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- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised concerns over recurrent flooding in Ampara and Kalmunai/Kalkudah, including an alleged incident where the Valathapitty tank bund was cut and worsened village flooding, and called for a proper inquiry. He urged improved drainage planning, consultation with affected communities, completion of unfinished gabion wall, dredging, and channel-widening works, and construction of flood protection embankments along vulnerable rivers. He also requested revival of the World Bank/ADB-funded Climate Resilience Improvement Project to finance drainage and flood-resilience infrastructure, and asked that crop insurance be extended urgently to vegetable and fruit farmers in both up-country and low-country areas. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem urged the Government to convene and operationalize the National Council for Disaster Management established under the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act, No. 13 of 2005, noting its statutory membership includes the President, relevant ministers and secretaries, and five Opposition MPs including the Leader of the Opposition. Referring to the Nintavur Arabic School incident on the Maavadipalli–Kaarthivu road in which six students died, he raised concerns over inconsistencies in procedures and compensation. He called for disaster death compensation to be increased from the current Rs. 250,000 to at least Rs. 1 million, in line with payments for human-elephant conflict deaths. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. K. Ilankumaran JJB AI summary K. Ilankumaran used his maiden speech to report on recent flood impacts in the Northern Province, stating that 51,171 families and 171,536 persons were affected across Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Mannar, with two deaths recorded. He said advance warnings and coordinated clearing of drainage channels helped reduce casualties, while 82 relief camps were established and food, essentials, medical support and mosquito nets were provided. He requested continued relief for damage to fishing boats, nets, crops and houses, and acknowledged assistance from ministers, local authorities, fellow MPs and diaspora networks. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka raised concerns about the Government’s response to recent flood damage, including loss of life, destruction of crops and property, and the absence of clear livelihood restoration measures. He argued that the proposed Rs. 40,000 per acre compensation for damaged paddy fields is inadequate compared with farmers’ incurred costs and requested at least Rs. 100,000 per acre, including for partially damaged lands. He questioned why the Government could not provide greater relief if claimed savings from reduced corruption and expenditure were being realized, and urged immediate delivery of fertilizer support and compensation to affected farmers. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha seconded the Adjournment Motion on recent adverse weather, emphasizing severe impacts on farmers, fisherfolk, households, irrigation systems, and the wider economy across multiple provinces. He questioned the adequacy of the proposed Rs. 40,000 per acre compensation for damaged paddy lands, sought clarification on support for farmers unable to replant and for non-farmer households with damaged houses, and urged faster funding and authority for District Secretaries to deliver relief. He called for stronger disaster management coordination among agencies, urgent remedial irrigation works including in the Heda Oya basin, and expedited installation of the Japan-assisted Doppler radar system at Puttalam to improve early warnings ahead of possible further weather events. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake tabled Finance Ministry data on 301 liquor licences issued in 2024 and said the President had directed that no new licences be issued until further notice, alleging that some licences under the previous administration were used as political inducements. Responding to the policy statement debate, he said the Government had not misled voters on the IMF programme, debt sustainability analysis or tax changes, stating that it would work within the existing IMF framework while seeking negotiated amendments to be reflected in the Budget. He also defended the National People’s Power’s electoral mandate, argued that Parliament has authority over public finance under Article 148, and said the Government’s large majority reflected public support for ending the previous political culture. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage defended the Government’s policy statement as a historic mandate for a people-rooted administration and said it would not waste public trust despite inheriting bankruptcy, shortages, and institutional distrust. He attributed current rice and coconut supply problems to past governments but said immediate measures were being taken to protect consumers and prevent hunger, while reiterating commitments to a limited Cabinet, anti-corruption action, poverty relief, and resolving plantation community issues on land, housing, and wages. On education, he highlighted declining Grade 1 enrolment, high dropout rates after Grade 8, and links between low educational attainment and imprisonment, proposing that all children after nine years of schooling be directed into either general or vocational education. He argued that vocational education funding is disproportionately low compared with enrolment and said this imbalance must be corrected in the forthcoming budget aligned with the Government’s policy vision. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera welcomed the President’s policy statement but questioned whether its commitments would be implemented, citing past failures of governments to fulfil such pledges. He criticized the Government for not announcing immediate measures to address rising living costs, including rice prices, and warned that import duties on rice could prevent consumers from receiving price relief. He also called for urgent support for SMEs through reduced input costs, especially electricity tariffs, and urged action to provide the promised Rs. 1,700 daily wage for estate workers. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne discussed the current paddy and rice crisis, attributing it to the previous Government’s failure to purchase paddy during the last Yala season and its sale of State stocks at a loss. He cited past audit findings and alleged irregularities in rice imports, duty changes, and Paddy Marketing Board stock releases to argue that prior policies benefited intermediaries while harming farmers and consumers. He stated that the Government had reluctantly begun importing rice to address the shortage and pledged to reform paddy purchasing, storage, milling, and distribution to protect farmers, consumers, and legitimate value-added sectors. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman questioned the Government’s ability to conduct credible investigations while retaining officials linked to past non-cooperation. He referred to CID records and alleged that Dialog, under Mr. Wijayasuriya, released requested data only after senior political figures warned that its licence could be cancelled, asking the Minister how investigations would proceed in that context. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister argued that the Government’s mandate represents a major political change driven by public demand for an end to corruption, dynastic politics and poverty-focused governance failures. He attributed Sri Lanka’s economic crisis to long-term policy failures since 1977, citing debt, deficits, weak exports, poor business and innovation rankings, and declining progress on Sustainable Development Goals. He said the Government would pursue industrial and entrepreneurial reform, including reversing harmful import and tax policies, supporting SMEs and domestic industries, and introducing an anti-dumping Bill in the first quarter of the following year. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized the President’s Policy Statement as inconsistent with his past positions and accused his political camp of having historically fostered communal politics, opposed devolution, and undermined the rule of law during the Aragalaya period. She questioned why the President did not name those identified by the Supreme Court as responsible for the economic crisis, and said she would place a related publication in the Library to support further legal action. She also argued that the speech lacked concrete plans on cost-of-living relief, called for an end to the use of the PTA against protesters, and warned of implications for UNHRC scrutiny and the EU’s GSP+ review. Raising concerns over education in the Central Province, she cited major teacher shortages in Kandy and Matale and urged the Government to recruit qualified graduates and listen to development officers rather than suppress them. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe outlined government measures to address rice shortages, stating that official production data indicated a surplus but market shortages reflected gaps in data, competing uses of paddy byproducts, banking constraints on millers, and flood damage to cultivated land. He said import restrictions on all rice varieties had been lifted until 21 December, with expected imports through private channels, Sathosa and the State Trading Corporation, and that millers had agreed to supply rice to Sathosa at Rs. 220 per kilo. He also announced measures to ease coconut shortages by directing state plantation companies to supply Sathosa, enabling sales at Rs. 130 per coconut and distributing one million coconuts over two weeks. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne said the Opposition would act constructively while scrutinizing whether the President’s Policy Statement can be implemented in practical short-, medium- and long-term terms. He argued that Sri Lanka should continue the IMF programme as agreed, warning that reopening it could risk renewed economic instability, and called for clarity on public service reform and the future of loss-making State-owned enterprises such as SriLankan Airlines. He questioned reliance on expanded subsidies and welfare, urging priority for long-planned irrigation projects such as the North Central Maha Ela and Wayamba Canal to improve agricultural productivity. He also noted omissions from the Policy Statement, including the Government’s position on abolishing the Executive Presidency and broader parliamentary system reforms. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha thanked Colombo District voters and said the National People’s Power’s increased female representation reflected a changed political culture valuing women’s participation. She defended President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Policy Statement as a break from privatization, excessive borrowing and import dependence, arguing instead for reviving state enterprises, protecting national assets, releasing land for productive use by farmers, and building a participatory production economy with fair distribution of benefits. She highlighted poverty in Colombo and the burdens on female-headed households, citing their rise to about 29 percent by 2018, and referred to planned relief such as Rs. 6,000 for children unable to afford educational materials. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara questioned the Government’s decision to import 70,000 metric tons of rice, citing President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s earlier pledge not to import rice in order to protect farmers. He also called for a reduction in fuel prices, arguing that lower crude oil prices, a stronger rupee, and profits in the petroleum sector should be passed on to consumers. He specifically challenged the continuation of high fuel taxes, including excise duty and VAT, in light of prior pledges to reduce the cost of living. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara criticized the Government’s handling of protests, saying police action against Education Service graduates was ignored while injuries to police officers were highlighted. He questioned the Government’s policies on attracting foreign investment, restructuring or addressing loss-making SOEs such as SriLankan Airlines, and disclosing the contents of the IMF Staff-Level Agreement. He also raised concern over rising rice prices and alleged hoarding, urging the Government to use legal powers to release available paddy and rice stocks if negotiations with mill owners fail. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa questioned whether the Government’s policy statement is compatible with its IMF commitments, asking how it will both reduce taxes and raise an additional LKR 500 billion in revenue, and what non-tax revenue measures are planned. He sought clarity on tourism capacity, flood compensation for farmers, rice import policy, and whether imports could affect Maha harvest prices, especially in flood-affected areas in the North and East. He urged the Government to act on promises to recover alleged stolen assets, explain plans for public sector digitization and any proposed reduction of 600,000 public servants, and resolve contradictions on issues such as the 13th Amendment, Provincial Councils, and manifesto commitments. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the Government’s claims on fuel and electricity costs, stating that high taxes on petrol and diesel, including VAT, were contributing significantly to prices. He called for reductions in these taxes and for the Government to deliver promised relief. He also welcomed the President’s “Clean Sri Lanka” vision and proposed a national public sanitation system and more urban green spaces. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha thanked voters in Kurunegala and Bingiriya and said the new government, despite arising from a working-class political movement, had failed to acknowledge Rohana Wijeweera in the President’s Throne Speech. He questioned whether the Government’s call for parliamentary discipline was consistent with its removal of powers from the University of Ruhuna Vice Chancellor, who he said had acted against ragging and indiscipline. He also challenged the Government to clarify its position on the IMF programme and possible public service reductions, arguing that it had sought a mandate on promises to resist or change IMF conditions but was now continuing the previous agreement unchanged. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →