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- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary The Minister said the Ministry is receiving many complaints about lending co-operative societies, including cases in several areas where large deposits have not been repaid, and identified legal gaps in accountability when deposits are misused. He stated that the Commissioner is using existing powers to appoint boards, manage assets and make limited repayments, but that stronger legal reforms are needed. He announced that no further lending societies will be registered under the Co-operative Development Department and said urgent inquiries, audits and legal action will be pursued to protect affected depositors, many of whom are pensioners and retirees. Oral Question: Maharagama Multi-purpose Co-operative Societies (Q.233/2024) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera raised concerns about alleged large-scale theft and fraud in multi-purpose co-operative societies in Colombo District, particularly Maharagama, where he said Rs. 1 billion affecting 33,000 depositors is at issue. He said many depositors, including elderly people who used rural banks for savings, are in financial distress, and questioned the slow progress of inquiries by the Commissioner’s offices. He also argued that proposals to sell society properties would be inadequate, as the limited land available would recover only a small portion of the losses. Oral Question: Maharagama Multi-purpose Co-operative Societies (Q.233/2024) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister provided figures on financial co-operative societies, stating that 4,981 are operating under Provincial Councils and line ministries, including 1,244 in the Western Province. He confirmed that the Maharagama Co-operative Rural Bank is under the Western Provincial Co-operative Development Commissioner and said depositors have faced withdrawal difficulties due to a financial crisis, with inquiries underway under the relevant Western Provincial statute and by the FCID. He outlined remedial steps including appointing departmental officers to the Board, taking legal action to recover loans, approving the disposal of 12 properties, arranging sales of two lands, and releasing Rs. 100 million to depositors, including full payment of accounts below Rs. 5,000 and 10 per cent payments to others as at 31 August 2024. Oral Question: Maharagama Multi-purpose Co-operative Societies (Q.233/2024) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that projects worth approximately Rs. 69 billion had been halted midstream. He said the Government expects to allocate funds through the Budget to complete a significant portion of those projects, and tabled the answer. Oral Question: Government Hospitals in Puttalam District Vacancies (Q.132/2024) Read →
- 7 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report, noting increases in revenue, expenditure, tax and non-tax revenue, and the primary balance, along with a reduction in arrears, and stated that the Committee concurred with the report. He informed Parliament that the National Audit Office’s 2025 Work Programme had been approved subject to conditions due to the dissolution of Parliament delaying consideration, with amendments to be discussed and submitted. He also requested urgent provision of dedicated technical officers for the Committee and called for the early establishment of the Parliamentary Budget Office, with interim technical support potentially arranged through development partners such as UNDP. Committee Report: Public Finance Committee on Mid-Year Fiscal Position Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe explained the basis for setting rice prices, stating that a Rs. 5 retail margin over the Rs. 215 wholesale price was fixed after Consumer Affairs Authority calculations and evidence from traders, given the low margins on rice and costs such as transport, storage, interest and stockholding. He reported that Nadu stocks stood at 40,795 metric tons as of 17 December, with CAA monitoring mills and daily supplies being sent to Sathosa, which was selling about 300 metric tons of locally procured rice per day. He said Sri Lanka produces enough rice in normal conditions but shortages arise due to stock management issues, animal feed use and disaster-related crop damage, and assured that, barring emergencies or natural disasters, the current round would be the last rice importation. He added that a Cabinet-appointed food security committee and government paddy purchasing would support domestic rice management while protecting both farmers and consumers. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said the immediate priority was ensuring the availability of essential goods, noting that retailers at least retained a Rs. 5 margin despite concerns over transport and packaging costs. He stated that prices were determined by the Consumer Affairs Authority based on surveys and evidence, not arbitrarily by the Government. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister replied to an adjournment question on rice price controls, explaining that the Rs. 5 margin between wholesale and retail prices was set after considering inelastic rice demand, the absence of government buffer stocks, shortages, market supply issues, and Consumer Affairs Authority analysis. He said the Government set wholesale and retail prices after consulting millers and importers, noting that large millers control about 30–35 percent of the market while small and medium millers supply the rest, and that creating multiple price layers for intermediaries was not practicable. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha argued that the proposed education allowance is a targeted, fiscally constrained measure to support schoolchildren facing shortages of food, clothing and learning materials, while noting that universal provision for about four million students would cost around Rs. 23 billion. He said eligibility issues under Aswesuma stemmed from technical data-collection problems and bank account gaps, and called for reviewing the 22 selection criteria and correcting unpaid cases. He defended the Government’s policy direction and debt restructuring approach as pragmatic given inherited debt and near-completed agreements, emphasizing stabilization of markets and expected improvement in the foreign debt rating. He also rejected claims that the Government had abandoned its policy commitments or entered disadvantageous agreements during the Indian visit. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha defended the supplementary estimate allocation for allowances to help children purchase school stationery and equipment, noting that members did not oppose the objective but raised concerns about the payment method. He argued that, in the current context, the measure would support school attendance and motivation while recognizing broader social factors affecting education. He framed the allowance as an investment in human resource development and productivity, and said public expenditure on education should be gradually increased as part of the country’s economic development strategy. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister supported the supplementary estimate, highlighting the Government’s proposal to allocate Rs. 6.5 billion under Aswesuma to provide Rs. 6,000 each for school stationery and books to children from low-income families, citing survey data on the impact of the economic crisis on schoolchildren. He criticised the Opposition for focusing on personal qualifications instead of social issues and called for cross-party support for measures assisting vulnerable families. On energy, he stated that the Ceylon Electricity Board has proposed no tariff increase for the first six months of 2025 despite an estimated Rs. 39 billion shortfall, using prior additional income and management measures while addressing debts of about Rs. 333 billion. He said the Government’s aim is to provide reliable energy at fair prices for households and industry while avoiding future burdens through taxes or tariffs. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticised the Government’s rice import policy, arguing that import taxes have prevented consumers from receiving relief while both major mill owners and the Government benefit from high prices. He questioned the fairness of imposing a Rs. 65 per kilogram tax on imported rice amid rising hardship, malnutrition, and insufficient incomes. He urged the Minister to reduce the tax immediately rather than waiting for the next Budget, so that rice prices could be lowered for the public. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman questioned the need for both private importers and Sathosa to import the same goods when a controlled price applies to all sales. He argued that since Sathosa sells at the same controlled price, allowing direct private-sector imports could avoid duplication and help address the issue more efficiently. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that rice imports are being handled through an orderly tender process, with arrivals expected from 19 December and clearance of imported rice having begun from 12 December. He said permits were issued from 4 to 20 December to allow importers sufficient time and space to bring in required stocks, and argued that awarding the tender to Sathosa does not obstruct private sector imports. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman questioned the fairness of the Rs. 65 per kilogram tax on imported rice, arguing that it burdens consumers at a time when rice is already unaffordable and the country may need about 200,000 metric tons per month until the next harvest. He said the Government should use Parliament’s powers to reduce the tax immediately rather than wait for promised concessions, and should allow private importers to bring in rice under the controlled price. He also argued that Sathosa tenders are unnecessary and would only delay imports, risking shortages and benefiting large rice traders. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe corrected another Member, stating that the tax in question was not newly imposed but had already been in effect since 2023. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman questioned the fairness of imposing a Rs. 65 per kilogram tax on imported rice while maintaining a controlled maximum retail price of Rs. 220, noting that local millers also do not sell rice at that price. He argued that previous governments had not imposed import taxes above Rs. 10 per kilogram on rice and urged the Government to reduce the tax immediately rather than waiting until April, in order to provide relief to consumers. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the price quoted in the previous tender was Rs. 212. The remark appears to reference a procurement or tender-related discussion, highlighting the prior tender price for comparison. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman clarified that he had stated the average amount was around Rs. 150. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman said the government had acknowledged the value of private assistance to schools after previously criticizing such initiatives by the Opposition Leader. He raised concerns over high rice prices despite controlled prices, citing Nadu, Keeri Samba and Red Kekulu being sold above official rates, and said the government had been unable to regulate major rice mill owners even after several discussions. He supported the decision to import rice to ease consumer prices but questioned the implementation of the approved 70,000 metric tons import programme and whether sufficient quantities would arrive within the stated deadline. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →