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 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition said the Government’s relief package followed opposition protests and urged that it be implemented promptly, citing earlier unmet pledges to victims of Cyclone “Michaung.” He questioned the adequacy and economic basis of the proposed Rs. 100 billion package, argued that IMF negotiations should have sought greater flexibility in light of recent crises, and requested that international partners be allowed to meet all political parties freely. He also raised concerns over substandard coal and reduced output at Lakvijaya, and demanded expanded relief, particularly for LPG-using households, noting that the package represents only a small share of claimed budgetary savings from higher taxes. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence; Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development; and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary The President outlined a three-month relief package in response to war-related global cost pressures affecting fuel, fertilizer, electricity and low-income households. Measures include Treasury subsidies of Rs. 100 per litre for diesel and Rs. 20 for regular petrol, additional fuel support for fishers, fixed-price urea and increased fertilizer assistance for paddy, other field crops and tea smallholders, plus a one-off April increase in Aswesuma payments. He said electricity cost increases were driven by low hydro levels, fuel costs and coal quality issues, and announced a temporary subsidy for consumers using under 90 units while stating that costs arising from substandard coal would be recovered from suppliers rather than passed to consumers. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading and Related Orders (Chair Change - Introduction) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim criticized government tax policy as favoring foreign investors through 10-year tax holidays while imposing heavier taxes and enforcement on domestic small industries, citing the beedi sector’s increased tendu leaf import duty, higher per-stick tax, raids, fines, closures, and declining number of licensed producers. He argued that cigarette tax policy had reduced State revenue by not applying the pricing formula, estimating a Rs. 9.48 billion loss and a decline in the tax-in-price ratio from 74 percent to 68 percent. He said foreign investment should be encouraged through consistent trade and investment policy, rule of law, investment protection, foreign exchange safeguards, the National Single Window, and accession to the Madrid Protocol rather than tax holidays. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading and Related Orders (Chair Change - Introduction) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim criticized the Government’s tax policy and the regulation under the amended Strategic Development Projects Act, arguing that it remains insufficiently transparent and could allow discretionary tax concessions despite the 2025 reforms. He cited concerns raised by the Committee on Public Finance and questioned why tourism projects receive longer tax holidays than manufacturing and ICT if the Government prioritizes a production economy. He also argued that increased tourist arrivals have not translated into strong net earnings, citing lower per-tourist spending and foreign exchange leakages. He further opposed the SSCL and the reduced VAT registration threshold, saying these cascading tax burdens would affect small businesses and consumers amid high operating costs. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading and Related Orders (Chair Change - Introduction) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary The amendments are presented as part of the 2026 Budget commitments to increase revenue while improving investor predictability through domestic dollar bonds and a rule-based incentive framework under the Strategic Development Projects Act. Nishantha Jayaweera said the objective is to support higher, more inclusive growth by expanding investment and delivering benefits to the public. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading and Related Orders (Chair Change - Introduction) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined amendments to the Social Security Contribution Levy Bill to charge the levy on imported motor vehicles at importation rather than resale, and to reduce the annual turnover liability threshold from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 million. He said the Government’s revenue strategy is based on tax administration technology, simplification, base-broadening and compliance, while citing recent tax relief measures and higher Inland Revenue Department collection targets. He also described rules allowing exporters to invest up to 10 per cent of repatriated export proceeds in domestic dollar bonds, and a rule-based Strategic Development Projects tax exemption framework intended to replace ad hoc concessions and support the Government’s 2026 investment targets. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading and Related Orders (Chair Change - Introduction) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that the March fuel price revision was driven by global war-related market conditions and that the Government absorbed about Rs. 100 per litre on diesel and Rs. 20 per litre on Octane 92 as relief. He said the Government would continue providing relief while maintaining uninterrupted supply, noting constraints including the CPC’s inherited Rs. 884 billion debt, its 57 per cent market share, and pricing demands from private operators. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised concerns over recent increases in fuel and LPG prices, citing rises of around 24–30 per cent for petrol, diesel and kerosene and about 19–23 per cent for domestic gas. He argued that consumers had not been given relief despite relief measures in other countries, and asked when the Government would fulfil its promise to sell fuel to consumers at port-landing price. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody provided detailed figures on fuel costs, taxes, operating charges, CPC volumes, imports, refinery output, and current procurement orders in response to a question on fuel pricing and supply. He stated that pricing is based on cost and tax components, with no tax on kerosene, and noted that at the March price revision the Government absorbed about Rs. 100 per litre on diesel and Rs. 20 per litre on Octane 92 as relief. He also explained that Sapugaskanda refinery utilization is below design capacity because it now uses Murban crude instead of Iranian Light crude due to sanctions, reduced high-sulphur fuel oil demand, and sulphur reduction requirements for the West Coast Power Plant. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary In the context of global conflict and potential fuel supply disruptions, Sajith Premadasa sought detailed information from the Minister of Energy on Sri Lanka’s fuel costs, taxes, pricing formula, consumption, imports, storage, refinery output, and procurement premiums. He requested that the Government table reports covering per-litre costs from import to retail, shipment-wise import data for January to March 2026, the Sapugaskanda refinery’s capacity and utilization, and current fuel orders and premiums. He also questioned why the Government had not implemented its earlier commitment to pass port-landing prices to consumers and asked whether Treasury balances could be used to reduce fuel prices for the public, particularly low- and middle-income groups. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera stated that, following expert committee recommendations, the system would be simplified and made more user-friendly. He said people without access to technology could obtain assistance at Divisional Secretariats, where officers have been instructed to help with data submission and participation. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked whether the Ministry has taken steps to assist beneficiaries who are digitally and educationally disadvantaged and face difficulties accessing information and dealing with officials. He sought clarification on the measures or solutions being implemented to address these barriers. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera stated that no weighting system was used in assigning points for welfare benefit selection. He said the Committee on Standing Orders and Rules recommended revising the process, and the Welfare Benefits Board has since received general recommendations from an expert panel to refine eligibility criteria, include deserving beneficiaries, and remove ineligible recipients. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Lal Premanath raised concerns about continuing implementation issues with the Aswesuma welfare programme at ground level. He asked what steps the Ministry has taken to support poor households awaiting relief, particularly in light of the current global conflict situation. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Deputy Minister provided figures on Aswesuma appeals and objections, stating that 57,770 reviewed cases had been sent for Welfare Benefits Board approval and that payments would begin once beneficiaries opened bank accounts. He said a scientific selection method and integrated digital welfare management system were in use, legal action had been initiated over relevant irregularities, and recovered amounts could not yet be stated because proceedings were ongoing. He added that no further allowance increase was currently proposed, but empowerment programmes were being implemented through Samurdhi, with specified domestic and foreign allocations for 2026. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath posed a question to the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on the Aswesuma welfare programme, seeking figures on appeals and objections, their resolution, reinstated benefits, and the expected completion timeline. He asked whether a scientific data system would be introduced to select beneficiaries, what new data would be verified, and whether false claims had been identified, with recovery of funds and legal action. He also requested information on proposed cost-of-living-based benefit adjustments, empowerment programmes for beneficiary families, and related local or foreign funding allocations. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines - A330-200 Aircraft Acquisition and Fertilizer Distribution Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Chamindranee Kiriella urged that communication-related guidelines not be limited to media institutions but also be implemented in schools. She requested that awareness programmes be conducted at school level to address communication issues there. Oral Question: School Safety - Abuse and Violence in Educational Institutions Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary The Ministry stated that while earlier global supply issues have since normalized, the prolonged retention of the stock in a single store requires investigation. Officials have been instructed to examine why it was not distributed and to report promptly so that appropriate action can be taken. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the Government would avoid deviating from established procedures in terminating agreements, citing the risk of penalties as seen in the Airbus matter. He said the Chairman had resigned following concerns over a potential conflict of interest with private operators, and that applications by airlines to operate services to Sri Lanka would be considered while assessing any conflicts with SriLankan Airlines’ operations. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned whether loan or payment obligations, particularly instalments added during the 2014 Rajapaksa period, could be renegotiated or rearranged. He also raised concerns about SriLankan Airlines’ Colombo–London and Colombo–Melbourne routes, alleging a potential conflict of interest after the airline’s Chairman resigned and a company associated with him began operating on those routes as a local agent, and asked the Minister to respond. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Read →