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- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera argued that emergency procurement leads to higher international costs and causes significant losses to the country. He questioned whether the Government was repeating the same deficiencies for which the previous administration had been rejected by voters. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody rejected allegations that the Government had altered coal tender specifications, stating that any changes were made in 2023 and that the current tender conditions remain unchanged. He said coal quality deviations are governed by contractual adjustment and penalty formulas, noted that six shipments had arrived with notices issued over low GCV in two consignments, and said suppliers are selected through tender boards rather than by Ministers or Cabinet. He also defended possible emergency procurement of 300,000 tons of coal as necessary and usable, and said a previous LNG tender had lapsed by bid validity while its capacity terms would have imposed excessive costs on Sri Lanka. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera supported the telecommunications resource-sharing regulations but warned that a possible Dialog acquisition of SLT and Mobitel could create a monopoly, citing concerns over transparency in SLT appointments, conflicts of interest, and consumer impacts on price and quality. He then raised concerns over the 2022–2025 coal procurement for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant, arguing that tender criteria had been weakened contrary to National Audit Office recommendations on supplier experience, financial strength, quality, and ethics. He alleged that a previously blacklisted supplier with inadequate coal supply experience had been selected, resulting in substandard coal shipments below the required calorific value. He urged the Government to address procurement failures, ensure reliable coal quality and supply, and prevent risks to Lakvijaya’s generation capacity and the wider economy. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said the regulations would enable shared telecommunications infrastructure to improve coverage, reduce duplication of towers and trenching, and lower capital, operational, import, and power costs. He outlined permitted sharing layers, including passive infrastructure, active radio access networks, and spectrum-related sharing for services such as 5G, while clarifying that core network sharing is not mandated due to resilience and national security concerns. He said TRCSL would support around 150 new towers annually under the “Gamata Sannivedanaya” programme, issue infrastructure licences under Section 17(6)(a), and introduce minimum resilience guidelines following outage experiences during Cyclone Michaung. The measure was presented as a way to support smaller operators, ensure fair access to infrastructure, improve service quality, and potentially reduce consumer tariffs over time. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that Parliament cannot unilaterally increase salaries, noting that financial decisions fall under the Government’s authority and that the Ministry of Finance is represented on the Staff Advisory Committee. He cited the previous change to unlimited fuel allowances as an example of such decision-making. He also argued, as a matter of basic logic, that a judge should not hear a case in which a litigant has filed a complaint against that judge. Points of Order regarding Parliamentary Secretariat Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested an urgent Government statement on compensation and restoration following Cyclone “Ditwah”, citing delays, unpaid beneficiaries, returned Government cheques, unsettled insurance claims, and reports that many displaced people cannot return home. He asked for detailed, district-wise information on approved damage assessments, restoration costs, deaths and missing persons, housing damage, compensation categories and payments, unpaid beneficiaries, and reasons for payment failures. He also sought clarification on insurance claim settlements, donor assistance, spending from the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund, and the timing of an international donor conference, while questioning the reliability of existing loss estimates and the use of state entity contributions to the Fund. Parliamentary Announcements and Ministerial Statement Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on the functioning and independence of the National Commission on Women established under the Women’s Empowerment Act, No. 37 of 2024, following the resignation of its first Chairperson, Dr. Ramani Jayasundere. He cited reported concerns over the absence of budgetary allocations, office space and staff, alleged administrative interference by the line Ministry, and the appointment of an Executive Director without the Commission’s approval. He asked for details on the Commission’s mandate, funding, staffing and premises, and called for immediate steps, including possible supplementary allocations, to protect its statutory independence and support the Women’s Development Fund. He also linked the issue to Sri Lanka’s obligations under CEDAW, SDG 5 and the Act, and urged a Government response to concerns raised by women’s rights organizations. Parliamentary Announcements and Ministerial Statement Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Nalinda Jayatissa tabled a written answer confirming vacancies in the Colombo Municipal Council Income Tax Inspector cadre: all three Special Grade posts and 21 of 36 Grade I/II/III posts are vacant. He stated that, following a Cabinet decision of 10 December 2025, local authorities and the Western Province Public Service Commission have been instructed to proceed with recruitment. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the incomplete three-storey building at Deltota Muslim College in Kandy was constructed under the “Nearest School - The Best School” programme, but only the ground floor was completed due to funding limitations. She said the four completed classrooms are in use, while eight classrooms on the remaining two floors are planned at an estimated cost of Rs. 55.8 million. Funds have been requested this year to complete the remaining construction under the same programme. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Government over the failure to recruit a CEO despite interviewing a candidate from Papua New Guinea, linking it to earlier political criticism of Mattala Airport. He also raised concerns about unequal staff benefits in aviation, stating that cabin crew receive both onboard meals and allowances while Ground Handling staff have lost even basic refreshments, and asked for justification for this disparity. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku JJB AI summary A CEO has not yet been formally recruited, and an internal officer has been appointed to act in the role. An earlier recruitment process did not identify a suitable candidate according to the interview board’s assessment of the institution’s financial and administrative needs, so the post has been re-advertised. From 200 applications received, 75 have been shortlisted, with an appointment expected from that group. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Deputy Minister’s statement that an executive officer had been appointed to SriLankan Airlines, stating that no Chief Executive Officer had yet been recruited. He said a previous applicant, a former CEO of Papua New Guinea Airlines, had been rejected without an interview, and that a second advertisement had since been published while the post remained vacant. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara challenged the claim that the current administration inherited a collapsed economy, stating that when his side handed over power, growth was about 5 per cent and reserves stood at US$ 6 billion. He raised a supplementary question on problems faced by those who retired between 2020 and 2024, particularly regarding permits and retirement-related entitlements. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Nishantha Jayaweera clarified that the figure of over 20,000 related to general permits, not retirement concession permits, which are one-time benefits limited to eligible designations. He stated that the retirement concession provides duty relief in bands equivalent to Rs. 12 million, Rs. 16 million and Rs. 22 million, and said the Government is considering options for eligible retired officers amid ongoing economic stabilization and major disaster-related expenditure. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara asked whether the Government would prioritize vehicle permit issuance for about 1,900 retired eligible officials who had not received permits, noting that only 729 permits had been issued annually despite around 20,000 eligible officials. He proposed issuing permits to retirees first, for example 100 per month, before addressing other eligible applicants, and sought clarification in light of differing statements made by the President on whether the permit scheme would continue. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Nishantha Jayaweera provided details on the concessional motor vehicle permit scheme for high-ranking retired officials, introduced in June 2000 under Public Administration Circular No. 22/99 and subsequent amendments. He tabled annual permit issuance figures from 2015 to 2025, noting a rise to 729 permits in 2024 and 563 in 2025, and stated that eligible designations are those specified in the relevant circulars. He also confirmed one queried point under part (b), with the remaining sub-questions and part (c) not arising. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concerns that crop compensation from the previous season, including for partial damage, remained largely unpaid, citing about 80,000 hectares in Anuradhapura awaiting compensation and around 10,000 hectares yet to receive even the first tranche. He also said the second tranche of the fertilizer subsidy was pending for many farmers and noted that finger millet and other crops had not received compensation. He asked the Deputy Minister to address a post-flood “leaf yellowing” disease affecting crops nationwide, provide clear guidance to farmers, and offer relief if yields decline. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara said the project was beneficial but had generated a dispute between two farmer organizations, with Eru Wewa-linked farmers opposing it due to waterlogging and sand accumulation in their fields after recent extreme weather. He urged the Deputy Minister to conduct a ground-level re-examination and ensure fair compensation, including for farmers classified as having only “partial damage” despite incurring costs to remove sand from their fields. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam challenged the Minister’s figures on drinking water coverage in Unnichchai and surrounding areas of the Vavunativu DS Division, arguing that only limited connections and pipelines had been cited despite two Budgets passing. He questioned why no concrete proposal or funding had been provided for those communities while Rs. 23,000 million had been allocated for water supply to settlements in Manal Aru–Weli Oya. He asked whether reallocating a portion of that funding could provide drinking water to 10,000–15,000 people in the affected areas and questioned the fairness of current priorities. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked the Prime Minister about the reported withdrawal of modules introduced with textbooks under the education reforms. He sought clarification on the total expenditure, amid claims of costs ranging from Rs. 500 million to Rs. 1 billion, and asked who would be held responsible if public funds were wasted. He also questioned whether the Ministry would take action to recover any losses. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →