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- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha clarified that the EPF consists of workers’ funds held under the Central Bank, with administration by the Department of Labour, and that integrating the two related databases must be done carefully to avoid harming the Fund. He said policy decisions would be reported to the House once finalized. He also rejected media speculation that EPF lump-sum withdrawals would end or be converted into an annuity, stating only that broader social protection options, including possible annuity choices requested by workers, were under discussion with no decision made. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake sought a direct and comprehensive response to his three-part question on the Employees’ Provident Fund, saying a requested clear date had not been provided. He highlighted alleged contradictions between the President’s advisory committee position, an earlier statement by a Deputy Minister, and the IMF administrative agreement, and said 5 million EPF members were concerned about the future of the Fund. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question from Hon. Ravi Karunanayake regarding Treasury Bill and Bond issuance and the Employees’ Provident Fund. He said the transfer of government securities issuance from the Central Bank to the Ministry of Finance under the Finance Act and PDMO Act was to be completed on 1 January 2026, and that no final policy decision had yet been taken on related matters. He provided EPF asset and investment figures as at 31 October 2025, noting that most assets were held in government securities due to the fund’s scale and risk profile, and said EPF returns generally exceeded selected market indicators except in 2022. He also outlined EPF governance, reporting and IT modernization measures, stating that Cabinet approval had been obtained for a new EPF IT solution and that existing systems allow online contributions and account access. Answers to Questions under Standing Order 27(2) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary R.M. Jayawardhana tabled, on behalf of the relevant Minister, an answer on potato supply, imports, and local production. The answer stated that Sri Lanka’s annual potato requirement is about 210,000 metric tonnes, with roughly 80 per cent met through imports and 20 per cent through domestic production, and provided import, production, and 2025 harvest data in tabled documents. It said a Special Commodity Levy of Rs. 80 per kilogram was imposed in August 2025 to support farm-gate prices during the local harvest, but imports are not suspended because domestic production is insufficient and consumer demand includes both local and imported potatoes. The answer added that longer-term measures to reduce production costs and improve productivity are needed to improve competitiveness. Oral Questions: Paddy Field Damage and Potato Imports (Q.11, Q.12) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. T.B. Sarath JJB AI summary Following cyclone “Divva,” over 90 percent of water supply systems in affected areas were disrupted, with repairs completed within about 14 days where possible. Government funds have been allocated for full restoration, and work is continuing to complete the remaining repairs. Oral Question: Water Supply in Bandarawela (Q.10) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Bandarawela water supply system’s 3,000 m³ capacity is inadequate for about 14,000 connections, requiring supply management using Diyatalawa and Ettampitiya sources, with current supply improved from once in 14 days to at least once in seven days. He said water shortages remain in Diyatalawa and Haputale because 6,000 m³ is diverted to Bandarawela, while areas such as Mirahawatte, Dayaraba and Kurukunde will be covered under the integrated Bandarawela–Diyatalawa–Haputale water project. Phases I and II of the project, begun on 16 February 2025, include a 10,000 m³/day treatment plant, reservoirs, mains, about 9,000 new connections and service improvements across several Divisional Secretariat areas, at an estimated cost of Rs. 9,350 million. Supply is expected to commence in January 2028, subject to funding and staffing requirements. Oral Question: Water Supply in Bandarawela (Q.10) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Minister on procurement decisions allegedly made by the Prime Minister or a committee appointed by him, comparing them to earlier Cabinet-delegated actions involving a building for the Ministry of Agriculture. He argued that maintaining scarcity-period prices despite available buffer stocks had caused a fundamental financial loss, and asked whether the Government would investigate the alleged “invisible hand” or “ghost” in the President’s Office and quantify the loss. Oral Question: Gas Imports and Emergency Procurement (Q.9) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Cabinet had presented the relevant powers, and the existing legal-regulatory procurement framework already provides for such action. Financial calculations could be undertaken to determine whether any loss resulted and, if so, its extent. Oral Question: Gas Imports and Emergency Procurement (Q.9) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the action in question was taken within permitted procurement provisions, not outside the procurement process. He argued that awarding the initial tender at USD 1,290 would have created financial concerns, while officials also had to consider the wider risks of a possible gas shortage at the time. Oral Question: Gas Imports and Emergency Procurement (Q.9) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Minister on LPG procurement, referring to earlier COPE evidence that OQ Trading had been awarded a higher-priced contract during an emergency because Siam Gas Trading’s lower-priced shipment would take about 40 days. He asked whether, after the emergency had passed and OQ Trading had buffer stocks, continuing to allocate larger volumes to the same supplier without a continuous procurement process had caused a loss. Oral Question: Gas Imports and Emergency Procurement (Q.9) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha provided a written-style response detailing Litro Gas Lanka Limited’s LPG import volumes