Topic
Corruption & Governance Reform
2,708 speeches · 349 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. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 91 |
| 2 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 86 |
| 3 | Hon. Mujibur Rahman, M.P. SJB | 80 |
| 4 | Hon. Ajith P. Perera, M.P. SJB | 70 |
| 5 | Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri, M.P. SJB | 68 |
| 6 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 68 |
| 7 | Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, M.P. Independent Group 17 - Jaffna | 67 |
| 8 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 65 |
| 9 | Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, M.P. NDF | 64 |
| 10 | Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, M.P. JJB | 64 |
Speeches
2,708 on this topic- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Urged the rapid revival of village-level cooperative programmes, citing earlier models under J.R. Jayewardene and Ranasinghe Premadasa, and called for collapsed rural cooperatives to be rehabilitated. He also proposed integrating fisheries cooperatives, including those now under Provincial Councils, into a national framework with rural fisheries organizations. He raised concerns about the Weeraketiya Multi-purpose Cooperative Society election held on 16 March 2025 despite Election Commission-related correspondence advising postponement during the local authority election period, and requested an inquiry and compliance with election guidance. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the Government’s record under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, rejecting Opposition allegations on corruption, milk powder prices and rice or paddy interests. He said the Government had improved MILCO by increasing payments to dairy farmers, restoring employee benefits, settling part of its bank debt and pursuing fresh milk self-sufficiency. He alleged past irregularities in Sathosa, Ministry premises works and cooperative purchases, tabling an investigation report on the “Umangdawa Green Hut” premises and citing specific procurement and rent-payment concerns. He urged the Opposition to abandon what he described as old political practices and accept the new Government’s approach. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri criticized the Government for failing to deliver promised relief and anti-corruption action, particularly on rice prices and alleged frauds, despite pledges to end market manipulation quickly. He urged the Minister to arrest at least one person accused in corruption files, arguing that public expectations to punish “thieves” remain unmet. He also called for further reductions in rice and fuel prices and for savings from government cost-cutting to be directed to poor households. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security has consolidated 17 institutions to improve food security, market access and daily consumer welfare, while correcting past misuse of public resources. He alleged widespread irregularities in cooperatives, Lanka Sathosa, Economic Centres, Mahapola, STC and related entities, citing uncollected cooperative loans, missing audit files, undervalued asset sales, loss-making rental arrangements, unusable imported rice-milling machines and missing public funds. He stated that investigations are under way and that the Ministry will standardize governance and refocus institutions on their intended functions, including fair prices for farmers and consumers and support for vulnerable students. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar said his objective was to prevent fraud and noted that, regardless of differing figures, VAT on refined domestic sales should be paid in addition to import levies. He requested the Minister to obtain the relevant details from the Inland Revenue Department, stating that the companies and quantities had been recorded in Hansard. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar questioned the Government’s failure to deliver promised VAT relief on food, education and health, arguing that food prices have not fallen six months after the President assumed office. He demanded action to recover over Rs. 6 billion in alleged unpaid VAT and SSCL on imported crude coconut oil refined and sold locally, citing replies from the Prime Minister, the Inland Revenue Department and Fiscal Policy Department, and asked what steps would be taken against three companies allegedly involved. He also raised concerns over paddy storage losses, burnt warehouses and the Government’s dependence on private rice millers, calling for measures to curb the “rice mafia” while protecting both farmers and consumers. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the 2025 Budget allocation for cooperative sector development and argued that cooperatives, serving around 8 million people, should be strengthened as everyday service institutions rather than only crisis-response mechanisms. He called for government intervention, through education and qualified appointments, to address fraud, corruption, and ad-hoc governance in cooperative societies, with the National Institute of Cooperative Development expanding training in management, finance, audit, services, and ICT. He raised concerns about entities such as “Saubhagya” and “RCD Co-op Bank” soliciting deposits under the guise of cooperatives, posing risks to depositors. He also said the Registrar of Companies should guide more registered companies toward CSE listing and improve eROC systems to widen safe investment options and help businesses raise equity capital. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the Government’s rice import process, citing media reports of credit terms, inspection requirements, and four failed tenders. He argued that imports made at an exchange rate of Rs. 292 still resulted in higher retail rice prices than in 2023 when the dollar was Rs. 320, causing losses to consumers. He also alleged that the President’s decision to raise millers’ margins by Rs. 10 per kilogram for 100 days gave millers Rs. 6.5 billion in additional profit at the public’s expense. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan said the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development has a central responsibility to ensure continuous, safe food supply at fair prices, in line with the NPP policy programme. He argued that institutions such as Sathosa and the cooperative sector had been weakened by losses, fraud and mismanagement under previous administrations, citing Sathosa’s Rs. 2 billion losses, 66 disputed transactions, and examples from Puttalam, Arachchikattuwa and Wennappuwa. He said the Government would rebuild and regulate Sathosa and cooperatives, use initiatives such as “G 88000” to deliver relief, organize supply chains including fisheries, investigate wrongdoing, and hold those responsible accountable. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage defended the Government’s performance under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, arguing that it had halted corruption and was rebuilding institutions weakened or mismanaged under previous administrations. He said the Government was reviving the CWE, strengthening Lanka Sathosa by recruiting staff and expanding outlets, increasing the Consumer Affairs Authority cadre, and intervening to restore confidence in the cooperative sector. He also referred to measures on food security, alleged past misuse of the Mahapola Scholarship Trust, and a proposal to raise university student stipends from Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 7,500. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake said the cooperative sector, under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, has extensive membership, assets and outlets but is weakened by losses, poor management and corruption. He contrasted Sri Lanka’s cooperatives with successful international models such as India’s Amul and New Zealand’s Fonterra, arguing that cooperatives could support a production-based economy if properly governed. He called for the Ministry, the Department of Cooperative Development, the Cooperative Employees Commission and NICD Polgolla to prepare a strategic plan to revive the sector, and invited Opposition MPs to support the effort. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 Hon. Sivasakthy Ananthan AI summary Hon. Sivasakthy Ananthan argued that rice imports during harvest periods, particularly in the North and East, depress paddy prices and enable traders to exploit farmers, while inadequate storage facilities worsen food security and distribution. He called for stronger financial and institutional support for cooperative societies, including approval of long-pending fuel station licences and funding to purchase and mill paddy, citing examples from Kilinochchi and Jaffna. He said cooperatives had played a critical role during wartime embargoes but have since been politicized and under-supported, and referred to earlier unimplemented proposals such as a Northern cooperative plan and a Palmyrah Fund. He also briefly raised reports on the Pattalanthe torture camp and past abuses during 1988–1989. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama said Sri Lanka had often failed to gain sufficient benefits from trade agreements due to weak negotiation capacity and a lack of domain expertise, including in relation to WTO and TRIPS opportunities. He highlighted the need to protect and promote local products through Geographical Indications and trademarks, noting the recent GI recognition for Ceylon Cinnamon and consideration of accession to the Madrid Protocol. He also stated that budget allocations had been made to strengthen the Intellectual Property Office, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, and standards and accreditation laboratories to improve product safety, consumer confidence, and market access. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe responded to issues raised during the Committee Stage debate, outlining reforms across institutions under the Trade Ministry, especially Lak Sathosa, including closing or relocating loss-making outlets, opening 150 new shops based on surveys, recruiting staff transparently, investigating past malpractices, and enforcing supplier quality controls. He said the Government retained the rice import duty imposed by the previous administration to balance farmer protection and consumer interests, and cited price reductions at Sathosa compared with March 2024. He also highlighted savings from revised STC ammonium nitrate procurement, a 50 per cent increase in the Mahapola scholarship from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,500, and the need to address the status of SLIIT in relation to Mahapola land and prior Cabinet decisions. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman urged the Ministry Secretary to intervene in unresolved issues and warned that public officials are accountable for inaction, citing judicial precedents from matters involving the Ministry under Keheliya Rambukwella. He also objected to broad allegations made by the Leader of the House against “Muslim MPs,” calling for any accusation to identify the specific Member concerned rather than generalising against all Muslim parliamentarians. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Moved a token cut under the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development and urged investigations into alleged corruption, particularly in Sathosa, citing past complaints to CIABOC and the CID and specific concerns over a December 2024 rice procurement tender, the Acting CEO’s dual role, and the transfer of an official who alerted auditors. He criticised the Government for not fulfilling campaign pledges to remove VAT on essential goods and the fuel levy, and argued that rice import duties, controlled price increases, and rising milk powder and consumer prices had worsened the cost of living. Citing national and Colombo consumer price data and Health Ministry nutrition indicators, he said households were cutting food consumption because essential non-food costs could not be reduced, and called for VAT removal and price reductions on essentials. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Asked what measures would be taken in Nuwara Eliya District to regulate the Thondaman Memorial Foundation’s control over sports facilities, particularly the Norwood sports ground. He said local youth access had been restricted and a Rs. 15,000 fee charged per football match, and called for curbing the Foundation’s undue authority and supporting sports development in the area. Oral Question: Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Manjula Suraweera Arachchi asked what action the Government will take regarding foundations and similar institutions allegedly maintained with public allocations and international funds without proper audits. He alleged that, in the Central Province including Nuwara Eliya, public funds and State assets had been misused through such a foundation for personal and family political purposes. Oral Question: Saumyamoorthi Thondaman Memorial Foundation (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said foreign employment is a major source of foreign exchange and emphasized the need to curb irregular migration while noting a decline in the share of workers leaving as domestic workers. He urged all migrant workers, including those travelling on visit visas for work, to register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, stating that registration is necessary for effective state intervention in disputes or emergencies. He said the Government is reforming the Bureau, addressing past political interference, and developing mechanisms down to Divisional Secretariat and Grama Niladhari levels to provide guidance, training, and family support for migrant workers. He stated that the Government’s objective is to regulate the sector, ensure migrant safety, and address the economic pressures that compel people to seek work abroad. Adjournment Motion: Protection and Support for Migrant Workers Abroad Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti responded to Opposition criticisms by alleging past irregularities in the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, citing a 2020 Heraniyawaka gem pit tender where ministerial influence was allegedly sought before signing the agreement, and said related documents would be tabled. He said mining licence issuance had previously become politicized, noted enforcement and legal staff shortages, and stated that recruitment approvals had been sought while proper approvals would continue without tolerating abuse. He rejected calls for rapid liberalization or sale of State-owned enterprises, arguing that entities such as BCC, the Cement Corporation and Salt Corporation should be restructured for efficiency under continued majority public ownership with public-private-people co-governance. He also highlighted high sugar import expenditure in 2023 and indicated that the Government’s policy is to expand domestic production through proper use of available land. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →