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- 20 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana questioned the Minister about delays following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of the Sampur solar power project with the President. He asked why tenders had not yet been called and why the CEB’s required infrastructure and transmission line work appeared not to be progressing. Oral Question No. 2 (Q.812/2025): Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery Expansion and Modernization Project Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Cabinet approval was granted on 20 February 2025 for a project to develop and expand the Sapugaskanda Refinery Complex, and the Expression of Interest process was completed on 26 September 2025 with about 20 submissions now under final evaluation. The Minister said the project aims to meet domestic petroleum demand through the CPC, provide bunkering services, promote exports, and position Sri Lanka as a regional petroleum export hub, potentially through modernization or a new refinery under a BOT model. Reported expenditures include Rs. 785.8 million for land acquisition, a Rs. 510 million advance for land acquisition, and USD 600,000 for a 2022 feasibility study, with Requests for Proposals to be called next under government procurement guidelines. Oral Question No. 2 (Q.812/2025): Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery Expansion and Modernization Project Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery Expansion and Modernization (SOREM) Project, including its commencement date, objectives, and separate expenditures on land acquisition and the feasibility study. He also asked whether the Minister is aware that the project is currently not operational and, if so, what future plans the Ministry has for it. Oral Question No. 2 (Q.812/2025): Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery Expansion and Modernization Project Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister provided details in response to a question on official vehicles assigned to the State Minister of Industries appointed in November 2019. He stated that three vehicles were allocated from 27 November 2019 to 2 March 2020, with monthly fuel limits set under the relevant Public Expenditure Management Circular, and listed the fuel allocations and payments made for December 2019 and January-February 2020. He added that no fuel payment was made for March and that the remaining part of the question did not arise. Written Answers to Questions and Administrative Notices Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister responded to a question on official vehicles assigned to the Minister of Public Administration and Management appointed in September 2015. He stated that three vehicles were assigned at a time under the relevant Presidential Secretariat circular, listed the vehicle registrations, models and attachment periods, and provided the applicable monthly fuel quotas of 750 litres for petrol vehicles and 600 litres for diesel vehicles. He further stated that fuel allowances were calculated according to the 2015 circular and that detailed fuel expense records and information for the 2018 interim period were placed in the Library. Written Answers to Questions and Administrative Notices Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary The President, as Minister of Finance, provided written answers on official vehicles assigned to the Minister of Finance appointed in September 2015, stating that three vehicles—a Mercedes-Benz jeep, Nissan Teana car, and Nissan cab for security—were provided under the relevant Presidential Secretariat and public expenditure circulars, with temporary replacements used during repairs. He said fuel allowances were granted in accordance with those circulars, amounting to 600 litres monthly for petrol vehicles and 500 litres for diesel vehicles, calculated at prevailing fuel prices. On the Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs appointed in September 2015, he stated that the ministry was abolished after 2019 and available files did not contain verifiable information on vehicles provided, as some residual records had been disposed of under formal procedures. Written Answers to Questions and Administrative Notices Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Sunil Handunnetti provided details on three official vehicles attached from 4 September 2015 to 28 February 2018, including their registration numbers, types, models, and periods of use. He stated that fuel allocations were made under Public Expenditure Management Circular No. CA/1/17/1, with monthly limits of 600 litres for diesel vehicles and 750 litres for petrol vehicles for travel outside the province. He reported total fuel expenditure of Rs. 6,121,250 for the period and said another question raised by Sujeewa Dissanayake would be answered after two weeks. Written Answers to Questions and Administrative Notices Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development to provide details on official vehicles allocated to the Minister of Public Enterprise Development appointed from September 2015, including the number, registration numbers, types, models, and periods of allocation. He also requested information on the monthly fuel allocations, actual monthly fuel issued, and related expenditure for each vehicle during that ministerial tenure, and asked for reasons if the information could not be provided. Written Answers to Questions and Administrative Notices Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation had leased land at the Aruwakkalu Limestone Deposit to Asha Minerals without approval from the Ministry or the Attorney-General’s Department, and that related legal proceedings are ongoing. He also explained the background to the 2005 agreement concerning the salvaging of the “M.V. Cordiality” and the handover of recovered ilmenite to Asha Lanka Enterprises following Attorney-General’s advice and a committee recommendation. He rejected the suggestion that the Ministry had failed to protect mineral resources, noting that a review of the Mineral Resources Policy is underway to revoke irregular licences, monitor valid licences, and ensure transparent, competitive issuance of new licences, with Cabinet submission planned before year-end. Written Answers to Questions and Administrative Notices Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera questioned the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development on alleged irregularities involving Asha Minerals, including a 30-year agreement with the Sri Lanka Cement Corporation at Aruwakkalu, alleged mining without a valid licence, and a police raid. He also asked about a salvage contract with Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd., possession of ilmenite cargo reportedly worth Rs. 300 million despite Attorney-General objections, and alleged diversion of mineral assets. He sought details on measures to protect State resources, ensure accountability, and restore the rights of legitimate licence holders. Written Answers to Questions and Administrative Notices Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe clarified that National Agri Marketing Services Limited is a wholly Treasury-owned State company with a seven-member board, and said its creation is intended to standardize and improve the management of Dedicated Economic Centres, not privatize them. He cited unresolved audit issues, unrecovered public investment, irregular stall allocations and inconsistent management practices across the 18 centres, and proposed centre-level management committees including officials, traders, farmers, banks, police and local authorities. He outlined plans to address post-harvest losses through improved packaging, operationalize the Indian-funded Dambulla cold storage facility by December, support Government purchases of potatoes and onions, and relocate or refurbish facilities including Thambuththegama. He said leases would be for five years with valuation-based rent revisions, and that earlier draft provisions referring to a private company or re-tendering had been changed after stakeholder consultations. Adjournment: Dedicated Economic Centres Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Ramanathan Archchuna opposed the Cabinet decision to convert all Dedicated Economic Centres into a private company, noting that the Northern Province lacks a functioning centre. He urged the Minister to visit Chavakachcheri and properly establish the facility, emphasizing the need for actual service delivery rather than misleading announcements. Adjournment: Dedicated Economic Centres Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna seconded the motion and said Dedicated Economic Centres were established to protect farmers from middlemen, reduce waste, and provide fair prices to producers and consumers. She questioned whether the proposed limited liability company to manage DECs would meet those objectives, urging renewed consultations with farmers and centre stakeholders before decisions are taken. She also called for practical improvements such as providing electricity for cold storage facilities, particularly to prevent produce from being discarded during glut periods. Adjournment: Dedicated Economic Centres Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake moved an adjournment motion opposing the proposed conversion of Sri Lanka’s 14 Dedicated Economic Centres into a limited company, National Agri Market Services Limited, and the vesting of their land and buildings in that entity. He argued that the centres have functioned under District and Divisional Secretaries since 1999, serve farmers effectively, and that transferring them to a company risks public assets and has generated stakeholder opposition. He urged the Government to withdraw or reconsider the proposed legislation, consult affected farmers and traders, and address any management or accountability issues within the existing administrative framework. Adjournment: Dedicated Economic Centres Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam requested a Division on Head 130, citing insufficient provision for Provincial Council Elections, inaction on the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat issue, and concern that a committee was being used to delay the elections. Following the vote, Head 130 was passed without amendment by 103 votes to 9, after which related recurrent and capital expenditure items, including allocations for the Department of Pensions, Registrar General, and several District Secretariats, were agreed to. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister outlined planned reforms in the Labour Ministry, including digitalizing Labour Department services to improve efficiency and compensation processes, while criticizing a previous Cabinet proposal to use space in the Mehewara Piyasa building for commercial entertainment facilities. He linked the Ministry’s work to the 2026 Budget framework, emphasizing fiscal discipline, reducing the deficit to 5.1 percent of GDP, meeting salary, pension and interest obligations, and prioritizing human capital through health and education spending. He rejected Opposition claims on low capital expenditure execution, stating that 2025 had higher execution rates than cited past years, and noted that Rs. 6.4 billion had been allocated to the Labour Ministry, including Rs. 1.2 billion for capital expenditure. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath - Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined Budget allocations for the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, including Rs. 24,620 million for provincial councils and local government, and said the Government is working to strengthen all 341 local authorities after local elections were held. He highlighted measures such as the “Punarudaya Purachara” Local Government Week, provision of 700 vehicles and machinery in the first phase out of a stated need for 1,067, and plans to reduce high maintenance costs of ageing local authority fleets. He also said the Government is advancing digitalization in local authorities through new software already introduced in 130 institutions, with further implementation planned. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan requested administrative restructuring in Batticaloa, including splitting Eravur Pattu DS and Kanthiran Kudah GN Division due to their large size and access difficulties. He urged age-limit extensions for public service competitive examinations affected by Covid delays, the prompt holding of long-delayed Provincial Council elections, and relief for low-revenue and war-affected local authorities facing increasing salary burdens. He also called for higher public assistance grants for vulnerable groups and action in the 2026 Budget to address long-standing pension anomalies affecting retired teachers and principals. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha supported the Budget allocations for State Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, and Labour, arguing that government development programmes are now producing measurable results. He cited completed and ongoing projects in the Matugama Divisional Secretariat area, including decentralized, provincial development, model and rural road projects, and rejected Opposition claims that allocated funds were not being used effectively. He also referred to wage increases for estate workers, plans to recruit about 76,000 public servants through competitive examinations, and government support for local authorities through equipment and institutional strengthening. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake outlined the 2026 allocations under the Ministry of Labour, including funds for labour law enforcement, worker welfare, occupational safety, and employment-related institutions. He said measures are being taken to improve access to EPF through unified data systems and criticized past political misuse of workers’ funds. He highlighted a Rs. 5,000 million Budget allocation to protect EPF, ETF, and gratuity entitlements of workers in ten loss-making State-owned enterprises, and requested ministerial action to recover long-standing EPF arrears with surcharges. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →