summary Deputy Minister T.B. Sarath rejected Opposition claims of unmanaged shortages in rice, salt, and coconuts, while acknowledging a scarcity of Nadu rice and alleging that major millers were influencing supply and prices. He defended the Government’s controlled consumer prices for rice, arguing that reducing import duties during harvest would depress farmgate prices, and said the policy aims to balance consumer protection with fair returns for farmers. He also stated that the fertilizer subsidy had been raised from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 per hectare, with Rs. 18 billion already paid or allocated, and said comprehensive farmer data would be presented within six months. The Deputy Minister maintained that the Government would address supply and pricing issues methodically and that results would be visible within one to three months. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody defended the NPP Government’s early economic record, citing negative CCPI inflation in November and December 2024, expanded welfare and subsidy measures, pension and allowance increases, and a raised PAYE tax threshold for professionals. He argued that public confidence and indicators such as the stock market, tourism, and economic stability had improved despite Opposition criticism. On electricity, he said the Government had submitted proposals to the Public Utilities Commission to keep tariffs unchanged during an expected dry period that would raise generation costs, with the State absorbing the burden rather than passing it to consumers. He attributed high tariffs to past corruption, poor planning, and institutional weaknesses, including vacancies at the CEB, and said the Government was implementing corrective measures. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka raised concerns about the treatment of senior citizens, noting that a previous 15% special interest benefit for private-sector EPF holders had been reduced despite promises of an additional 5%, and was now at 7.5%. He also criticized continuing public queues, specifically for rice and passports, as evidence of unresolved service and supply issues. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned whether the Government had implemented promised tax relief, including removing VAT on school supplies, books, and medicines, despite having a two-thirds majority and more than 100 days in office. He argued that the Rs. 4,000 allowance for public servants was inadequate compared to the Rs. 15,000 requested by the Sri Lanka Administrative Service, and criticized the taxation of interest income, including the increase of Withholding Tax from 5% to 10%, as inconsistent with the Government’s stated commitment to senior citizens. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the government has decided to provide a Rs. 6,000 grant to every child in schools with fewer than 300 students. He noted that this policy will apply to more than 6,000 schools. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned the Government’s administrative capacity, arguing that delays in importing rice and completing a tender raise doubts about its ability to handle larger tasks. Responding to interruptions, he stated that he had already explained the tender and import process and noted that 170,000 metric tonnes of rice were currently being brought in. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka supported the Opposition’s adjournment motion on rising essential prices and shortages, arguing that the Government has not delivered promised reductions in water, electricity and fuel tariffs despite receiving a strong mandate. He compared the current administration’s first 100 days with measures taken by the Yahapalana Government, including salary increases, fuel and electricity price reductions, price controls on essentials, the Right to Information Act and independent commissions. He focused on the rice shortage, questioning the availability of promised stocks, the effectiveness of controlled prices, reliance on Sathosa, and the Government’s decision to import rice despite earlier pledges against doing so. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected Opposition claims that the Government was inactive on cost-of-living issues, saying its public-sector pay policy would be announced in the forthcoming Budget and challenging allegations about salary increases in state boards. He said the Government was using the 448-outlet Sathosa network to intervene in essential goods markets, including potatoes, onions, sugar, dhal, rice and canned fish, and cited a reduction of the controlled price of a 425g canned fish tin to Rs. 380 after consultations with local producers. Addressing rice prices and imports, he said Sri Lanka should have sufficient domestic production based on recent output and consumption figures, and argued that the issue lay in market governance rather than an inherent production shortfall. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan called for a review of welfare schemes, stating that deserving families in several districts are being excluded while ineligible persons receive benefits. He supported efforts to raise plantation workers’ wages and urged government action to provide land and housing for hill-country Tamils living in line rooms. He also demanded the proper payment of resettlement and damage grants to displaced families in the North and East, citing Kilinochchi figures and asking that applications be processed through local officials. He raised concern over an alleged assault and sexual harassment incident at Periyaneelavanai Police Station and warned against actions or rhetoric affecting Tamil land and settlement issues. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →