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- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody stated that 7,259 rooftop solar grid-connection applications had been received in the Jaffna District since 2020, with 4,448 connections provided and four pending due to incomplete construction or local protests and District Coordination Committee decisions. He said new approvals in Jaffna have been suspended since 12 August 2024 because the Chunnakam grid substation has exceeded its renewable integration capacity. Addressing allegations over CEB approvals, he said complaints had been investigated through established CEB, PUCSL and disciplinary procedures, with escalation mechanisms available under the Supply Services Code. He added that renewable energy capacity has exceeded 2025 targets under the Long-Term Generation Plan, two solar plants have been contracted in Mannar, and there is no formal CEB-ADB-local authority coordination programme for rooftop solar connections. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that strategic reforms are underway to improve the collection, coordination, and interoperability of data across agencies such as the Department of Census and Statistics, the Ministry of Finance, and the Central Bank. He said the Government is moving towards digitalizing and integrating data systems to reduce manual recompilation, linkage problems, and delays in releasing timely and relevant information. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. R.G. Wijerathna JJB AI summary Asked whether the Government will undertake strategic reforms to improve the accuracy and reliability of data sources, emphasizing that a shift toward a production economy must be based on sound data. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. R.G. Wijerathna JJB AI summary R.G. Wijerathna referred to past allegations that the Department of Census and Statistics had distorted national data to present Sri Lanka as moving from a low-income to a middle-income economy, and that the then Director of National Accounts was interdicted after resisting pressure. He asked the Minister whether the Government would conduct an inquiry to provide justice to the officer concerned. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister, responding on behalf of the Finance Minister, provided data requested on quarterly economic growth rates, annual inflation and annual growth for 2004–2014, noting that clarification had been sought because “ratio of the national account” was not clearly defined. He explained that GDP growth figures use constant prices and different base years, while inflation was historically measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index and later by the National Consumer Price Index. He stated that GDP deflators and consumer inflation figures are not expected to reconcile exactly because they measure different price baskets, and that no strict annual reconciliation with money supply data is applicable due to changes in velocity. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa clarified the roles of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation, stating that SPC imports medicines while SPMC manufactures them. He said SPC imports 464 medical items through the Medical Supplies Division, including the medicine in question from a manufacturer in Himachal Pradesh, India. He acknowledged there had been a shortage but stated that the medicine is currently available in the market. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about delays in procuring a pancreatic enzyme medicine needed by children with chronic lung disease, food malabsorption and cystic fibrosis. He said the drug is not produced by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, private procurement costs about Rs. 178,000, and around 35 children have been unable to obtain it. He urged expedited procurement of quality medicines and asked that the reasons for the Corporation’s non-production of the drug be examined. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake clarified the procedure followed before tabling a transfer under the Virements Procedure, citing Section 24(4) of the State Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, and Section 59 of the Appropriation Act, No. 3 of 2025. He stated that such documents are checked for legality and timeliness by multiple authorities, including the Finance Ministry, the Office of the Leader of the House, the Secretary-General’s Office, and the Speaker, before being presented to Parliament. On the specific transfer in question, he noted that the first transaction occurred on 07 July and reached Parliament within less than a month. Procedural Matters and Points of Order Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha – Minister AI summary The Minister stated that the virement report was submitted within the required six-month period from the 07 July resolution and therefore complied with procedure. He addressed the Colombo Stock Exchange incident involving WealthTrust Securities Limited, saying the SEC had suspended trading, investigations were under way, and action would be taken if market manipulation was found. He defended the Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate as necessary for cyclone-related relief and reconstruction, including housing, businesses, agriculture and plantations, while rejecting claims that funds or IMF-related targets were at risk. He also responded to criticism over the absence of an Auditor General, saying a qualified nominee had been rejected by the Constitutional Council and that the President was continuing to discharge his responsibilities. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government had stabilized the economy and was now seeking production-oriented investment, with the Port City positioned as a key vehicle for that purpose. He outlined amendments to the 2021 Port City Act to replace discretionary concessions with rules-based incentives, including capped corporate tax holidays tied to investment and employment, limits on personal income tax exemptions, and strengthened filing, audit, and monitoring requirements. He also stated that offshore banking oversight would be reinforced through the Foreign Exchange Act and Central Bank powers, and rejected claims that statutory public finance reports under Act No. 44 of 2024 had not been submitted on time. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha welcomed the appointment of the Port City Commission Chairman and urged the long-vacant BOI Director-General post to be filled, while raising concerns that proposed amendments could weaken Central Bank oversight of offshore banking in the Port City. He warned that excluding the Banking Act, allowing the Commission to license offshore banks, and permitting borrowing from domestic banks in US dollars could create shadow banking risks, drain reserves, and create an uneven regulatory field. He proposed preserving Central Bank discretion on prudential standards, reconsidering income tax on Sri Lankan professionals working in the Port City, and introducing one-stop, time-bound approval processes to attract investment and prevent capital flight. He also criticized delays and costs faced by investors, called for competitive concessions, and urged reconsideration of the Commission’s licensing role and the BOI’s effectiveness. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi supported the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill, stating that it seeks to make the Port City a competitive special economic zone for attracting foreign direct investment while improving ease of doing business. He said the amendment addresses practical issues in the original Act by creating a more transparent, criteria-based framework for tax concessions, including regular reviews and investment and employment thresholds. He rejected claims that the Bill removes benefits, arguing that the Commission will retain powers to review and refine concessions while aligning with international standards to prevent misuse such as money laundering or illicit fund flows. He also referred to forthcoming PPP and joint venture frameworks as part of broader investment and job creation policy. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported the Port City project as a key economic initiative but urged the Government and Commission to ensure recent amendments translate into accelerated foreign direct investment and removal of bottlenecks. He called for investigation of inconsistent land pricing to investors, lower event-space rental costs, and coordinated legal and environmental measures for special event zones. He also raised the need to strengthen financial and digital infrastructure, tabled concerns over SLT-Mobitel procurement and governance, and requested updates on power-sector measures, including battery storage, to prevent future outages affecting investment and economic activity. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe supported the amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, arguing that they replace overly broad and discretionary tax concessions with shorter, threshold-based incentives and greater transparency. He said previous strategic development incentives caused major tax expenditure losses, cited IMF-related fiscal obligations, and proposed publishing project costs while ending full employment income tax exemptions for Port City employees with transitional arrangements. He also defended education reforms and the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund as subject to proper procedures, and said post-cyclone rebuilding and investment promotion should proceed with stronger oversight. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake argued that the Colombo Port City Economic Commission should be used more proactively to attract investment, with targeted tax and non-tax incentives rather than waiting on IMF programme constraints. He said Port City must develop a clear value proposition as an offshore financial, services, and manufacturing hub, leveraging access to India through the Indo–Sri Lanka FTA and offering regulatory certainty, market access, and efficiency. He criticized over-regulation, approval delays, and recent Colombo Stock Exchange technical issues as damaging investor confidence, and urged reforms to attract US$3–4 billion in investment while addressing outward labour migration. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Member supported the Amendment to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, stating that it retains tax incentive powers but introduces clearer rules, technical assessments, investment and employment thresholds, monitoring, and national tax oversight. She said the purpose is to replace blanket concessions with a transparent, rules-based scheme aligned with long-term economic objectives. She also objected to vulgar language used in Parliament and clarified that, on Venezuela, the Government’s position is based on international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and UN principles, distinct from party rhetoric. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha supported the Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill as part of the Government’s strategy to attract foreign direct investment, strengthen the Port City as a competitive special economic zone, and improve Sri Lanka’s ease of doing business. He argued that 2025 demonstrated economic stability through higher revenue collections, remittances, tourism, exports, stock market performance, growth, ratings improvements, and low inflation. He said the amendments would rationalize tax incentives and exemptions, strengthen regulation and compliance for strategic businesses, and create a framework for offshore banking, while noting that BOI projects, PPPs, and joint ventures would also remain important channels for investment. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva addressed regulations waiving VAT, Cess, PAL and Customs Duty on donated imports for cyclone recovery, but argued that relief should also cover privately imported replacement machinery and inputs for affected businesses, subject to verification mechanisms. He called for clarity on a proposed donors’ conference, said the announced “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund does not formally exist, and urged establishment of the Disaster Fund under the Disaster Management Act with audited oversight. He highlighted severe MSME losses and debt pressures following the cyclone, and argued that recovery should not depend mainly on donations but should include spending prioritization and greater private investment in infrastructure through PPPs and concessions. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Champika Hettiarachchi supported the Second Reading of the Bill to amend the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, arguing that the Government has restored economic stability through improved revenue collection, exports, tourism earnings, remittances, FDI, debt restructuring and credit ratings. He said the amendments would integrate Port City into the national growth strategy by replacing broad tax holidays with calibrated incentives for categories of strategic businesses based on investment and employment thresholds. He also emphasized Central Bank supervision of offshore banking, stronger legal governance, and recent regulations aimed at preventing irregularities and corruption. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera supported the amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, stating that Port City is a key vehicle for attracting FDI within a context of restored macroeconomic stability. He highlighted provisions on employment tax treatment, offshore banking regulation, prudential standards, and ex-post monitoring of Businesses of Strategic Importance to ensure tax incentives are performance-linked. Citing IMF assessments and 2025 indicators, he argued that Sri Lanka had achieved stronger-than-projected growth, fiscal consolidation, remittances, tourism, and FDI, enabling cyclone relief through a Treasury cash buffer. He also noted the need to continue education reforms begun in 2019 to align the system with future needs. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →