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- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Appreciation was expressed for public officials and security personnel involved in rescue operations during the nationwide disaster, including those who died or went missing, while noting the reported scale of the tragedy: 22 districts gazetted as affected, displaced persons in 21 districts, 465 deaths and 366 missing persons. The remarks criticized claims that a 12 November warning had been ignored, particularly allegations attributed to Opposition figures and media coverage, and called for clarification of the source and content of any such warning from the Department of Meteorology. It was also stated that the President had sought all-party cooperation and that relief was being administered through District and Divisional Secretaries without political discrimination, while condemning alleged harassment of the Kandy District Secretary by Opposition MPs. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake outlined government relief and recovery measures following severe weather in the Northern and other affected provinces, including inspections of Delft–Nainativu ferry boats, support to District Secretaries, and emergency assistance to stranded communities. He said damaged paddy lands in Mannar could be re-seeded early in the Maha season with Agriculture Ministry support, and that a Bailey bridge was being installed at Nayaru with a target completion date of 15 December. He announced eased emergency spending procedures, including Rs. 50,000 advances for Grama Niladharis and up to Rs. 5 million cash authority for Divisional Secretaries, and noted that Rs. 25,000 payments for schoolchildren and household cleaning had begun in several districts with funds sent to affected Northern and Eastern districts. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody outlined cyclone-related damage to Sri Lanka’s electricity and petroleum supply systems, reporting 132,000 power breakdowns with 62,447 restored and further restoration targeted in the coming days. He detailed major transmission and substation failures, including on the Rantambe–Mahiyanganaya and Ukuwela–Bowatanna lines, with temporary towers targeted for completion by 10 December and interim supply measures such as back-feeding and generators. He said water supply disruptions were linked to flooded treatment and pumping facilities and power failures, and urged households affected by flooding to have internal wiring repaired by certified technicians. On petroleum, he stated that affected filling stations had fallen from 38 to 24, supply routes were being maintained, and rumours of fuel scarcity were false. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake thanked the tri-forces, police and emergency workers, urged the Government not to remove concessions for military families, and linked the ongoing disaster response to the need for Budget scrutiny. He raised concerns about the 2026 financing requirement, debt management, Central Bank coordination, credit expansion, pension sustainability, the post-IMF economic path, and the need for export-led growth and broader revenue bases. He called for reviving the National Natural Disaster Insurance Scheme, suspending parate action, granting interest and tax-payment grace periods to affected businesses, and extending tax deadlines to end-December. He also questioned the authority for the debt standstill decision, criticized proposed SriLankan Airlines bonuses despite losses, and urged halting non-essential vehicle imports to redirect funds to disaster relief. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana described the scale of disaster impacts in Colombo District and Kaduwela, citing deaths, displacement, and national losses, and said weak systems, unplanned settlements, and unsafe practices had worsened vulnerability. He outlined the relief response in Kaduwela, including 41 safe centres, official coordination, military and DMC support, volunteer food distribution, and fisherfolk-led rescues, while condemning an assault on a volunteer rescuer. He urged the State to pursue planned relocation from danger zones, accelerate Kelani River flood mitigation work, and implement long-term, science-based disaster and river-basin management programmes. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that the Government failed to properly implement the Disaster Management Act and maintain preparedness through the Disaster Management Centre, citing unusable equipment, staffing issues and delayed action on Deduru Oya reservoir warnings. He questioned whether decisions of the National Council for Disaster Management, including establishing the Disaster Management Fund, had been implemented. Referring to severe impacts in Kurunegala District, he urged relief for housing loans, farmers’ loans, small businesses and tourism, while thanking officials and foreign partners for assistance. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka urged a non-partisan national response to the recent disaster, proposing that the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme use expert input, international assistance, and long-term planning to repair damage and build stronger systems. He outlined foreign humanitarian support from around 70 countries and operational measures to expedite duty-free clearance of relief consignments through ports and the airport. He also reported on the restoration of airport operations after over 12,000 passengers were stranded and described relief efforts in Biyagama, where about 20,000 people were affected and 19 safe centres were established. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir used the Finance Ministry debate to address the national disaster, expressing condolences and urging the Government to involve the Opposition, experts, civil society and other public figures in recovery efforts. He called for a constructive all-party approach, including using retired cricketing figures to raise international funds, and highlighted the need to restore livelihoods in the Hill Country, North, East and farming regions affected by floods. He requested priority support for essential services, rice millers, businesses, hospitals and restaurants in Ampara and other affected areas, while acknowledging the work of religious institutions, voluntary groups, media, public officers, armed forces and MPs engaged in relief work. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera expressed condolences over the disaster deaths and displacement, and questioned whether earlier warnings had been acted on adequately. He urged the Government to present a clear recovery and resettlement plan, rapidly assess landslide-risk areas with technical officers, and distinguish between families who can return home and those needing new land and housing. He called for transparent compensation procedures for household losses, acceptance of photographic evidence, and relief for affected urban, estate and plantation communities, including damaged roads, power supply and factory operations. He also asked that exporters affected by flooding be included in compensation measures and requested temporary SVAT relief due to delayed VAT refunds. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa urged that immediate relief and restoration of normalcy take priority over political blame. He called for protecting lives and property, ensuring food for affected people without politicized or bureaucratic distribution, helping entrepreneurs restart, reaching villages, supplying hospital medicines, and supporting those in distress. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa expressed condolences over the disaster and called for a transparent Special Parliamentary Committee to examine failures in preparedness, warnings, evacuations, and administrative response. He urged the Government to revise the Budget to include a national disaster recovery plan, seek adjustments in discussions with the IMF, and ensure relief mechanisms are coordinated, especially in areas lacking key officials. He questioned agricultural loss data and asked the Government to organize logistics to move available produce to markets, while supporting affected farmers, medical staff, and displaced communities. He also cautioned against using Emergency Regulations to suppress public criticism rather than focusing State powers on saving lives and rebuilding. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran called for national unity and coordinated relief in response to the ongoing disaster, noting deaths, displacement, damage to homes, livestock, and especially flooded paddy lands in Ampara, as well as landslides in the hill country. He urged the Government to support affected livelihoods, suspend microfinance and debt collections during the crisis, and re-establish the closed Sathosa outlet in Aalayadivembu. He also raised concern that all 104 recruits selected for Grade II of the Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Service in 2024/2025 were Sinhala, calling for inclusion of Tamil- and Muslim-speaking officers. He proposed irrigation improvements, including canals to divert surplus water through identified tanks, to reduce flooding and enable double-cropping on about 5,000 acres. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala expressed condolences to victims of recent floods and landslides and thanked security forces, officials, health workers and local communities involved in rescue and relief. He questioned the adequacy of early preparedness, warning dissemination and reservoir management, citing advance rainfall forecasts and the opening of Deduru Oya and Kotmale reservoirs as factors that may have worsened downstream damage. He urged the Government to clarify what pre-disaster actions were taken, improve communications and access to affected villages, avoid using emergency regulations to restrict criticism, increase compensation for deaths, and amend procedures if necessary to address cases of persons buried in landslides who remain classified as missing. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmalee Gunasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Samanmalee Gunasinghe urged Members, including the Opposition, to take inspiration from children who donated their savings to disaster victims. She highlighted public contributions through money, words of support, and voluntary labour, calling for continued solidarity with those affected. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmalee Gunasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmalee Gunasinghe outlined Government relief measures for those affected by severe weather, including Rs. 25,000 per affected schoolchild for books and supplies and an increased Rs. 25,000 grant for cleaning flood-damaged homes. She said women MPs were assisting affected communities, particularly on women’s and children’s safety and sanitation, and stressed that decisions on floodgates and river mouths should be made by relevant officials using scientific and meteorological assessments. She stated that all 25 districts and many public officials were affected, urged support for officials restoring services, and said District and Divisional Secretaries had been instructed to spend available emergency funds according to local needs while assessments continue for compensation for agriculture, homes, and businesses. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson urged the Government to release and authorize the immediate use of allocated disaster-relief funds for Polonnaruwa through District and Divisional Secretaries, without procedural delays, and to revise the Rs. 300-per-day dry ration allowance as inadequate. He described severe flood impacts including dead livestock, waste accumulation, crop and paddy field destruction, drinking-water disruption due to power outages, and damage to the Elahera anicut, calling for urgent administrative and technical support. He also questioned the water management of Moragahakanda Reservoir and Parakrama Samudra, asking who was responsible for the flooding and seeking measures to prevent recurrence while protecting unaffected cultivation to avoid future rice shortages. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised concerns about the impact of the disaster nationally and in Polonnaruwa, citing deaths, missing persons, widespread displacement, and damage to farmers and dairy farmers. He questioned whether the Government had acted on prior meteorological warnings and criticized the refusal to allocate parliamentary time for discussion. He said the announced Rs. 50 million per Divisional Secretariat should amount to Rs. 350 million for Polonnaruwa’s seven divisions, but only about Rs. 8 million had reportedly arrived, and demanded immediate release of the full allocation and a clear distribution plan for affected families. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella described the severe impact of the “Doo” cyclone, particularly in Kandy District, citing deaths, missing persons, displacement, blocked access, communication failures and urgent shortages of potable water. She thanked state officials, security forces, medical personnel, religious institutions, civil groups and foreign missions for relief efforts, while questioning whether sufficient early action was taken after weather warnings and whether reservoir operations worsened flooding. She requested urgent attention to inaccessible areas, additional expert support to restore water supply, preparedness for further rain, medical safeguards against disease risks, and timely disbursement of relief funds to Divisional Secretariats. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika expressed condolences for those affected by the disaster and acknowledged the work and sacrifices of the armed forces, Police, public officials and health workers. He stated that Government relief funding is in place, explaining that the Rs. 25,000 payment is initial household support rather than full compensation, with assessments and further compensation to follow, and that the dry ration allowance has been increased. He clarified that no extra-legal fund has been created, with official Treasury-authorized bank accounts published for contributions, and urged constructive reporting of gaps while supporting centrally coordinated relief operations under the President. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri expressed condolences for those affected in Badulla and questioned the legality, transparency, Treasury linkage, and auditing of the proposed “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” fund. He said the Government failed to adequately anticipate, warn, evacuate, and manage the disaster despite heavy rainfall forecasts, citing displacement, deaths, missing persons, damaged houses, and continuing landslide risks in Badulla District. He called for a clear plan for the intensifying monsoon, safe shelter and supplies for affected people without partisan distribution, higher and faster relief payments than Rs. 25,000, and warned against using emergency regulations to suppress media reporting. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →