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- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva supported the development of digital public infrastructure and referred to the IPS “State of the Economy 2025” report, but urged that digitalisation be designed with safeguards for democracy, human rights, transparency and Sri Lanka’s post-war context. He called for wider public consultation, including a Parliamentary Select Committee, and asked how the Digital Sri Lanka programme would reconcile with the Online Safety Act and the Personal Data Protection Act. He criticised the lack of publicly available Sinhala and Tamil documentation on the programme and requested inclusive communication before implementation. He also questioned the reported tender for 15 million pre-printed polycarbonate ID cards, asking whether such a quantity and format are necessary if the country is moving to a digital identity system. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Thanura Dissanayake outlined the Government’s digital transformation agenda during the Budget Head debate, emphasizing the need to align policy, infrastructure and human capital with global technological change. He cited initiatives including GovPay, rural connectivity expansion through 100 communication towers annually, data protection reforms, Digital Economy Month, and a target of a US$15 billion digital economy by 2030. He also referred to power sector reforms to support data centres, startup and fintech events, the planned rollout of Sri Lanka’s Unified Digital Identity by Q3 2026, and digital systems for transport payments and President’s Fund access through Divisional Secretariats. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined the Digital Economy Ministry’s 2026 Budget-related programme, citing over Rs. 25.5 billion in investment and a Cabinet-approved Digital Economy Blueprint to coordinate digitization across government. He highlighted expanded GovPay services, proposed removal of payment gateway commissions for government e-payments from 1 January 2026, a LankaQR relaunch with temporary zero merchant fees, and use of digital payment histories for credit scoring. He also reported progress on government cloud modernization, digitized civil certificates for overseas Sri Lankans, President’s Fund applications, the JICA-supported digital terrestrial television transition, rural connectivity towers, school connectivity and broadband support for low-income students. He announced a 5G spectrum auction scheduled for 23 December targeting over Rs. 9 billion, with measures to support competition and infrastructure sharing. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan argued that the 2026 allocation to the Digital Economy Ministry is insufficient for Sri Lanka’s stated digital transformation goals and called for a whole-of-government approach rather than piecemeal digitization. Citing examples from South Korea, India, Japan, the United States and China, he urged integrated digital public infrastructure, security-by-design for SLUDI, stronger central coordination, policy stability, and investment in broadband, skills and digital inclusion. He proposed a four-pillar roadmap covering governance and accountability, trust and inclusion, interoperable public services, and economic acceleration through infrastructure, FinTech clarity and global expertise, with the aim of achieving a USD 15 billion digital economy by 2030. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister said the fisheries sector is being treated as a key area for economic recovery, with emphasis on modernizing fleets, expanding deep-sea activity, and shifting toward aquaculture, mariculture, and value addition. He noted past fuel support of Rs. 2.3 billion during the crisis, but said permanent subsidies are a broader policy issue and that fishers should become more productive rather than dependent on transfers. He outlined Budget 2026 allocations for harbour development, inland fisheries, life-saving equipment, post-harvest loss reduction, satellite communications, and projects in Kankesanthurai and Myliddy. He also addressed coastal protection, local canned fish production, salt supply concerns, a national fisheries exhibition, and ongoing efforts to resolve beach-seine-related issues around Negombo. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister presented the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, which seeks to establish the Sri Lanka Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority, regulate moneylending and microfinance businesses, protect customers, and repeal the Microfinance Act, No. 6 of 2016. The Bill was ordered to be printed, referred to the Committee on Public Finance, and scheduled for Second Reading on 10 December 2025. Papers Presented: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on unemployment, stating that Sri Lanka’s unemployment rate had declined to 3.8 percent in the first two quarters of 2025, with 365,958 persons unemployed and the highest numbers among those with G.C.E. (A/L) and below qualifications. She said the Government has short-, medium- and long-term measures to reduce unemployment, including targets under the State Investment Programme 2026–2030 and Budget 2026 allocations for public sector regularization, disability employment incentives, women’s self-employment and training. She also stated that Cabinet-approved recruitment processes would fill public service vacancies, including around 37,000 graduate jobs, with about 25,000 teacher service recruitments to proceed after the relevant Court of Appeal judgment. Ministerial Statement: Minimization of Unemployment Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister answered questions on the Colombo Fort–Talaimannar rail service, stating that while it is not formally an office train for Colombo Fort commuters, its schedule serves commuters at several intermediate stations. He attributed delays to ageing locomotives, mechanical failures, track speed restrictions and the lack of a commissioned signalling system between Maho and Anuradhapura, and said locomotive overhauls and signalling installation are under way. He also outlined plans to improve the Mannar station access road at an estimated cost of Rs. 47.68 million, with work expected from December 2025 to March 2026, and noted the status of connecting SLTB buses and restored online ticketing facilities at Mannar station. Oral Questions: Second Round - Colombo-Mannar Train Service and Related Questions Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister said the 6 percent allocation for education is a UNESCO-recommended benchmark and stated that past governments from 2011 to 2024 failed to move toward it, leaving education spending at about 1.04 percent of GDP when the current government took office. She said the Government has increased education spending in its first two Budgets and has set out a policy plan for progressive annual increases to reach the 6 percent target over the coming years. Oral Question: National Schools and Provincial Schools: Vacancies for Labourers (Q.563/2025) Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Prime Minister on education funding, recalling her previous advocacy for allocating 6 percent of GDP to education. He said that while reaching that target immediately may be difficult, a substantial increase from the current allocation is necessary, and asked why the Budget does not reflect a significant rise consistent with her earlier position. Oral Question: National Schools and Provincial Schools: Vacancies for Labourers (Q.563/2025) Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary In response to a question on minor employee cadres in schools, the Prime Minister and Minister of Education stated that National Schools in salary categories PL 1 and PL 2 have no surplus staff. She said vacancies exist in both National and Provincial Schools due to transfers, promotions and retirements, and that new recruits will be placed in schools facing shortages. Oral Question: National Schools and Provincial Schools: Vacancies for Labourers (Q.563/2025) Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, responding to a question on the Central Bank bond scam, stated that indictments have been filed against Perpetual Treasuries Limited and several former officials, including former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, following CID investigations and the Presidential Commission’s recommendations. She said the full economic impact has not yet been quantified, but civil actions are pending to recover losses including about Rs. 78.1 million to Central Bank funds and Rs. 6.99 billion to the Employees’ Provident Fund. She outlined the status of related Trial-at-Bar cases, appeals, writ applications, and money laundering investigations, and noted that several public institutions have also filed recovery actions against Perpetual Treasuries Limited. Oral Question: Central Bank Bond Scam: Impact on the Government (Q.116/2024) Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education whether the Government is aware of public discussion on the Central Bank bond scam during the previous “Good-Governance” administration. He requested details of the individuals named and their positions in the Presidential Commission report, the scam’s impact on Sri Lanka’s economy, and the future action to be taken, or reasons if such information is not provided. Oral Question: Central Bank Bond Scam: Impact on the Government (Q.116/2024) Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Moved approval of the University of Peradeniya Annual Report for 2023, including the Auditor-General’s observations for the year ended 31 December 2023, under the Universities Act and Finance Act. The motion noted that the report had been considered by the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee and reported to Parliament, and it was agreed to. Papers: University Annual Reports 2022-2023 Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya moved for approval of the 2022 Annual Report of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka, including the Auditor-General’s observations for the year ended 31 December 2022, presented under the National Audit Act. She noted that the report had been considered by the relevant Ministerial Consultative Committee and its report presented to Parliament; the motion was agreed to. Papers: University Annual Reports 2022-2023 Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Expenditure Head 214 for the University Grants Commission, increasing Programme 02 recurrent provision to Rs. 85 billion, with Rs. 10.5 billion in capital expenditure, to implement Budget Proposal Nos. 28 and 29. The Committee then approved the recurrent and capital allocations for the Department of Technical Education and Training under Head 215 and the National Education Commission under Head 335, and ordered those items to stand part of the Schedule. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. Members AI summary Parliament agreed to amend Head 126 for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, increasing Programme 02 recurrent expenditure by Rs. 850 million to Rs. 91.311 billion to implement Budget Proposal Nos. 28 and 53, while approving capital expenditure of Rs. 51.352 billion. The House also approved allocations under the Department of Examinations and the Department of Educational Publications, including their recurrent and capital expenditure provisions, and proceeded to consider the University Grants Commission allocation. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Moved a Committee Stage amendment to the Appropriation Bill, 2026, on behalf of the Minister of Finance. The amendment seeks to revise the recurrent expenditure figure on page 25, line 8, to Rs. 233,850,000,000. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya outlined measures to address long-standing issues in the education sector, including filling vacancies in professional cadres, commencing teacher and graduate recruitment in early 2026, revising National Colleges of Education curricula by March, and investing in infrastructure through allocations of Rs. 8,604 million for 2026. She reported school transition rates above 96 percent, noted targeted concerns in rural areas and among boys, and said the alleged A/L Economics paper issue had been referred to the CID while examinations continue. She also stated that regulation of non-State education is being reviewed through the National Education Commission and that broader reforms, including an Education Council and pay-related mechanisms, are being pursued as long-term measures. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad requested the Government to establish and fund an empowered institution to assess and certify practical skills, including for workers such as welders and tourism-sector employees, to an NVQ-equivalent standard. He also sought clarification on reports that the full-time special-needs allowance had been reduced from 10 percent to 6 percent, despite commitments to support children with special needs. He questioned why the creation of new university faculties was being discouraged on fiscal grounds while education was being presented as a priority. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →