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- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Correcting a procedural point and recalling the violence in Parliament on 16 November 2018, the Member urged that such events not recur. He questioned reductions in capital allocations for justice infrastructure, seeking clarification on planned court complexes, and asked about legal spending and the status of cases relating to the X-Press Pearl disaster, including government-to-government engagement with Singapore. He also requested details on expenditure for police officers sent to the UK, called for disbursement or interim relief to families of the disappeared using funds allocated in the 2025 Budget, and urged expediting the process to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Priyantha Wijerathna responded to Opposition criticism during the 2026 Budget debate, arguing that previous governments were responsible for the economic decline, debt crisis, shortages, and neglected public infrastructure after decades in power. He said the current Government had stabilized the macroeconomy, improved the Treasury position, and was proceeding step by step through its first and second Budgets to implement its policy programme. He also noted that any unsuitable remarks would be removed from Hansard and said he was answerable to the House rather than individual Members. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi argued that tourism lacks sufficient concrete support in the Budget despite being a major foreign exchange earner, and urged assistance for small guesthouse operators, including limited permits to sell beer to tourists through local authorities. He requested licences or a turn system for 175 safari jeep owners excluded from Yala National Park operations, saying many are village youth who bought vehicles after working for larger operators. He welcomed some allocations for Jaffna, Arugam Bay and tourism institutions but called for broader district-level engagement, and proposed converting the old Tangalle Prison into a heritage tourism site and restoring Rohana Wijeweera’s house under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Thushari Jayasingha supported the Rs. 58.5 billion allocation to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, stating that it should be used to strengthen court infrastructure, staffing, and mechanisms to reduce case delays. She emphasized the need for adequate facilities for preliminary inquiries and greater support for quasi-judicial bodies such as mediation boards to resolve disputes and reduce court workloads. She also referred to digitalization and improved resources for court records, while asserting the independence of the judiciary and urging implementation of the allocation to uplift the justice sector. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad urged the Government to use digital tools to advance tourism, proposing a mandatory app or QR-linked profile for tourists to track preferences, movements, hotel check-ins, overstays, unregistered accommodation, and taxable activity. He argued that the Budget lacks funding or vision for such digitalization, despite tourism being a key foreign exchange earner directly benefiting communities. He criticized a proposed tourist licensing scheme, saying it could displace licensed guides, driver-guides, and tourist drivers, undermine private-sector-led destination development, and risk attracting lower-spending tourists, citing Thailand’s experience. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad, during the Committee Stage debate on the expenditure Heads of the Ministries of Justice and National Integration and of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, raised concerns about plantation workers’ wages and objected to the issue being framed as an inter-ethnic matter. He called on government representatives, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to participate in a public television debate on the subject and stated that the matter should be resolved directly. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government’s Budget as fully liberal and disconnected from village-level realities, arguing that ruling party cadres cannot defend it among rural communities. He said he had intended to address issues in the tourism sector but instead focused on what he described as the Government’s failure to represent Sri Lankans, challenging Ministers to engage directly with villagers. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta supported the Justice sector Budget allocations, arguing that they address delays in the justice system through improved court infrastructure, increased staffing, digitization, and legal reforms. He cited allocations for court renovations, 2,871 new recruitments, audio-visual technology for courts, amendments to criminal and civil procedure, and recent laws including the Proceeds of Crime Act and the removal of presidential immunities. He also highlighted prison reforms, including biometric systems, modernization funding, community-based corrections, possible alternatives to remand incarceration, and Rs. 100 million for the Watareka open prison in Homagama. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary S.M. Marikkar argued that Sri Lanka urgently needs higher dollar inflows to meet ongoing foreign debt obligations and reduce the trade deficit, noting limited reserves and only modest increases in tourism earnings and worker remittances. He urged the Government to adopt more effective measures to attract investment, expand exports, and increase tourism revenue, including improving airport capacity and temporarily reopening Ratmalana Airport until the Katunayake Airport expansion is completed. He also called for better promotion of tourist attractions, higher per-tourist spending, and a more practical approach to aviation and tourism infrastructure constraints. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva argued that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy should be treated as an economic strategy focused on exports, investment, remittances, tourism and debt restructuring, noting the importance of relations with India and China during the debt crisis. He criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism’s online economic diplomacy content as outdated, citing references to 2018–2020 activities and non-functional links, including a QR code for the Office for Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs. He asked the Minister to clarify whether that Office exists and urged the Ministry to update its website as a practical platform for investors, overseas Sri Lankans and exporters. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva criticized the Government for not clearly articulating its foreign policy or linking it to the Budget allocations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. He acknowledged references to bilateral discussions and foreign visits but argued that these did not amount to a substantive explanation of policy priorities or spending rationale. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law (Minister of Justice) JJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government is reviewing an increase to coroners’ allowances, while noting the post is a dignified public office rather than an income-generating role. He emphasized that the Judicial Service Commission is constitutionally independent under Article 111, that its decisions cannot be influenced by the Government, and that any grievances should be challenged through writ proceedings rather than unfounded public allegations. He also acknowledged prison overcrowding concerns, citing ongoing facility work including at Pallansena and the recruitment of 1,080 prison officers, while rejecting claims that magistrates act out of fear. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concerns over tensions in Trincomalee following reports about the removal of a Buddha statue and said the matter remained unresolved despite ministerial comments. He urged faster deployment of workers already interviewed for jobs in Israel and called for increased payments to emergency inquest officers, citing the heavy travel burden in districts such as Badulla. He questioned recent disciplinary actions and appointments in the judiciary, asking for transparency in Supreme Court appointments and warning that inconsistent treatment of judicial officers undermines public confidence. He also highlighted severe prison overcrowding, urged rapid construction of additional accommodation through transparent tenders, called for fair resolution of the former Prisons Commissioner-General’s case, and requested full issuance of promised vehicle permits for public servants. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama defended the Government’s estate worker wage proposal, stating that companies and the Treasury would each contribute Rs. 200 to support a Rs. 1,750 wage, with the allowance applicable according to days worked. He outlined the 2026 allocation for the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, totalling Rs. 58,500 million, and said capital spending would proceed prudently through due process following election-related delays. He highlighted court backlogs, weak infrastructure, and staffing shortages, citing issues in Pugoda and Gampaha courts, and noted measures including recruiting 50 State Counsel, providing research staff, appointing 13 committees, and implementing “Clean Sri Lanka” directions to streamline court records by 31 December. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna welcomed the proposed contributory pension and social protection scheme for overseas workers, noting her related Private Member’s Bill, and urged implementation of stalled World Bank-assisted plans to develop the Knuckles conservation tourism zone in Matale. She clarified her absence from the Budget Second Reading vote and stated that her remarks on estate worker benefits were personal, while calling for any allowance or wage increase to be designed lawfully under the Public Financial Management Act. She tabled correspondence and an article relating to the Attorney-General’s view on the supremacy of the PFMA, and asked oversight institutions to verify whether proposed payments to estate workers comply with the law. She argued that the benefit should be broadened to Rs. 2,000 and extended beyond selected plantation companies and 25-day workers to include all estate workers and small and medium estate holders where legally possible. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna AI summary Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna clarified a previous answer to Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, stating that no Minister has taken over government bungalows or official residences. He said Deputy Ministers are occupying official MP apartments at the Loris Housing Complex, while six government bungalows were allocated to the Bribery Commission, the Police Department, and the Ministry of Justice. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that Supreme Court cases concerning Development Officers’ teacher appointments had been dismissed, said coroner allowances are being reviewed with supervision mechanisms, and outlined justice-sector priorities under the Budget. He cited improvements in several World Justice Project Rule of Law Index indicators and said Rs. 58.5 billion is proposed for the sector, including recruitment approvals for courts and prisons. He highlighted ongoing law reform work, including a Counter-Terrorism Bill to replace the PTA, organized crime legislation, an Office of the State Prosecutor, criminal proceeds recovery, audio-visual court testimony, audit reforms, and changes ending certain privileges for former Presidents. He also emphasized non-interference with the judiciary, Judicial Service Commission disciplinary and backlog-clearance measures, and continued court digitalization. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe said the Education Ministry Head would be debated on 25 November and challenged members to address the “two-thirds” issue then. On pensioners, he stated that the President had pledged to resolve issues arising from 2015–2019 in three phases, covering 700,000 persons retired up to 31 December 2024 rather than 85,000. He asked for more time, noting that the Government had been in office for one year and was presenting its second Budget. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath outlined the integrated Ministry’s foreign policy priorities, emphasizing economic diplomacy, market expansion, diaspora engagement, and neutral international relations to increase foreign exchange earnings. He reported progress including new and reopened missions in New Zealand, Cyprus, and Chengdu, renewed political dialogues with several countries, 70 new MoUs or agreements, expanded ties in the Caribbean, and facilitation of foreign investment engagement. He also cited work on debt restructuring, tariff negotiations with the United States, cooperation with international financial institutions, and plans to hold Sri Lanka Expo in 2026 after 13 years. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister tabled an answer on implementation of the Proceeds of Crime Act, No. 5 of 2025, stating that the Police Proceeds of Crime Investigations Division and CIABOC are the recognized national institutions for stolen asset recovery. He reported that, since the Act had been in force for about one month, neither institution had yet recovered stolen assets or proceeds of crime under it. The answer set out current staffing in the Police division and CIABOC, noted that new CIABOC appointments await parliamentary approval of cadre and remuneration, and stated that no separate allocation had been made for a Public Assets Recovery Agency in the 2025 appropriations. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →