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- 27 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister expressed sympathy to disaster-affected communities and outlined major 2026 irrigation allocations, including over Rs. 77,000 million overall and specific funding for the Lower Malwathu Oya, Mundeni Aru, Kivul Oya, and Maduru Oya projects. He argued that irrigation infrastructure must be paired with planned agriculture, noting problems of low farmer incomes, inadequate yields, weak adherence to sowing schedules, and continued dependence on imports for essential crops. He said the Government is seeking to improve paddy yields from about 80 to at least 100 bushels per acre through a technical package and timely cultivation, while coordinating agriculture, trade, and industry through an integrated pilot programme in Anuradhapura District to stabilize production and markets. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam criticized the Government’s preparedness for flood-related disasters, citing delays in reimbursing local relief efforts such as food distribution. He warned that farmers in Batticaloa District could face serious losses from flooding and said past crop insurance assessments were inconsistent and often based on blanket judgments rather than proper field inspections. He urged the Government to be prepared at least to provide fair compensation to farmers affected by floods. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva expressed condolences over flood-related deaths and urged prompt relief for displaced people. He questioned the procurement of 15 million pre-printed polycarbonate National Identity Cards, arguing that digitization through a Super App or DigiLocker could reduce the need for costly cards and that cheaper PVC cards could be used during transition; he tabled tender documents and asked the Government to clarify whether the quantity had in fact been reduced. He also urged the Government to allow small and medium rice millers, not only large-capacity mills, to mill part of the Paddy Marketing Board’s 49,500 MT paddy stock, citing rice price concerns and the need to support competition. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera argued that agriculture remains in difficulty despite government commitments on paddy procurement and crop support, citing farmer protests, poor prices, market problems, uncultivated land, and farmers leaving the sector. He called for a long-term agricultural plan covering paddy, vegetables, big onions and potatoes, and requested immediate action on wild animal damage, including disclosure of the results and follow-up from the animal census and “Cultivation Drive” programme. He urged the Minister to stop recovery of the increased Rs. 1,000 travel allowance paid to Agricultural Research and Production Assistants and to continue it in line with the 2024 Cabinet decision. He also requested improved and digitized Land Registry services and clarity, compensation or alternative land for families affected by the long-delayed Yatiyantota reservoir proposal. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised concerns about the D-Channel of Parakrama Samudraya, noting that it narrows and falls into disrepair despite major allocations for the project, including Rs. 2,000 million for 2025 and Rs. 6,500 million for the current year. He urged the Minister to allocate funds to remaining tanks, improve water conservation, and ensure water is released to farmers. He also appealed for Ministers to be more approachable to the public and expressed hope that the Ministry’s 2025 allocations would produce visible results. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson highlighted 2025 Budget allocations for the irrigation sector, noting Rs. 78,000 million overall and specific funding for cascade systems including Gal Oya, Rajanganaya, Huruluwewa and Minneriya. He said Rs. 500 million had been allocated to Minneriya tank, with 85 per cent of the project completed, and referred to the importance of Parakrama Samudraya to Polonnaruwa. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson expressed condolences to flood-affected families and urged swift government relief before criticising agriculture budget allocations as not translating into effective delivery. He questioned the low uptake of youth agriculture loans, delays and adequacy of the paddy fertilizer subsidy, and the failure of state institutions to purchase wet paddy at the announced price, urging timely inputs, drying facilities, and clear implementation instructions. He proposed abolishing the wet paddy price for the Maha season, reducing VAT on agricultural inputs, ensuring quality fertilizer, and increasing the fair price for paddy if costs are not reduced. He also highlighted losses faced by big onion farmers in Polonnaruwa and called for a storage and market mechanism to address import dependence and low farmgate prices. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda said the Government was responding to the ongoing disaster through discussions involving the President, party leaders and MPs, with teams sent to affected districts and further decisions due at a Party Leaders’ meeting. He argued that the Government’s agriculture policy was being led by representatives with farming backgrounds and said the Budget allocates funds to address long-standing issues in agriculture, land administration, tank maintenance, reserve protection and Survey Department staffing, including in Colombo District. He criticized past governments for fragmenting the agriculture portfolio, wasting public funds, distributing state lands to political associates, and cited a Homagama land case involving former ministers as an example of agricultural land being diverted from cultivation. He stated that the Government is gathering proposals and engaging farmers to rectify these problems and strengthen agricultural production. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla described disaster impacts in Badulla, including 29 deaths and damage to irrigation works and paddy fields, and said the District Disaster Management Committee would meet to coordinate relief measures. He defended the Government’s development record in the district, citing financial progress of 74.79 percent and physical progress of 81.67 percent despite limited technical staff, and highlighted community-implemented farmer organization projects in Mahiyanganaya. He said the Government’s 2026 objective is to shift farmers toward export-oriented production, including development of a 1,050-acre abandoned tract in Mahiyanganaya’s “B” zone as a modern agro-park. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. E.M. Basnayaka JJB AI summary Hon. E.M. Basnayaka outlined the 2026 allocations for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, including funding for paddy buffer stocks, fertilizer subsidies, farmers’ pensions, crop insurance, irrigation rehabilitation, milk production, breeding farms, agri-credit and paddy drying machinery. He reported severe climate-related damage in Kandy District, particularly Ududumbara, where people were displaced, houses collapsed and access was blocked, and linked the wider disaster situation to pressures on agriculture. He also highlighted human-elephant conflict, citing annual human and elephant deaths and flood-related incidents, and noted allocations and vehicle procurement to strengthen mitigation and Wildlife Department capacity. He called on the Opposition to support relief efforts for affected communities. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna outlined the Government’s response to severe weather caused by a low-pressure system, noting widespread flooding, reservoir spillovers, landslide risks, and 26 reported deaths in Badulla. He said the President had directed immediate action involving the Tri-Forces, Police and officials, with district and divisional coordination mechanisms to gather information and deliver relief, including cooked meals, dry rations and compensation for crop damage. He also noted the postponement of the Advanced Level examination by two days and said party leaders would consider allowing Members time away from the Budget debate to attend to affected constituents. He urged residents in landslide-prone and downstream areas to evacuate and follow official instructions. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka urged the Government to expedite pending land-sector reforms, including amendments to the Land Acquisition Act and Registration of Title Act, completion of the Land Use Policy Planning Act, and formulation of a National Land Policy through the National Land Commission envisaged under the 13th Amendment. He also raised concerns over stalled development projects, noting partial funding for some expressway sections but unresolved issues in other road and rail projects. He asked the Government to decide whether to proceed with these projects, and either pay compensation promptly to affected landowners or return acquired lands. 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 Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha said his Ministry has a broad mandate covering about 20 institutions and 10 departments, and urged both Government and Opposition to discuss the full scope of its budget allocations rather than only a few issues. Addressing the fertilizer subsidy, he said effective implementation depends on farmer organizations and farmers attending meetings convened by Agricultural Research and Production Assistants and providing accurate, timely details such as cultivated acreage and bank account numbers. He noted that incorrect or delayed information disrupts payments, cited difficulties in Monaragala where officials had to collect details door to door, and acknowledged around 4,000 vacancies among these officers, which the Ministry is working to address. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara moved the customary Rs. 10 reduction across the relevant expenditure heads and criticized the Government’s agriculture policy, arguing that farmers face falling incomes, reduced cultivation, delayed and inadequate fertilizer support, and rising input costs. He demanded increased and broader fertilizer subsidies for paddy and other crops, support for maize and seed costs, and improved agricultural modernization through better seed, soil testing and inputs. He also questioned import and duty decisions on maize, big onions and potatoes, alleging poor coordination that depressed local farm-gate prices while increasing food import expenditure. Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage - Eleventh Allotted Day (Heads 118, 281, 282, 285-289, 292, 327, 337) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Finance on creating an independent Employees’ Provident Fund Authority. He argued that the EPF’s administration by the Central Bank creates a conflict of interest under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023, and questioned the fund’s concentration in Government securities, equity holdings in regulated banks, returns, audits, digitization, and governance. He requested the Government’s position on establishing an autonomous authority with professional management and parliamentary oversight, and asked whether EPF and ETF amalgamation had been considered. Standing Order 27(2) Question and Procedural Matters Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha provided figures on BYD vehicle imports, stating that 9,100 had been imported and 8,190 released by Customs as at 23 November 2025. He declined to table engine-capacity-wise details because the matter is subject to ongoing litigation, and outlined the applicable Customs duty rates for electric vehicles by kilowatt category under the 2025 National Imports Tariff Guide. Oral Question: BYD Vehicles and Second Round Proceedings Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne JJB AI summary Eranga Weeraratne responded to a supplementary question by Dayasiri Jayasekara, stating that Dialog and companies associated with him are not Indian companies. He clarified that Indian companies may only assist with system setup and delivery, with no operational control being granted, and said procurement would be conducted lawfully by public officials to serve the Government and the public. Oral Question: Digital Identity Card Introduction (Q.552/2025) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the terms of a tender notice, particularly a requirement for 51 per cent Indian shareholding, and said the Deputy Minister’s verbal assurances did not address what was stated in the document. He also raised concerns over digitalization-related licensing and alleged conflicts of interest involving the Deputy Minister’s past company roles, shareholdings, and work connected to the toll system. Citing prior parliamentary precedents on conflicts of interest, he called for full disclosure of interests to Parliament or for the Minister to make a statement and resign. Oral Question: Digital Identity Card Introduction (Q.552/2025) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne JJB AI summary Hon. Eranga Weeraratne clarified that India’s role in the digital ID project is limited to assistance in procuring and installing the initial system, not ownership or control of an operating entity. He stated that no company will be created with a 51 per cent Indian stake, and that the system will remain in Sri Lanka under the Department for Registration of Persons, operated by Sri Lankan public officers. He emphasized that no digital IDs or biometric data will be populated during initial setup, and that data will not be sent abroad or accessed by foreign entities. Oral Question: Digital Identity Card Introduction (Q.552/2025) Read →
- 27 November 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Digital Economy, the Deputy Minister confirmed that Sri Lanka is introducing a biometric-based digital identity system as part of its digital transformation. He said the system is expected to improve access to public and private online services, reduce fraud in benefit distribution and financial transactions, support inclusion in the digital economy, and strengthen national security and law enforcement by preventing forged or multiple identities. Oral Question: Digital Identity Card Introduction (Q.552/2025) Read →