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- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi supported the relaxation of regulations under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, stating that improved reserves and IMF-linked restructuring had created conditions to attract investment and permit capable Sri Lankan businesses to invest abroad. He cited reserve growth from USD 4.39 billion in 2023 to USD 6.3 billion by January 2026, alongside the resumption of vehicle imports and LC payments, and said the Central Bank sets the relevant thresholds independently. He criticized opposition statements about instability and alleged attempts to create public panic, arguing that such actions could deter investors and risk a return to the 2022 economic crisis. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy criticized the President for not presenting concrete measures on the impact of war and economic risks, including protection for overseas workers, securing fuel, gas and medicines, sustaining exports, attracting investment, and engaging international bodies such as the UN, IAEA, WTO and ILO. He urged the Government to involve the Opposition and wider stakeholders in building consensus and managing public concern over shortages. He also raised dissatisfaction with the Easter Sunday investigations, calling for full inquiries into all alleged links and for answers by 21 April, without using selective arrests or delays to divert attention. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the continuation of emergency regulations after the “Ditsa” cyclone, citing large numbers of displaced families still in shelters or temporary accommodation and alleging insufficient government action after three months. He criticised fuel distribution management, referred to conflicting CPC statements on stocks, and urged the Government to investigate the cutting and sale of Kolonnawa storage tanks as scrap while also raising concerns about Trincomalee tank farm development delays and earlier court actions by unions. He warned against allowing global fuel supply risks to become a domestic crisis, questioned recent fuel price revisions and gas procurement decisions involving Laugfs, and briefly referred to a stalled USD 12 million Maliban Textiles investment in Nikaweratiya expected to create 4,000 jobs. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Manoj Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Manoj Rajapaksha supported the Regulation under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, stating that improved reserves, tourism receipts, remittances, and export earnings allow Sri Lanka to gradually relax capital flow measures in line with the IMF EFF programme. He said the regulation facilitates overseas business expansion by increasing limits for capital transactions through foreign currency accounts and reflects economic stabilization. He also defended the President’s statement to Parliament on the Middle East conflict, criticized opposition allegations of corruption, and condemned civilian killings and attacks in Iran while calling for a swift end to the war. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka’s heavy reliance on imports makes the economy highly vulnerable to rupee depreciation and interest rate increases, citing substantial cost impacts from both. He urged the country not to rely solely on IMF guidance but to undertake its own economic reassessment, improve competitiveness, and attract investment. He also cautioned against escalation of conflict, calling for prudent leadership and policies that improve living standards for Sri Lankans. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka should leverage its proximity to India and pursue deeper economic integration to accelerate growth beyond current 3-4% levels. He criticised reliance on high interest rates to control inflation, saying it contracts the economy, and called for support to SMEs, youth entrepreneurship, and women’s participation in the domestic workforce instead of labour migration. He urged the Government to attract foreign capital through capital accounts, strengthen the balance of payments, support the rupee, and reduce the cost of living. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake supported amendments to the Exchange Control framework but argued that higher nominal outward investment limits are insufficient without genuine liberalisation, given the erosion of purchasing power since the economic crisis. He urged faster regularisation of outward investment accounts, stronger Central Bank action on durable reserves, exchange-rate stability, growth and employment, and greater investment in renewable energy while scrutinising procurement costs. He called for government and opposition cooperation amid global geopolitical risks, particularly potential disruptions to oil, LNG and LPG supplies through the Strait of Hormuz and the Middle East. He also said Sri Lanka should use the situation to attract foreign direct investment through the BOI and Port City with clearer marketing, tax incentives and investor-friendly policies, while planning for fuel and gas supply continuity. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage JJB AI summary Thilanka U. Gamage supported the Regulation under the Foreign Exchange Act, arguing that the Government has stabilised key economic indicators since taking office after the crisis and bankruptcy period. He cited higher revenue-to-GDP figures, a reduced budget deficit, a positive primary balance, lower interest rates and inflation, and improved balance-of-payments conditions as evidence of recovery. He explained that the Regulation relaxes foreign currency account limits, raising the Business Foreign Currency Account capital payment cap from USD 200,000 to USD 500,000 and the Personal Foreign Currency Account cap from USD 20,000 to USD 25,000, to support investment, debt servicing and resident flexibility. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe defended the Government’s economic strategy as aimed at building a “resilient economy” capable of withstanding global shocks, and rejected Opposition claims that Sri Lanka would be unable to meet future debt obligations. He cited improvements in remittances, reserves, exports, tourism and investment prospects, and said structural reforms were under way in digitisation, transport, energy and education. Referring to regulations under Section 22 of the 2017 Act, he said the Government was further relaxing outward capital transaction limits, including raising the investor limit from USD 200,000 to USD 500,000 and the personal cap from USD 20,000 to USD 25,000, as a signal of economic recovery and prudent liberalisation. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan said raising outward investment limits indicates a shift from crisis management toward a growth-oriented strategy. He argued that Sri Lanka should adopt an automatic route for bona fide capital transactions, drawing on India and Singapore, and stressed that becoming a business and financial centre requires institutional reforms in addition to legal changes. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan supported the Regulation under the Foreign Exchange Act as a timely prudential measure to protect reserves while relaxing outward investment limits for companies and overseas business operations. He noted the shift from the older Exchange Control framework to the more facilitative 2017 Act, but raised concerns over frequent Section 22 directions, export proceeds rules, and the adequacy of investment ceilings compared with regional competitors. He proposed a digital National Single Window, phasing out paper clearances, and accelerating digital ID and financial system digitisation to improve foreign exchange monitoring and support Sri Lanka’s positioning as a regional business and finance hub. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the Regulation under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act was being debated against a backdrop of global conflict affecting Sri Lanka’s economy and workers in the Middle East, and stated the Government’s position that world leaders should intervene to stop the war and protect lives. He rejected Opposition claims on rising poverty by citing Official Poverty Line figures and argued that recent reductions reflected inflation control and price moderation. He detailed Government measures to secure LPG and fuel supplies, including import volumes, vessel schedules, daily cylinder distribution, action on companies failing to supply the market, possible cylinder exchanges, and plans to expand storage through new LPG and fuel tank farm projects. He urged the public not to panic-buy, stating that fuel and gas supplies were adequate and that recent shortages were easing. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake supported the Regulation under Section 22 of the Foreign Exchange Act, stating that improved foreign exchange conditions allow relaxation of earlier restrictions on outward transactions. He highlighted proposed increases to limits for Business Foreign Currency Accounts from USD 200,000 to USD 500,000, Personal Foreign Currency Accounts from USD 22,000 to USD 25,000, and the reopening of certain outward capital transactions through rupee-funded Outward Investment Accounts. He linked these measures to the Government’s broader economic management, citing revenue performance, relief funding after the “@DOo” cyclone, capital expenditure, lower interest rates, controlled inflation, and recent GDP growth, while calling for cooperation to expand the economy. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa argued that state policy is flawed if it assumes a person can live on Rs. 16,000–18,000 per month, and called for stronger protection mechanisms through Sri Lankan embassies for over one million migrant workers, particularly in the Middle East. He urged the Government to use the regional crisis to rebuild confidence in Sri Lanka, attract foreign direct investment, and convene an international donor conference, saying an earlier opportunity after the “Ditcha” cyclone had been missed. He proposed an all-party discussion and a two-day parliamentary debate on the international war situation and its impact on Sri Lanka, with the President’s personal intervention. He also condemned attacks on Iran and Gulf states, citing violations of the UN Charter. President's Address on Middle East War Impact and Opposition Response Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Condemning the attack on Iran as a breach of international law, the Opposition Leader urged Parliament also to condemn retaliatory strikes on Gulf states and called for Sri Lanka to take a clear, principled position. He said the Government should revisit the IMF programme and Debt Sustainability Analysis in light of disasters, geopolitical shocks and projected external debt servicing, and offered support for a more people-centred adjustment. He criticised the failure to allow his Standing Order 27(2) question on coal quality, said renewed queues reflected lost public trust and inadequate communication on fuel and gas stocks, and called for contingency planning for energy supplies amid Strait of Hormuz risks. He also questioned official poverty and cost-of-living data, arguing that policy should be based on more realistic statistics to protect livelihoods. President's Address on Middle East War Impact and Opposition Response Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Government had already answered questions regarding coal supplies from Russia, South Africa and Indonesia, and that local agents did not need to be present in Parliament for such matters. He said the coal shipment schedule had been clarified up to mid-April, including the expected arrival of the 25th ship, and that the Government was prepared to respond to queries on each shipment. Privilege Question and Procedural Discussion on Coal Supply Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa said that 10 of the 25 ordered coal shipments had arrived and claimed all were substandard. He asked that the responsible Minister respond to his question on the coal issue that day, clarifying that he had not raised a matter concerning a Homagama bank account. Privilege Question and Procedural Discussion on Coal Supply Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a Question of Privilege, stating that he was denied permission to ask a Standing Order 27(2) question on alleged substandard coal supplies for the Norochcholai power plant. He said his proposed questions sought detailed information on coal specifications, shipment quality, generation shortfalls, financial losses, emergency procurement, and contingency measures, and argued that a postponement debate did not replace the Government’s obligation to provide specific answers. He requested an inquiry into the denial, action to protect his parliamentary privileges and freedom of speech under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, and permission to raise the question within the week. Privilege Question and Procedural Discussion on Coal Supply Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister reported that Sri Lanka has 608 police stations and 79,782 personnel as at 15 February 2026, while vacancies are to be filled through promotions and recruitment in line with Public Service Commission, National Police Commission, and approved cadre procedures. He said interviews had been completed for 1,400 planned recruitments, including Sub Inspectors, Police Constables, and Medical Officers. Responding on police misconduct and crime-related incidents, he outlined welfare, training, complaint, intelligence, investigation, and disciplinary mechanisms, noting that 624 officers were interdicted and 79 dismissed between 1 January 2024 and 30 September 2025. Oral Question: Police Stations and Officers (Q.?/2025) with Supplementaries Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne stated that a problem had arisen regarding the supervision allowance and that discussions had begun to resolve it. He said a response would be provided in due course to the ARPAs on the matter. Oral Question: Agricultural Research and Production Assistants (Q.913/2025) Read →