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. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister accepted the Member’s concern about the Special Commodity Levy, stating that it is intended to offset some VAT effects but had previously been misused through arbitrary duty changes, citing the sugar duty case. He said the Ministry would consider the issue at the appropriate time. On edible oils, he noted that VAT applies to coconut oil and proposed importing copra pieces for local processing instead of refined RBD oil, citing concerns over consumer protection, health risks, and misleading labelling of imported coconut oil products. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake cautioned that shifting to an ad valorem duty structure could effectively freeze import duties and disadvantage locally produced coconut, palm, and other edible oils. He asked that the issue be addressed, noting that domestic producers continue to face VAT and other levies while imports may benefit from the duty structure, potentially hampering local production. 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 defended the continued use of Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, stating that six-monthly revisions are necessary in current economic conditions to balance farmer and consumer interests despite past abuses associated with the levy. He tabled a Sathosa report on 38 SCL-related consumer items, arguing that prices of 25 items had fallen between January 2024 and January 2025, with an average reduction of about 19 per cent, including decreases in big onions, chickpeas, dried chillies, green gram, cowpea, potatoes and sprats. He acknowledged ongoing rice supply concerns but said separate action was being taken by the Trade Minister, and noted that the Government had been in office for only 49 days. 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 explained that a regulation under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, published in Gazette No. 2400/25, was being presented for parliamentary approval within the required four-month period. He said the regulation includes a Rs. 1 per kilogram cess reduction on imported clinker, conditional on a Rs. 2 per kilogram reduction in cement retail prices, with the aim of lowering a 50 kg bag by about Rs. 100 and supporting the construction sector. He also noted concerns over a pilot proposal to permit the export of one million metric tons of black stone blocks, stating that domestic construction needs must be considered and that no export applications had yet been received. He further referred to Orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, describing the SCL framework as intended to protect farmers and consumers from VAT and other tax burdens. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya presented the Appropriation Bill, 2025 on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The Bill was scheduled for Second Reading on 17 February 2025, ordered to be printed, and referred to the Committee on Public Finance. The sitting also recorded the presentation of the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, with its Second Reading set for 23 January 2025 and referral to the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee. Bills Presented and Orders Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Under Standing Order 31, Harsha de Silva raised a point of order alleging a discrepancy between the Minister of Energy’s statement that the CEB had no large profit and figures in the Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report 2024 showing CEB profits of Rs. 119 billion by 30 June and Rs. 139 billion by October. He argued that either the Minister or the House had been misled, tabled procedural references on misleading Parliament, and requested correction of any error or treatment as a privilege matter if deliberate, with the relevant material recorded in Hansard. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a response identifying SLBC and ITN-operated Lak Handa and Wasantham FM as state-owned radio stations, with employee numbers and profit/loss data since 2015 placed in the Library. He stated that SLBC recorded losses from 2015 to 2023 and that a special expert committee has been appointed to recommend measures to make it self-financing. He also noted that strategic short-, medium- and long-term plans are being prepared to sustain profitability and increase revenue for Lak Handa and Wasantham FM. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Kins Nelson) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media to provide details on State-owned radio stations, including their number, names, staffing levels, and annual profit or loss figures from 2015 onward. The question also sought information on measures taken to prevent losses, and, if such information could not be provided, the reasons for non-disclosure. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government, President, and Epidemiology Unit were closely monitoring HMPV and would promptly inform the public and take precautions if any case was detected. He clarified that media reports claiming a current first case had misrepresented a reference to an earlier occurrence, noting that one suspected case had tested negative and 20 testing sites had been designated. He urged media and social media to report scientifically and responsibly on health issues that could affect public welfare and the economy. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether the economic crisis had caused doctors and other trained health professionals to leave Sri Lanka, negatively affecting the health service. He requested detailed category-wise figures on current staff, future staffing requirements, premature departures from 2022 to November 2024, and personnel currently in training, including specialist training. He also asked what steps the Ministry would take to recruit the needed professionals expeditiously, or the reasons if no action is planned. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - State Minister JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody said electricity line losses of about 9 percent in some areas are being reviewed with the aim of reducing them below 7 percent. He stated that LNG-based generation is being pursued as an interim measure, including reviving suspended procurements and expediting LNG infrastructure and gas supply for plants currently running on costlier liquid fuels. He added that diesel use would be minimized, but transmission constraints sometimes require purchases from diesel plants until network upgrades are completed. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Asked what plans the Government has to reduce electricity tariffs by addressing technical line losses in the power distribution system and replacing expensive diesel-based generation with LNG power. Emphasized these as two key measures for lowering electricity costs. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - State Minister JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that 49 electricity-sector proposals were received under the EOI process, but that route was later invalidated by amendments to the Electricity Act under the previous administration. He said many proposals involved irregularities and high tariffs, and that Cabinet had approved a committee to regularize the process by recommending unit prices, capacities and related terms for approval. He added that the Government would expedite implementation while addressing the difficulties faced by investors. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara asked whether solar energy projects awarded through Expressions of Interest under previous governments involved inconsistent tariffs and possible political favoritism or undue influence. He requested the Minister’s plan to establish a stable and fair tariff structure for solar power. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - State Minister JJB AI summary The State Minister provided data on electricity generation capacity added since 2019, including three CEB-owned plants, 13 private thermal plants, and 110 renewable plants totaling 1,872 MW, with generation performance details tabled in annexes. He outlined planned additions under the Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan 2025–2044 for the next two years, including hydro, wind, solar, biomass, and combined-cycle capacity, as well as 1,138 planned renewable plants. He also stated that preliminary work has begun on a 100 MW/100 MWh battery storage system and renewable energy control centre at Kolonnawa, and that a committee is preparing a 2025–2030 grid integration plan for renewable projects. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe stated that the Government had not promised a Rs. 25,000 figure and that the amount would be finalized later. He argued that the previous Cabinet decision by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 4 September, immediately before postal voting, was intended to influence public servants’ votes and was not a genuine policy proposal. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe stated that salaries would be increased in the Budget scheduled to be presented the following February. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Asked whether the Government would provide the stated salary increase. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe contrasted the current Government’s position on PAYE tax with the previous administration’s response to professionals’ demands for relief. He stated that the PAYE tax threshold will be raised to Rs. 150,000 and that there is no objection from the IMF to this change or to salary increases. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary At the upcoming Budget, the Government will provide a significant salary increase for public servants in response to current living conditions. The Deputy Minister stated that the increase has already been announced, will be visible when the Budget is presented next month, and is not affected by the IMF agreement. Oral Questions Read →