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. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned how the Government intends to address unemployment and fulfil promised salary increases within IMF-agreed expenditure limits. He noted that public service salaries and pensions amount to 6 percent of GDP, or about one-third of the permitted total expenditure of 20 percent of GDP, and asked the Deputy Minister to explain the structured plan for managing these fiscal constraints. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said labour force projections indicate Sri Lanka’s workforce may remain around 8 million until 2035 before declining, while noting the source’s data limitations, and stated that the Government will focus on raising female labour force participation from its current low level. He explained that public service recruitment was suspended in 2022 under National Budget Circular 03/2022 but essential vacancies are now filled with Cabinet approval based on a committee process. He also stated that 2025 pension expenditure is projected at Rs. 393.07 billion for 737,352 pensioners, around 1.5 percent of GDP, but long-term retirement and pension projections are difficult due to variable retirement patterns, deaths, armed forces service rules, and future policy changes. The Government intends to improve pension and workforce-related data through digitalization of public administration. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe, responding on behalf of the Minister of Labour, provided labour force and public employment statistics, citing the 2023 Labour Force Survey figure of 8.4 million in the labour force, 8.0 million employed, and about 3 million informal sector workers. He set out selected annual figures for formal government and private sector employment, permanent and casual public servants, salary and emolument costs, and pension expenditure up to 2024. He stated that no government institution has prepared a formal 10-year labour force forecast, and that recruitment, pension cost and retiree projections depend on ongoing fiscal, administrative and policy decisions, with detailed projections to be provided once finalized. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Labour to provide year-by-year data on public and private sector labour force trends, Government employment numbers by permanent and casual categories, salary and emolument costs, and pension payments over the past five to ten years. He also requested projections for the next five to ten years on labour force trends, planned Government recruitment, pension expenditure, and the number of pensioners, or an explanation if such information cannot be provided. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody stated that the relevant institution is being strengthened to ensure sustainability and that any necessary price revisions will be carried out in a structured manner rather than on an ad hoc basis. He also said the concerns raised during the discussion would be addressed. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka does not yet have sufficient transmission network flexibility in some areas, which constrains renewable energy integration and power evacuation. He said several transmission lines are under construction, priority is being given to regions without such constraints, and support is being sought from non-state and foreign development partners to meet the 70 per cent renewable energy target by 2030. He also noted that end-user tariffs reflect import content, VAT, operation and maintenance costs, staffing shortages and engineer outflows, in addition to solar procurement prices, and said these issues are being addressed. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raised concerns that transmission constraints, including delayed transmission lines and grid substation upgrades, are hindering electricity evacuation. He asked whether priority is being given to the delayed Jaffna–New Habarana transmission line and related substation works, and questioned whether the Minister in charge of the CEB was acting under the directions of Ranjan Jayalal. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy stated that the Government intends to expedite a legacy project currently at the implementation stage. He said the developer has requested land vesting acceptable to banks as security in order to facilitate financing, not merely as a land handover. A Cabinet Paper has been submitted, and further action will follow after receiving observations from the Ministry of Finance. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody stated that 343 private power plants are currently in operation, including Yugadanavi and Sobadanavi, and that ownership, energy purchase, and payment details from 2015 onwards have been placed in the Library as annexes. He explained that smaller renewable energy plants operate under standardized power purchase agreements with payments only for energy supplied, while larger renewable projects have more detailed agreements including provisions such as deemed energy payments and minimum supply obligations. He added that LNG plant agreements were secured through competitive bidding, are not unfavourable to the CEB, and include dual-fuel capability due to the current lack of LNG availability. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on private power plants currently operating in Sri Lanka, including their names, owners’ names and addresses, and annual payments made to each owner from 2015 to date. He further questioned whether the Minister is aware that the agreements with these private power plant owners are unfavourable, and if so, what measures will be taken to address the issue. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy rejected claims that the Treasury had absorbed Ceylon Electricity Board debts, stating that the CEB still carries about Rs. 332 billion in debt and that none has been taken over by the Government. He also disputed the reported Rs. 167 billion profit figure, saying the latest proposal refers to about Rs. 41 billion, and requested that any relevant PUCSL document supporting the contrary claims be tabled. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the Government’s delay in reducing electricity tariffs, citing the President’s commitment to reduce tariffs by more than 30 per cent “in the near future.” He argued that tariff revisions in October, December, and subsequent concession opportunities had been missed, while the PUCSL had identified errors in pricing inputs from the Ministry and CEB. He further disputed claims of losses, referring to a reported Rs. 167 billion surplus in 2024, Treasury assumption of debts, and high hydro generation, and asked when relief would be provided to consumers. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody clarified that the Government’s commitment is to reduce electricity bills, not supply, through a phased three-year plan rather than immediate cuts. He said the CEB faces about Rs. 332 billion in debt and legacy issues including high-cost power purchase agreements, making ad hoc tariff reductions impractical. He stated that while calculations indicated a possible 37 per cent tariff increase, the Government avoided major increases and aims to reduce bills by around 35 per cent by stabilizing costs and moving toward a least-cost regional benchmark. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy provided current electricity tariff details as at 20 November 2024, including domestic block tariffs, optional time-of-use rates, and general purpose tariff categories. He stated that no tariff revisions had been made since 21 October 2024, that the Government would accept decisions of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, and that there was no intention to dissolve the Commission. He explained that Ceylon Electricity Board tariff proposals are made to cover forecast costs for the relevant period, with rates varying according to factors such as exchange rates, fuel and coal prices, and rainfall. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report approving regulations under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act, Special Commodity Levy Act, Strategic Development Projects Act, and the Aswesuma welfare benefits scheme. He noted that the Committee approved reduced export cess rates while directing the Finance Ministry and EDB to ensure cess funds support export promotion, and approved increased Aswesuma payments up to Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 17,500 for relevant beneficiary groups. The Committee approved the West Container Terminal project under the SDP Act, deferred the Jay Jay Textiles Lanka project pending further analysis, and approved the Government’s decision to continue the existing Special Commodity Levy structure on selected imported food items despite earlier plans to replace it with VAT. Opening and Announcements Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister said facilities for miners had not been withdrawn and that the Government was working to remove political interference in the gem mining sector, particularly affecting traditional miners. He proposed a special presidential investigation into alleged corruption, improper licensing practices, land takeovers and the displacement of traditional miners. He outlined planned measures including a sector advisory committee, mine safety manual, expanded compensation and insurance schemes, public complaint mechanisms, and weekly ministry public days. He also said the Government would strengthen gem valuation and export oversight, address weaknesses in the NGJA legal unit, and discuss VAT relief for value-added gem processing with the Finance Ministry. Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage raised concerns about difficulties faced by traditional gem miners in Ratnapura, asking whether earlier facilities had been withdrawn and whether large-scale miners or political interference were obstructing their livelihoods. He questioned what action the Government would take to remove these obstacles, noting that Police are now reportedly charging miners under the Mines and Minerals Act, leading to higher fines and possible suspended imprisonment instead of lower penalties under the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Act. He urged relief for small-scale miners while maintaining the law, and proposed internationally recognized certification for even low-value gems to reduce smuggling and increase national revenue. Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma said the Government was reviewing several pending regulations and orders, including those under import control, foreign exchange, payments systems, casino regulation, levies, and the Colombo Port City framework, to ensure proper procedure and scrutiny through bodies such as the Committee on Public Finance. He argued that previous governments had delayed or mishandled gazettes and public finance measures, contributing to institutional weakness, corruption risks, and economic instability. He stated that the Government was regularizing the May 2024 import-control Gazette, advancing a delayed Foreign Exchange Act order, seeking an impact assessment on regulating money or value transfer services such as hawala, and reviewing a Casino Business regulation that appeared to apply to a single entity. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticized the Government’s handling of rice imports, price controls, and fertilizer subsidies, arguing that delayed imports, high duties, poor quality rice, and ineffective market management had worsened consumer prices while farmers had not received promised support. He questioned why key economic officials had been retained and said the Government had reversed its earlier opposition to trade agreements such as the Singapore–Sri Lanka FTA and ETCA, which he said his side had consistently supported. He welcomed the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme in principle but urged it to address appointments and alleged misconduct in public institutions, citing the Merchant Shipping Secretariat and diplomatic appointments, and briefly referred to the Bingiriya incident involving an MP. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 Hon. Thalatha Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Thalatha Dissanayake said the Government was proceeding in line with international commitments and an orderly plan to stabilize the economy, rejecting Opposition claims that it had failed to act within “100 days.” She supported regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act introducing 34 new SLS standards and HS codes, particularly to align food standards with global requirements. She also endorsed new regulations for Money or Value Transfer Service providers to bring informal systems such as hawala under recognition and oversight, citing FATF guidance and concerns over money laundering and terrorism financing. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →