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- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan welcomed amendments to the Colombo Port City regime that would allow Sri Lanka to derive revenue, while raising concerns that Mannar District General Hospital still lacked the CT scanner previously promised by the Health Minister. He questioned the Government’s appointment of a committee on the Provincial Council electoral system, arguing that elections should be held immediately under the existing system rather than delayed pending reforms. He also requested that fishermen in Mannar who are prevented from going to sea during adverse weather receive dry rations on the same basis as other disaster-affected communities, as directed by the President. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa supported the Colombo Port City Commission (Amendment) Bill, arguing that Port City should be developed as a national economic asset and globally competitive special economic zone. He said the Bill’s tax and legal framework, including tiered treatment for investors, is intended to attract local and foreign investment, generate dollar inflows, and strengthen ICT and commercial activity. He also linked the project to broader government claims of improving economic stability, reduced debt levels, growth, and a less corrupt investment climate, and urged the opposition to cooperate with the Government’s development agenda. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Ajith Agalakada JJB AI summary The Hon. Ajith Agalakada supported amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, arguing that Sri Lanka needs new foreign exchange-generating avenues ahead of resumed external debt repayments from 2028. He said the amendments are based on expert review and would rationalize tax concessions, limit employment income tax exemptions, and strengthen regulation of Businesses of Strategic Importance through investment- and employment-based categories rather than blanket tax holidays. He emphasized that attracting investment depends not only on incentives but also on stability, infrastructure, human capital, rule of law and transparency, and cited recent improvements in exports, remittances, tourism receipts, FDI and macroeconomic indicators. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman used the debate on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill to allege irregularities in the awarding of renewable energy projects in 2025, saying seven solar and wind projects were licensed without tenders despite a Cabinet decision requiring competitive processes. He questioned the tariffs granted, claiming they were higher than previous rates and could impose over Rs. 20 billion in excess costs, and raised concerns about links between selected companies, political figures, and individuals close to the Government. He also referred to earlier allegations involving a Mannar wind project, the unresolved “300 containers” issue, and the delay in appointing an Auditor-General, demanding greater transparency and due process. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns over trading in Wealth Trust Securities Limited, stating that its share price rose from Rs. 7 to Rs. 25,000 without a price band, with over 6.3 million shares traded before the market was halted. He argued that this reflected a failure of stock market regulation, damaged investor confidence during discussions on investment, and called for an inquiry and the resignation of responsible officials. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Thilina Samarakoon stated that the Government had helped stabilize and raise the economy since 2025 by managing disaster impacts and providing leadership. He said the aim in 2026 was to further strengthen the economy while ensuring a stable economic and social environment for the public. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon supported the Bill to amend the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, stating that it would bring Port City economic activity under stronger regulatory oversight and support its role as a business and development hub. He said the amendments would clarify tax treatment, strengthen performance monitoring, ensure Commission oversight of activities, and introduce banking supervision aligned with Basel II and Basel III standards, including capital, liquidity, leverage, and countercyclical buffer requirements. He also outlined proposed prudential measures involving the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank, including licensing action, approved audits, limits on foreign currency transactions, and anti-money laundering controls to enhance financial stability and investor confidence. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 Hon. Kandasaami Prabhu JJB AI summary Hon. Kandasaami Prabhu stated that government institutions are acting independently against waste and fraud, and that Batticaloa District’s 2025 allocations were fully utilized despite disaster-related delays to some projects. He supported the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill, highlighting proposed tax holidays for investors and arguing that public-private investment would accelerate development. He also cited rising tourism, improved tax compliance, and the “Praja Shakthi” programme as contributors to economic recovery and rural development, while rejecting opposition criticism and calling for shortcomings to be corrected constructively. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu supported amendments to the 2021 Port City legislation, arguing that Central Bank oversight of international financial institutions would stabilize foreign exchange earnings and help curb illicit financial flows. He said Port City investments could create foreign-currency earning opportunities, generate demand in sectors such as agriculture, industry, and tourism, and require vocational training for youth. He also defended the Government’s poverty eradication and village development programmes, while criticizing alleged politicization of disaster relief and past rural development practices. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka criticized the Government for previously opposing Port City concessions while now supporting them, including calls to extend concessions. He alleged a Rs. 10 billion coal procurement scandal, claiming tender procedures were delayed and altered to favour unqualified firms, the tender period was improperly shortened, and substandard coal was accepted despite lab results and increased consumption at the Lakvijaya Power Plant. He called attention to discrepancies in testing documentation and accused the Government of ignoring CEB findings while blaming officials who raised concerns. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB AI summary Nimal Palihena supported the amendments to Act No. 11 of 2021, arguing that reform of the Port City framework is needed to realize its objective of attracting foreign direct investment after the initial US$ 1.4 billion land reclamation investment. He highlighted changes including a three-year transition for already-registered companies on employee personal income tax, standard tax treatment for new employees, reduced upfront application charges, and Central Bank oversight of offshore banking and related entities. He said the zone would target sectors such as IT, finance, professional services and tourism, operate in approved foreign currencies, and was expected to generate stronger investment inflows in 2026 amid improved economic conditions. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan supported the 2025 Amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act as a shift from an insulated special zone toward stronger integration with national financial, tax, and foreign exchange laws. He highlighted Central Bank oversight of offshore banking, reduced tax holidays, mandatory tax filing, and Ministry of Finance technical review of incentives as safeguards against shadow banking and revenue loss. He cautioned that reduced incentives could affect investor confidence, but argued that non-tax facilitation, policy stability, local economic linkages, and transparent regulation are more important for positioning Port City as a credible global financial and business centre. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake supported amendments to Act No. 11 of 2021 concerning the Port City framework, arguing that stronger provisions are needed to make it a competitive Special Economic Zone and financial hub. He outlined investment routes through BOI-facilitated FDI, forthcoming PPP legislation, joint ventures, and the Port City, and said reforms would introduce a single-window mechanism, clearer incentives, tax fairness, and Central Bank-regulated offshore banking. He highlighted changes ending employment income tax exemptions for new zone employees, transitioning existing registrants over three years, and setting time-bound, criteria-based incentives for Businesses of Strategic Importance. He also cited recent economic growth figures and criticized opposition to certain public appointments, urging cooperation in national development. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa accused the Government of failing to honour its manifesto commitments and urged it to assess the impact of its policies at grassroots level. He argued that macroeconomic indicators are insufficient without examining distributional effects, claiming Government policies are increasing inequality. He contrasted the Opposition’s approach with the Government’s, stating that while their stated ideologies may appear similar, the Opposition delivers in practice. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Government is adhering to its policy book and will be accountable to its manifesto over the next five years. He noted that Debt Sustainability Analysis variables are updated every six months and said the Government should be judged by results, asserting that current figures indicate the country is on the right trajectory. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to respond more fully to Cyclone Ditwah by implementing pledged relief payments, seeking greater livelihood and industry support, convening an international donor conference, and renegotiating IMF conditions in light of the disaster. He raised concerns over MSME distress and bank profits, tabled a letter from the Ceylon Federation of MSMEs to the Central Bank Governor, and called for fairness for the sector. He also demanded that coercive transfers and allowance cuts affecting Civil Security Department personnel be stopped or replaced with fair voluntary retirement terms, and asked that vehicle import regulations be eased by reducing penalties and extending the registration grace period. He criticized the Government for continuing the Debt Sustainability Analysis and IMF conditions it had promised to change, arguing that its economic approach overlooks distributional impacts. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe argued that Sri Lanka is maintaining fiscal discipline under the IMF programme and that debt sustainability, reserves and repayment capacity are improving through exports, FDI, remittances and tourism. He said the Port City Amendment strengthens regulation and aligns incentives with global standards, including Central Bank-regulated offshore banking, removal of tax-free status for employees, mandatory IRD tax filing and revised fee structures to ease investor entry. He noted that concessions for 24 previously approved companies were retained after negotiation, while four projects worth about US$ 1.2 billion are expected to begin in 2026 and a broader pipeline of Port City investments totals about US$ 3.9 billion. He urged the Opposition not to create fear about the economy, citing projected growth, falling interest costs as a share of revenue, and stronger export performance. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem paid tribute to former Secretary-General Nihal Seneviratne and thanked foreign rescue teams, especially from the UAE, for assistance after Cyclone “Ditwah”, while urging attention to continuing inundation and housing needs in Karaitivu–Chinna Nagavillu, Puttalam. Addressing the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act amendments, he said the changes may restore regulatory clarity but warned that reducing incentives to meet IMF revenue expectations could undermine Sri Lanka’s competitiveness for foreign investment. He cited concerns over tax policy, including personal income tax and corporate tax rates, and questioned whether projected Port City investment and value addition figures are realistic given the limited number of developers currently near commitment. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera outlined the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill, stating that it follows a Special Committee review and Cabinet approval to remove investor impediments and align the law with global standards. He detailed new tax incentive tiers for Primary and Secondary Businesses of Strategic Importance, including corporate tax holidays or reduced rates, import duty exemptions, VAT treatment, APIT provisions, revised fee procedures, and strengthened compliance, disclosure, and performance-review requirements. He also linked the amendments to broader investment conditions such as macroeconomic stability, infrastructure, skilled labour, double taxation agreements, and recent export, remittance, and tourism performance. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that no procedural errors had occurred in relation to the Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate, noting that the documents required under Section 10 of the State Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, had been tabled and could be resubmitted if necessary. He said capital reallocations were transfers within Heads and did not increase any aggregate amount, and asked Members to identify any specific missing document, adding that he would address the details in his reply speech. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Read →