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 Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Some leases are governed by binding agreements that must be honoured until their expiry, regardless of current market conditions. Cancelling them early due to high prices or other reasons would expose the government to significant penalties payable to the counterparties. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked, as a supplementary question, how SriLankan Airlines plans to handle previously leased aircraft obtained on costly terms while pursuing new aircraft acquisitions aligned with Government policy. He noted that pre-2014 high-debt acquisitions had burdened the airline and sought clarification on managing those existing liabilities. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary S.M. Marikkar raised a question to the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation regarding SriLankan Airlines’ acquisition of a newly acquired A330-200 wide-body aircraft. He sought details on the company involved, who recommended it, the aircraft’s manufacture date, whether it was rented or leased, and the monthly lease payment if applicable, noting the context of concerns about “coal fraud” mentioned earlier in the debate. Oral Question: Aswesuma Programme - Appeals and Objections Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman questioned the Government about stalled progress at the Karadiyana plant, which was expected to add capacity to the national grid. He linked reduced generation capacity to low-quality coal affecting Norochcholai’s output and increased reliance on diesel, and asked why unannounced power cuts since 4 April were occurring across the country. He also raised concerns about recent water cuts, including prolonged interruptions in parts of Colombo, and demanded clarification on why these outages were not being publicly announced. Oral Question: Construction of Waste-to-Energy Power Plant in Karadiyana (Q.842/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera raised concern that the Special Audit Report on the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant, tabled in Parliament, had not been provided to all 225 MPs despite containing serious findings. He requested that copies be made available, noting its relevance to an upcoming no-confidence motion against the minister concerned. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources for details on the fuel subsidy for fishermen in the Puttalam District. He sought figures on the number of fishermen engaged in the industry, how many currently receive the subsidy, the funds allocated for it, and the measures taken to ensure timely distribution. Oral Question: Fishermen in Puttalam District - Fuel Subsidy (Q.749/2025) Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake informed Parliament that the Cabinet had approved a new economic relief package in response to difficulties arising from fuel price issues, following work by a special committee appointed by the President under Minister Upali Pannilage. He said the President would present the package to Parliament at noon and requested that the Committee on Parliamentary Business be scheduled for 12.30 p.m. Oral Question: Prices of Essential Goods and Economic Relief Package Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary On behalf of the Committee on Public Finance, Hon. Chithral Fernando presented its report on regulations under the Strategic Development Projects Act, rules under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, and the Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill. He explained that the Committee initially withheld approval of the Strategic Development Projects regulation due to concerns over tax holidays for Categories A and B and the absence of clear definitions for “strategic” and “Strategic Development Plan.” He stated that after further explanations from the Ministry of Finance, the Committee approved the regulation subject to remaining concerns being addressed in future reviews. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Ministry Annual Reports Tabling Read →
- 7 April 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2024 annual reports of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited and the National Lotteries Board, which were referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations. She also presented the 2024 annual reports of five universities, including Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo, Peradeniya, the Buddhist and Pali University, and the Open University, which were referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital. Several statutory documents, including an Essential Public Services proclamation, virement and supplementary allocation reports, and a Universities Act order establishing departments in the Faculty of Arts and Culture of Eastern University, were tabled. Papers: Auditor-General's Report and Ministry Annual Reports Tabling Read →
- 7 April 2026 His Excellency the President - Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake AI summary Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s speech is identified only by his offices—President and Minister of Defence, Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Digital Economy—without any substantive Hansard text provided. No specific argument, proposal, question, demand, legislation, event, or policy position can be summarized from the available content. Opening: Parliament Session - Administrative Announcements and Personnel Read →
- 20 March 2026 [Unnamed Speaker] AI summary Key economic sectors including agriculture, fisheries, and industry were described as requiring support, with the Economic Surveillance Committee and four subcommittees tasked with maintaining public services, energy supply, essential services, and welfare assistance. The remarks noted that the Central Bank is meeting regularly to assess domestic and global economic developments. The speech emphasized the Government’s responsibility to protect essential services and support vulnerable groups, while urging the Opposition to act responsibly during the economic crisis. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Government’s claims that shortages and economic pressures are easing, arguing that fuel and gas issues persist and that the Middle East conflict could reduce tourism, exports, remittances and reserves by large amounts if it continues. He urged the Government to develop alternative economic plans, clarify claims that Sara Jasmine is alive, and address allegations involving the Bribery Commission. He opposed giving the full Motor Traffic Department database to a third party for a QR system and proposed using revenue licence data instead, while also warning that removing CESS could harm domestic small industries. He further raised concerns about SLAS cadre implications following a court decision and called for gazettes to resume teacher training college intakes to address teacher shortages. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti said the Government had prioritized fuel allocation to 21 industrial and service sectors, especially exporters and value-chain institutions, rather than individual vehicles, to keep the economy functioning during the fuel crisis. He provided figures on institutional requests, CPC load approvals and sectoral allocations, and said mechanisms through companies, associations, Divisional Secretaries and relevant ministries were being used to address micro-entities and special cases. He stated that the Government aimed to keep the economy open, protect export and tourism markets while maintaining neutrality in the wider conflict, and would table detailed fuel allocation documents in Hansard to show actions taken. He also thanked public officers and ministries involved in coordinating essential services and industrial fuel distribution. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe said the Government had already outlined its response to the current global situation through the President’s March 17 address, media briefing, and statement in Parliament, including its non-aligned foreign policy and plans to manage fuel, LPG, electricity, and essential supplies. He argued that Sri Lanka’s neutrality had received international recognition and that the main domestic risks from the external shock related to imports such as fuel, medicines, fertilizer, wheat flour, and cooking oil. He defended coal procurement procedures, saying quality issues were being handled through contractual remedies such as rejection, penalties, or replacement. He contended that stronger fiscal management in 2025 had improved Sri Lanka’s resilience compared with the COVID-19 and economic crisis periods. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy questioned whether Sri Lanka’s claimed neutrality amid the war amounts to inaction, urging stronger humanitarian responses and disclosure and parliamentary debate on agreements with the United States and India. He demanded accountability over alleged substandard coal supplies, warned against blaming future power cuts on the war, and called for stronger support for migrant workers and their families. He also urged the Government to negotiate stable fuel arrangements with India and China, present clear future plans rather than statistics, and use fuel tax revenue to provide targeted relief to sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and exports. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake called for bipartisan action on energy security, arguing that fuel supply liberalization and competition among suppliers would reduce burdens on the State, prevent black markets and improve pricing, while urging expanded private power generation, renewables with battery storage, and an end to solar curtailment. He proposed opening bunkering to more suppliers, noting high margins, and said remaining CPC-related energy issues should be addressed through unity. He also urged rapid development of dry ports using existing railway and state lands to ease Colombo Port congestion, and proposed converting Mattala Airport into a Middle East diversion and operations hub by attracting Gulf carriers with incentives. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy said the Israel-US strikes on Iran had created a global energy crisis affecting Sri Lanka while it was still recovering from economic bankruptcy and the “Dithwa” cyclone. He outlined government measures to manage fuel and LPG supplies, including public stock assurances, reintroduction of QR-based controls, increased fuel releases above normal consumption, changes to LPG procurement, and covering private supply shortfalls through the State. He said storage and berthing constraints limited stockpiling but that supplies were being maximized, with arrangements for industry, tourism and agriculture, and assured uninterrupted fuel and power through the festive season while calling for Opposition cooperation. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Government was managing global fuel price pressures and supply-chain disruptions more prudently than during the previous fuel crisis, citing comparatively smaller domestic price increases and measures to maintain essential services. He argued that the Government had stabilized public finances, used Treasury funds including a Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate for cyclone relief, increased wages and salaries, and approved new jobs without relying on external borrowing for disaster assistance. He also stated that fuel disruptions were due to international conflict, freight and insurance constraints rather than a dollar shortage, and asked for time to resolve them. On plantations, he said the tea auction market was normalizing after initial export difficulties. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar criticized the Government’s fuel price increase and high fuel taxes, arguing that taxes should be reduced to ease the burden on consumers amid rising transport and goods prices. He alleged serious irregularities in coal procurement, citing delays in contracted shipments, an emergency tender awarded at a higher price, uncollected demurrage, and additional costs to the public purse, referencing evidence given before the Committee on Public Finance. He also said fuel shortages were affecting farmers, workers, fishers, transport operators and tourism, and questioned the Government’s claim of operating without corruption or fraud. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka’s foreign policy should prioritize strategic neutrality, sovereignty, and protection of citizens amid global uncertainty, particularly the Middle East conflict’s effects on energy, shipping, tourism, aviation, and overseas workers. He stated that the Government had restored stability after bankruptcy by improving public finances, reserves, inflation, essential supplies, and services, while also managing Cyclone “Ditwah” relief. He said Sri Lankan missions were assisting nationals abroad and called for restraint, respect for international law, freedom of navigation, maritime security, and peaceful resolution of conflicts. He urged political actors to act responsibly and said Sri Lanka should use its ports, airports, maritime position, and national assets to strengthen tourism, logistics, aviation, shipping, and energy security. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →