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- 6 December 2024 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary R.M. Jayawardhana raised a question regarding the financial and operational difficulties at the Pelwatte and Sevanagala sugar companies, both under the Sri Lanka Sugar Company and economically significant to Monaragala District. He noted that Pelwatte has 23,000 metric tons of unsold sugar and over one million litres of stored ethanol, with similar issues at Sevanagala, leading to protests. He asked the Minister whether any decisions had been taken to address the crisis. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi called for compensation to be paid to farmers whose paddy cultivation failed due to damaged tanks and anicuts, citing around 35,250 hectares affected in Hambantota last season after water was not released from Samanalawewa. He said only a limited number of farmers had received compensation and requested that it be extended to all affected farmers. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Called for compensation to be paid to all families affected by past violence, including both victims and the Government’s own supporters who died, while also urging punishment of those responsible for killings. On fisheries, he disputed claims that beached boats had returned to work, stating that many multi-day vessels remained unable to operate because of the fuel crisis and engine damage. He proposed Rs. 5 million concessional loans to repair and relaunch such boats and an increase in targeted fuel support from Rs. 25 to Rs. 100 per litre through Ceylon Fishery Harbours Corporation tokens for multi-day fishing fleets. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Shantha Padma Kumara Subasingha JJB AI summary Shantha Padma Kumara Subasingha used his maiden speech to thank voters in Ratnapura and state that the NPP would use its mandate collectively and responsibly, including on environmental protection. Referring to the Vote on Account, he urged the Minister of Environment to intervene in and suspend a small hydropower project at Bambarbottuwa, alleging misleading documentation, questionable company details, and risks to sensitive waterfalls, endemic fish, drinking water sources, and a declared environmentally sensitive area. He said local residents had opposed the project since 2015 without seeking compensation, and rejected claims that his party had been paid to create conflict. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda thanked voters in the Galle District and acknowledged former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and senior politicians who supported his political career. In the Vote on Account debate, he challenged references to a “76-year curse” by citing events such as the 1971 and 1988-89 insurrections, Black July, the war, the tsunami, Easter attacks, COVID-19, and trade union actions as factors that set the country back. He wished the new government well but urged ministers who previously led protests in sectors such as fisheries, education, health, and agriculture to deliver on their promises, while cautioning against the resurgence of terrorism and the corrupting effects of power. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said the Vote on Account was constitutionally and legally permissible, but questioned why the Government did not instead present and pass an Appropriation Bill. He argued that expenditure heads, particularly for the Presidential Secretariat, appeared to have been copied forward despite the removal of several divisions under the new President, and urged Ministers not to be misled by officials using outdated templates. He called for closer scrutiny and reform of estimates, cited provincial-level financial anomalies such as idle fixed deposits, and said he would later raise questions on Washington travel and IMF discussions. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary In his maiden speech, Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva highlighted the historic representation of persons with disabilities in Parliament and urged that derogatory language about disability be disallowed in the House. He called for action on high unemployment among persons with disabilities, implementation of the 3 per cent public sector employment reservation and disabled graduate recruitment decisions, and an increase of the disability allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000. He also proposed new domestic legislation aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, stronger institutional participation mechanisms, enforcement of accessibility standards in public infrastructure and transport, and tax concessions for assistive devices. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva notes that President Ranil Wickremesinghe voluntarily brought the IMF Agreement to Parliament for a vote despite no legal requirement to do so. He urges the current government to likewise present and defend its position on the agreement before Parliament, even if formal parliamentary approval is not legally necessary. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha said the Government had not drafted the debt restructuring agreement and had its own criticisms of it, but chose to proceed rather than delay and risk further economic damage. He stated that the increase in the debt ceiling was due to the mechanics of exchanging existing International Sovereign Bonds for new instruments up to a notional Rs. 3,000 billion, and did not constitute new net borrowing. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the Government’s IMF-related debt agreement was based on its promised Alternative Debt Sustainability Analysis or the previous administration’s framework, arguing that the proposed external debt terms restart repayments too early and impose a heavier long-term burden than alternatives such as Ghana’s restructuring. He requested that Parliament be convened before 12 December to table, debate, and vote on the ISB agreement, proposing that Sri Lanka reject the current terms and seek a better deal. He also called for an extension of the suspension of parate execution beyond 15 December and for a structured support programme for SMEs addressing non-performing loans, blacklisting, and access to working capital. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha stated that the current arrangement was based on terms the previous Government had settled by 19 September, not an agreement signed by the present Government. He said the Government chose to proceed pragmatically rather than restart the process and incur additional national costs, with advisers indicating closure could be reached by December. He noted that about USD 1.7 billion in accrued interest had accumulated and said the objective was to minimize the burden on the public and revive the stalled economy. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha stated that the “in principle” agreement represents the agreed framework for a final decision, though not the signed agreement itself. He argued that prolonged delays of more than two years have imposed costs and said decisions should now be made by weighing costs and benefits in the public interest. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha addressed debt restructuring and IMF-related negotiations, stating that although final agreements had not been signed before the Presidential Election, Sri Lanka had reached agreements in principle with external creditors on about USD 17.5 billion of sovereign debt. He tabled a Finance Ministry press release and a Singapore Exchange announcement as evidence, and said advisers Lazard and Clifford Chance had guided the Government to proceed in a way that minimizes cost and delay. He also clarified that the Government had not said it would refuse to pay “odious debt” and would act according to its mandate. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned whether the Government would implement its stated tax commitments in the 2025 Budget, including zero tax for monthly incomes between Rs. 100,000 and Rs. 200,000, no VAT on food, and positions on digital services, IT services, vehicle import levies, and fuel and electricity pricing formulas. He said the Opposition would give the Government time but sought a specific response on rice, noting public expectations from the new Parliament’s mandate. He highlighted rising rice prices above gazetted controlled prices, shortages in retail outlets, and the Government’s shift from pledging not to import rice to gazetting permission for imports until 20 December, reportedly up to about 300,000 metric tons. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned the Government’s presentation of the Rs. 3.275 trillion item related to international sovereign bond restructuring, arguing that the stated 27 percent nominal haircut could effectively fall to about 14.96 percent under the GDP-linked mechanism. He said the Government had not defended the EPF in domestic debt restructuring and challenged ministers to table any signed debt agreement, noting that the deadline for agreement was still pending. He criticized prior JVP/NPP claims about “stolen” or “odious” debt, alleged missing borrowed funds, and promises of forensic audits or an alternative debt sustainability analysis, arguing that these claims conflicted with the Government’s current acceptance of repayment obligations and the IMF-linked restructuring process. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva said the Vote on Account should be viewed as an interim authorization under the Public Finance Management Act, aligned with the 2024 Budget and IMF programme, rather than as the Government’s full policy agenda for 2025. He noted the Government was seeking Rs. 1,403 billion in primary expenditure, Rs. 4,172 billion for debt service and restructuring, and Rs. 4,000 billion in borrowing authority, implying expected revenue of about Rs. 1,600 billion for the first four months. While reiterating support for continuing with the IMF programme, he said concerns remain about some conditions and social justice, and indicated that the key issue he wished to examine was the borrowing requirement for debt restructuring. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe alleged that certain rice millers, including Ratna Rice Mill, had obtained large public-bank loans but were withholding rice from the market, contributing to higher prices. He warned that future bank financing would be reconsidered for those not supplying rice, and said the Government would act against “mafias” in rice, coconuts, and other essential goods to stabilize prices ahead of the festive season. He also described the Vote on Account as an interim measure before a full Budget aimed at workers, producers, industries, and the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” programme. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said discussions had been held with both large and small rice millers, noting that small millers lacked stocks while large millers held bank-financed stocks. He stated that supplies had begun to Sathosa, with 100,000 kg delivered the previous day and 50,000 kg that day, to be distributed at around Rs. 220. He said millers had also been instructed to release rice to the open market under maximum retail prices of Rs. 220 for Nadu, Rs. 210 for Kekulu, and Rs. 230 for Samba, with priority given to Sathosa to ensure monitoring of stocks. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the Government would proceed within existing understandings, including with the IMF, while avoiding instability and implementing the NPP’s programme following its mandate. He referred to past debt accumulation and questioned the use of some loan proceeds, stating that forensic audits are being pursued. He said the short-term Vote on Account would be followed by a Budget under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, and addressed price pressures on essential goods. On rice, he said large millers with about Rs. 15 billion in state bank loans had been instructed to release stocks, with supplies now going to Sathosa and maximum retail prices notified for Nadu, Kekulu and Samba rice. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister defended the Vote on Account and said the Government must complete IMF-linked debt restructuring arrangements inherited from the previous administration, including bilateral agreements and sovereign bond settlements, in order to stabilize the economy and implement its programme. He stated that the proposed Rs. 3,000 billion increase in the borrowing limit is connected to completing the sovereign bond restructuring, which he said had already been provided for under the 2024 Budget by the former Finance Minister. He also responded to Opposition questions on issues including corruption, SriLankan Airlines, market shortages, commodity prices, wages and flood relief, arguing that the Government would proceed with its mandate and the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme while engaging with international institutions. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →