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 March 2026 The Hon. Jagath Manuwarna JJB AI summary Jagath Manuwarna supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, arguing that regulation is necessary because thousands of unregistered lenders operate in villages while only a few are Central Bank-registered. He said poor borrowers, especially women, plantation communities, farmers, and war-affected people in the North and East, have faced severe distress, harassment, and suicides linked to abusive microfinance practices. He assured that voluntary village societies such as death-benefit societies and farmer organizations would not be targeted, and said the Bill aims to formalize the sector and protect both borrowers and legitimate lenders. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Hon. Upul Kithsiri supported the Bill to establish the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority, arguing that regulation is needed to address exploitative lending, excessive interest rates, and the social harm caused by unregulated microfinance and moneylending schemes in rural areas. He said such loans had deepened poverty, contributed to family conflicts and suicides, and required urgent state intervention to protect borrowers and bring order to the sector. He also responded to Opposition criticisms on delays, coal allegations, paddy guaranteed prices, and concerns about village organizations, stating that implementation issues could be discussed while the Bill should be passed without delay. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam welcomed regulation of microfinance in principle, citing severe post-war indebtedness, especially among women in the North and East, but argued that the Bill fails to address key harms. He said it would undermine longstanding community-based credit systems by treating them as microfinance institutions, and called for such grassroots providers to be exempt and regulated separately. He also criticized the proposed expansion of CRIB coverage as worsening financial exclusion for low-income borrowers, and requested an amendment to the Civil Procedure Code so debt recovery cases are filed where borrowers reside rather than at lenders’ registered offices. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill as a measure to regulate, monitor, and make microfinance institutions accountable, citing high-interest lending, unclear loan agreements, weekly collections, and debt cycles affecting poor borrowers, especially women-headed households in the North and East after 2009. He highlighted cases in Batticaloa, including outstanding microfinance debt and suicides linked to harassment and digital phone-based lending, and argued that the Government must provide relief and protection to affected communities. He also briefly called for state support to develop Sri Lanka’s Tamil cinema sector, referring to the Indo-Lanka film “Anthony” and opportunities for Sri Lankan Tamil artists. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar alleged serious irregularities in a coal procurement tender, citing PUCSL reports to claim that substandard and delayed shipments had caused financial losses, reduced Norochcholai generation below 300 MW, increased ash content, and created risks to turbine safety. He questioned why delay penalties and bid bond recoveries had not been pursued despite Attorney-General advice, and argued that the Government’s move toward emergency procurement amounted to an implicit admission of failure. He also cautioned against public statements on Middle East-related economic risks that could affect tourism and investment, while denying that the Opposition sought to create fuel panic or blackouts for political advantage. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Condemning both the US attack on Iran and Iranian strikes on Gulf states, the Member warned that conflict in the Middle East affects Sri Lankans living there and called for responsible action. He challenged the Government to disclose evidence behind past allegations involving Chinese funds, Uganda, and “files,” while also demanding fulfilment of election promises to reduce electricity bills, remove VAT from essentials, education and health, and lower fuel costs. He further cited National Audit Office findings presented to a Sectoral Oversight Committee, stating that losses from nine coal shipments totalled Rs. 8,497 million, and questioned the Government’s handling and understanding of related procurement issues. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, arguing that previous governments failed to enact such regulation despite long-standing microfinance-related hardship. He rejected Opposition criticisms of the Government, particularly over coal procurement, giving details of penalties imposed on substandard coal shipments and asking the Opposition to disclose its own past decisions on similar imports. He also challenged allegations about a private bank deposit, defended the Government’s record on public funds and plantation wage increases, and accused the Opposition of using unrelated protests and international conflicts to attack the Government. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Regulation of microfinance lending was supported, while calling for genuine relief for victims and clear mechanisms that do not conflate microfinance with pyramid schemes or digital currencies. Concerns were raised over reports of an attack on an Iranian vessel within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone, with demands for the Government and Defence authorities to explain the incident, its connection if any to recent agreements, and the adequacy of intelligence and maritime security. The speech urged the Government to brief Parliament and prepare a short-, medium- and long-term plan for possible economic and security impacts of the Middle East conflict, including effects on remittances, tourism, exports, air routes, and alternative markets. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sagarika Athauda supported the microfinance legislation, arguing that while microfinance can promote rural enterprise, self-employment and women’s economic empowerment, weak regulation has led to severe debt distress, including reported suicides and hardship especially among women and in the North and East after the war. She said many loans had been used for consumption rather than income generation, creating cycles of borrowing to repay earlier loans. She called for Central Bank-guided regulation covering licensing, supervision, market conduct, credit counselling, financial literacy, complaint mechanisms and coordinated lending practices, alongside rural economic development programmes to ensure microfinance supports low-income communities safely and ethically. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nandana Millagala JJB AI summary Dr. Nandana Millagala said the Opposition had not made substantial criticisms of the Bill and had instead misrepresented the President’s remarks on fuel storage and related terminology. He outlined the Government’s planned investments in new and refurbished fuel tanks, pipelines and filling facilities at Kolonnawa, Muthurajawela and Trincomalee, describing it as a long-delayed storage infrastructure programme targeted for completion by 2027. He also stated that the Government’s position on the Iran–Israel conflict is to oppose war and support peace. On the Bill, he said it is intended to protect distressed microfinance users, bring microfinance institutions under a sound regulatory framework, and improve financial literacy. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson supported regulating microfinance but urged the Government to consult indebted borrowers, especially women, before passing the Bill, distinguishing genuine community-based lending groups from exploitative lenders and ensuring relief for those affected. He questioned whether village societies and voluntary groups would fall under Central Bank oversight, called for the National Women’s Commission to be revived before its representation in the proposed Authority, and asked women MPs to be involved. He also raised implementation concerns over disability, kidney patient and elderly allowances, and demanded a guaranteed paddy price for farmers in areas where harvesting had begun. He reminded the Government of past commitments made to indebted women during a 2021 protest and urged those pledges to be honoured before enactment. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, rejecting Opposition claims that it is being rushed or would improperly cover banks, finance companies, cooperatives, or small village societies. He said the Bill targets currently under-regulated community-based organisations, microfinance companies, and NGOs, and is needed to address unregistered operators, illegal deposit-taking, excessive interest rates, unethical recoveries, and harassment of borrowers, particularly women. He argued that regulated microfinance can expand financial inclusion for low-income people, help break cycles of poverty, restore trust in the sector, and support economic growth. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, describing it as a response to abusive app-based and unregulated lending practices involving excessive interest, unsolicited loans, data misuse, and harassment of borrowers. He said the Bill aims to regulate microfinance institutions, protect borrowers, cap excessive interest rates, prevent debt traps, and bring unregulated lenders under a single authority, while excluding cooperatives, Samurdhi community banks and societies, and organisations under the Agrarian Development Act. He outlined borrower-protection requirements, including clear agreements, repayment-capacity assessments, transparent interest disclosure, statements on request, and fair treatment, and noted that licensed banks are already regulated by the Central Bank. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill’s aim of protecting depositors and borrowers, particularly women, from abusive microfinance practices, while urging that non-profit village societies and volunteer-run community organisations receive regulatory relief. He proposed mandatory women’s representation on the Authority and called for stricter supervision of profit-driven lenders, pawn brokers, leasing-related pledges, and jewellery shops to prevent illegal pledging of assets and protect lawful businesses. He also raised a separate concern that farmers harvesting paddy remain under pressure due to the lack of an effective fair procurement mechanism. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, arguing that Sri Lanka has long lacked an effective regulatory framework for a sector affecting poor and rural borrowers, despite previous debates in 2016, 2019 and 2024. He cited reports of widespread harm from microfinance debt, including adverse effects on about 2.9 million people and suicides, and said the Bill would establish a regulatory authority, require licensing, protect clients, investigate compliance, penalize violations and limit deposit-taking. He said concerns regarding community-based organisations could be addressed through amendments, and described the Bill as a measure to prevent unauthorised deposit-taking, exploitative interest rates and unethical recovery practices while protecting financial stability and the public. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir AI summary Supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill in principle but warned that strict bank-like regulation and CRIB reporting could harm small societies, low-income borrowers, small entrepreneurs, and fishing communities, calling for relief or exemptions. Raised concerns that cyclone-affected farmers in Kalpitiya areas such as Navakkadu, Narakkali, Maampuri, and Norochcholai had not received adequate assistance, including for damaged coconut trees. Condemned the reported assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, criticized the Government for not expressing condolences, and cited Iran’s past assistance to Sri Lanka, including oil credit and funded projects. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, stating that it would replace gaps under the Microfinance Act, No. 6 of 2016 by creating a nine-member Authority to regulate lenders and better protect borrowers. He said the Bill would address unregulated lending and recovery practices. He also responded to opposition remarks on Muslim issues, alleging past failures on anti-Muslim violence, COVID-19 cremations, Easter 2019 and seized Qur’an copies, while urging that Parliament not be used for ethnic incitement. He argued that the Government’s priority should be stability, security, public wellbeing and development for all communities. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Mrs. Samanmali Gunasingha supported the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill as a response to widespread unregulated high-interest lending affecting over 2.4 million women borrowers and linked to severe social harms, including suicides. She said the Bill would establish regulatory oversight, complaint mechanisms down to local levels, data collection, interest and fair-practice controls, and requirements such as informed consent in borrowers’ preferred languages. She also referred to alleged abusive practices by specific microfinance institutions and linked the Bill to broader government plans to provide Rs. 96 billion in collateral-free support for women and other entrepreneurs. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam argued that the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, reportedly linked to an Asian Development Bank loan condition, is drafted too broadly and may bring small post-war NGOs, women’s savings groups, and social lending schemes under strict regulation while leaving banks, leasing companies, and finance companies able to charge high rates. He warned that CRIB restrictions and inadequate rules on debt recovery could push poor and rural borrowers toward unregulated moneylenders, and called for explicit exemptions, clearer recovery safeguards, and mandatory women’s representation in the Authority. He also raised related concerns about electricity billing access, fuel shortages in the North, East and estates, and the absence of clarity on promised plantation worker wage increases, urging protective amendments to the Bill. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage clarified that the Bill excludes entities already regulated or registered under existing frameworks, including provincial councils, local authorities, the Central Bank, the Pawn Brokers Act, co-operative societies, the Samurdhi Act, and Agrarian Development structures. He stated that the legislation is aimed at unregistered or unlicensed lending and financial service providers that have caused public harm. He said the Government’s objective is to protect customers through regulation and a complaints mechanism, not to regulate informal groups such as friendly societies or funeral aid associations. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →