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- 21 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe supported the 2026 allocation for the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development and thanked the Minister for intervening in issues affecting cane growers in Ampara through a district-level committee and field inquiry. He said the inquiry found discrepancies in land allocated and used by Gal Oya Plantations/Hingurana Sugar Company, including an 819-hectare shortfall and allegations of company control over lands licensed to farmers for cane cultivation. He tabled the report and highlighted pending court cases, farmer indebtedness, forced land takeovers, and operational delays in harvesting and cultivation as issues requiring further action. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara raised concerns over rising sugar production costs, citing high fertilizer, fuel and electricity prices, and urged government intervention to protect cane farmers and the sugar industry amid delayed payments at Siyambalanduwa and Pelwatte. He referenced past violence linked to the Siyambalanduwa sugar factory and questioned whether current policies risk undermining the industry. He also criticized the Rs. 25 billion “Praja Shakthi” programme, alleging that poverty alleviation is being politicized through divisional Community Development Councils chaired by political appointees, and called for such programmes to be administered by officials and village communities rather than party actors. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti clarified that the Budget proposal for the Treasury to assume certain statutory liabilities of state enterprises, such as gratuity and legacy obligations, is intended to relieve their financial burden. He emphasized that this measure should not be interpreted as a plan to close those enterprises and urged members to read the relevant section of the Budget carefully. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara argued that government import and tax policies are undermining Sri Lanka’s sugarcane industry, particularly in Monaragala, despite commitments to promote domestic production. He said large volumes of imported sugar, equal taxation of white and brown sugar, VAT on local sugar, and imported inputs for ethanol production have left local sugar and ethanol unsold, and called for higher duties and tax relief to protect domestic producers. He also requested restoration of fertilizer support, urgent payment of EPF/ETF arrears for workers at Sevanagala and Pelwatte, and asked whether the Government intends to privatize or close sugar mills under the Sri Lanka Sugar Company. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara argued that Sri Lanka must strengthen domestic industrialization to earn foreign exchange ahead of resumed debt repayments from 2028, rather than relying mainly on remittances and tourism. He called for state intervention to revive closed factories, fair treatment of entrepreneurs affected by the reactivated Parate Law, electricity tariff relief and faster approvals for small industries, and better policy handling of sectors such as sugar. He also criticized the implementation of Aswesuma, saying flawed data and criteria excluded some genuinely poor households while including ineligible beneficiaries. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed said the 2026 Budget and industrial development plans should give greater attention to the war-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces, where agriculture and fisheries remain vulnerable to floods, wildlife damage and unresolved subsidy issues. He called for the revival and modernization of factories such as the Kankesanthurai cement factory, Oddusuddan bottle factory, Paranthan chemical corporation, Manthai Salt Limited and Valachchenai Paper Mill, and for new factories and industrial estates in Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu to address unemployment. He also requested an increase in Aswesuma benefits, revision of beneficiary selection criteria, new appointments and higher travel allowances for Samurdhi Development Officers, and increased allowances for elderly persons and persons with disabilities. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha stated that issues should be escalated to the ministry only if they cannot be resolved at district committee level. He said the Government is supporting entrepreneurs from village to provincial level by allocating funds and creating an enabling environment for industry and entrepreneurship, and expressed confidence that national development goals are achievable. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda urged the Government to reduce or restore previous tax arrangements on imported uncut gemstones and gold, arguing that current duties are burdening small and medium gem and jewellery entrepreneurs and undermining a sector linked to tourism. He also requested support for Galle District carving industry entrepreneurs, including improved Laksala payment practices, access to timber, loan facilities, and equipment, in line with the Government’s target of increasing tourism revenue to USD 10 billion by 2030. He called on the Minister to address delays in the Small Enterprise Development Division’s entrepreneurship exhibition, including a stalled stall-tender process despite a Rs. 25 million allocation, so that young entrepreneurs can access markets and support. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda, speaking during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministries of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, and Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, said past infrastructure projects under Mahinda Rajapaksa had created a foundation for industrial and entrepreneurial growth. He argued that successive crises, including the war, insurrections, Black July, the tsunami, terrorist attacks, COVID-19, and recent unrest, had hindered industrial development. He stated that the current Government now has an opportunity to strengthen SMEs, expand large enterprises, and attract major investment. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara supported the 2026 Budget allocation for the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, arguing that Sri Lanka should rebuild industrial confidence through collective effort, self-help, and a village-centred entrepreneurship model. He said the Ministry is coordinating district and divisional industry promotion bodies and agencies under a unified framework, while depoliticizing assistance and improving productivity, financial literacy, digitalization, and monitoring. He highlighted measures including anti-dumping and countervailing duties, credit mechanisms, and support for export-oriented sectors such as cinnamon, tea, coir, wood products, spices, food products, and gems, while also identifying narcotics and labour constraints as barriers to industrial development. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Waruna Liyanage SJB AI summary Hon. Waruna Liyanage called for measures to revive industry and employment, citing the closure of two garment factories in Nivitigala that affected about 4,000 workers, and supported a temporary suspension of PAYE implementation to ease recovery. He urged tax relief and regulatory reforms for the Ratnapura gem sector, including removal of VAT and SSCL on gem imports, rationalization of export levies, and safeguards around new rules permitting export of certain rough stones. He also criticized high rental costs paid by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and requested renewed training programmes and cost-effective administrative arrangements to support cutters, polishers, and legal exports. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that the Budget under Industry and Entrepreneurship Development lacks a clear strategy for wealth creation and should prioritize building an entrepreneurial mindset from early education rather than only focusing on debt and tax revenue. He said Sri Lanka should engage the IMF from a position of strength while pursuing a national economic agenda, and cautioned against policies he described as externally driven. He also called for urgent enforcement action in the tourism sector, alleging that some foreign visitors are operating informal businesses and illegal activities without paying taxes or retaining value in Sri Lanka. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage outlined the Ministry’s 2025 work and 2026 plans in rural development, social security and community empowerment, including new institutions for rural development and an integrated approach to poverty reduction through assistance, empowerment and production. He said the Samurdhi Department has been reoriented toward community empowerment, with family development plans prepared and around 292,000 families economically supported, while 65,670 low-income youth have enrolled in the “Next Sri Lanka” employment and vocational training programme. He also noted reforms to subject 1,097 Samurdhi Banks to government audit, introduce a unified financial system, expand scholarships and housing assistance, address Samurdhi employee issues, and allocate Rs. 27,381 million to the Samurdhi Department in the 2026 Budget. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Government’s treatment of MSMEs, citing large-scale closures and urging expedited loan restructuring, improved ease of doing business, a clear export strategy, and dialogue with MSME representatives. He argued that Aswesuma alone cannot eradicate poverty and called for a comprehensive poverty strategy based on production, savings, investment, consumption, and exports, while also proposing support for traditional industry villages to access global markets. He raised an alleged foreign employment fraud involving a licensed agency in Maharagama and requested action by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and relevant ministers to support victims. He also questioned whether projected growth, remittances, exports, and FDI would be sufficient when debt servicing resumes in 2028, and asked the Government to explain the macro-linked bond feature in the IMF agreement. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the Ministry’s 2025 priority was to restore confidence in a distressed industrial and entrepreneurial sector, citing improved indicators including export growth, manufacturing growth, higher industrial production, lower NPLs, and increased registrations of industries, entrepreneurs, and exporters. He outlined Ministry actions such as allocating state land for industry, developing industrial parks, supporting MSME debt restructuring and concessional credit, strengthening productivity and district-level support systems, and reviving or restructuring state industrial enterprises. He said new institutional arrangements, export development measures, SME frameworks, training programmes, and digital decentralization were intended to support industrialization and entrepreneurship under the 2026 Estimates. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri moved the customary Rs. 10 reductions to the relevant expenditure heads during the Committee Stage debate and criticised the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry’s handling of issues including sugar pricing, domestic industry revival, MSME closures, and lack of relief for microfinance and domestic debt-affected borrowers. He questioned perceived inconsistencies between the President’s pledge to eradicate drugs and underworld activity and Minister Sunil Handunnetti’s earlier statements, and urged the Minister to meet expectations created while in Opposition. He also called on the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry to better support vulnerable groups, including producing Hansard in Braille, reviving welfare-related funds, targeting assistance to those genuinely in need, and designing livelihood-focused programmes rather than characterising beneficiaries negatively. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister stated that past hospital upgrades were often not based on scientific criteria and said future upgrades would be guided by the national plan. He emphasized that classifications such as “B,” “A,” or District General Hospital must depend on the availability of specialist services, facilities, population distribution, geographic need, and actual demand. He added that required facilities would be provided to base hospitals in stages. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that the listed projects refer to line Ministry hospitals and special projects, including 13 Chinese-funded regional hospitals under provincial councils, with Kalpitiya and Mirigama nearing opening. He said Rs. 31,000 million has been allocated in the first year of a five-year programme to develop base hospitals, with provincial and hospital-wise allocations being finalized through the Provincial Councils Ministry and the Finance Commission. Funds will be allocated next year, prioritizing base hospitals targeted for upgrading. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna urged the Minister to address administrative vacancies at Puttalam Hospital by appointing a permanent Medical Superintendent and a permanent Accountant, noting that upgrading it to a District General Hospital would be difficult while an acting officer remains in charge. He asked whether any project funding had been allocated for the hospital in 2026, stated that he had found none, and requested that contingency funds be redirected or that a substantial allocation be made in 2027. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Puttalam Base Hospital, currently an “A” grade base hospital, is recognized as having a case for upgrade to a District General Hospital, noting that Puttalam is the only district where the principal town lacks one. The Minister said upgrades will be considered under the forthcoming National Health Policy and Strategic Master Plan, but only after providing required infrastructure and human resources rather than merely changing hospital classification. He noted that Rs. 31 billion has been allocated next year for developing base hospitals and that staffing and construction issues will be addressed in phases under the Ministry’s ten-year plan. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam Read →