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- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment to report on unresolved pension entitlements and arrears affecting Samurdhi Development Officers, including Government measures and timelines to address them. He also sought information on plans and progress for a promotions and grading system, action to expedite disciplinary proceedings over alleged misconduct and corruption, and steps to complete the computerization of the Samurdhi Bank system. Oral Question: Pension Entitlements and Samurdhi Banks Computerization (Q.67/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary A pending court case concerns the matter, and the court has indicated that a resolution should be reached. The Ministry of Finance has issued a circular under which some vehicles have already been cleared, but further procedural discussion was avoided because the matter is sub judice. Oral Question: Vehicle Imports and Revenue Collection (Q.38/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana raised concerns over about 11,000 high-end vehicles imported under the cross-border method and stranded at Hambantota Port for nearly a year. He asked whether, if legal proceedings are ongoing, the vehicles should be auctioned and the proceeds deposited in court to prevent further loss of value, rising demurrage charges, and damage to modern sensor-equipped vehicles from prolonged exposure. Oral Question: Vehicle Imports and Revenue Collection (Q.38/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera explained that the 3% surcharge on vehicles not sold within three months was introduced to prevent importers from accumulating large stocks and causing excessive foreign exchange outflows. He stated that Customs data show vehicle clearance usually takes only a few days to about two weeks, even during peak arrivals, and that the measure is intended as a forex regulation mechanism. Oral Question: Vehicle Imports and Revenue Collection (Q.38/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana questioned the Deputy Minister about the levy imposed on imported vehicles remaining unsold after 90 days from submission of documents to Sri Lanka Customs. He argued that normal clearance can take around 40 days, leaving limited time for sale before a 3 per cent recurring levy applies every 30 days, increasing costs to consumers. He asked whether the Government would consider revising this arrangement. Oral Question: Vehicle Imports and Revenue Collection (Q.38/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera stated that revenue or receipts had significantly exceeded expectations, with Rs. 904 billion received against an expected Rs. 441 billion. Oral Question: Vehicle Imports and Revenue Collection (Q.38/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana made a brief reference to the total revenue ultimately received. No specific figures, policy proposals, or further context were provided in the excerpt. Oral Question: Vehicle Imports and Revenue Collection (Q.38/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera JJB AI summary The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera sought clarification on whether the question concerned expected revenue versus revenue actually received. Oral Question: Vehicle Imports and Revenue Collection (Q.38/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Deputy Minister for details on the total revenue received from vehicle imports, as a first supplementary question. Oral Question: Vehicle Imports and Revenue Collection (Q.38/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Nishantha Jayaweera answered a question on vehicle imports and related taxation, stating that 451,770 motor vehicles had been imported and listing the applicable tax instruments, including Customs Duty, VAT, Excise, Luxury Tax, and the Ports and Airports Development Levy. He said motor vehicles are taxed by HS classification and engine capacity under specified gazettes, and reported that by 31 December 2025 realized revenue from key vehicle-related taxes was Rs. 904 billion against an estimate of Rs. 441 billion. He also stated that 22,407 three-wheelers and 313,989 motorcycles had been imported, with taxes applied under the relevant HS headings and gazetted tariff codes. Oral Question: Vehicle Imports and Revenue Collection (Q.38/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for details on vehicle imports since the reopening of import permission, including the number imported and taxes collected by engine capacity. He also sought expected versus actual tax revenue from vehicle imports, and separate figures for imported three-wheelers and motorcycles, including applicable taxes by vehicle type and engine capacity. Oral Question: Vehicle Imports and Revenue Collection (Q.38/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Citing the large number of drug-related offenders in prisons, the Member argued that rehabilitation is essential but underfunded and under-implemented. She noted that only 18% progress was achieved from the Rs. 500 million allocated in 2025 for drug-dependent rehabilitation, while the 2026 allocation of Rs. 10 million for prison rehabilitation amounts to about Rs. 300 per inmate, and asked whether funding would be increased. Oral Question: Dumbara Prison Overcrowding (Q.21/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Community-based corrections placed about 17,000 offenders under supervision without custodial sentences last year, and the Ministry plans to expand this programme. The Minister said NGOs and voluntary groups assist those unable to pay fines, but emphasized that prison overcrowding is driven mainly by remandees rather than fine defaulters. He stated that Government Analyst report delays are being addressed through Public Service Commission-approved recruitment of 50 analysts, with 32 more to follow, aiming to issue reports within about three months to support bail decisions. Oral Question: Dumbara Prison Overcrowding (Q.21/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella highlighted prison overcrowding, noting around 37,761 inmates, including approximately 27,000 remandees, and attributed the situation partly to court delays and inability to pay bail or fines. She asked whether the Government would consider measures such as bail funds and good-behaviour remissions, citing South Africa’s recent bail fund, to reduce remand populations and the estimated daily cost of Rs. 1,000 per inmate. Oral Question: Dumbara Prison Overcrowding (Q.21/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary As of 4 January 2026, Dumbara Prison held 2,246 inmates, including 699 remand prisoners, against a broader prison system facing overcrowding above 300 per cent. The Minister stated that the new Dumbara Prison project, replacing the former Bogambara Prison and Kandy Remand Prison, is planned for 400 female and 2,500 male inmates with 102 official quarters, at a revised cost of Rs. 4,360 million, and that completed works currently allow accommodation of 2,139 inmates. He said further construction will depend on annual allocations, while measures including referring drug dependents to rehabilitation camps and using selected government buildings for temporary inmate accommodation are being arranged to ease overcrowding. Oral Question: Dumbara Prison Overcrowding (Q.21/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said discussions had been held with relevant officers regarding salary anomalies in the Educational Administrative Service, which has five grades. He stated that, in coordination with the National Salaries and Cadre Commission, specific pay scales for all five grades would be presented by 2027 as part of a system-wide approach to prevent piecemeal disparities. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service Officers (Q.13/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna asked when the Government would gazette and complete formal appointments of Principals, noting that delays were affecting school management and that about 500 interview-qualified candidates from a pre-2020 examination remained unappointed as teachers. She also questioned when vacancies would be filled and whether pay disparities between officers of the Educational Administrative Service and teachers would be rectified. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service Officers (Q.13/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Asked when the existing vacancies in the Educational Administrative Service will be filled. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service Officers (Q.13/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Education Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that salary increments are currently suspended for 32 officers of the Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service and 53 officers of the Sri Lanka Principals’ Service. He said increments are released after required performance reports, efficiency bar examinations, or disciplinary and inquiry processes are completed, and that some delay occurs due to processing through zonal and provincial offices. He added that the Ministry intervenes where delays are reported and has instructed relevant sections to conclude pending disciplinary and inquiry matters promptly, with detailed annexes placed in the Library. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service Officers (Q.13/2026) Read →
- 20 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Rohini Kumari Wijerathna asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education for details on officers in the Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service and Sri Lanka Principals’ Service whose salary increments have been suspended. She requested the number of affected officers, their names, suspension dates and reasons, and asked whether the Ministry is aware of delays in restoring increments and what measures will be taken to expedite inquiries and ensure justice. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Educational Administrative Service Officers (Q.13/2026) Read →