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 March 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said 14,235 cattle and buffaloes died in the Northern Province, and Rs. 900.49 million had been allocated for compensation under National Budget Circular 08/2025(1)8, with Rs. 258.85 million already paid. He outlined compensation rates for registered farms, emergency support including free medicines, mobile veterinary clinics, and 266,650 kilograms of feed distributed after Cyclone “Ditwah” and floods. He said recovery would continue through the Dairy Hub programme, prioritized provincial projects, and an 18-month Rs. 2,500 million World Bank-supported plan focused on feed, animal welfare, health, infrastructure, and genetic improvement, alongside measures such as permanent shelters, fodder development, farm registration, insurance, and concessional loans. Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Large-scale Cattle Deaths in Northern Province Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised an urgent matter on mass livestock deaths in the Northern Province following adverse weather, particularly in Mannar, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Jaffna. He said thousands of cattle, buffaloes and goats had died due to extreme cold, rain and inadequate shelter, causing an estimated direct loss exceeding Rs. 150 million and threatening rural livelihoods. He asked whether the Government had conducted a census of losses, what compensation had been paid or planned, what emergency veterinary support was being provided, and whether long-term grants would be introduced for weather-resilient cattle shelters. Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Large-scale Cattle Deaths in Northern Province Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the co-operative sector is governed through both national-level and provincial frameworks following the 13th Amendment, with some provincial interim constitutions causing difficulties for members. He stated that a Cabinet-approved committee is reviewing amendments to both central and provincial co-operative laws, particularly relating to co-operative banks and societies. Draft bills have been prepared, and the Government intends to bring the amendments this year to protect co-operative enterprises, members’ rights, and strengthen the sector. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage asked the Minister about reported obstacles faced by the Department of Co-operative Development in acting on issues involving SANASA societies and related bodies, citing gaps and powers under the Co-operative Societies Act. He requested an update on the status of proposed amendments to the Act, previously discussed in Parliament. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Funds invested in the SANASA bank belong to members of 379 Gampaha District societies and a wider network, involving about Rs. 3,000 million, with alleged irregularities occurring between 2010 and 2019. The Minister stated that action is being taken against 16 committee members and acknowledged failures by co-operative authorities, including inadequate audits and delayed legal action. He said 68 lending co-operative societies, mainly in the Western Province, are in financial crisis, and that investigations and interventions are being expedited through the Western Province Co-operative Commissioner on the Attorney General’s advice. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Lasith Bhashana Gamage urged the Minister to ensure more active involvement by the Department of Co-operative Development on behalf of aggrieved depositors. He asked what steps the Ministry could take to expedite the Department’s intervention in the matter. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage raised concerns about the SANASA society in the Gampaha District, citing around 200 depositor complaints, filed cases, and unpaid deposits linked to unlawful investments. He argued that the Department of Co-operative Development failed in early supervision and called for concrete action beyond correspondence, while also stating that previous political interference contributed to the collapse. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Read →
- 5 March 2026 Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister responded to a question on the Limited Gampaha District Federation of Co-operative Thrift and Credit Societies, stating that 376 member depositors and 3,937 external depositors are affected, with deposits totaling about Rs. 3.035 billion. He outlined actions taken, including special and statutory audits, referrals to the CID and Bribery Commission, an inquiry under the Western Province Co-operative Statute, charge sheets against 16 committee members, and seven-year disqualifications imposed on 14 members. He added that advice has been sought from the Attorney General and further action will proceed accordingly, including possible action under the Public Property Act. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Asked what measures are in place to prevent continuing delays in Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension payments, citing ongoing reports of delayed disbursements. Oral Question: Widows' and Orphans' Pensions (Q.6) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Asked for the current status of the joint Cabinet Memorandum to amend regulations under the Widows’ and Orphans’ (Armed Forces) Pension Scheme Act. Oral Question: Widows' and Orphans' Pensions (Q.6) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera explained that delays in processing pension-related applications for dependents of armed forces members arise from incomplete documents, verification issues in cases of multiple marriages, delayed death certificates after court inquests, and processing at the Department of Pensions. He stated that the Defence Ministry coordinates with relevant ministries, the Department of Pensions and the Attorney General’s Department, while the tri-forces assist families in resolving legal and procedural issues. He also said a joint Cabinet Memorandum has been prepared to amend regulations under the Widows’ and Orphans’ (Armed Forces) Pension Scheme Act, No. 18 of 1970, to enable pensions for dependents of personnel who married after discharge due to disability from terrorist activities. Oral Question: Widows' and Orphans' Pensions (Q.6) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. Oshani Umanga asked the Minister of Defence to explain delays in paying Widows’ and Orphans’ Pensions or allowances to dependents of armed forces personnel who died in service, and to state what measures will prevent such delays. She also sought clarification on benefits for dependents of disabled ex-service members who married after leaving service, and on whether military personnel recruited before 19 May 2009 but currently ineligible for the 85 per cent pension entitlement will be granted that benefit. Oral Question: Widows' and Orphans' Pensions (Q.6) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary Hon. B. Ariyawansha said pepper growers in areas such as Matale had suffered from a poor harvest the previous year and that advice from the Export Agriculture Department was not effectively reaching villages. Noting that a new harvest was expected around the end of April, he asked whether the Government would implement a programme to secure maximum export revenue and ensure a fair price for farmers. Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) Read →
- 5 March 2026 Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Acknowledging concerns raised, the Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka’s minor export crops, including pepper, have strong premium-market demand but had faced reputational damage from past malpractices involving re-exports labelled as Sri Lankan. He said corrective action is being taken with the Trade Ministry and the Food Security Committee, while the Government is distributing planting material, providing inputs, and expanding export villages. He also noted proposals to promote value addition, including a pepper oil plant, and to address crop disease through research and management programmes. Oral Question: Export of Minor Export Crops Since 2015 (Q.2) Read →
- 5 March 2026 Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary Acknowledging that the Rs. 7 million allocation is insufficient, the Minister stated that the Government will seek to increase the allocation progressively. He added that necessary provisions would be made in the following year. Oral Question: Multi-Purpose Service Centres in Mullaitivu District (Q.1/1185/2025) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan said Mullaitivu faces significant shortages and that the Rs. 7 million allocated is insufficient to provide the required office infrastructure. He noted that previous efforts were affected by the economic crisis and argued that the post-war lagging district needs greater allocations, possibly through a supplementary estimate. He asked whether additional funds would be provided to expedite the works. Oral Question: Multi-Purpose Service Centres in Mullaitivu District (Q.1/1185/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence responded to questions on compensation following Cyclone Ditva, stating that in Trincomalee District 27,515 families and 91,087 individuals had applied and that payments were continuing under NDRSC guidelines. He clarified eligibility for Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000 grants, noting that eligibility differs by type and extent of housing or household damage, and said funds had been sent for pending beneficiaries, including in Muttur. He reported payments for fully damaged houses, rental assistance, and Kandy District allocations, while stating crop damage falls under another Ministry and that no undue pressure on officials had been reported. Annexes listing beneficiaries, guidelines, and pending payments were tabled. Adjournment: Questions on Cyclone Relief and Tourism Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill completed Committee stage, with amendments focused on customer protection, transparency, lending assessments, repayment grace periods, and restrictions on abusive recovery practices. Further amendments prohibited excessive or improper interest charges, undue influence, humiliation of borrowers, and offsetting social security benefits against loan repayments. The Minister also sought leave to correct typographical, grammatical and numbering errors and make consequential amendments, after which the Bill was read a third time and passed as amended. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that the central issue in the repeal of the 2016 Microfinance Act and the new regulatory framework is the definition of “microfinance,” particularly its inclusion of community financial organizations. She noted that predatory lenders operating outside effective regulation have harmed women, while community finance groups function differently and should not be treated wholesale as microfinance operators. She referred to the 2024 Bill, the Supreme Court Determination, and Sectoral Oversight Committee recommendations, stating that all microfinance entities must be regulated without creating gaps, but that future regulations or mechanisms should protect women-led community finance organizations from inappropriate or excessive regulation. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Welcoming the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam said regulation is necessary because exploitative microfinance practices after the war particularly harmed women-headed households in the North and East, causing debt traps, harassment, and suicides. He argued that the Bill is too broad and may include non-profit, community-based lending groups formed by villagers for mutual support, and proposed a separate category with appropriate provisions for such organizations. He also called for adequate women’s representation in the proposed Authority and submitted amendments, while referring to unresolved wartime displacement and disappearances in the North and East. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →