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- 5 December 2024 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala acknowledged the Government’s large mandate and said the Opposition would support measures beneficial to the country while opposing actions harmful to the public. He urged the Government to address the high cost of living, including food prices and widespread hardship, and warned that public expectations must be met quickly after the economic crisis. He rejected claims that nothing had been achieved over 76 years, citing progress in free education and health, and called for practical short-, medium- and long-term measures to earn foreign exchange, particularly by improving foreign employment remittances and tourism to help meet debt obligations by 2028. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported the Vote on Account and argued that the NPP Government would pursue its five-year “A Prosperous Country — Beautiful Lives” programme to build a production-based economy rather than continue previous economic approaches. He said current flood compensation rates for damaged paddy land are inadequate and should be revised, while wider agricultural reforms should reduce production costs by lowering taxes on inputs and machinery. He also proposed rehabilitating small tanks, modernizing irrigation, improving water availability for both cultivation seasons, developing village fisheries to support nutrition, and introducing proper land-use planning to prioritize food production and support young farmers. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas, in his maiden speech, thanked voters in the Matara District and said the National People’s Power’s election victories reflected a shift beyond ethnic and communal political divisions, including in the North, East and Hill Country. He argued that national unity is now a practical basis for development and that reduced internal conflict would enable progress over the coming decade. He urged planned economic expansion, particularly through tourism and foreign exchange generation, citing Sri Lanka’s coastal, climatic, biodiversity, gemstone and cultural assets. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar said the Government should enforce its anti-communal stance through the law and questioned whether promised savings from reducing corruption, waste and theft are reflected in the expenditure estimates. He challenged the Government’s proposed borrowing, its position on the IMF and debt restructuring, and asked whether it would address losses to EPF/ETF members from domestic debt restructuring and clarify claims about removing 500,000 public servants. He sought timelines and implementation plans for pledges on fuel taxes, electricity tariff reductions, Trincomalee oil tanks, rice imports and supply, PAYE and VAT relief, and removal of taxes on food, education and health. He also asked for concrete proposals on FDI, grants, and tourism strategy, stating that the Opposition would support sound plans while urging stronger checks and balances. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra defended the JJB Government’s decision to continue engagement with the IMF and complete debt restructuring, arguing that it had been stated in the party’s manifesto and was necessary to avoid further economic damage. She said the previous Government was responsible for the debt crisis and that delays in restructuring had cost an additional USD 1.7 billion in interest. She also stated that the President’s expenditure head had reduced personal staff allocations by 64 percent and that the Government’s mandate was to restore economic inclusion for affected workers and SMEs. She further pledged a new Constitution to ensure equality and dignity for all communities and inclusive participation in the State. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath supported the Vote on Account as necessary to fund essential services, including public sector salaries and sectoral expenditure, while the new Government prepares the 2025 Budget. He argued that the current economic crisis resulted from past economic policies and mismanagement, and said the National People’s Power Government intends to shift towards a production-focused economy. He highlighted issues in agriculture and markets, including high rice and coconut prices, alleged market manipulation, and crop losses in Hambantota, proposing stronger state intervention such as an expanded Paddy Marketing Board. He stated that the Government would implement recovery plans over the coming months and invited others to support the rebuilding process. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised district-level concerns including wild animal conflict, requesting reconsideration of firearms permits for farmers, and Akurana flooding, calling for discussion on engineering proposals and coordination committee action. He also urged negotiated handling of the Kalmunai Divisional Secretariat delimitation issue, taking Muslim community concerns and pending litigation into account, and called for lawful elections before appointing trustees to the Nindavur Mosque. On the Vote on Account, he questioned large allocations linked to sovereign debt restructuring and alleged possible insider dealing, comparing it with past bond controversies, and called for investigations into both external debt restructuring and Domestic Debt Optimization, particularly its impact on EPF members and gains by primary dealers. He said he would submit questions to the Finance Minister seeking formal answers. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha thanked voters in Kandy for electing a large National People’s Power representation and outlined district priorities including wild animal damage to crops and flood mitigation in Akurana, stating that compensation, legal crop-protection measures, and a special flood project would be pursued. He linked these issues to the Government’s wider “system change” agenda, citing changes to political culture, state ceremonies, vehicle use, and the need for a more efficient public service. Responding to concerns about reducing state employees, he said some institutions have politically recruited excess staff while others, such as Wildlife Conservation and veterinary services, face shortages, and said staffing issues should be addressed transparently. He also said agricultural and irrigation projects must prioritize farmer benefits, while agencies such as the Paddy Marketing Board would be reoriented to improve farmer livelihoods and consumer outcomes. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Government’s plan to release ten million coconuts over two weeks, noting that daily national demand is about four million and warning that shortages and queues may continue while prices remain around Rs. 240 per coconut. He argued that the rice and coconut supply issues should have been addressed promptly after the Government was formed and urged the newly appointed Minister to provide an effective solution to prevent consumer hardship. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D.V. Chanaka criticised the Government for not implementing pledges made in opposition, including raising the PAYE tax-free threshold, reducing VAT, removing VAT on essential medicines and school supplies, and granting a Rs. 25,000 salary increase. He argued that the Government now has the presidency, a parliamentary majority, and claimed savings from reduced waste and corruption, and should therefore use those funds for salary increases and compensation for crop damage. He also questioned the Trade Minister on the response to the “market mafia” and the decision to import rice, referring to the stated figure of 70,000 metric tons. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister argued that Sri Lanka’s recovery requires an export-led, productivity-driven development strategy supported by consistent national and industrial policy, stronger institutions, skills development, rule of law, anti-corruption measures, and reforms to attract investment. He said the Government would consolidate and strengthen agencies such as the IDB, EDB, NEDA, the Small Enterprises Development Division, and the National Productivity Secretariat, while improving ease of doing business, development finance, logistics, energy reliability, certification processes, and tax rationalisation within the IMF framework. He rejected claims of Rs. 3,000 billion in new borrowing, describing the figure as a debt exchange accounting entry, and set export targets including increasing total exports to about USD 45 billion with sectoral growth in IT, apparel, agriculture, port services, and tourism. He also said the Government would directly engage industries to address costs, technology, credit and licensing constraints, and would improve delivery of SME support after previous concessional loan schemes reached very few firms. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake thanked UNP and NDF supporters and welcomed the Vote on Account being presented under the Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, while calling for higher standards and renewed public confidence in Parliament. He argued that Sri Lanka must continue the IMF-supported debt restructuring path after the 2022 default, maintain fiscal discipline, raise revenue toward 15 percent of GDP, and protect targets such as low inflation, a primary surplus, and stronger foreign reserves by 2028. He said PAYE in its current form is unfair and urged the Government to design Sri Lankan revenue measures rather than mechanically follow IMF prescriptions, while tabling the 2025 Budget revenue proposals by 17 December. He cited improved SOE financial results and past UNP policy achievements to argue for pragmatic, nationally focused economic management. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Ministry of Finance is conducting an inquiry into the matter. Once the inquiry is completed, the relevant document will be tabled in Parliament for public access. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. Najith Indika rejected Opposition claims that the NPP had promoted social hatred, arguing instead that fear-based campaign allegations against the NPP constituted such rhetoric. He contrasted the Government’s economic policy with what he described as Ranil Wickremesinghe’s path, citing the closure of the urea plant, rising public debt, privatization of state enterprises, and recent proposals involving the CEB and petroleum sectors. He said the NPP’s mandate was for a different model based on state-led planning, retaining sovereign control over strategic utilities, and mobilizing private and cooperative investment under national plans. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti argued that allocations in the Vote on Account are precautionary and need not be fully spent, citing the Rs. 3,000 billion provision for ISB-related commitments as potentially unnecessary if agreements are finalized by end-2024. He said the Cabinet has directed unutilized funds to be returned to the Treasury and outlined savings from reducing nonessential expenditure, limiting official residences and vehicles, relocating rented offices to government buildings, and using foreign assistance for school uniforms. He also defended continued payments under existing legal and advisory contracts, including restructuring-related advisers, as legacy obligations that could create litigation costs if abruptly terminated. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti – Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti defended the Vote on Account as a necessary interim measure to keep the State functioning until a full Budget can be prepared, noting that the Government took office on 23 November and that existing appropriations lapse on 31 December. He cited historical precedents for Votes on Account and said Act No. 44 of 2024 now provides a formal legal framework for them. He argued that allocations, including the Rs. 3,000 billion debt-service provision, are contingency ceilings rather than automatic expenditure, and linked the need for such provision to pending debt agreements and existing ISB obligations. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim said the Vote on Account must be scrutinized under Parliament’s constitutional control over public finance and argued that the Government had not explained its allocations with sufficient accountability. He questioned the requested expenditure and borrowing authority, including Rs. 1.4 trillion for four months, Rs. 1.7 trillion in further withdrawals, and up to Rs. 4,000 billion in borrowing, saying this contradicted previous pledges to avoid debt. He also demanded that the proposed International Sovereign Bond restructuring agreement be brought to Parliament for debate and a vote before signing, criticizing the macro-linked bond terms and the allocation of Rs. 3,213 million for foreign financial and legal advisers while farmer relief remained capped. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha – Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development AI summary The Minister moved the Vote on Account for the first four months of 2025 under Article 150(2) of the Constitution and the State Public Financial Management Act, citing the need to fund public services and ongoing development until the 2025 Appropriation is passed. He set out estimated expenditure of Rs. 2,600 billion, revenue of Rs. 1,600 billion, a primary borrowing limit of Rs. 1,000 billion, and a precautionary borrowing ceiling of Rs. 4,000 billion due to possible timing issues in finalizing debt restructuring. He said the Government’s priorities are macroeconomic, fiscal, external and social stabilization, completion of debt restructuring and IMF engagement, improved revenue administration, a production-oriented economy, and targeted support for farmers, fishers, vulnerable groups and schoolchildren. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Former Committee on Public Finance Chair Harsha de Silva said the proposed framework had been extensively discussed with officials and the Attorney-General in the previous Parliament to address the lack of a legal basis for earlier Votes on Account. He argued there was now no legal issue, though there may be an ethical concern, and suggested that the mover should have clarified to the House that time constraints prevented a full Appropriation Bill and sought its indulgence. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake defended the Speaker’s handling of proceedings, saying Members had been allowed latitude and should use it responsibly. He read out the Attorney-General’s letter stating there was no legal impediment to submitting the Vote on Account resolution under Article 150 of the Constitution and the Public Financial Management Act for the period 1 January to 30 April 2025. He requested that the scheduled debate proceed, arguing that the legal position was clear. Debate on Vote on Account and Procedural Matters (with Chair exchanges and points of order) Read →