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- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB AI summary Nimal Palihena said the disaster had caused losses possibly amounting to 3–5 percent of GDP and exceeded existing contingency allocations, with the Treasury estimating an immediate need of about Rs. 72 billion for relief and protection of lives. He said the Government would reallocate year-end balances and reorganize 2025 budget heads for disaster response, while defending the Treasury surplus as the result of fiscal discipline and improved governance. He called for cross-party cooperation, referred to past warnings about unsafe construction in highland areas, and linked the scale of damage to environmental mismanagement and ill-planned development. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the Opposition was ready to assist disaster relief efforts but accused the Government of failing to act on repeated meteorological warnings, convene relevant disaster-management bodies, or coordinate agencies before the cyclone-related damage escalated. He questioned why the National Council for Disaster Management had not been convened, criticized the President’s concentration of disaster-related responsibilities, and alleged restrictions on the Meteorology Department and civic relief initiatives. He urged the Government to restore disaster insurance compensation schemes, provide adequate relief for destroyed homes, deaths, farmers, and affected businesses, ensure non-partisan aid distribution, protect tourism, use available external loans efficiently, and publish accurate figures on deaths and missing persons. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government acted on Met Department warnings from 25 December by activating state institutions, evacuations, reservoir management, and tri-forces deployments, while accusing some Opposition Members of spreading disinformation during the disaster. He reported that more than 410,000 people were accommodated in 1,433 safety centres, Rs. 10 billion had been sent to District Secretaries, and returning families would receive Rs. 25,000 for essential household needs. He added that assessments of house, crop, business and cultivation losses were underway, compensation mechanisms were being prepared, and resettlement planning had begun for people in unsafe locations, while thanking officials and security forces, including personnel who died during rescue operations. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticised the Government’s disaster preparedness and response, arguing that early warnings were not acted on and that alerts were too broad to prompt effective evacuation at village level. He opposed restrictions or attacks on media and online commentators, saying media outlets and local correspondents provided essential real-time information during floods and landslides. He called for localized warning systems, clearer authority for local officials, better coordination between state agencies and communities, and possible Cabinet changes to improve capacity. He also urged economic relief for affected poultry farmers and tea exporters, immediate VAT refunds, credit facilities, a deferment of Russia’s “Honest Mark” labelling requirement for Sri Lankan tea, and stronger action by foreign missions to mobilize overseas assistance. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha defended the Government’s response to the recent cyclone, stating that agencies acted once the cyclone’s path became clear and that evacuations and relief were provided promptly, while rejecting allegations of misuse or privatization of the National Disaster Management Fund. He outlined Finance Ministry allocations under the 2026 Appropriation Bill, including recurrent and capital expenditure, social protection, SOE equity injections, revenue IT modernization, and externally funded projects. He also reported on fiscal management measures under the State Finance Management Act, debt management reforms, public debt levels, Treasury cash operations, planning priorities, and MSME credit programmes, arguing that fiscal discipline and accountability have been maintained. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran raised a supplementary question alleging that junior officers have sometimes received appointments despite the availability of eligible senior officers. He asked whether the Government would ensure this practice is changed in future appointments. Oral Question: Officers of Sri Lanka Administrative Service - Transfers (Q.1506/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary Annual transfers in the public service are carried out under Public Service Commission procedures, subject to availability of substitutes, with priority to officers who have served the maximum period or over 12 years in one station where another officer has applied for the post. The Ministry monitors service duration through a data system, examines complaints through the Additional Secretary (Home Affairs), and refers matters for disciplinary or administrative action where required. Further technological improvements and a proposed rotational transfer mechanism for senior posts will be studied, with any policy changes to be submitted to the Public Service Commission for approval. Oral Question: Officers of Sri Lanka Administrative Service - Transfers (Q.1506/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya provided figures on Development Officers attached to National and Provincial Council schools, stating that 2,939 were assigned to National Schools and 20,102 to Provincial Council schools, with about 1,992 currently serving in National Schools after transfers and releases. She said Development Officers may enter the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service in accordance with judicial orders and the Teachers’ Service Minute. She explained that recruitment examinations had been delayed due to Supreme Court and Court of Appeal proceedings, but following Cabinet approval and the conclusion of the Court of Appeal matter on 20 November 2025, recruitment to Grade 3-I (a) with revised age limits and separate examinations would proceed. Oral Question: Development Officers Attached to National Schools and Provincial Schools (Q.1309/2025) Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on an order under Section 71 of the Value Added Tax Act concerning management of the Refund Fund and on Supplementary Estimate No. 06 of 2025 for the Ministry of Finance. He noted that the Committee and its officers had obtained parliamentary approval to allocate Rs. 72.5 billion for relief to people affected by a disaster, and thanked those involved. Papers - Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on Supplementary Estimate No. 05 of 2025 for the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and on regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers - Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report covering deviations of headline inflation from the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement targets in late 2024 and the first half of 2025, and the Central Bank’s submission on its functions under Section 80(2)(a) of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers - Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the 2026 Appropriation Bill under Standing Order 121(5)(11), addressing whether the Appropriation aligns with Government policy. He noted that the report was prepared through the Institute of Policy Studies, thanked the institute, and stated that Sinhala and Tamil versions would be submitted later. Papers - Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake presented Supplementary Estimate No. 6 of 2025 following a special Cabinet decision prompted by severe islandwide weather-related disasters. He stated that the estimate was intended to enable urgent relief and restoration of normal public life, sought the House’s special permission to proceed notwithstanding Standing Order 22(4), and moved that it be referred to the Committee on Public Finance, which was agreed to. Debate and Supplementary Estimate: Relief for Cyclone Ditwah Affected Persons Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that he and the Chief Government Whip were ready to present a Supplementary Estimate. He then presented the estimate for relief to persons affected by Cyclone “Ditwah.” Debate and Supplementary Estimate: Relief for Cyclone Ditwah Affected Persons Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayatissa reported extensive disaster impacts across all districts from floods, cyclonic winds and landslides, including 479 deaths, 350 missing persons, major housing damage and nearly 189,000 people in shelters, while acknowledging security personnel killed during rescue operations. He rejected claims that an official cyclone warning had been issued and ignored on 12 November, detailing the Meteorology Department’s advisories to argue that the land-impacting system developed only from 25 November and intensified into Cyclone “Ditva” on 27 November. He stated that once the low-pressure system was identified, the Disaster Management Centre, Defence authorities, district officials and relief agencies were alerted, with landslide-risk and relocation instructions issued through the relevant institutions. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe expressed condolences over deaths and damage from the recent disaster, comparing it with the 2004 tsunami and commending coordinated action by the Government, officials, and the public. He outlined disaster management steps, including district and divisional coordination, NBRO-guided evacuations, health services in shelters, and measures to prevent disease outbreaks among displaced people. He said Kalutara District teams had been sent to Nuwara Eliya with rations, medicines, road-clearing support, and rescue assistance, and urged the public and media to avoid misinformation and politicization while supporting recovery and affected families. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth expressed condolences for those killed and missing in the recent nationwide floods and thanked government agencies, security forces, foreign governments, NGOs and local groups involved in relief efforts. He said Ampara District had less housing damage but suffered serious impacts to agriculture, livestock, fisheries, irrigation bunds, roads and bridges, and called for expedited relief, dry rations, farmer support and payment of outstanding dues to approved relief suppliers. He requested urgent engineering works in Pottuvil and surrounding areas, including clearing and widening river channels, repairing tanks, canals, embankments and damaged bridges, and addressing departmental restrictions that delay flood-mitigation work. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne reported on the impact of the “Ditva” cyclone and the Government’s response, stating that public agencies, the Tri-Forces, private entities and civil organizations helped stabilize the disaster situation. He said telecommunications were heavily disrupted by floods and landslides, but over 90% of national telephony connectivity and all primary fiber backbones had been restored, with remaining outages mainly due to power failures, damaged secondary links and unsafe access to affected sites. He noted that telecom operators provided free emergency top-ups, Starlink would provide free service in affected areas until end-December, and recovery would proceed under the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister conveyed the Government’s condolences for lives lost in the disaster and acknowledged the efforts of the Tri-Forces, Police, officials, religious leaders and civil society in rescue and relief work. He criticized the spread of rumours and politicization during the crisis, including claims intended to create panic over dam spill gates, and noted that recommendations made after the 2004 tsunami had not been fully implemented. He said the current Government had convened district-level Disaster Management Committees, including in Gampaha, and welcomed international assistance while calling for national unity in recovery efforts. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena SJB AI summary Hon. W.H.M. Dharmasena expressed condolences for disaster deaths and described widespread flooding and damage across Monaragala District, while thanking officials, security forces, local representatives and community workers involved in relief. He alleged that delayed operation of the Kumbukkan Oya Okkampitiya anicut gates caused a sudden deluge that destroyed two bridges and disrupted farmers’ access, and requested an investigation and urgent reconstruction. He also asked that relief payments be increased, concessional electricity meter replacements be provided for affected households, aid be expedited to hill-country Tamil communities, and disaster assistance not be politicized through programmes or labels such as “Red Star.” Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →