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 February 2026 The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB AI summary Ruwan Mapalagama rejected the Opposition’s allegations over coal procurement for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant, arguing that the Government had followed a tender process and that Opposition speakers had not presented substantive evidence. He contrasted current energy and fuel management with previous practices, citing reductions in petrol, diesel and kerosene prices since the Government took office and denying claims that power cuts or energy instability would return. He also demanded that MP S. M. Marikkar substantiate or publicly withdraw an allegation regarding a bank account linked to Minister Kumara Jayakody’s family. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala rejected Opposition allegations regarding the coal tender, stating that the Government followed open tender procedures and the lowest evaluated bid principle, as with the gas tender. He argued that the motion contained incorrect figures on Lakvijaya’s coal requirement and said claims about money being sent to a Minister’s relative or a court finding against the Minister had not been substantiated with evidence. He maintained that any technical issues in the tender were being addressed, that liquidated damages would fall on the supplier, and that institutions such as CIABOC, the Attorney-General’s Department and the CID were acting independently and equally under the Government. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika rejected Opposition allegations of fraud in an open coal tender, contrasting it with what he described as previous Cabinet-only coal awards without competitive tendering from 2023 to 2025. He denied that coal quality issues were driving a proposed 10% electricity tariff increase, stating that the CEB’s PUCSL applications cited other reasons, and argued that the Government was reducing power costs through competitive procurement of solar and battery storage. He also criticized personal allegations made against the Minister’s family and questioned prior coal awards to a company he linked to associates of the Rajapaksa family. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised concerns over the coal tender and environmental compliance at the Norochcholai power plant, citing alleged failures in coal quality, contradictory inspection reports, and possible links to corruption. He asked whether the Continuous Emission Monitoring System was operating during January and February and called for an immediate investigation into rejected coal lots and the role of named individuals. He argued that substandard coal could breach the Environmental Protection Licence, damage plant machinery, increase reliance on expensive fuel, raise tariffs, cause blackouts, and worsen environmental harm in the Puttalam/Kalpitiya area. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi rejected Opposition allegations of a coal procurement scam, stating that coal imports for Lakvijaya/Norochcholai are being carried out through approved tender procedures under the National Procurement Commission and asking the Opposition to table any claimed account numbers or evidence. He argued that past procurement irregularities were linked to previous political actors, while the current Government is pursuing an anti-corruption mandate and improving public institutions. He also outlined the Government’s energy direction, saying diesel and coal are unsustainable and that renewables, currently including hydropower and solar/wind contributions, are to be increased toward a 70 per cent target by 2030. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage rejected the Opposition’s allegations over a coal tender, stating that the Government did not alter specifications after the 2024 elections and that relevant changes were made in 2023 under the previous administration after considering a 2022 report. He said the tender followed the national procurement process, with 28 days allowed for bidding, and denied Cabinet interference, contrasting this with earlier procurement practices. He argued that the revised specifications increased registered suppliers from 10 to 26, that coal quality was assessed against accepted international GCV standards, and that penalties for quality deviations were part of established practice, including about US$ 2.1 million in the current tender. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka criticised the Government by comparing Sri Lanka’s current Corruption Perceptions Index ranking with that under the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration, arguing that corruption has worsened by the Government’s own measure. He challenged Ministers to a public debate over coal procurement tenders and alleged that delays and decisions around the tender process were designed to facilitate corruption. Citing the resignation letter of the Lanka Coal Company Chairman, he claimed key decisions were being made by Mr. Udayanga Hemapala and his team, that the Chairman and Board refused responsibility for the alleged corruption, and that the tender proceeded immediately after the Chairman’s resignation despite presidential intervention. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara rejected the Opposition’s motion on coal procurement, arguing that its figures were inaccurate and that the current tender process had wider participation and cleaner procedures. He cited past procurement issues, including alleged improper award decisions, unrecovered penalties, rejected coal shipments, Norochcholai outages, and changes to testing and penalty methods, and demanded explanations on how losses under previous administrations would be recovered. He also criticized Opposition members’ conduct in the Chamber and their use of Standing Orders. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva corrected the record on the IMF governance assessment, stating that it was requested by the former President, not the current Government. He tabled the Special Audit Report on 2022–2025 coal procurement for Norochcholai and the related COPF Report, noting that COPF findings had led to halting an allegedly unlawful tender and recommending restrictions on Tender Board members. He emphasized that the procurement suitability criteria, including prior experience supplying at least one million tonnes of specified-quality coal, were set out in the audit report and became binding after the COPF Report was tabled and adopted by Parliament on 4 October 2022. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera rejected allegations of irregularities in coal procurement for Norochcholai, stating that the tender process was competitive, legally conducted, and included approved time extensions and appeal provisions, with no appeals lodged. He said Auditor-General recommendations had been implemented to improve competition, while quality controls and penalties remained in place, including a USD 2.1 million penalty for the first shipment. He also argued that Opposition claims based on Lakvijaya laboratory reports were misplaced because acceptance testing relies on accredited laboratories, and linked the issue to the Government’s broader anti-corruption agenda and international governance assessments. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera rejected the Opposition’s motion on coal procurement as false and misleading, arguing that it wasted parliamentary time and exaggerated figures such as the stated coal requirement. He said the current procurement process followed Auditor-General and COPF recommendations, including 2023 guideline amendments to widen competition, while previous coal imports had caused unrecoverable losses due to invalid tender procedures. He explained that coal quality is assessed through accredited testing and penalty mechanisms, citing a USD 2.1 million penalty on the first shipment, and argued that the Government’s broader anti-corruption efforts were reflected in improved corruption rankings, public polling, and IMF comments on governance reforms. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s handling of CEB employee promotions, citing more than 550 pending promotions, a 2025 circular halting new recruitment, and Labour Department recommendations, and tabled related documents. He criticized the Government for failing to deliver promised electricity tariff reductions and for proposing additional levies for street and public lighting. He alleged irregularities in recent coal procurement, arguing that South African coal cargoes were of low quality based on Norochcholai generation and consumption data, and asked whether the cargoes achieved 300 MW per unit and the standard 0.37 kg/kWh consumption rate. He called for a transparent investigation into coal procurement and said consumers should not bear resulting costs through higher tariffs. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera challenged the Minister’s assertion that losses from low-grade coal were minimal, warning that if all contracted shipments were of similar quality the losses could exceed Rs. 100 billion. He cited and tabled a 2026.02.11 letter from the CEB General Manager to the Ministry Secretary, received by the Committee on Public Finance, stating that equipment damage and losses were occurring. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody argued that current coal deliveries to the Norochcholai power plant are proceeding continuously and that delays arose from earlier procurement and stockpiling constraints, not from the present arrangements. He said plant data and monitoring show no evidence so far of turbine damage, boiler tube failures, FGD problems, or deterioration in ambient air quality from the disputed coal shipments, while acknowledging that longer-term effects would require detailed technical assessment. He also stated that inquiries are ongoing, enhanced testing has been instructed through the Ministry Secretary, and past procurement practices, including reliance on load port reports and uncollected penalties, need further examination. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody rejected the Motion’s claims about coal procurement for Lakvijaya, stating that the cited requirement of 12.32 million MT for 2025–2026 was incorrect and that annual needs are far lower. He argued that the Auditor General’s 2022 report was quoted out of context, saying it recommended reasonably relaxing supplier registration criteria while safeguarding basic requirements, which had been reflected in procurement changes since 2022/2023. He stated that the 2025/2026 procurement used an open online tender, attracted 26 registrations and 10 valid bids, and included an extended bidding period to increase competition. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman asked the Government to table in Parliament the MoU signed on the plantation wages issue, noting public requests for its release. He also raised concerns that affected communities in Hanguranketa, including Hope, Rockwood, Hewaheta and Loolkandura, had not received assistance despite deaths, including 11 in Loolkandura, and requested a Government response. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera seconded the motion and alleged that the Minister of Power had a prior tender-related corruption record yet was appointed to a critical portfolio. He cited CEB figures reported to Parliament on 11 February 2026, claiming losses of about Rs. 2 billion from the first four coal shipments and warning of larger losses from substandard coal, plant damage, shutdowns, and delayed deliveries. He argued that ministry officials had warned against a shortened bidding period, that tender conditions were relaxed to accommodate an inexperienced supplier, and called on the Minister to accept responsibility and resign. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa responded to a matter raised by Hon. Marikkar, asking him to specify the HNB Homagama bank account name and number in question. He stated that the Government would disclose all relevant facts once those details were provided. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar moved an Adjournment Motion alleging irregularities in coal procurement for the Lakvijaya Power Plant for the 2025-2026 season, claiming Auditor General and COPE recommendations on procurement standards were disregarded. He argued that relaxed bid conditions, inadequate quality controls, delayed deliveries, and alleged misleading of the National Procurement Commission and Cabinet had caused financial losses to the CEB and risks to energy security, citing test results indicating coal below required calorific values and high ash content. He urged immediate action to safeguard energy security, recover losses from those responsible, prevent future losses, and ensure accountability for the procurement process. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala — Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs AI summary The Minister responded to an SO 27(2) question by detailing police staffing shortages, organized crime and homicide statistics, drug and firearm seizures, and measures being taken to strengthen law enforcement. He said approval has been granted to recruit 10,000 personnel this year, while the CID and provincial crime investigation structures are being reorganized and supported through international cooperation, training, intelligence upgrades, and proposed new legislation on organized crime. He also updated the House on intensified operations against narcotics trafficking and foreign-linked organized crime, stating that investigations and prosecutions will proceed without political interference and irrespective of official rank or affiliation. Ministerial Statements: Credit Expansion and State Security Mechanism Read →