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- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra defended the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Ministry’s performance, arguing that it is restoring public confidence in foreign missions through merit-based appointments, digitization of consular services, and clearing passport backlogs. He cited past corruption allegations involving former ambassadors as context for reforms, and said the eBMD portal now enables overseas issuance of birth, marriage and death certificates while generating foreign exchange. He also outlined steps to strengthen policy preparedness through the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute and to reform foreign employment processes, including reviving E-8 visas through the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency, restoring Italian driving licence conversion recognition, and resuming Italy work visa processes. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam criticized successive governments’ use of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to counter international scrutiny over alleged violations during the ethnic conflict and argued that the current Government has not changed this approach. Citing the 2015 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ recommendation for a hybrid special court, he said any credible accountability process must include international judges, prosecutors, investigators and witness protection, and that a purely domestic mechanism or truth commission without prosecutorial powers would lack victims’ confidence. He also asked the Minister to question the Chinese Ambassador over political comments made in Jaffna and raised concern about reported Chinese proposals for a cultural centre in Jaffna following a visit by China’s National Ethnic Affairs Commission. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake tabled documents relating to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s September 2023 visit to Wolverhampton and London, arguing that Foreign Ministry funds were used for what was initially described in official correspondence as a private visit. He cited requests and budget allocations amounting to about £40,000, plus related rupee releases, including accommodation, protocol costs, and other expenses, and noted that later internal documentation reclassified the trip as an “Official Programme.” He questioned how public expenditure was incurred for a private visit by the former President and spouse, and requested an investigation and action against responsible officials. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Government’s tourism policy, citing recent international recognition of Sri Lanka as evidence of improved global perception and disputing Opposition claims about inaction. He outlined initiatives for tourism development in the North and North-Central, including plans related to Mannar, Talaimannar, Wilpattu access, and the Talaimannar–Rameswaram ferry, and denied that SLTDA land in Kuchchaveli had been allocated for sand mining. He reported increased tourism FDI, clearance of a 5,000-plus SLTDA registration backlog, planned expansion of training, regulation of informal accommodation, and Budget allocations for city-based promotion and upgrading 100 attractions. He also said the Government would introduce a contributory pension scheme and social protection fund for tourism workers while expanding tourism benefits to less-developed areas. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned whether the Government was adhering to its policy commitment to appoint professional and ethical career diplomats, citing several recalled and replacement heads of mission whom he characterized as political appointments and raising concerns about alleged misconduct affecting female Foreign Service officers. He urged the Government to review diplomatic appointments and prioritize qualified career officers. He also called for legislation to establish a comprehensive Truth-Seeking Commission covering disappearances and violence from 1971, 1983, 1988-89, the war period, and later “white van” abductions, arguing that such a process is needed for accountability, reconciliation, and to allow accused security officials to testify and clear their names. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera argued that Sri Lanka’s foreign service had been weakened by politicization, nepotism and crony appointments, citing media reports of political family members in diplomatic posts, and said the NPP Government would restore professionalism through merit-based appointments. He emphasized Monaragala District’s underused tourism and agricultural potential and outlined plans to develop Kataragama through city branding, create and upgrade tourism zones, and support a national target of three million tourists. He also proposed easing congestion at Yala National Park through a Maligawila entrance and linking heritage and natural sites such as Maragala, Yudaganawa, Siyambalanduwa and Pottuvil into a district tourism strategy. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma said the Government’s foreign affairs and economic strategy is based on integrating Sri Lanka into global value chains while ensuring investor protection, transparency, accountability and zero tolerance for corruption. He cited proposed investment protection legislation, investor-ready industrial sites in the North, continued engagement with the IMF Programme and debt restructuring process, and strengthened bilateral and multilateral ties with partners including Japan, India, China, the World Bank and ADB. He also emphasized tourism promotion, people-to-people diplomacy, sovereignty in investment decisions, support for overseas Sri Lankan businesses, and a target to raise exports from US$19 billion to US$40 billion within five years through diversification and trade facilitation. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Members of the previous Government, other political parties, and civil society organisations lodged complaints without restriction. The point made was that the complaints process was open and accessible to all. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa thanked the Minister for the clarification but noted that many individuals who had submitted the majority of the complaints under discussion were now members of the Minister’s Cabinet. The remark sought to highlight a potential inconsistency or political context surrounding those complaints. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala responded to Hon. Namal Rajapaksa’s allegation that he had filed numerous corruption cases against him and his family while serving at CIABOC. He clarified that CIABOC acted on complaints received, referred matters to the relevant investigative bodies such as the CID, FCID or Bribery Commission, and that prosecutions were handled by the Attorney-General’s Department, denying any personal or targeted agenda. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary The member cited Human Rights Watch and witness accounts alleging shelling of hospitals, including Putumattalan, during the final stages of the war despite visible Red Cross markings, and criticised former and current governments for defending the State internationally. He rejected reliance on domestic accountability mechanisms, arguing that past commissions such as Paranagama and Udalagama had not led to action, and questioned whether the Government would pursue justice for Tamil victims after tabling the Batalanda Commission Report. He also referred to a JDS report alleging 219 wartime torture sites and demanded investigations into more recent alleged torture and atrocities, not only the Batalanda-era cases. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister explained that a project to procure 1,000 smart boards using Telecommunications Regulatory Commission funds was intended to integrate with a proposed Chinese-supported school digitization project covering a centralized control room, studio, and 500 additional boards. She stated that the procurement proceeded rapidly in 2024 using unofficial specifications and a single-supplier process, costing Rs. 1.7 billion plus about Rs. 430 million in service and installation charges, while the Chinese component remains unfinalized. The equipment is currently stored at Pattalagedara Teachers’ Training College because it cannot be used for its intended networked purpose until the Chinese-supported facilities are agreed and implemented. She said a formal investigation has begun into possible financial or procedural irregularities, and discussions continue with China to secure the remaining facilities. Ministerial Statement: Provision of Smart Boards and Equipment for Schools Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer stating that the Local Government Commission is not functioning. He said the 2012 Delimitation Committee did not recommend a separate Divisional Secretariat for Thoppur because the area had too few families, and that no new delimitation committee has since been appointed, though future steps are expected. He also noted that 40 Grama Niladhari Divisions have over 1,000 families and five have fewer than 100, and that future boundary changes could be considered through a delimitation committee based on demographic and other criteria. Procedural: Point of Order on Public Petitions and Committee Discussion (Q.429/2025 Answer) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that an irregularly proceeding project was temporarily halted pending inquiry. He said only essential works needed to provide supply to villagers were later allowed, and assured that politically driven irregular provision of power would not be permitted in future. Oral Question: Provisions for Electricity to Isolated Villages and Houses (Q.429/2025) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Dinindu Saman Hennayake JJB AI summary Hon. Dinindu Saman Hennayake questioned whether CEB projects costing around Rs. 36 million each had proceeded through special approvals without proper prioritization or due process, allegedly under political influence. He asked the Minister whether such projects are being reviewed and what institutional measures will be introduced to prevent irregular implementation in the future. Oral Question: Provisions for Electricity to Isolated Villages and Houses (Q.429/2025) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Dr. Susil Ranasinghe stated that there is widespread uncertainty regarding lands administered by the Land Reform Commission across its 18 regional offices, including whether assigned projects are operating and whether lands have been encroached upon. He said discussions have been held with the LRC and a programme is being prepared to verify land status, assess project activity, identify encroachments, and regularize the relevant matters. Oral Question: Projects Planned on Land of Walahanduwa Estate, Galle (Q.255/2024) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that the Spices and Allied Products Marketing Board is not being closed and that no employees have been terminated, though unprofitable outlets were shut and staff were directed to report to Colombo amid reported losses and irregular past recruitment. He said factory fires and the Batalanda issue raise questions of compensation, rebuilding, and accountability, emphasizing that punishment must occur through courts and not extra-legal detention. He also stated that coconut cultivation plans are constrained by current seed capacity, with about 2.568 million quality seed nuts targeted, and said proposals raised during the debate would be considered in the Ministry’s future work. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Nishantha Perera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Perera said Sri Lanka’s tea industry is in a severe crisis, citing past mismanagement, audit concerns, halted replanting and factory development, and the impact of the abrupt shift to organic fertilizer. He stated that the Government has allocated funds for the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority, tea research, factory development, replanting, fallow land subsidies, direct planting and mechanization, while also reducing electricity and fuel costs to ease production expenses. He also defended the Department of Cinnamon Development against calls for abolition, saying it should be strengthened to promote Sri Lankan cinnamon internationally through short- and long-term programmes. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Allegations against an individual are referenced, with a dossier placed in the Library for parliamentary record. The speech also accuses unnamed actors of attempting to regain power by deceiving people and promoting racism, stating that the speaker’s community would respond appropriately in the future. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman opposed relocating the Norwood Divisional Secretariat to premises above the Hatton railway station, arguing that resource shortages should be addressed by repairing and funding the existing office and that any decision must reflect public consultation, noting residents’ petitions would be tabled. He disputed claims that the District Coordinating Committee had made a binding decision and said the DCC could only advise the Central Government. He rejected calls for upcountry representatives to apologize, citing historical grievances faced by the plantation Tamil community, and urged unity across party lines on community issues. Responding to questions on housing funds, he said he would table documents and gave figures for houses completed under Sri Lankan and Indian-funded programmes during 2020-2024, attributing delays to cost increases after COVID-19, the economic crisis, and approval procedures for revised Indian-funded unit costs. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →