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. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that economic indicators show a recovery, moving from contraction in 2023 to 10% growth in 2024 and 25% in 2025. He said around one quarter of the increase was linked to pawning, leasing, and motor vehicles, including commercial vehicles for transport, while about three quarters went to SMEs and other business sectors. He argued that quarterly growth above 5% indicates that government policies are supporting economic recovery. Ministerial Statements: Credit Expansion and State Security Mechanism Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Central Bank’s credit allocation, noting that despite 25% private sector credit growth, much of it is going to pawning, credit cards and leasing rather than SMEs, youth, women and capital expenditure. He argued that this pattern should be redirected to support higher economic growth of 8–10%, while also criticizing the Central Bank’s close alignment with IMF reserve-focused priorities. Ministerial Statements: Credit Expansion and State Security Mechanism Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha — Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary In response to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s question under Standing Order 27(2), the Minister provided Central Bank data showing a recovery and rapid expansion of private sector credit through banks and non-bank financial institutions from 2023 to 2025. He detailed growth in pawning/gold-backed loans, leasing, hire purchase and credit card outstanding balances, noting that pawning, leasing and credit cards accounted for Rs. 539.1 billion, or 27.7 per cent, of the increase in private sector credit. He also reported declining non-performing loan ratios in most categories, while noting the Central Bank’s tightening of loan-to-value caps for motor vehicle-backed credit due to strong portfolio growth. The Minister stated that detailed credit data are published regularly by the Central Bank and are available through its statistical bulletins and website. Ministerial Statements: Credit Expansion and State Security Mechanism Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned why Government positions appear to be reported in newspapers before being presented to Parliament. He asked the Deputy Minister to verify and inform the House about an apparent inconsistency between the current statement that the Government should retain a larger share and the President’s position nine months earlier. Question by Private Notice: Current Status of SriLankan Airlines Restructure Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested an urgent Government statement on SriLankan Airlines’ finances, restructuring path, and the Rs. 25.3 billion recapitalization in the context of IMF EFF commitments on SOE commercialization and reducing fiscal risks. He sought details on the airline’s going-concern status, debt composition, recapitalization structure and budget approval, annual profits and losses of the airline and related subsidiaries from 2021 to 2025, and the share of tourist arrivals carried by SriLankan. He also asked the Government to explain operational weaknesses such as loss-making routes and staffing levels, outline planned reforms, and disclose projected fiscal exposure over the next three years, including guarantees, leases, refinancing risks, and consistency with fiscal consolidation targets. Question by Private Notice: Current Status of SriLankan Airlines Restructure Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha — Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Minister tabled an answer detailing Board of Investment-approved foreign investment projects from November 2024 to 31 January 2026. The response stated that 29 approved expansion projects amounted to an estimated US$419 million, while 78 new projects amounted to US$541.38 million, with India accounting for the largest share among new projects. It further reported that 45 projects had either commenced implementation or entered commercial operation, and said the BOI was coordinating with relevant agencies to expedite remaining projects subject to permits, environmental approvals, land selection, investor requirements, and statutory compliance. Oral Question: Investments Received (Finance Ministry); Point of Order on Question Scheduling Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of Rohitha Abeygunawardhana, asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Development to provide details of investments received since November 2024, including amounts, countries of origin, and the total value in US dollars. He also requested information on which investment projects had commenced and the reasons for any delays or non-commencement, and asked why such information could not be provided if unavailable. Oral Question: Investments Received (Finance Ministry); Point of Order on Question Scheduling Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala outlined the Government’s programme to address drug supply and demand, including raids by the Tri-Forces, Police and STF and a multi-level structure from the National Council for Drug Control to village-level Public Security Committees. He said traffickers and distributors are being arrested, while users are directed to rehabilitation and treatment rather than incarceration. He detailed the expansion of rehabilitation services, including district centres, halfway homes, a women’s centre, and trained counsellors to assess appropriate treatment pathways. Oral Question: Drug Raids and Asset Seizures (Q.1649/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to provide details on drug enforcement operations conducted since 21 September 2024. He requested separate information on quantities of illegal drugs seized, numbers of suspects arrested, the value and quantity of assets linked to drug trafficking and organized crime that were seized or suspended, and the names of the owners of those assets. Oral Question: Drug Raids and Asset Seizures (Q.1649/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Minister, on behalf of the Minister of Trade, provided details on the Lalith Athulathmudali Mahapola Trust Fund in response to Question No. 472/2025, including the current Board of Trustees, their appointing authorities under the amended Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act, and the Fund’s value of Rs. 21.6 billion as at 31 December 2025. He tabled income, expenditure, scholarship payment, and recipient data, noting annual Fund income estimates of Rs. 4.768 billion in 2025, scholarship expenditure of Rs. 2.215 billion up to November 2025, and 19,500 scholarships awarded in 2025. He stated that 418,637 students had received Mahapola scholarships from 1981 to 2025, and that detailed annexes with annual accounts and scholarship numbers were tabled and placed in the Library. Oral Question: Mahapola Trust Fund (Q.472/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Permanent High Courts-at-Bar remain operational, with case assignments handled by the Judicial Service Commission and the Chief Justice, and trial-at-bar references decided by the Attorney-General and the Chief Justice. He said the Ministry of Justice is responsible for infrastructure, including seven additional High Courts, and assured that recruitment of stenographers and support staff would enable more expeditious hearings by mid-year. Oral Question: Three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court (Q.1/1206/2024) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister answered a question on the Permanent High Court-at-Bar, citing Section 127C(1)(a) of the Judicature (Amendment) Act, No. 9 of 2018 and stating it commenced on 4 July 2018. He provided case statistics for the two courts, including pending and concluded matters, and listed currently active cases with next hearing dates. He said the Government expects to re-establish the FCID and anticipates more bribery and corruption cases, while seven additional High Courts are planned, including five at Hulftsdorp, to function as trial-at-bar or single-judge courts to expedite proceedings. Oral Question: Three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court (Q.1/1206/2024) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law – Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala supported the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment), stating that it strengthens penalties for methamphetamine offences and closes legal gaps for prosecuting drug interdictions on the high seas. He outlined the Government’s anti-drug programme, including supply-chain action against international traffickers, district-level public security committees, voluntary rehabilitation centres, measures to destroy seized drugs promptly, possible bail restrictions for traffickers, and asset freezes under the Proceeds of Crime Act. He also criticised Opposition claims about drug prevalence, court access, and other allegations, arguing that the Government is implementing a comprehensive enforcement and rehabilitation strategy. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe supported the Judicature (Amendment) Bill and the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill as part of the Government’s effort to strengthen laws against narcotics. She alleged past political protection for drug trafficking and outlined the “Break Free”/“Country Together” anti-drug programme, including the 1818 hotline, rehabilitation measures, public awareness, and enforcement statistics on seizures, raids, and arrests. She also reported on relief and housing assistance provided to households and schoolchildren affected by the “Divva” cyclone in Dehiattakandiya, Digamadulla District, and thanked those involved in the response. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary Welcoming the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, the member said stronger legal provisions are needed because narcotics enter Sri Lanka largely through the high seas, while noting that maritime seizures occurred under previous governments as well. He urged the Government to incorporate earlier proposals on inter-agency enforcement at sea and remove implementation obstacles. He also highlighted severe prison overcrowding linked to remand prisoners in drug-related cases, calling for faster Attorney General’s advice and Government Analyst reports to expedite prosecutions or releases. He further requested consideration of amendments to extend sentence-related relief to prisoners convicted before previous reforms, including those with pending appeals, as a measure to reduce congestion. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the Bill but argued that Sri Lanka must fully implement hydrographic control and charting to secure maritime safety and State revenue. He said the National Hydrographic Act, No. 7 of 2024, created the necessary offices, but the country still lacks deep-water charting equipment costing about USD 0.7 million. He alleged that past outsourcing through NARA allowed foreign private companies to collect navigation-related fees that should have gone to the Treasury, and urged the Government to fund the equipment immediately to enable collection of an estimated USD 51 million annually from vessels entering Sri Lankan waters. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman referred to wage negotiations through the Wages Board, stating that an earlier request for a Rs. 1,700 basic wage had been rejected in favour of Rs. 1,550, contributing to the current dispute. He cautioned against combining trade union activity with politics for political advantage, thanked the President for agreeing to raise the basic wage to Rs. 1,700, and requested continued oversight of wage proposals, including earlier figures of Rs. 2,138 and Rs. 1,750. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Jeevan Thondaman said his party supported the Budget on the basis of the Government’s promise of a Rs. 1,750 daily wage for estate workers and a Rs. 5 billion allocation, but demanded transparency over the agreement underpinning the wage payment. He stated that the document was an MoU, not a collective agreement, and tabled it, objecting in particular to Clause 4.1, which makes gratuity conditional on completing 180 days of work. He argued that plantation companies could use this condition to deny registration and statutory benefits such as EPF, ETF, gratuity and maternity or death benefits, and urged the Government to publish the MoU and reject provisions that undermine workers’ protections. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said there was no overall gas shortage, stating that Litro’s tendered supplies were arriving as scheduled, with 24,000 metric tons delivered in January and further February shipments due on the 22nd, 26th and 28th. He attributed temporary market tightness to disruptions at Laugfs, which led consumers to shift to Litro, and said Litro would raise daily releases from 1,100–1,200 metric tons to 1,500 metric tons for three days. He said the Consumer Affairs Authority had summoned Laugfs, was instructed to ensure supplies to its customers, and would take legal action if necessary, while the Government would intervene to protect consumers if the private supplier failed to cooperate. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake argued that choosing a cheaper gas supplier is not sufficient if it cannot guarantee uninterrupted supply. He stated that a small price saving would be outweighed by shortages that force the public to search for gas. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →