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- 1 December 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary At the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2026, the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports moved an amendment on behalf of the Minister of Finance relating to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The amendment seeks to replace line 12 on page 32 with a revised capital allocation of Rs. 6,800,000,000. Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026: Ministries of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 1 December 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake disputed the claim that the Opposition agreed to limit the sitting to 12.30 p.m., stating that Opposition parties sought a full-day debate while offering to pass the necessary Heads in Committee Stage by 5 December. He criticized delays and procurement procedures in disaster relief delivery, citing affected areas in the Colombo District where people had not received food assistance due to officials’ concerns over Procurement Committee rules. He said the UNP was coordinating assistance, called for immediate practical action rather than circulars, and urged the Government to provide time in Parliament for MPs to raise public concerns during the Appropriation Bill Committee Stage. Procedural: Opposition Statement and Parliamentary Scheduling Dispute Read →
- 1 December 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam said the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi would join other Opposition parties in leaving the sitting because insufficient parliamentary time had been allocated to discuss disaster relief and district-level needs. He cited severe impacts in the North, East, Central Province and Trincomalee, including the Mawilaru anicut breach, and questioned how ITAK-controlled local authorities and international support networks could coordinate with the Central Government. He argued that the Opposition had sought additional hours, even offering to facilitate passage of the Budget without debate, but that the limited debate time prevented MPs from raising affected communities’ concerns. Procedural: Opposition Statement and Parliamentary Scheduling Dispute Read →
- 1 December 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim, speaking on behalf of the Opposition, said Parliament had not been given adequate time to discuss policy responses to the current disaster despite prior meteorological warnings. He argued that reservoir management failures, including sudden spill gate openings at Kotmale and earlier precedents such as Deduru Oya in 2016, had worsened the impact and called for a proper policy framework to prevent further loss of life. He urged the Government to acknowledge mistakes, enable cross-party discussion, and work jointly with the Opposition to assist affected communities. Procedural: Opposition Statement and Parliamentary Scheduling Dispute Read →
- 28 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa — Leader of the Opposition AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition would support a government motion or Supplementary Estimate to secure additional funds for disaster relief. He urged that any allocated funds be quickly released to District and Divisional Secretariats and relevant institutions to ensure timely assistance to affected people. Motions at Commencement of Public Business - Emergency Response Coordination Read →
- 28 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary As Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva stated that existing disaster-related allocations include Rs. 8.508 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 1.58 billion for capital expenditure, with a further Rs. 15 billion available to be spent in the coming weeks without fresh parliamentary approval. He emphasized the need to make provision in the 2026 Budget, calling for at least Rs. 15 billion to be immediately allocated under 2026 heads, particularly for capital works to repair canals and waterways. Motions at Commencement of Public Business - Emergency Response Coordination Read →
- 28 November 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy requested urgent action by Local Authorities, coordinated by Governors, to convene Commissioners and Chairmen and approve funds through an expedited process. He argued that delays would hinder timely canal cutting, blockage clearing, and desilting of waterways needed to prevent flooding. Motions at Commencement of Public Business - Emergency Response Coordination Read →
- 28 November 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged that, given the seriousness of the situation, an emergency be declared so funds can be allocated and essential items distributed without hesitation by State officials. He also warned that the Diyawanna Oya water level was high, recalling the flooding of Parliament in November 2010, and requested immediate steps to reduce the water level. Motions at Commencement of Public Business - Emergency Response Coordination Read →
- 28 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa — Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip AI summary The Minister said the Government was coordinating disaster response through all-party consultations chaired by the President, including meetings of the National Disaster Council and at the Ministry of Defence. He stated that rescue, relief, and public health measures were underway, initial funds had been given to District Secretaries, additional funds and private boats could be used where needed, and the Navy and CEB were engaged in response efforts. He added that parliamentary business would be concluded quickly so Members could return to their electorates to support relief operations, emphasizing a united effort to save lives and assist affected people. Statements on Emergency Situation - Cyclone and Rainfall Read →
- 28 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa — Leader of the Opposition AI summary Called for urgent, coordinated disaster response following cyclone-related flooding and landslides, noting deaths, displacement, property damage, power outages, and people trapped in about 580 locations. Requested health services, disaster management authorities, district and divisional secretariats to expedite supplies, provide boats for evacuations, and deliver immediate relief to landslide-affected communities. He also urged the public to follow official instructions in high-risk areas and asked that machinery, equipment, personnel support, and higher financial allocations be sent quickly to the relevant institutions. Statements on Emergency Situation - Cyclone and Rainfall Read →
- 28 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva tabled the Committee on Public Finance report on regulations under the Public Debt Management Act, No. 33 of 2024, and related constitutional provisions. He explained that the Act transfers borrowing functions from the Central Bank and the External Resources Department to the Public Debt Management Office, which is preparing to issue a US dollar-denominated bond of USD 50 million, with the relevant regulations being approved. Public Finance Committee Report on Regulations Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Urban Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara said three-wheelers provide important affordable transport but require regulation due to safety risks, citing 2023 data showing 5,972 of 24,784 road accidents involved three-wheelers. He highlighted overloading, lack of seatbelts, open sides, unsuitable loads, speeding, poor vehicle condition, and unsafe school transport as key concerns. He said planned measures from January include CCTV in vans, standards for vehicles transporting children and office workers, driver training, and consultations with trade unions and stakeholders, with the aim of safeguarding passengers without imposing undue hardship on drivers. Adjournment Motion: Three-Wheeler Industry Development Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill under Head 337, Programme 02, transferring revised recurrent and capital provisions for the Department of Cinnamon Development to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation in line with Extraordinary Gazette No. 2458/65. He then moved that the Committee report progress and sought leave to sit again. He also moved for approval, under Section 14 of the Finance Act No. 38 of 1971, of the Paddy Marketing Board Annual Reports for 2017 and 2018 with Auditor General’s observations, both of which were agreed to, before moving the adjournment of Parliament. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Head 292, Programme 02, increasing the Department of Animal Production and Health capital allocation by Rs. 2,000,000,000 to Rs. 3,697,000,000, incorporating provisions under Budget Proposals Nos. 19 and 22. The amended capital expenditure was approved and ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Allocations for Head 327, Department of National Land Use Policy Planning, were also approved: Rs. 688,000,000 for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 68,000,000 for capital expenditure under Programme 02. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Head 118 for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation by increasing Programme 02 capital expenditure to Rs. 102,389,000,000, incorporating provisions under Budget Proposals Nos. 21, 25, 27 and 34. The Committee also approved the relevant recurrent and capital allocations for Head 118 and for the Department of Agrarian Development, Department of Irrigation, and part of the Department of Agriculture as entries in the Schedule. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 Hon. Members AI summary The Committee agreed to insert increased allocations for recurrent expenditure of Rs. 90.15 billion and capital expenditure of Rs. 138.9 billion into the Schedule. It also approved Head 118, Programme 01 allocations of Rs. 4.294 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 277 million for capital expenditure, with Programme 02 allocations listed as Rs. 49.453 billion recurrent and Rs. 97.089 billion capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. K. D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary K. D. Lal Kantha, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill, 2026, relating to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation. The amendment sought to replace the relevant figures on page 19 with allocations of Rs. 90.15 billion for recurrent expenditure and Rs. 138.9 billion for capital expenditure. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Wasantha Piyathissa addressed the ongoing flood situation linked to heavy rainfall, expressing condolences for deaths including three in Sainthamaruthu, and said the President had met Government and Opposition Members to discuss further parliamentary and relief measures. He reported rising water levels at Senanayake Samudraya in Ampara, noted prior concerns over the reservoir bund, and said the Irrigation Department and disaster authorities were taking action, with District Disaster Management Committees to meet nationwide from the next day. Responding to Opposition points, he said travel allowances for Agricultural Research and Production Assistants were being addressed, Rs. 352 million of the Rs. 500 million allocated for Young Agri-Entrepreneurs had already been disbursed, and reiterated the Government’s position that past development projects were associated with corruption. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama expressed condolences over weather-related losses and argued that flooding in Matara was worsened by an improperly located salinity barrier across the Nilwala Ganga, noting that the 2026 Budget provides compensation for affected farmers and funds remedial work. He criticized the previous chemical fertilizer ban for damaging agriculture and said the current Budget prioritizes restoring agricultural infrastructure and bringing fallow land back into cultivation. He stated that the Government is implementing a long-term expert-led agricultural plan focused on using all cultivable land, applying technology to reduce unit costs, and increasing farmer margins rather than raising prices. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha expressed condolences over the ongoing emergency and questioned whether the Government was responding under an adequate emergency framework, particularly given widespread agricultural damage. He urged immediate support for affected farmers, including assistance to reprepare and resow paddy fields and replace fertilizer where needed. He criticized the Government’s handling of rice, crop damage by wildlife, agricultural imports during harvest periods, and the lack of progress on export agriculture and collective farm market initiatives. He also called for faster implementation or funding of key irrigation projects, including Lower Malwathu Oya, the North Western Canal, Lower Uma Oya spurs, and Hada Oya, while emphasizing better coordination between Trade and Agriculture to protect farmers. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →