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. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Minister said Ayurveda medicine production faces a serious shortage of raw materials due to reliance on imports and insufficient private-sector investment in local production. He stated that the Government is upgrading hospital-linked pharmaceutical production units, including allocating funds in the next Budget to equip the Siddha pharmacy at Kaithady. He added that funds have been allocated this year and will continue in 2026 to improve herbal gardens and increase local raw-material production, with particular focus on completing work in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Oral Question: Medical Centres Providing Siddha Medicine in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts (Question No. 4) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s support for farmers, arguing that assured prices have not been provided for crops including onions, potatoes, pumpkin and paddy despite references to cold storage and Economic Centres. He said fertilizer subsidy payments were delayed in the previous season and, with the Maha season underway, asked how the Government would ensure timely fertilizer support within the production cycle. He urged the Government to implement a more effective guaranteed price mechanism and provide a clear response to farmers. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana stated that an Economic Centre, built but left unopened for about seven years, was opened in September and is now operational. He said the Government is considering adding cold-storage facilities, including a cold room, to reduce post-harvest losses, with Rs. 1,000 million allocated for the purpose this year. He also noted that an unused rehabilitation centre is to be taken over for the Co-operative Department, following intervention by the District Development Committee Chairman, to address the request regarding a Co-operative Training Centre. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam proposed establishing a cold-storage facility at the Economic Centre, noting that over 5,000 kg of vegetables arrive there daily and wastage occurs due to the lack of cold rooms, and asked whether this could be done under the current Budget allocations. He also supported retaining the Centre’s administration under the Government Agent. He further asked when persons undergoing drug rehabilitation at the Co-operative Training School in Poonthottam would be moved to a more suitable facility, suggesting the provincial rehabilitation centre at Poovarasankulam Hospital as an alternative. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Asked the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development about the long-delayed opening of the Vavuniya Economic Centre, noting that it was proposed in 2015, built in 2018 at Madaguwaiththakulam at a cost of Rs. 263 million, and remains unopened seven years later. He sought details on measures to operationalize it, the timeline for opening, the basis for allocating its 52 stalls, and whether existing wholesale vegetable traders would receive them. Oral Question: Vavuniya Dedicated Economic Centre (Question No. 1) Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Finance, an amendment was moved at the 2026 Committee Stage to revise allocations under Head 119, Ministry of Energy, for operational and development activities. The changes transferred funds from the Department of National Budget to the Energy Ministry and shifted allocations related to the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board and Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council to the Ministry of Science and Technology under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2458/65. The revised recurrent and capital expenditure amounts for Programme 01 and Programme 02 were put to the House and agreed to. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha reviewed the development of Sri Lanka’s electricity sector, arguing that delays to major projects such as Sampur and Uma Oya contributed to higher generation costs and tariffs. He urged the Ministry to reconsider the proposed large LNG FSRU, proposing instead a smaller supply arrangement using LNG from Cochin, and called for prompt action on BESS approvals and the 160 MW storage tender. He criticized tender conditions for the Sapugaskanda 100 MW project as restrictive to capable local firms, questioned the impact and cost of CEB restructuring and voluntary retirement plans, and requested attention to pending retiree pension increments. He also defended LTL’s commercial record and overseas operations, arguing that it should be supported with suitable governance rather than constrained by inappropriate procurement rules. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister responded to Opposition criticisms on the Ministry of Power, arguing that Sri Lanka’s main electricity challenge is demand management and affordability rather than insufficient supply. He said CEB profits and tariff movements resulted from PUCSL’s regulatory methodology and updated cost projections, not misrepresentation, citing several tariff revisions from 2024 to 2025. He outlined the Government’s approach to electricity reform, including amendments to the Electricity Act, clearer roles in generation and distribution, controlled private participation, and rejection of high-cost renewable procurement proposals. He also noted a Rs. 23,100 million allocation for the Ministry, mainly for transmission and distribution, renewables, nuclear studies, and regularizing prior off-Budget commitments. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya JJB AI summary Kanchana Welipitiya defended the Government’s power and energy programme, arguing that stalled infrastructure and energy projects are being restarted and implemented while maintaining public ownership. He said the Ceylon Electricity Board would be restructured into four state-owned companies instead of being privatized, and reiterated the Government’s aim to reduce electricity tariffs by 30 per cent. He cited a new wind power procurement price of US cents 3.77 per unit compared with a previous 8.26 cents, and said future plans include meeting projected electricity demand growth, green hydrogen and ammonia production, transport electrification, and related legislation. He requested support for approving the Ministry’s Head of Expenditure for the coming year. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Amila Prasad argued that Sri Lanka’s main development constraint is the energy crisis and called for cheap, reliable supply through greater private participation and market competition in the electricity sector. He questioned the Government’s reported CEB profit projections, asking for clarification on quarterly financial volatility and possible reliance on costly diesel IPPs, and asked what concrete steps had been taken to reduce the 30 per cent share of oil and coal generation. He proposed modernizing the grid through private investment while retaining state ownership, selling non-core assets if needed, expanding hydropower and small hydro through improved water management, and easing regulatory barriers to attract investment in renewable energy. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera rejected allegations of government inaction, stating that poverty reduction and renewable energy development are being pursued while protecting media freedom. He contrasted the Government’s position with past attacks on journalists and media institutions, and argued that critics lack credibility on media freedom. He cited overstaffing, political recruitment, and tariff-related political decisions as causes of CEB losses, and said the Government is allocating recurrent and capital funds to secure energy supply and expand renewables. He also referred to IRENA projections and commentary on green hydrogen to argue that Sri Lanka has significant potential in solar, wind, and future renewable energy carriers. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera, speaking during the debate on the Ministry of Power and Energy expenditure head, noted that Opposition members had offered numerous policy suggestions on energy and wider economic development. He questioned why those proposals were not implemented when the Opposition previously held power, framing his intervention as a challenge to their record in government. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe criticized the Government for failing to reduce fuel and electricity costs as promised, while urging it to acknowledge the continuing contribution of the Mahaweli hydropower project to the national grid. He called for stronger support for solar power, including possible solar units for poor households, and argued that high fuel dependence keeps electricity costs unsustainable. He questioned tender conditions for a 50 MW wind power project, saying they appeared to exclude local bidders, and defended the pricing context of the Adani 500 MW project while challenging the Government to procure equivalent capacity with transmission at a lower cost. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal objected to doctors linking his name to the Puttalam Hospital debate, arguing that they lacked accurate knowledge of the hospital’s status. He stated that Puttalam Hospital had been upgraded to a Base Hospital Type A on 22 April 2002 and indicated that evidence existed to support this claim. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that while he was not opposed in principle, he had not agreed at the time to proceed with a stock market listing. He highlighted shareholding disparities at LTL, noting that most of its roughly 600 employees, particularly those joining after 2017, have no shares while about 15 employees receive substantial returns, including an estimated Rs. 1.3 billion from 2024 profits. He said the Government had identified these issues, was intervening to resolve them, and had restructured the CEB and acted against corruption as part of institutional reform. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe clarified that the issue was not whether the CPC agreed to receive shares or whether others agreed to provide them. He stated that if the requested 20 per cent share allocation to the CPC is granted, it would be acceptable, and that further increases could be considered without obstruction. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera questioned whether, alongside transferring shares to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, the Government would also proceed with an initial public offering. He argued that listing shares is a democratic measure that enables citizens to purchase shares, and sought the Minister’s position on allowing public participation. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe described changes to the shareholding structure of LTL, stating that part of the CEB’s stake was transferred to West Coast Power to settle CEB debt and that concerns arose because the transfer was not made through the stock exchange. He said a later attempt to list about 22 per cent of shares to raise funds was stopped because the State’s 51 per cent holding had to be protected. He added that the proposal was for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to take 20 per cent, and that the IPO was halted after LTL indicated it could provide the required funds. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said power sector reforms are intended to reduce corruption, waste and costs, improve efficiency, lower electricity tariffs and production costs, and strengthen export competitiveness. He stated that the Government had completed long-delayed reforms within a year by establishing six companies fully owned by the CEB to cover generation, system operation, transmission, pension and benefit funds, and residual services, with further strengthening planned next year. He also said the unit cost of electricity had been reduced from Rs. 40 to Rs. 12, and clarified that LTL’s ownership comprised 63 per cent CEB, 27 per cent Teckpro, and 10 per cent held through an employee trust. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about the cadre and recruitment arrangements at CPSTL, noting that the entity is wholly state-owned and subject to oversight by the Department of Public Enterprises. Referring to a letter from the Ministry Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, which he tabled for the Library, he argued that CPSTL cannot recruit staff at its discretion and requested the Secretary to examine the matter. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →