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- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government for lacking a coherent foreign policy amid rising US–China–India competition and the Iran-Israel conflict, urging solidarity with Iran and earlier action to manage fuel and energy security risks. He questioned fuel stock management, called for exporters to be allowed to maintain operational fuel reserves, and proposed using regional instability to attract tourism, logistics investment, and coconut-sector development, including a Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries. He also raised concerns over judicial independence, politicization of prosecutions, the Krish transaction case, and allegations involving the Bribery Commission’s Director-General, calling for transparency, due process, and equal standards in anti-corruption action. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said the Government is managing current global fuel and supply pressures from a stronger economic position than the previous administration, with reserves of USD 7 billion. He assured farmers that there is no fertilizer shortage for the Yala season, said Government will purchase available fertilizer stocks directly and distribute them through farmer organizations, and warned against black-market purchases. He also outlined a simplified fuel distribution process for farmers and cited compensation payments and import controls as part of measures to strengthen agriculture and food security, adding that rice stocks and planned cultivation would prevent a shortage. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa criticized the Government for reversing its stance on QR code use and reiterated several Opposition proposals. He called for using excess Treasury balances for a tourism stimulus, providing tax relief and salary increases to reduce brain drain, renegotiating the IMF programme, and immediately implementing poverty relief measures. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that despite increased tourist arrivals, tourism revenue has declined compared to the previous year. He called for immediate tax relief and salary adjustments to address accelerating brain drain, urged renegotiation of the IMF framework, and demanded an urgent poverty eradication programme. He also called for the suspension of parate actions against MSMEs and measures to protect micro, small, and medium enterprises. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa criticised the President’s response to the wartime situation, arguing that neutrality should not prevent Sri Lanka from condemning alleged violations of international law and the UN Charter. He questioned whether maritime domain awareness agreements with the United States had been breached in relation to reported military activity near Sri Lankan waters, and disputed the President’s interpretation of rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone under UNCLOS and related law. He also accused the Government of failing to use a temporary sanctions pause to pursue Russian oil purchases, warned of energy security risks from under-generation at the Lakvijaya coal plant, and proposed measures including a tourism support programme, steps to stem professional emigration through tax and salary reforms, and renegotiation with the IMF. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake AI summary Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the Government had taken measures to protect energy security and manage possible external shocks, including supply-chain disruptions, through operational committees overseeing essential goods, festive-season stocks, distribution, agriculture, fisheries, tea transport, and apparel-sector impacts. He highlighted 2025 as a key economic year, citing a projected budget deficit of 2.4 percent, a current account surplus of USD 1.8 billion, higher revenue collection, low inflation, and single-digit interest rates as evidence of stabilisation after earlier policy failures. He also stated that Cabinet had approved the restructuring of USD 175 million in SriLankan Airlines bonds, with signing expected that day, and argued that maintaining these trends for several years would strengthen economic resilience. Adjournment Debate: Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha said Sri Lanka is facing an external shock from war-related disruptions to shipping, fuel, insurance, freight and aviation costs, but that the Government’s objective is to prevent it becoming a domestic crisis. He outlined measures to contain inflation and maintain financial stability, including an estimated 8 percent domestic fuel price adjustment, prioritising scarce fuel for essential services, protecting reserves, supporting exporters, tourism and remittances, and encouraging reduced non-essential fuel use. He stated that low recent inflation, a relatively stable rupee, reserves above US$7 billion, debt restructuring progress, and expected IMF, ADB and World Bank inflows provide resilience, while a Prime Minister-led committee will prepare targeted relief for vulnerable groups. Adjournment Debate: Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations have been strengthened through new recruitment, budget allocations and Cabinet approval to extend the OMP mandate to cases beyond 2000 and newly reported complaints. He said Rs. 375 million has been allocated for a 75-member inquiry panel, with plans to complete 5,000 complaints this year and 6,000 next year, while referring identified perpetrators to relevant authorities. He outlined OMP work on mass grave cases, forensic training, database development, Certificates of Absence, regional outreach and family engagement. He also described the legal framework and activities of the Office for Reparations, including revival payments to 4,456 claimants by end-2025 and collective reparation initiatives in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Oral Question: Accountability for Disappeared Persons and UNHRC Engagement Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe explained that Paddy Marketing Board stocks from the Yala season, totaling 50,000 MT with an additional 4,000 MT bought by Sathosa, are being milled through registered service providers and mills. He stated that around 5,000 MT per month is being released to Lanka Sathosa, Triposha, the Food Commission, private sector buyers, and co-operatives, with over 8,000 MT released in the previous two months. He said PMB warehouse stocks are issued under agreements requiring mills to process and return rice, and that the process is continuing. Oral Question: Consumer Affairs Authority Rice Raids (Q.640/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson questioned the use of the Rs. 6 billion allocated in 2025 to the Paddy Marketing Board for purchasing paddy, asking how much of the Yala stock had been milled and released to the market, including through Lanka Sathosa at concessionary prices. He highlighted remaining stocks in warehouses, including 1.5 million kilograms at the Mahaweli warehouse in Vellikanda, Polonnaruwa, where some paddy had reportedly been damaged by water after elephant intrusion, and requested an investigation into whether it could still be milled. Oral Question: Consumer Affairs Authority Rice Raids (Q.640/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government recognizes farmers’ difficulties and will intervene to support them. He stated that the Ministry of Finance has already begun procurement for driers, though delivery will take time, and that steps are being taken to ensure adequate fertilizer and fuel for production and harvesting. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara questioned delays in implementing Budget allocations for agricultural driers and noted that existing warehouse development has stalled, arguing that identified farmer problems are not being followed by continuous action. He asked the Ministry for the status of the second-phase fertilizer subsidy, measures to protect farmers from high and uncertain urea prices, and practical support for harvest marketing, inputs, and fuel access for smallholder crop processing. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera stated that the Ministry of Finance is addressing support for farmers and noted that the 2026 Budget allocated funds for threshing and related equipment. He said the Government would continue to support such measures. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project Read →
- 20 March 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 stated that the Warehouse Receipts Financing Project aims to provide quality storage for farmers and enable bank pledge loans using stored grain as collateral. He said three centres were built in 2015 with World Bank support and three more in 2018 with domestic funds, while the Embilipitiya centre was later transferred to the Spices and Allied Products Marketing Board, leaving five centres currently operating. He reported that 4,187 farmers are registered, with additional unregistered daily users, and that the centres are managed by the Regional Development Bank under District Secretary supervision with district-level advisory committees. Oral Question: Warehouse Receipts Financing Project Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that measures are being taken to ensure market stabilization in line with current conditions. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned how Government price relief through approximately 500 Sathosa outlets could benefit the wider population, noting that only a small share of Sri Lankans can access those outlets. He cited official monthly living cost figures for Colombo and Monaragala and asked how households would cope amid declining purchasing power and rising freight and insurance costs. He challenged the Government on its election promise to reduce prices. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary The Government stated that it has taken measures to address price and supply concerns by stocking essential goods through CWE, STC, and Lanka Sathosa for at least one month. It said goods are being procured in quantities above the requirement and sold through Sathosa below prevailing market prices to stabilize prices and ensure consumer access. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Government on measures taken to protect consumers from rising prices, noting that 65% of essential goods are still imported and that insurance, freight, and exchange-rate pressures have increased costs. He asked what steps were being taken to ensure fair prices, while acknowledging earlier maximum retail price controls and the subsequent shift toward competition-based pricing. He also challenged the apparent discrepancy between the Central Bank’s claim that inflation has subsided and the continued high prices faced by consumers. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister provided a detailed statistical response on household and national consumption, production, imports, duties, prices, and cost factors for essential commodities including sugar, dhal, rice, wheat flour, milk powder, and coconut. He cited 2025 estimates and historical household consumption data from the Department of Census and Statistics and coconut data from the Coconut Development Authority, noting import values by HS code and domestic production figures. He stated that price and cost differences arise from input costs, exchange rates, weather impacts, logistics margins, and tariff or levy policies. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam said many National Housing Development Authority projects in Batticaloa and the North and East, initiated during the tenure of Hon. Sajith Premadasa, remained incomplete after being halted in 2020. He cited over 133 unfinished model village projects and more than 3,000 houses stalled at various construction stages, leaving beneficiaries in debt for years. He requested the Deputy Minister to provide a clear funding allocation, phased completion plan, and timetable to finish the houses, including attention to areas such as Vavunativu and Vakarai. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →