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- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary The tender was awarded to the lowest bidder, and no breach of tender conditions by that supplier has been identified. The issue arose when a private company supplying about 20 percent of the market failed to deliver, increasing demand on the other company, and measures are being taken to resolve the situation. 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 Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said he had previously warned Parliament that replacing the long-standing Omani state gas supplier with a Swiss company would lead to supply problems. He argued that the new supplier lacked adequate shipping capacity and experience in Asia, despite offering a price 15 US cents lower, and that reliability should have been considered given Litro’s importance to most consumers. He noted that he had raised this concern on 25 December and contrasted it with the Minister’s assurance that there would be no gas shortage. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe responded to concerns about gas queues, stating that the issue was caused by Laugfs halting distribution for two to three weeks, prompting its customers to seek Litro gas and creating a temporary demand surge. He said Litro, which supplies over 80 percent of the market, would increase daily releases from about 1,200 to 1,500 metric tons for several days, had buffer stocks, and had scheduled incoming shipments. He added that Laugfs had been instructed in writing and summoned by the Consumer Affairs Authority to resume supply, with a Laugfs shipment expected on the 25th. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera supported the Bills and the amendments made following Sectoral Oversight Committee input, but argued that drug control efforts have not produced a practical reduction in the availability of heroin and “ice” in areas such as Kalutara and Matugama. He questioned whether seized drugs are re-entering circulation and cited failures in prison security, including non-functioning phone jammers and continued criminal activity from prisons, as evidence of systemic weaknesses. He called for a reorganization of the Police, stronger leadership and administration, and effective prosecution mechanisms, while noting that existing Trial-at-Bar courts established under Act No. 9 of 2018 have not received new cases under the current Government. He also raised concern about fair trial and open court requirements in ongoing proceedings, including the Easter Sunday attack trial. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned how Sri Lanka could have been declared bankrupt without Parliament’s approval, citing Articles 148, 149 and 150 of the Constitution as vesting authority over public finance in Parliament. He expressed concern that bypassing Parliament on such a decision undermines its constitutional role. Procedural: Points of Order on Standing Orders and Bill Presentation Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition objected to a proposal to instruct Ministry Secretaries to limit answers given under Standing Order 27(2) to five minutes. He argued that matters such as public financial management and the country’s bankruptcy require full responses, emphasizing Parliament’s authority over public finance and warning that limiting answers would curtail democratic rights. Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha stated that the relevant actions had been taken through the proper parliamentary and Cabinet-approved procedures and that there had been no violation of the Constitution. He said discussions with the IMF Managing Director focused on Sri Lanka’s restored stability, confidence in the Government, and prospects for recovery, rather than any separate demand to further increase reserves. He added that the improved stability was creating conditions for renewed public confidence and elections. Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Government’s handling of IMF discussions and debt policy, asking why the visiting IMF Managing Director was not requested to raise the PAYE threshold, reduce the 30 per cent tax rate, or secure softer and longer debt repayment terms. He argued that Parliament’s approval is required for any debt standstill or declaration of bankruptcy and called for a separate debate on whether such actions violated Articles 148, 149 and 150 of the Constitution. Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned whether Parliament’s constitutional authority over public finance under Articles 148, 149 and 150 had been violated by declaring a debt standstill without parliamentary approval. He also raised concern that, according to the Minister’s answer, some debt-related payments were selectively made rather than uniformly suspended, and stressed that such decisions affecting the national economy require parliamentary oversight. Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister tabled responses on the suspension of debt repayments, stating it was approved by the former President and former Finance Minister, with Parliament apprised, and noting that a related Fundamental Rights application was dismissed by the Supreme Court. He said there was no constitutional violation and referred to the Public Debt Management Act, No. 33 of 2024, and the Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, as part of the current debt and fiscal framework. He also stated that the IMF Extended Fund Facility was requested and approved in March 2023 without prior submission to Parliament, but that the current Government had renegotiated elements of the programme, including tax relief, support for local industries, protection of social spending, increased welfare allowances, and further talks to accommodate cyclone-related spending needs. Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the April 2022 interim debt standstill was recommended by the Central Bank’s Monetary Board and announced by the Ministry of Finance in response to depleted reserves and external debt servicing difficulties. He said the decision was approved by the then President and Minister of Finance, later ratified by Cabinet, and Parliament was informed on 4 May 2022 during discussions on the economic situation and IMF negotiations. He added that the Central Bank had previously reported the country’s precarious financial position to former Finance Ministers under the Monetary Law Act, and that subsequent debt restructuring and IMF-related agreements were approved by successive Finance Ministers. Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the issues concerning economic centre management fall under his Ministry and involve procurement and management decisions, including irregular construction practices, unaccounted payments, and audit queries linked to earlier work by officials who are no longer in post. He stated that the Ministry will provide written clarification on ongoing actions. He added that NAMSL has been legally established, with board appointments made under Cabinet approval and relevant criteria, to manage Sri Lanka’s economic centres properly. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the need for further intervention in economic centres, noting that they are already overseen by officials including the Ministry Secretary, Government Agent, Divisional Secretary and local ASP. He alleged that even traders in Thambuttegama oppose the proposed changes and claimed that three nominees appointed to the Board were personal associates of the Minister. He warned that the handling of economic centres, including the situation at Dambulla market, was creating an unnecessary political and administrative problem for the Government. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that NAMSL is intended to provide orderly and uniform facilities for traders, farmers and consumers, and to ease business rather than obstruct it. He said existing shop operators would be allowed to continue under five-year lease renewals, with rent revisions every three years based on government valuations and agreed terms. He also noted that a management committee including local administrative officials, trade and farmer representatives, Police and a bank had been appointed to regularize operations, and rejected allegations that the institution would act against traders. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the National Agri Market Services Limited had been legally regularized through a fresh Cabinet Memorandum and is a fully state-owned company under the Secretary to the Treasury. He argued that its purpose is to manage 18 economic centres uniformly, citing alleged misuse of state-owned shop rooms, including subletting, sales, and use by a bank at Kurunduwatta. He stated that board appointments are finalized by the Treasury Secretary and that tender-related decisions are implemented through the Ministry Secretary. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson asked the Minister to inform District Secretaries about the amended circular on decentralized funds, stating that they are currently unaware of it. He said decentralized funds are the main means for Opposition MPs to serve local communities and noted that such funds were not provided the previous year. He referred to changes allowing projects of Rs. 200,000 and allocations to temples, preschools and schools, and requested that District Secretaries be instructed to implement the new arrangements. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna AI summary The Minister said a firm completion date could not be given for the construction project due to uncertainties in construction work. He clarified that the original two-storey building was estimated at Rs. 37.188 million, later expanded to four storeys through variations, with costs rising to about Rs. 65 million due to COVID-19 and price increases, and around Rs. 70 million already spent. He stated that Rs. 30 million has now been allocated to complete the work, while noting procedural concerns over procurement approval for some additions. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson asked for a definite date to open the Kaduruwela market complex, noting that its foundation stone was laid in 2022, estimates had exceeded Rs. 65 million, and over Rs. 70 million had reportedly been spent while the facility remained closed. He also raised concerns about the implementation of decentralized funds, stating that a new amendment allowing projects of Rs. 200,000 and above was not known to District Secretaries. He proposed that District Secretaries and District Coordinating Committee Chairpersons be formally informed and assigned responsibility to implement the revised criteria correctly. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that the facility in question is not an abandoned complex but an incompletely constructed shopping complex. He stated that Rs. 70,470,668.21 has already been spent on construction, and that the newly constituted Polonnaruwa Municipal Council has approved Rs. 30 million in the 2026 Annual Budget to complete the remaining works. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister provided data on the number of drug varieties manufactured by the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation from 2020 to 2025, noting that detailed lists and sales information were tabled in the Library. He stated that SPMC does not sell medicines below production cost, that private market prices are set with a margin at the time of manufacture, and that no losses had occurred from below-cost sales. Oral Question: Drug Varieties Manufactured by SPMC (Q.) Read →