for 2022 to 2024 and the procurement processes followed. He stated that procurements were handled through the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee with Cabinet approval, but the 2022 economic crisis and foreign exchange constraints prevented required letters of credit and led to interim supply arrangements. He outlined subsequent awards and contract extensions, including supplies from OQ Trading, Siam Gas, and Geogas Trading SA, and said all procurements received the necessary approvals with final authority resting with the Cabinet of Ministers. Oral Question: Gas Imports and Emergency Procurement (Q.9) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to provide year-wise data from 2022 to 2024 on the volume of gas imported by Litro Gas Lanka Limited. He also sought clarification on whether proper procurement procedures were followed, reasons for any deviations, the volume of emergency gas purchases in metric tons, and the financial difference between emergency purchases and purchases made under normal procedures. Oral Question: Gas Imports and Emergency Procurement (Q.9) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence stated that the President and relevant teams had held discussions with the concerned ministries regarding land-related issues, noting that similar matters exist beyond Polonnaruwa and that evaluations are being expedited where immediate resolution is not possible. He also said assistance for schoolchildren had largely been paid in accordance with the relevant circular, with remaining disbursements being made promptly and properly. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence said the question had been submitted before Cyclone “Michaung” and that relevant figures had since changed, so he tabled a detailed written answer. The tabled response provided disaster incident, affected-person and compensation data from 2015 to 2025, expenditure details for the Department of Meteorology, Disaster Management Centre, Disaster Relief Services Centre and NBRO, and outlined disaster management measures under the Disaster Management Act No. 13 of 2005. It also listed preparedness, early warning, risk reduction, resettlement, compensation and infrastructure initiatives, including increased death compensation, landslide-risk housing, building-code measures, district and divisional plans, and emergency response systems. Oral Question: Disaster Relief and Compensation (Q.7/726/2025) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam argued that Batticaloa’s geography, divided by lagoons and tanks, requires its bridges and roads to be treated as special infrastructure needs rather than ordinary projects. He cited unresolved works on Samalaiyadivettai Road and the Kakkachchivattai–Anaikattiyaveli stretch, noting that despite DDC resolutions, Cabinet submissions, and reported fund allocations, flood damage from 2024 and 2025 remained unaddressed. He questioned the administration’s effectiveness where allocated funds and repeated official approvals had still not led to completion of the works. Oral Question: Bridge Reconstruction in Batticaloa (Q.5) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary The Minister stated that while the main question had been answered, the additional roads and bridges raised reflect similar needs across many districts. He said the 2026 Budget includes substantial allocations for road development, and projects recommended through District Coordinating Committees can be considered for reconstruction. Oral Question: Bridge Reconstruction in Batticaloa (Q.5) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about an officer in a media-related role lacking relevant training, citing a recent statement about the Prime Minister attending a press briefing as evidence of difficulties in the institution. He also urged the Minister to address longstanding issues in the relevant Department, including a cadre of about 300 officers, allowances, and stalled promotions, and to establish a proper mechanism for stable career progression. Oral Question: Department of Government Information (Q.3) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary On behalf of the Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, Kanthasamy Prabu presented the Committee’s report covering the 2023 and 2024 performance or annual performance reports of several Treasury and related departments. These included departments responsible for management services, trade and investment policy, management audit, IT management, state accounts, legal affairs, the Comptroller General, treasury operations, national budget, and project management and monitoring. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary Welcoming two Special Gazettes under the Motor Traffic Act, the member said the regulations would enable testing and action against narcotic-impaired drivers and make seat belts compulsory for all seats on expressways. Citing national crash and fatality statistics from 2020-2025, he argued that reckless driving, pedestrian deaths and the economic cost of accidents require stronger enforcement, including zero tolerance for intoxicated drivers in public transport and school or office transport. He also said seat belts should be used at all times, not only on expressways, and outlined Gampaha District road allocations, restoration of non-viable bus routes, and efforts to make SLTB depots self-sustaining. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath supported the Motor Traffic Act regulations on detecting intoxicated drivers, mandating seat belts on expressways, and improving road safety, citing high fatalities and injuries from road accidents and calling for stronger enforcement, vehicle inspections, and removal of unfit vehicles. He urged improvements to public transport, especially in the North and East, including restoration of full Batticaloa rail services, reinstatement of capacity and AC coaches, and attention to possible service constraints linked to private transport interests. He also requested stronger SLTB services in Batticaloa, including repairs to the Valaichchenai depot, improved services to Vakarai, and a district-level plan through the District Development Committee to support poor and disaster-affected communities. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →