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 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged the Government to use available Treasury savings and unexpected revenue to provide immediate disaster relief, arguing that at least Rs. 50,000 should be paid to affected households and that legal provisions allow higher reconstruction spending in 2026 despite IMF-linked expenditure limits. He proposed mobilizing Rs. 300–500 billion for reconstruction, suspending parate executions, and creating a dedicated MSME support fund, while suggesting that Treasury bill rollovers be used to free liquidity for relief. He also questioned the legal basis of the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” fund, insisting that any such mechanism must be authorized by Parliament, auditable, and compliant with Article 148 and the Public Financial Management Act. He further called for a Budget amendment to reflect changed circumstances and asked the Government to clarify its policy on SOE reforms, citing CEB reforms and SriLankan Airlines losses. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera - Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Jayaweera addressed the Budget Committee debate on the Finance, Trade, and Irrigation-related Heads, beginning with condolences for victims of the “Ditscha” cyclone and outlining relief measures, including the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund, increased dry-ration support, and Rs. 25,000 per affected household for cleaning and restoring homes. He said the Fund would support reconstruction through the Disaster Management Centre and other agencies, with resources sought from foreign governments, NGOs and donors, and assured transparency and accountability. He defended Finance Ministry allocations, noting that most of the Rs. 5,102 billion total is for debt service, and said Rs. 500 billion in savings would be used in 2026 to retire maturing Treasury Bills. He also explained proposed revenue and tax administration reforms, including VAT and SSCL changes on imports, lower registration thresholds to broaden the tax base, e-invoicing, RAMIS improvements, Customs single-window reforms, and Excise Department modernization. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne criticized the Government for prioritizing the Budget debate over a parliamentary discussion on the ongoing disaster, particularly its impact on Gampola and the Kandy District. He alleged failures in early warning and coordination regarding reservoir releases, rainfall and river-gauge data, and rumours about the Kotmale Dam, arguing that timely communication could have prevented many deaths. He also raised concerns about inadequate rescue and recovery support, including the absence of machinery to recover bodies, clear blocked roads, assist dialysis patients, and respond to people trapped by floods. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa called for a new disaster-management institutional mechanism and legislation, supported by climate hazard and vulnerability assessments, needs assessments, transparent planning and performance indicators. In light of the reported impact on over 1.5 million people, he urged the Government to postpone passing the Budget and instead present a revised short-term Budget focused on disaster relief, reconstruction, agricultural and industrial recovery, subsistence support and use of additional fiscal savings and revenues. He also proposed convening an international donor conference, renegotiating IMF conditions in view of the disaster, seeking relief from reciprocal tariffs, and adopting a depoliticized national development programme with Opposition support. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan highlighted severe flood and cyclone damage in Trincomalee, citing affected families, damaged homes, destroyed paddy lands and livestock losses, and called for urgent filling of Grama Niladhari vacancies, temporary deployment of other officers to support relief work, and emergency health measures to prevent disease outbreaks. Turning to the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry’s Budget 2026 allocations, he noted fiscal consolidation measures, support for Aswesuma, SMEs, tax administration and digital economy initiatives, while raising concerns about inadequate targeted provision for post-war recovery in the North and East and insufficient support for female-headed households. He also cautioned that increased taxes could worsen living costs and that large allocations to Finance and Defence may constrain social programmes. Debate: Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Heads) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake sought the Chairman’s permission to raise a matter concerning the Department of Inland Revenue in November 2025. The available excerpt ends before the substantive issue or request is stated. Debate: Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Heads) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake sought leave to make a Personal Explanation under Standing Order No. 27(8), contesting statements made in the House on 26 November 2025 regarding the 2015 Treasury Bond issue. He argued that references to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry wrongly implied he had ministerial responsibility for the Central Bank, stating that gazette notifications under Article 44(1), Cabinet records and administrative circulars assigned that responsibility to then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, while commercial banks were under Hon. Kabir Hashim. He requested rectification of what he described as a factual error that damaged his reputation and could prejudice ongoing court proceedings. Personal Explanation: Hon. Ravi Karunanayake Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the Committee on Public Finance, with participation from both Government and Opposition Members, is performing an important role. He explained that consultant appointments and pay scales were revised through the Staff Advisory Committee chaired by the Speaker, and that consultants have been provided to address technical issues, including those delaying the release of vehicles. He also noted that COPE, COPA and other committees are working actively and should continue to do so. Papers: Regulations and Reports Presented Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva referred to vehicles imported under irrevocable letters of credit and said Sri Lanka Customs had been urged not to require re-export but to allow release on payment of an additional duty. He noted that while a decision had been taken to levy additional duty and release the vehicles, registration issues remained due to an Imports and Exports Control Department rule, even where bank guarantees were provided. He requested that vehicles be released either on cash payment or on a bank guarantee with an added interest component, noting that 17 had been released and about 870 remained. Papers: Regulations and Reports Presented Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report covering Budget 2026 documents, fiscal and debt reports, regulations, resolutions, supplementary estimates, and related legislation referred to the Committee. He noted that the Committee was meeting for the 50th time, including on public holidays, and requested parliamentary support for its workload, including adequate staffing for the Parliamentary Budget Office. He raised concerns about delays in resolving the NMRA registration waiver matter and urged replacement of members who repeatedly do not attend meetings, while also noting reports tabled on issues including about 900 third-country vehicles held up. Papers: Regulations and Reports Presented Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Regulations under the Value Added Tax Act concerning management of the VAT Refund Fund, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2460/44, were presented and referred to the Committee on Public Finance with the agreement of the House. A Presidential Proclamation under the Essential Public Services Act and a note on supplementary allocations under the 2025 Appropriation Act for October 2025 were also presented and ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Regulations and Reports Presented Read →
- 1 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister tabled Treasury Budget Circular No. 05/2025 on emergency relief procurement, issued to District and Divisional Secretaries to expedite assistance to affected people. He stated that Divisional Secretaries may carry out emergency procurement of goods, works and non-consultancy services up to Rs. 50 million under the 2024 Procurement Guidelines, with District Secretaries granting the necessary financial authority. He also noted that further disaster-relief expenditure should be referred by the Ministry of Defence’s Disaster Management Division to the Treasury for commitments and virements. Papers: Treasury Circular on Procurement and Relief Measures Read →
- 1 December 2025 Hon. Members AI summary The Committee agreed to amend Head 291, Programme 01, increasing the capital provision for the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management to Rs. 612 million, incorporating Rs. 100 million under Budget Proposal No. 35, while approving Rs. 483 million for recurrent expenditure. It also approved the specified recurrent and capital allocations for the Department of National Zoological Gardens, Department of National Botanic Gardens, and Department of Probation and Childcare Services, ordering each relevant Head and Programme to stand part of the Schedule. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Read →
- 1 December 2025 Hon. Members AI summary An amendment to Head 284, Programme 01 of the Schedule was agreed, increasing allocations for the Department of Wildlife Conservation by Rs. 250 million in recurrent expenditure and Rs. 750 million in capital expenditure, incorporating Budget Proposal No. 36. The amended recurrent allocation of Rs. 6.051 billion and capital allocation of Rs. 1.233 billion were approved and ordered to stand part of the Schedule. The debate then proceeded to Head 291, relating to the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Read →
- 1 December 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to an amendment increasing the capital provision for Head 160, Programme 01 of the Environment allocation by Rs. 10 million, incorporating Budget Proposal No. 62, while approving Rs. 1.093 billion in recurrent expenditure and Rs. 107 million in amended capital expenditure. It then approved the allocations for Head 160, Programme 02, including Rs. 1.944 billion in recurrent expenditure and Rs. 1.165 billion in capital expenditure. The House also approved provisions for the Department of Forest Conservation under Head 283, comprising Rs. 3.020 billion recurrent and Rs. 1.365 billion capital expenditure, and proceeded to the Department of Wildlife Conservation allocations under Head 284. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Read →
- 1 December 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to insert increased allocations of Rs. 14.45 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 4.96 billion for capital expenditure into the Schedule, and ordered both amended expenditure items to stand part of it. The Committee then proceeded to Head 160, Minister of Environment, including Programme 01 for Operational Activities with Rs. 1.093 billion in recurrent expenditure and Rs. 107 million in capital expenditure. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Read →
- 1 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Environment moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill, 2026, revising the Ministry of Environment’s allocation. The amendment substitutes the figures on page 29 with Rs. 14.45 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 4.96 billion for capital expenditure. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Read →
- 1 December 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to an amendment to Head 101, Programme 02 for the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, increasing both recurrent and capital provisions by Rs. 25 million under Budget Proposal No. 46. The amended allocations of Rs. 2,859.4 million for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 2,371.6 million for capital expenditure were approved. Allocations for the Departments of Buddhist Affairs, Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs, Christian Religious Affairs, and Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs were then put to the House and agreed to as part of the Schedule. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Read →
- 1 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, the Minister moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill, 2026 for the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. The amendment substitutes the Ministry’s allocations with Rs. 9,525,000,000 for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 5,025,000,000 for capital expenditure. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Environment Read →
- 1 December 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Head 171, Programme 02, for Women and Child Affairs by increasing the capital provision by Rs. 200 million under Budget Proposal No. 52. The recurrent allocation of Rs. 14,800,100,000 and the amended capital allocation of Rs. 661,800,000 were approved and ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Women and Child Affairs Read →