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- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa referred to a recent parliamentary committee presentation on government programmes for MSMEs and said the responses given there should inform related loan schemes. He asked whether the data and implementation of those MSME loan programmes are centrally coordinated. Private Notice Questions: MSMEs and Kalmunai Massacre Site Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s claim of economic stability, arguing that MSMEs are under severe pressure from NPL classifications, restructuring fees, penalty interest, unpaid State dues, and rising input costs. He requested detailed data on MSME contributions to GDP and exports, business closures and job losses, loan relief and grant disbursements, rejection rates, and the level of MSME loans classified as NPLs. He also asked whether the Government would address banking and legal barriers, set timelines for State payments to MSME suppliers, reduce import-related taxes and regulations, assist firms affected by Cyclone Ditwah, and suspend or restrict Parate Law asset seizures until genuine debt restructuring is carried out. Private Notice Questions: MSMEs and Kalmunai Massacre Site Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister JJB AI summary The Minister stated that some vehicles acquired for projects under other Ministries are currently available. He indicated that the matter could be discussed and appropriate action taken. Oral Question: Divisional Secretariats Vehicle Requirement (Q.1571/2025) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister JJB AI summary Arrangements are being made through District Secretaries to allocate vehicles from a pool to address transport shortages in districts. The Minister said the planned purchase of over 1,700 vehicles is not solely for MPs but also for Government institutions, including Divisional Secretariats and departments in agriculture, livestock, land and local authorities, where many vehicles are decades old. He stated that the Government will consider the concerns raised and provide facilities where vehicle problems exist. Oral Question: Divisional Secretariats Vehicle Requirement (Q.1571/2025) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister answered that there are 339 Divisional Secretariats and 2 sub-offices, with 628 vehicles in use, but the fleet is inadequate and largely old, including 223 vehicles over 20 years old and 108 over 15 years old. He stated that Cabinet approval has been granted to purchase vehicles for essential public services and field duties, with a need for 465 vehicles identified for District and Divisional Secretariat administration. The Ministry submitted its observations and report to the Comptroller General on 13 October 2025, and further approvals and funding steps are to be handled through the Comptroller General and Ministry of Finance. Oral Question: Divisional Secretariats Vehicle Requirement (Q.1571/2025) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government for details on vehicle availability in Divisional Secretariats, including the total number of Secretariats, vehicles allocated, and the adequacy and roadworthiness of those vehicles. He sought information on how many Secretariats lack roadworthy vehicles and whether the Government has a systematic programme, timeframe, and budgetary allocations to provide or maintain vehicles needed for administrative and field duties. Oral Question: Divisional Secretariats Vehicle Requirement (Q.1571/2025) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath responded to supplementary questions on compensation and paddy purchasing linked to an irrigation matter. He stated that compensation payments are being made systematically based on officials’ information, that consultations with farming communities had already begun before the question was raised, and that remaining payments would be made within the next few days. Oral Questions: Various (Q.3, Q.5, Q.6) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Asked whether compensation can be expedited for 92 affected farmers in the Karaithivu Division and for similarly affected farmers in Atthalachenai, Palamunai and Oluvil. The question sought government action to address outstanding payments in those areas. Oral Questions: Various (Q.3, Q.5, Q.6) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe tabled 2021 and 2023 Irrigation Department letters on the proposed construction of a regulator, following the Deputy Minister’s indication that funds would be allocated this year. He asked whether urgent steps would be taken to clear paddy stored from the last harvest in Paddy Marketing Board warehouses in Ampara so that the Board can purchase the current season’s harvest from local farmers. Oral Questions: Various (Q.3, Q.5, Q.6) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised concerns about coal imports and electricity supply, noting that if low-quality coal is rejected, replacement stocks must arrive before April to avoid power shortages. He asked whether the quality inspection reports prepared at berthing and discharge of coal shipments could be tabled in Parliament. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Ash Sales (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody said environmental reporting should be handled by the Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies, and that any recommendations from them on fly ash would be implemented. He argued that fly ash from the relevant facility is trapped and collected rather than released into the environment, with demand for it from buyers including the Road Development Authority. He also stated that the Government had allocated LKR 39 million in its first year for the referenced social welfare purpose, contrasting this with lower spending under the previous Government in 2015 and 2017. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Ash Sales (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy raised concerns about environmental harm from ash generated by coal combustion, noting that while Rs. 7–8 billion had reportedly been earned from selling ash, only Rs. 91 million had been spent on local welfare and related programmes. He said fishers, farmers, and households in the affected area continued to face serious impacts, including ash pollution in daily life. He questioned the importation of low-quality coal with high ash content and requested that an environmental report or licence on coal combustion and the resulting ash be presented to Parliament to assess its effects on society. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Ash Sales (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy provided a written-style reply detailing fly ash sale revenues from 2015 to 2024, amounting to Rs. 7.895 billion, with the highest annual revenue of Rs. 2.298 billion recorded in 2024. He stated that fly ash sales were conducted through National Competitive Bidding, listing successive tenders approved by the relevant Cabinet procurement bodies from 2011 through the current 2024–2027 tender. He also reported CSR expenditure funded from fly ash revenue totalling Rs. 91.898 million over the period, including Rs. 39.647 million in 2024, and stated that part (b) was not applicable. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Ash Sales (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy asked the Minister of Energy to provide year-by-year figures from 2015 onward on revenue earned from selling ash produced by the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant. He also requested details on the sales method used and the amount of that revenue allocated for the welfare of local residents affected by environmental issues near the plant, asking for reasons if the information cannot be provided. Oral Question: Norochcholai Coal Power Plant Ash Sales (Q.68/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna — Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister provided the expiry dates of all Provincial Councils and stated that, under Section 7 of the Provincial Councils Act, No. 42 of 1987, Chairmen remain in office until the first meeting of the next Council even after dissolution. He tabled expenditure details for Chairmen from 2021 to 2025, covering salaries and allowances, and noted that North Central Province has no Chairman due to the former Chairman’s death. He also said the Act does not specify post-dissolution functions for Chairmen and that Governors and their staff are currently carrying out provincial functions without hindrance. Adjournment: Adjournment Questions and House Closure Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB AI summary Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi raised an adjournment question on continued expenditure for Provincial Council Chairmen after the expiry of Provincial Council terms. He asked for the end dates of each Council’s term, the legal or administrative basis for Chairmen continuing in office, their duties after lapse, five-year expenditure details by Council and budget head, and whether any Councils currently lack Chairmen and with what effect. He said continued payment of salaries, allowances, facilities and staff despite Councils not functioning has prompted public criticism and requested a response from the responsible Minister. Adjournment: Adjournment Questions and House Closure Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna — Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education AI summary According to the Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey 2025, there are an estimated 50,786 unemployed graduates, while Cabinet has approved recommendations to fill 105,367 public service vacancies, including 38,571 graduate posts. The Deputy Minister said 5,250 graduates had been recruited by 15 October 2025 and that most approved graduate posts are in the teacher service, with 23,344 teacher vacancies being expedited. He outlined delays to the graduate teacher recruitment examination arising from Supreme Court and Court of Appeal proceedings, noting that new gazettes issued on 2 February 2026 raised the upper age limit to 45 for this occasion and that the exam is planned before the end of February with recruitments to be completed by end March and all recruitments within 2026. He also said the Ministry is consulting the Attorney General and Public Service Commission on cut-off dates, eligibility of education degrees, private degree-granting institutions, and subject-credit requirements for applicants. Adjournment: Adjournment Questions and House Closure Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha supported the Institute of Real Estate Professionals of Sri Lanka Bill, arguing that Sri Lanka lacks systematic planning and standards for land and property use, causing conflicts among residential, industrial and commercial interests. He highlighted the importance of property valuers for local authority revenue collection, transparent use of development funds, and bank lending, citing an urban council where a comprehensive valuation had not been conducted since 2003. He said the proposed professional institution would help uphold standards, ensure uniformity of service and build the professional capacity needed for national development. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Geetha Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Geetha Herath supported the Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Sri Lanka Bill, arguing that it would resolve regulatory gaps and conflicts among existing valuation and real estate bodies while improving professional standards, ethics, transparency, investor confidence and safeguards against financial irregularities. She also referred to Bills regulating container depot operators and licensing shipping agents and related service providers, stating that formal regulation was needed for economic growth and rebuilding. She highlighted government actions on economic stabilization, disaster recovery funding after Cyclone “Michaung”, and raised concern about verbal and online harassment of women parliamentarians. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson contrasted current Government members’ past support for the Rajapaksas with earlier restrictions faced by his party, then urged the Government to release over 1,000 imported luxury vehicles at a fair duty rate to prevent deterioration and raise revenue. He reported on attending the International Parliamentary Conference on Human-Wildlife Coexistence in Botswana and called for cooperation with Inter Pares and other international partners to address human-elephant conflict, tabling related proposals by S.W. Wickramaratne. He also requested that campsites and Block 2 of Yala National Park be reopened, arguing that closures reduce tourism access and may enable poaching. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Read →