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- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that an Additional Secretary oversees the handling of donations and receipts, with coordination taking place with the Ministry of Finance to provide tax concessions where possible. He added that the Ministry of Health sometimes covers relevant taxes from its own provisions when purchasing items and said any delays would be examined and addressed. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns that donations are being subject to VAT and the Social Security Contribution Levy, reducing the benefit to donors and creating practical difficulties. He urged the Minister to streamline the treatment of such donations under a single category and provide suitable tax concessions. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake briefly noted that many donors are approaching the Ministry of Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa to donate goods. His remark appeared to draw attention to the handling or coordination of such donations within that Ministry. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara raised concerns during the Budget debate on Health and Mass Media, arguing that despite high health allocations, medicine shortages, poor stock management, and unspent funds continue to affect patients. He called for upgrades to hospitals and schools in Anuradhapura, including Thambuttegama Hospital, elephant fences, staff accommodation, night security for rural hospitals, replacement of a retired pharmacist at Ranmalgahawewa Hospital, and better support for doctors and indigenous medical practitioners. On Mass Media, he urged reforms to State media, equitable access, timely payments and welfare measures for rural journalists, including insurance, risk allowances, tax relief for equipment, and housing assistance. He also criticized aspects of government conduct following the Trincomalee incident and questioned the consistency of official responses. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa – Leader of the Opposition AI summary Requested the Minister of Health to meet the Joint Trade Union Committee of Government Ayurvedic Medical Officers, who were presenting grievances at Polduwa. He raised concerns that indigenous medicine received only Rs. 6 billion, or 0.96 per cent, of the Rs. 654 billion Health Ministry allocation, and conveyed their demand to increase it to 5 per cent. He also asked that the cut additional service allowance of 20 hours per month be restored and salary disparities exceeding Rs. 150,000 be addressed for over 2,000 Ayurvedic medical officers. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized state media institutions and social media actors for alleged unethical and abusive political attacks, including against opposition figures and young women entering politics, and raised concern over unpaid EPF/ETF and gratuity obligations at state institutions such as National Television and plantation companies, calling for Labour Ministry intervention and a payment mechanism. She then highlighted issues in the Health Ministry, including doctor migration, alleged political interference in specialist placements, unabsorbed medical graduates, and 1,323 allied health vacancies, urging recruitment of medical laboratory scientists and physiotherapists. She disputed Government claims on medicine availability, stating that around 25 per cent of essential medicines were out of stock, including dialysis supplies, insulin, and medicines for non-communicable diseases, and tabled related documents. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe said the Government plans to recruit more than 14,000 personnel to strengthen the health service, including medical and dental interns, Ayurvedic doctors, dengue prevention assistants, nurses, and public health staff, with several appointments and training intakes already underway. He stated that funds have been allocated for a long-delayed hospital cadre revision. He also noted a Rs. 4.2 billion allocation to upgrade the “Suwa Seriya” ambulance service, including the planned addition of about 153 ambulances and a target response time of around seven minutes. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe argued that the Government inherited a weakened health system due to abandoned hospital projects, substandard procurement, shortages of medicines and equipment, and politically influenced recruitment under previous administrations. He said the Government is restarting stalled projects, including facilities in Hambantota and Tangalle, and has allocated Rs. 654 billion for health, including Rs. 292 billion for salaries. He outlined recent and planned salary increases for doctors, consultants and nurses, as well as housing loans, insurance improvements, festival advances, disaster loans, pension restoration and new public sector recruitment, presenting these as measures to stabilize and strengthen the health service. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Budget’s treatment of health-sector human resources, arguing that reduced allowances, high taxes, lack of transport support, and unmet promises on PAYE relief and vehicle permits are encouraging doctors and health professionals to migrate. He urged the Government to provide at least a partial transport allowance for doctors serving in distant districts and to address practical issues such as school admissions after transfers. He also questioned claims of ample public funds while alleging shortages of over 100 to 185 medicines, consumables, stents, and theatre equipment, and called for direct engagement with health staff to prevent a worsening health-sector crisis. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam welcomed the proposed 2026 “Aarokkiya” centres but urged the Government to first strengthen the Northern Province’s existing 110 hospitals by filling major consultant and medical officer vacancies and improving infrastructure. He requested full operationalization of the Mankulam rehabilitation hospital, expedited development of Mannar, Murikandy/Murunkan, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya health facilities, including a CT scanner for Mannar and a logistics vehicle for Vavuniya. He also highlighted the potential use of existing de-addiction centres, called for urgent anesthetist appointments in Mannar, and sought action on Siddha and Ayurveda vacancies and Siddha drug production, including investment in the Kilinochchi herbal garden. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam highlighted resource shortages in Northern Province health services, noting the province’s large area and dispersed population. He said the last cadre revision was in 2013 and that, even under that outdated cadre, 1,913 of 8,295 required posts remain vacant across all staff categories. He asked the Minister to fill these vacancies, specifically pointing out that 33 of 55 divisional hospitals have no nursing officer. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised an urgent concern that Sri Lanka would be left without an Auditor General following the retirement of the former Auditor General, failed appointments and rejection of an acting extension by the Constitutional Council, and alleged political interference in the appointment process. He then questioned the Health Ministry over the handling of adverse reactions and deaths linked to intravenous immunoglobulin, citing recall notices, SAFRESC decisions, and correspondence instructing withdrawal of the product due to quality defects. He alleged that recommended testing through WHO-prequalified laboratories was not carried out, that the product was later allowed back into use based on an Indian report, and demanded accountability from the NMRA and relevant health authorities. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka argued that media freedom remains weak, citing Sri Lanka’s low press freedom ranking, state media politicization, restrictive laws including the Online Safety Act, misinformation on social media, and the need for media literacy, independent public service broadcasting, wider internet access, affordable data, fair compensation from global platforms, and safeguards on AI in news. He called for the Right to Information Commission to be properly funded and staffed in line with the Act, and asked the Government to justify the benefits and expenditure of its new media policy. On health, he highlighted medicine, equipment, staffing, and service shortages nationally and in hospitals across the Galle District, including long waits for scans and surgeries, and requested urgent corrective action and the appointment of substantive directors to major hospitals currently led by acting officials. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi addressed the Health and Mass Media expenditure heads, arguing that the Government’s budget includes short-, medium-, and long-term measures to address poverty while promoting free, independent and impartial media. She said state media should function as a public asset rather than as a tool of the government or any party, and outlined plans to strengthen public service media, counter disinformation, train journalists and students, and support media pluralism. She also proposed modernization of the Government Printing Department, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, including digitization, studio upgrades, archival preservation, journalist ID cards and scholarships. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni – Deputy Minister of Health AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni opened the debate on the Ministry of Health expenditure head, citing international recognition of Sri Lanka’s health system while outlining challenges including ageing, non-communicable diseases, climate-related risks, medicine supply vulnerabilities, antibiotic misuse, and emerging diseases. He said the Government is preparing a 10-year National Health Policy with a strategic plan focused on prevention, primary care, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care, workforce efficiency, supply-chain strengthening, and technological modernization. He criticized the politicization and sensational reporting of health issues, disputed exaggerated claims on doctor shortages, salaries, and medicine shortages, and urged unions and professional bodies to resolve concerns through structured dialogue rather than public agitation. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana raised concerns that an automated vaccination device purchased for about Rs. 40 million for the PET scanner facility at Maharagama Apeksha Hospital is reportedly unused. He requested the Minister’s attention to the matter and tabled supporting documents. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana raised concerns over poor hospital security, low remuneration and inadequate facilities for doctors despite Sri Lanka’s strong health indicators. He cited significant emigration of specialists and medical officers since 2022, further possible departures, and resulting shortages affecting surgeries and essential services, while noting national drug shortages. He urged the Government to address the demands and working conditions of doctors already serving in Sri Lanka before seeking to attract expatriate specialists back, and suggested expanding medical education for export only after ensuring sufficient domestic retention. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana raised concerns over shortages of essential medicines and medical supplies, tabling lists of nationally out-of-stock medicines and MSD shortages. He urged faster registration and approval processes for local pharmaceutical manufacturers, a uniform national pricing formula, and consistent bioequivalence and evaluation policies. He also highlighted operational issues at major hospitals, including lack of directors, interrupted laboratory testing, shortages of cardiac surgery consumables, and non-functioning angiogram machines, and called for urgent corrective action. He further supported doctors’ demands on salary structures, allowances, transport facilities, tax relief, postgraduate foreign living allowances, and research funding. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary A formal token cut of Rs. 10 was moved against the recurrent and capital expenditures under the relevant Heads of Expenditure for the Ministry of Health and related institutions during the Committee Stage debate on the Appropriation Bill, 2026. The Member noted the importance of the health sector discussion and observed that several presiding and ministerial figures involved were medical doctors. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Urban Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the Deputy Minister tabled answers on SLTB tyre and tube procurement. The response identified current suppliers, stated that supply capacity and product quality are sufficient, and noted that annual procurement is followed with standards placed in the Library. It further stated that standard bus tyres are locally procured from CEAT Kelani, while expressway bus tyres are imported through local agents due to the absence of local bids, and that local manufacturers are prioritized under procurement guidelines. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.1116/2025, Q.1180/2025, Q.1316/2025, Q.1429/2025) Read →