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- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla defended the Government’s early performance, arguing that it should be given time to rebuild the country and agriculture sector after what he described as decades of hardship and neglect. He said Cabinet members, MPs, and party members were working voluntarily, and asserted that the Government would fulfil its promises within five years, including addressing longstanding grievances affecting rural children’s educational opportunities. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla rejected Opposition claims that the Government had broken its promises, citing increased allowances for elders and CKD patients, continued foreign investment interest, no seizure of private property, and correction of welfare benefit allocations. He argued that the previous governments left widespread poverty, neglected rural infrastructure and education in areas such as Mahiyanganaya, and failed to rebuild agricultural systems and paddy storage facilities. He stated that current rice supply issues could not be resolved immediately after taking office because the Paddy Marketing Board and its stores had been weakened or repurposed under earlier administrations. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa urged the Government to implement its election promises within the promised “100 days,” citing unresolved issues over rice, salt, coconuts, taxes, IMF commitments, and investor policy. He criticized alleged attacks on media and social media users, warned against using repression to mask administrative shortcomings, and called for lawful, consistent handling of defamation and terrorism-related complaints. He also raised concerns about politicization of the public service, unclear policy direction, and the implementation of the Clean Sri Lanka programme, asking that vehicle and traffic enforcement be regulated through the Motor Traffic Act without harming related livelihoods. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake alleged that Rs. 7 million in expenditure, including payments for a singer, recording, a website, and related costs, had been rejected by the President’s Office Accounts Branch due to improper procurement, and said he would table the documents. He urged the Health Minister to make better use of river resources for hospital water and hygiene and to prioritize building new hospitals over publicity-focused activities. He also called for quicker and more substantive responses to parliamentary questions, while referring to the role of 22 MPs who previously crossed over to support the current Government. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that establishing the Clean Sri Lanka fund under the Treasury Secretary is appropriate because government funds should be placed under the Treasury. He also asked the Member who cited figures on payments to a singer and others to submit those details either orally or in writing. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the Government’s conduct during its first 50 days, citing incidents including Bingiriya, the Health Minister’s actions at a cancer hospital event, rice tenders, and the launch of the Clean Sri Lanka programme. He alleged procurement irregularities in the programme’s launch expenditure, including payments for a song, website, and stage participants, and challenged the Government to table documents, saying he would resign if his claims were false. He further argued that the Clean Sri Lanka fund had been routed through the Deputy Treasury Secretary due to legal constraints under the State Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, and urged the Government to implement the programme lawfully while asking the Health Minister to prioritize hospital hygiene. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister cited accident statistics for SLTB and private buses in 2024 and urged Members to use factual data in debate, while requesting that a derogatory term used against the Opposition be expunged from Hansard. He defended the Government against allegations about its past role in government and current investigations, stating that legal processes would be followed and that the Government would not be destabilized by media or Opposition tactics. He argued that the new administration had begun changing political culture despite limited time in office, said inflation had eased, and outlined planned measures including the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, public sector salary increases, expanded Aswesuma benefits, education support for children, and other relief measures in the forthcoming Budget. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Amila Prasad moved an adjournment motion calling for an immediate programme to reduce the cost of living, citing high prices, shortages, failed price controls, higher fees, and reduced senior citizens’ deposit interest. He argued that the Government should move from allegations about past corruption to concrete action, including recovering stolen funds, earning dollars and rupees, and restoring living standards after the economic crisis. He criticized aspects of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative and transport-related measures as ad hoc and potentially harmful to small businesses and the middle class, and urged the Government to set clear economic targets on income, GDP, services, and tourism. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Moved approval of the “Aswesuma” Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme under Section 9 of the Welfare Benefits Act, No. 24 of 2002, as published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2415/66 of 21 December 2024 and presented to Parliament on 7 January 2025. He stated that Cabinet approval had been granted, and the motion was agreed to. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Moved approval of an Order under Section 2 of the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2412/38 of 30 November 2024 and presented to Parliament on 7 January 2025. He stated that Cabinet approval had been granted, and the motion was agreed to by the House. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake moved, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, for parliamentary approval of an Order under Section 2 of the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007. The Order, issued by the Minister of Finance and published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2408/15 of 1 November 2024, had Cabinet approval and was agreed to by the House. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Moved, on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the approval of an Order made under Sections 2 and 5 of the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007. The Order, issued by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Policy Implementation, Planning and Tourism and published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2406/02 of 14 October 2024, had Cabinet approval and was agreed to by the House. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary A motion was moved on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to approve an Order under Section 2 of the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007. The Order, imposed by the Minister of Finance and published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2404/19 of 02.10.2024, had received Cabinet approval and was agreed to by the House. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Leader of the House JJB AI summary Moved approval of an Order under Sections 2 and 5 of the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007, published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2395/32 of 31 July 2024 and presented to Parliament on 7 January 2025. He stated that he was moving it on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, with Cabinet approval already granted; the motion was agreed to. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Leader of the House JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake, on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, moved for parliamentary approval of an Order under Section 2 of the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007. The Order, originally made by the then Minister of Finance and published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2384/31 of 17 May 2024, had Cabinet approval and was agreed to by the House. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha rejected the view that government should be run on a private business profit-and-loss model, arguing that policy must prioritize public welfare, domestic production, and anti-corruption safeguards. He said the Orders under the Export Development Act and Special Commodity Levy Act are intended to correct market distortions, protect local producers and small farmers, and stabilize prices, including through limited rice imports during emergencies. He also stated that Aswesuma benefit extensions are being made while correcting selection issues and linking welfare to economic empowerment, and that the Colombo West International Terminal Order supports Sri Lanka’s trading hub and investment strategy. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister referred to Section 9 of the Welfare Benefits Act, No. 24 of 2002, and presented the Aswesuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme Order, citing survey and poverty data to contextualize the economic impact on households. He stated that two welfare benefit categories due to expire on 31 December 2024 were extended to 31 March 2025, while monthly payments for the Poor and Extreme Poor categories were increased from January 2025. He said the Government’s five-year programme prioritizes poverty eradication through cash transfers, empowerment of two million vulnerable and extremely poor families, and integrated rural development including community-based microfinance and savings initiatives. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake stated that while he accepts the proposal in principle, reducing the allocation or figure from 12 to 4 represents a two-thirds cut and is unfair. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti rejected claims that the Government is continuing Ranil Wickremesinghe’s policies, arguing that in its first 100 days Ministers had not undertaken costly foreign trips or faced concrete allegations of corruption. He said programmes such as Clean Sri Lanka were being implemented without corruption and invited Members to raise any allegations through COPE. He clarified that a kabook export item in a Gazette had been carried over from earlier Cabinet decisions and would be corrected, and stated that Sathosa had reduced prices on 20 of 38 selected items, including an 8 per cent reduction over the previous four months. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government has decided to import the relevant commodity and distribute it to mills. The remark indicates a direct state intervention in supply to support milling operations. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →