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- 21 January 2026 Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella stated that her office had received updated beneficiary documents as of 19 January, but the recorded payments extended only up to 31 December. She said officials informed them that no payments had been made after that date and suggested that information may not have been shared fully with Opposition MPs, while noting that she was relying on the figures provided. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 Hon. E.M. Basnayaka JJB AI summary Hon. E.M. Basnayaka corrected figures cited by another Member regarding disaster-related payments, stating that as of 16 January, 399,978 beneficiaries had been approved and 96.15 per cent paid under the Rs. 25,000 cleaning grant, amounting to Rs. 9,614.25 million. He added that under the Rs. 50,000 item replacement grant, 8,409 beneficiaries had been approved and 7,083 paid, and requested that updated information be obtained from proper sources. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella welcomed the Adjournment Motion on Cyclone Michaung relief and questioned the adequacy and fairness of government assistance in the Kandy District. Citing District Secretariat data, she said only 65 per cent of the Rs. 25,000 cleaning grant had been paid, with significant shortfalls also in payments for household items and schoolchildren, and tabled related documents. She alleged politicisation in the distribution process in some areas, called for expedited NBRO assessments for affected families, and urged that CEB losses from the cyclone not be passed on to electricity consumers. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody said Cyclone “Michaung” caused severe damage and loss of life, and that the Government mobilised administrative officials and relevant agencies for the response. He rejected claims of inadequate warnings, explaining that the cyclone formed close to Sri Lanka, moved slowly across the island, and was monitored through the Department of Meteorology, the Irrigation Department, and regional systems including the RSMC in New Delhi. He argued that Sri Lanka should strengthen disaster preparedness through investment in equipment, data and technical capacity, noting that climate change is intensifying extreme weather and that rebuilding livelihoods remains a priority. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 Hon. E.M. Basnayaka JJB AI summary Hon. E.M. Basnayaka defended the Government’s post-Cyclone “Michaung” relief response, citing payment figures for cleaning grants and other assistance and outlining compensation for damaged housing, school supplies, farmers, household items, and small and medium industries. He said housing reconstruction and relocation are proceeding based on NBRO assessments of safe land, with efforts to keep affected families within their communities where possible, despite delays caused by shortages of technical officers. Referring particularly to Kandy District, he noted extensive damage including 243 deaths and 173 damaged schools, and urged Members not to politicise disaster relief. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman said the Government had ignored an action plan submitted by estate civil organizations after the “Ditva” disaster and had failed to provide alternative land or housing for affected Hill Country families, instead allowing people to be sent back to unsafe estate houses. He urged land ownership through deeds for estate families, arguing that allocating a small portion of estate land would be more feasible than relying only on housing schemes, and questioned the shifting and understaffing of the Norwood Divisional Secretariat. He welcomed the Cabinet decision on a Rs. 1,750 daily wage but said it fell short of earlier promises and was being undermined by plantation companies increasing daily plucking targets, thereby reducing the benefit to workers. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister reported extensive cyclone damage, including deaths, missing persons, housing losses, and damage to irrigation infrastructure, and said restoration and compensation work had begun with official and volunteer support. He rejected claims of impending food shortages and said the Government had expanded agricultural compensation beyond previous schemes, paying Rs. 60,000 per acre and covering vegetables and fruits as well as traditional crops, with remaining payments expected to be completed shortly. He also criticized past governments’ handling of farmer payments and disaster relief, while stating that damaged tanks, anicuts and canals would be repaired and that current relief funds were being directed to affected people. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary M.K.M. Aslam clarified that the President’s disaster assistance programme provides an initial Rs. 50,000 and up to Rs. 250,000 for partially damaged houses after assessment, and Rs. 500,000 for fully damaged houses, rejecting claims of a Rs. 1 million entitlement. He contrasted the current natural disaster response with past man-made crises and said the Government plans to strengthen the Meteorology Department, NBRO and DMC with modern technology and funding. Citing severe losses from the 2025 Ditva cyclone, especially in Kurunegala and Ridigama, he praised the coordinated work of officials, political authorities, NGOs and revised procedures that enabled faster relief and reconstruction, while noting the need for over 20,000 new or relocated houses. He also raised the appointment of the Consul General in Jeddah, stating that Muslim Government MPs had asked the Foreign Minister to appoint a Muslim candidate because of Hajj-related responsibilities. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated that unsafe settlements and unauthorized constructions remain a long-term consequence of inadequate planning. He outlined measures to revive industries affected by recent damage, including the IRFP to connect major enterprises with 200 affected industries, Industrial Development Board assessments for machinery replacement, possible tax relief, and UNDP-supported guarantee and risk systems. He also called for a national approach to flood insurance, especially for riverbank businesses, and for embedding risk management and business continuity planning in industrial development. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary During the debate on recovery from the “@OOo” cyclone, the Deputy Minister said the Government’s priority was to restore affected industries and businesses, with over 90 per cent of large industries resuming within one to two weeks after road, power and water services were restored. He outlined Ministry actions including a dedicated Disaster Management Centre, use of floodsupport.org to collect business data, Rs. 200,000 grants for MSMEs, and a target to pay 6,370 agency-linked beneficiaries by 31 January. He also cited Central Bank moratoria, subsidized credit facilities, a Rs. 10 billion on-lending scheme, a corporate-supported Industry Recovery Foster Programme, and plans for machinery replacement support, credit guarantees, risk management, insurance, and a national industrial resilience plan. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem urged that post-cyclone reconstruction be made resilient to future disasters, highlighting severe coastal erosion in Ampara and the Eastern Province affecting burial grounds, fisheries infrastructure, and heritage mosques, and calling for increased funding, permanent revetments, groynes, and alternative burial land. He cited damage to irrigation bunds, roads, and paddy fields in Batticaloa and requested urgent repairs, particularly to the breached Kaluwamadu bund. He also raised delays and confusion in compensation schemes in Mutur and Kandy, including ambiguity over housing damage categories, kitchen repair payments, and small-business grants, and asked the Government to clarify circulars so officials can disburse assistance promptly. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) Read →
- 21 January 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe defended the Government’s disaster response, saying it restored essential services and normalcy within two weeks after severe damage to power, transport, water, housing, agriculture and industry affecting over 600,000 families. He argued that the President and Ministers provided the leadership needed for the State machinery to respond, while acknowledging weaknesses in the existing Disaster Management Act mechanism. He outlined the housing reconstruction programme, reporting about 6,000 fully damaged and 109,000 partially damaged houses, with Rs. 500,000 for fully destroyed homes and initial Rs. 50,000 payments, rising to a maximum of Rs. 250,000 after assessment, for partial damage. He said disbursements had begun for 1,150 families, with the Government prioritizing safe resettlement and restoration of livelihoods. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister responded to the Opposition Leader’s reference to a World Bank projection, arguing that the Government’s economic and development programme should be assessed in the context of current national conditions. He linked the discussion to the housing, construction and water supply sectors, emphasizing the Government’s responsibility to continue infrastructure and public service delivery despite economic constraints. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition cooperated in disaster relief but criticised delays in housing, land allocation, compensation and resettlement, questioning why the Government had not invoked Sections 11 and 12 of the Disaster Management Act to declare a state of disaster and mobilize resources. He sought clarity on promised compensation, renter support, safe relocation, and implementation circulars, and called for NBRO-led scientific interventions, stronger regulations, a dedicated disaster management Cabinet ministry, better equipment for relevant agencies, expedited Doppler radar installation, and an international donor conference. He also proposed Opposition support for any IMF renegotiation to ease programme conditions, urged relief for MSMEs affected by debt and CRIB blacklisting, and called for more respectful terminology and land grants for the estate community. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna warned that the disaster had caused 474 deaths and said the Government would bear responsibility for further loss of life or damage if adequate preventive action was not taken. Citing NBRO risk reports for Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla and Kegalle, she called for advance preparedness, a ten-year Central Highlands Conservation and Development Programme overseen by experts to manage river outflows and reduce flooding, and an all-party, expert-led national disaster management plan with relief for affected people. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna said the promised Rs. 1,000,000 compensation for disaster-related deaths had not been paid and alleged that Opposition MPs were excluded from district-level disaster management activities. She criticized politicization of relief distribution, lack of clear guidelines for officials, and the involvement of “Praja Shakthi” committees in administrative functions. Citing NBRO guidance on high-risk areas such as Puwakpitiya, Alakolamada, Alkaduwa, Watagoda and Yatawatta, she asked whether safe evacuation sites and durable relocation or protection measures had been identified. She urged the Government to implement a structured post-disaster management programme rather than relying on publicity. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna stressed the need for accurate, district-level data on damage from Cyclone “Ditwah” to guide relief and future disaster planning, noting that such information had still not been properly provided to Parliament nearly a month later. Citing UN, ILO, World Bank and Disaster Management Centre figures, she outlined extensive deaths, missing persons, displacement, damage to infrastructure, hospitals, livelihoods and economic losses, including specific impacts in Matale and Laggala. She criticised the Government’s preparedness, response and post-disaster relief management, and questioned delays and practical obstacles in delivering promised compensation, housing support, rent assistance and aid to affected families. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 1) Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the answer stated that Rs. 1,757.38 million had been spent on “Nearest School—the Best School” projects in the Matara District, with 365 projects completed and 8 ongoing, expected to finish in the first quarter of 2026. It also explained that delays relating to official quarters were due to an FR 104 inquiry into stolen items, and that recoveries from the contractor’s retention and rectification of defects would be carried out in line with the inquiry recommendations, with the buildings planned for use in 2026. Second Round of Oral Questions and Standing Order clarification Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer on cooperative rural banking in the Western Province, stating that while no separate cooperative rural bank branches are registered, 505 rural banks operate within 38 MPCSs and one banking society. He provided district-wise figures and said no branches are non-operational, though branches of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia and Maharagama MPCSs have faced deposit repayment difficulties. He stated that repayments are being made through recovery of overdue loans and asset disposal, and that inquiries under provincial cooperative regulations and CID investigations are ongoing where responsibility for financial crises is alleged. Second Round of Oral Questions and Standing Order clarification Read →
- 21 January 2026 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka asked whether the Samurdhi and Aswesuma welfare schemes are being converted into a Community Empowerment programme. He sought clarification on the formation and functions of proposed Grama Niladhari-level committees of about 25 members, including four officials, and whether Samurdhi Banks would be renamed as Community Empowerment Banks. Oral Question No. 6 (1222/2025) - Aswesuma welfare benefits Read →