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- 17 December 2024 REASSESSMENT OF SECURITY PROVIDED TO FORMER PRESIDENTS: STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS — The Hon. Ananda Wijepala AI summary The Minister stated that security for former Presidents is being reassessed under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, which requires “adequate security” but does not prescribe numbers. He said the Government is implementing recommendations of the Chitrasiri Committee to base such security on formal threat assessments, describing the process as standardization and removal of excess personnel rather than a targeted reduction against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He detailed current security deployments and reported that Rs. 1,448 million had been spent in 2024 on security and related maintenance for former Presidents and a former First Lady, arguing that public expenditure must be aligned with assessed need. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the proposal could be considered in the context of the upcoming Budget by the Ministry of Finance, with a more precise response to be provided at that stage. He also said the concern would be referred to the relevant Ministry. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunatilleka raised concern over the reduction of preferential fixed deposit interest rates for senior citizens, noting that many retired private-sector workers depend on EPF/ETF savings interest for living expenses. He contrasted the former 15% rate with the current 7.5% and cited the Government’s policy statement promising an additional 5% above normal bank rates for senior citizens’ deposits. He asked the Leader of the House to clarify why the rate was reduced and when the promised increase would be implemented, including whether it would be addressed in the next Budget. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy tabled a written answer stating that fuel prices were revised on two occasions, with no changes on 31 October 2024 and revised prices set on 30 November 2024, including Petrol 92 at Rs. 309, Auto Diesel at Rs. 286, and Kerosene at Rs. 188 per litre. He said pricing was based on the fuel price formula, though no adjustment was made for Sapugaskanda refinery profit or loss, and provided formula-based price figures for each fuel category. He further stated that the current legal framework applies the formula, which is being studied for possible future revisions, and that reductions in international prices are passed on to consumers through monthly price alignment. Oral Questions: Paddy Stocks, Fuel Price Revisions, and Teacher Scarcity (Q.11, Q.12, Q.10/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 FUEL PRICE REVISIONS FROM 21.10.2024 TO 30.11.2024: DETAILS — The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka on behalf of the Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara AI summary Gayantha Karunatilleka, on behalf of Dayasiri Jayasekara, asked the Minister of Energy for details of all fuel price revisions between 21 October and 30 November 2024, including revised prices by fuel type and whether each change followed the fuel pricing formula. He requested the formula-based prices that would have applied at each revision, and asked whether the Government accepts the formula introduced by the previous Government, its reasons if not, and what steps will be taken to pass international fuel price reductions on to consumers. Oral Questions: Paddy Stocks, Fuel Price Revisions, and Teacher Scarcity (Q.11, Q.12, Q.10/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 STOCKS OF PADDY MAINTAINED BY INSTITUTIONS/PERSONS: DETAILS — The Hon. Gayantha Karunatilleka on behalf of the Hon. Kins Nelson AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development seeking details on the President’s requested report on existing paddy stocks. It asked for the date of the request, the institutions or persons holding paddy stocks, the quantities held by each, and the measures taken to control rice prices. Oral Questions: Paddy Stocks, Fuel Price Revisions, and Teacher Scarcity (Q.11, Q.12, Q.10/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake responded to concerns about compensation for families of COVID-19 victims who were forcibly cremated, noting the Minister had cited legal constraints and would seek the Attorney General’s advice. He said monetary compensation may not adequately address the pain caused, but that any committee recommendation on compensation could be considered comprehensively. He then proposed moving to the next item of business due to time constraints and prior discussion. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised concern over the non-disclosure of statistics relating to Muslims who died during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing the matter as highly sensitive. He argued that such information should be available and publicly released in line with WHO norms, and said relying on the RTI Act to withhold it undermines the credibility of the Ministry of Health. He requested the Government to provide accurate statistics on the issue. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 CREMATION OF COVID-19 VICTIMS: DETAILS — The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media to provide detailed information on persons whose bodies were cremated under the Government’s COVID-19 disposal policy. He requested the total number cremated and, for each deceased person, identifying details, next-of-kin information, cremation date and place, and death registration particulars including certificate number, registration date, and district. He also asked for reasons if the information could not be provided. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma noted that a debate on sovereign bonds was scheduled later in the day’s Order Paper and said he expected to provide further details during that debate. Oral Question: IMF Delegation Expenses in Washington DC (Q.96/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Asked whether the Government has changed the international sovereign bond restructuring agreement negotiated by the previous Government, noting that the ISB exchange is believed to have been signed. Requested that the agreement be presented to Parliament and that any differences from earlier understandings be disclosed. Oral Question: IMF Delegation Expenses in Washington DC (Q.96/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma clarified that the Government’s discussions with the IMF are often conducted virtually, including some review discussions. He stated that, due to the intensity of the current round, the number of institutions involved, and the need for multiple daily meetings, the IMF and Government agreed to hold part of the discussions in Washington and the remainder in Sri Lanka during an IMF visit, which was the reason for the travel. Oral Question: IMF Delegation Expenses in Washington DC (Q.96/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Clarifies that Ministry officials on the referenced 16-day trip travelled in economy class, while distinguishing their travel arrangements from those of certain Central Bank officials. The intervention corrects information raised by another Member regarding official overseas travel and related expenditure. Oral Question: IMF Delegation Expenses in Washington DC (Q.96/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned why Ministry and Central Bank officials travelled to Washington for an IMF meeting when approval had reportedly been granted to hold it via Zoom. He alleged that about USD 6,000 was spent, including business class travel contrary to a circular requiring economy class, and asked why public funds were used for travel and accommodation when the meeting could have been conducted online. Oral Question: IMF Delegation Expenses in Washington DC (Q.96/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development AI summary Acting Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma provided details on officials and expenditure related to an overseas engagement involving the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. He stated that four Ministry officials and five Central Bank officials participated, with costs of Rs. 7.05 million for air tickets and USD 38,587 for travel expenses, and that no separate payments were made to Lazard or Clifford Chance on this occasion. He said the visit was intended to support Sri Lanka’s engagement with the IMF Extended Fund Facility, access financial and technical assistance, align policies with international practices, and strengthen credibility and investor confidence. Oral Question: IMF Delegation Expenses in Washington DC (Q.96/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to provide details on Sri Lankan representation at IMF discussions in Washington DC, including separate numbers from the Ministry and Central Bank. He requested expenditure figures for air travel and other travel costs in both US dollars and rupees, payments made to Lazard and Clifford Chance, and an explanation of the benefits Sri Lanka gained from the discussions. Oral Question: IMF Delegation Expenses in Washington DC (Q.96/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about the collapse and ineffectiveness of the Farmers’ Pension Scheme, noting the scale of paddy cultivation and the number of farmers affected. He asked the Deputy Minister whether the Government would study international models from India, Brazil, South Korea, and China and implement a stronger pension scheme, referring to a promise in the Government’s policy statement to replace the current weak system. Oral Question: Farmers' Pension Scheme Details (Q.77/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Rs. 25,000 per hectare is being paid as fertilizer support, while the crop-loss compensation framework introduced after the 2016 drought provides up to Rs. 100,000 per hectare for total losses in three stages. Namal Karunaratne said many farmers had not received dues in recent years, citing unpaid or partially paid obligations to potato farmers in Welimada, seed onion farmers in Matale, and outstanding amounts of Rs. 334.34 million in Ampara and Rs. 160 million in Monaragala. He assured that compensation for current crop losses would be paid and that compensation rates would be reviewed for possible revision. Oral Question: Farmers' Pension Scheme Details (Q.77/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara urged the Government to complete current-season disbursements before starting the next cycle and raised concerns about farmers affected by heavy rains and flooding. He said existing compensation provisions per acre are inadequate and that officials have not assessed many damaged fields, asking the Deputy Minister to amend relevant circulars or rules quickly to provide fair loss-based compensation and support replanting. He also sought a timeline for completing these measures. Oral Question: Farmers' Pension Scheme Details (Q.77/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Rs. 25,000 per hectare is being paid to farmers as a fertilizer subsidy, although the matter was raised outside the original question on farmers’ pensions. The Deputy Minister acknowledged delays in payments, said their causes had been identified, and stated that Rs. 2 billion had already been released with a further Rs. 1 billion due by Friday. He assured that all eligible farmers, including those cultivating more than the usual 800,000 hectares in the Maha season, would receive payments within the next few days and that delays would be addressed before the next season. Oral Question: Farmers' Pension Scheme Details (Q.77/2024) Read →