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- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) seeking details on planned reforms to the Ceylon Electricity Board, including institutional changes, the timeline for Time-of-Use tariffs, and their impact on different consumer categories. He asked whether reported reforms or liquidation steps have stakeholder and trade union consent, how Cyclone “Ditwah” costs of about Rs. 20 billion are being funded or recovered, and whether tariff increases included recovery of VRS and street lighting costs with Cabinet and PUCSL approval. He also sought clarification on cross-subsidy changes, financing for transmission and distribution upgrades, concerns over BESS prioritization and renewable curtailment, and measures to ensure an open, renewable-friendly energy policy, while requesting an inquiry into the handling and timing of his submitted question. Oral Question: SLEAS Recruitment, Road Development, and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister tabled a detailed answer on recruitment to Grade III of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service under Gazette No. 2231 of 2021.06.04. She stated that 625 candidates sat the 2020/2021 examination, 68 were called for interviews, and 65 appointments were made by the Public Service Commission effective from 2022.03.26, including six officers who had retired by the time appointment letters were issued. She attributed the delay in issuing appointments to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent Treasury and Presidential circulars suspending or deferring recruitment due to fiscal constraints. Oral Question: SLEAS Recruitment, Road Development, and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that 23 directly and 23 indirectly affected fisheries-related categories were identified following the X-Press Pearl disaster, including damage to gear and aquaculture in the Negombo lagoon. He said USD 56.90 million was initially claimed from the insurer, with a further USD 2.28 million after appeals, and Rs. 2,980.5 million has so far been received, of which Rs. 2,794.96 million was sent to District Secretariats for beneficiary payments. He clarified that no special compensation plan exists for Puttalam District, but verified gear and equipment damage there has been paid, while livelihood-loss compensation was limited to the scientifically determined fishing-ban area from Negombo lagoon to offshore Negombo-Panadura. Oral Question: State Land in Alankalagala and X-Press Pearl Disaster (Q.7-9/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath stated that public land had been misallocated in some cases to political associates and that lease revenues from such projects had been neglected despite the public bearing indirect taxes. He said the Government is enforcing the law against defaulters, initiating recovery of arrears, and will take lawful action regarding a sub-lessee ordered to vacate in 2018 who has appealed. Oral Question: State Land in Alankalagala and X-Press Pearl Disaster (Q.7-9/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara asked what steps would be taken to address unpaid lease arrears and protect State land at risk. He alleged a possible nexus between lessees and officials and urged either prompt recovery of arrears or repossession of the land. Oral Question: State Land in Alankalagala and X-Press Pearl Disaster (Q.7-9/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana highlighted the high excise revenue earned from locally produced liquor, citing a Rs. 1,832 tax on a 750 ml bottle of commonly consumed arrack. He noted that widespread alcohol consumption contributes to health burdens, with drinkers later requiring free treatment in public hospitals, and linked liquor taxation to the costs borne by the health system. Oral Question: Liquor Licensing and Tax Revenue (Q.912/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Minister, Nishantha Jayaweera provided figures on liquor licensing, production facilities, excise duty, revenue and sales. He stated that 142 new Sri Lanka Tourism Board-approved liquor licences were issued in 2025, covering hotel, restaurant, and beer/ale/wine on-premises categories, with licence-holder details tabled in annexes. He also reported 23 distilleries or manufacturing facilities, an excise duty of Rs. 1,832 on a 750 ml bottle of local arrack at 33.5% ABV, total liquor excise revenue of Rs. 213.389 billion, and 2024 sales quantities by bottle size and product type. Oral Question: Liquor Licensing and Tax Revenue (Q.912/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government is reviewing and addressing shortcomings related to a series of issues, noting that action has been taken up to the sixth point. He rejected references to a worst-case scenario and emphasized that the matter involves 25 shipments, contrasting it with the handling of shipments during the previous Government’s period in 2020 and 2021. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the Government’s target is to reduce one in three electricity bills within three years by lowering generation and purchase costs. He said the CEB’s average generation cost had fallen from Rs. 37 to Rs. 29 per unit since the Government assumed office, a 22 percent reduction, and that the target is to bring it down further to Rs. 25 per unit. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister to respond on whether electricity consumers can expect a one-third reduction in bills. He cited data that 38 percent of electricity is coal-generated and questioned whether the lower calorific value of coal, reportedly below 5,300, is increasing thermal generation costs. He also referred to a statement by Minister Nalinda Jayatissa on renewable energy and Battery Energy Storage System costs, seeking clarification in that context. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Government over a proposed 11.8 per cent electricity tariff increase linked to the delayed IMF fifth tranche and CEB financial requirements. He asked whether the cost of removing 2,600 CEB employees, estimated at Rs. 11,931 million, and street lighting charges would be passed on to consumers, and whether further increases would follow due to exchange rate changes. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary In response to a question on electricity generation, the Minister of Energy provided details, with annexes placed in the Library, on generating companies, their capacities, units supplied to the Ceylon Electricity Board, and payments made from 2015 to date. He outlined measures to increase CEB generating capacity under the 2025–2044 Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan, including greater renewable integration, grid expansion, battery and pumped hydro storage, thermal plants where required, and studies to improve existing hydro stations. He stated that most planned additions are renewable, mainly solar and wind, while some thermal capacity is planned for system stability and energy security, and listed projected capacity additions from 2026 to 2030. Oral Question: Private Electricity Generating Companies (Q.313/2024) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister presented the 2024 Annual Reports of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka and the Employees’ Trust Fund Board, and moved that they be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations. She also presented several orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act and a resolution under the Customs Ordinance relating to import duties, moving that they be referred to the Committee on Public Finance. Both motions were agreed to by the House. Papers Presented: Government Reports and Annual Reports Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna criticized Members of Parliament for the alleged daily public cost of Rs. 15 million and accused them of misusing facilities and allowances. He urged MPs to reflect on their conduct during the remaining three years of the parliamentary term, warning that continued behaviour of this kind would damage their public standing. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekera wound up the debate on regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act to establish a framework for shared use of telecommunications infrastructure among service providers, with TRCSL empowered to issue technical and regulatory guidance. He said the measures aim to promote competition, reduce deployment costs, avoid duplication of infrastructure, and strengthen network resilience for national security, public safety, and economic development. Referring to communications failures during recent cyclones, he argued that shared infrastructure, data exchange, emergency calling, public alerting, and core connectivity would improve disaster response and continuity of services. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan supported the Sri Lanka Telecommunications (Amendment) Act, No. 39 of 2024 as a major modernization of the 1991 telecommunications law, expanding TRCSL from a licensing body into a regulator with powers over market competition, tariffs, spectrum, numbering, infrastructure providers, and submarine cable protection. He highlighted provisions on significant market power, cost-oriented tariff regulation, number portability, infrastructure sharing, stronger penalties, and wider consumer protection. He also noted criticisms that the Ministry Secretary serving as Commission Chair may affect regulatory independence and that mandatory infrastructure sharing could raise concerns for private investors. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticised the Government’s handling of coal procurement, arguing that delayed long-term tenders have led to emergency purchases that increase costs, weaken oversight, and create opportunities for corruption. She called for a transparent long-term coal tendering system to protect national interest, power security, and deliver cheaper electricity. She also urged the Government to ensure the proper functioning of the National Women’s Commission established under the Women’s Empowerment Act of 2024, noting the role of the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus in creating it. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna raised concerns over the treatment of teacher development officers, noting their long service in schools and arguing that removing 12,000 of them would worsen the existing teacher shortage. She urged the Government to absorb them into the teaching service, welcomed the absorption of some monk development officers, and called on the Government Chief Whip to withdraw remarks she said insulted teachers. She also alleged poor planning in coal procurement for Norochcholai, warning that delayed tenders and emergency purchases could lead to high costs, low-quality supplies, and corruption similar to past emergency power-sector procurements. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Thanura Dissanayake defended the Government’s policy and rejected Opposition criticisms, including claims about vehicle procurement and state institutions’ performance. He explained that the 2024 No. 1 Regulations on Shared Use of Telecommunications Infrastructure would allow the TRCSL to regulate infrastructure sharing, pricing, feasibility and dispute mediation to improve service quality and reduce capital costs. He said the Government is expanding rural connectivity through the “Gamata Sannivedanaya” programme, with 79 towers built and 150 more targeted, and is introducing licensed infrastructure providers to accelerate telecom development. He also noted that 5G deployment requires regulated sharing to avoid excessive urban infrastructure, visual pollution and environmental impact. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage supported the Regulations on shared use of telecommunications infrastructure, arguing that they are needed to prevent duplicative tower and network construction, reduce capital and environmental costs, improve coverage, and support the Government’s digitalization policy. She said the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission would be empowered to oversee sharing agreements, including terms, pricing, duration, public-interest review, publication of decisions, and a 10-day public comment period. She also criticized the Opposition for not engaging substantively with the Regulations and asked the Speaker to examine alleged threatening statements made in Parliament against prosecutors in high-profile cases. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →