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- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam challenged the Minister’s stated commitment to act against corruption regardless of rank. He said he would provide written details of a person allegedly involved in fraud, who lost a court case, resigned, and has since been appointed to the Cabinet, and called on the Minister to remove that person. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna said the Government would investigate the matters raised and take action against corruption regardless of rank, while allowing investigations and courts to determine responsibility, including among officials and Opposition members. He undertook to trace any Ministry recommendation relating to chilli cultivation and stated that 400,000 kg of fertilizer had been allocated to Batticaloa, to be sold at Rs. 4,000 per bag with a Rs. 5,000 subsidy. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the adequacy and implementation of coconut support in Batticaloa, noting that seedlings alone are insufficient because palms take five to eight years to yield and calling for sustained assistance and delivery of promised hybrid seedlings. He criticized changes in stated positions on estate wages and urged support for non-paddy farmers, including onion, chilli and greenhouse cultivators, who do not receive the same concessions as registered paddy farmers. He also alleged that Plantation Ministry recommendations had been misused in Muttur and Safinagar to obtain land for chilli cultivation, divert Mahaweli water and enable illegal sand mining, and asked the Minister to investigate related officials, including the reappointment of Sajjana de Silva despite adverse legal advice. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Minister Samantha Viddyarathna outlined the scale of the plantation sector and said the Ministry’s Rs. 17,888 million allocation, including Rs. 12,038 million in capital expenditure, would support reforms in coconut, tea and rubber. He said the coconut sector faces an acute shortage due to past planning and governance failures, cited alleged misuse of plantation assets, and announced a 10-year coconut plan, a national plantation policy and a coconut master plan to be submitted to Cabinet. He set production and export targets for coconut, including raising output to 4,200 million nuts and exports to USD 1.5 billion by 2030, supported by replanting, seedlings, subsidized fertilizer, pest-control grants, irrigation and development of the Northern Coconut Triangle. On tea, he said Sri Lanka had lost international standing and that the Government would focus on smallholders, fertilizer support, quality improvement and policy changes to reverse the decline. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister presented the Cabinet position on the Batalanda Commission report, detailing the historical context of alleged unlawful detention, torture, and state violence during the late 1970s and 1980s. He said the 1998 report had not been acted upon or sent to the Attorney-General, despite being printed as sessional papers, and criticized past governments for using it politically rather than pursuing accountability. He formally laid the 208-page report before Parliament, stating that the current Government has a duty to make it public and respond to long-standing demands for truth and justice. Ministerial Statements Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri complained that his earlier parliamentary questions, numbered 1–10 and relating to alleged major frauds including the bond and garlic scams, had not appeared on the Order Paper, while later questions had been listed. He said Members had not been informed that those questions were removed and requested that Opposition questions on fraud and corruption be placed on the Order Paper in due course, noting the Government’s stated anti-corruption stance. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody said renewable energy procurement, particularly solar and wind, would proceed through competitive tenders except in genuine government-to-government cases, and that unsolicited proposals would not be accepted. He noted that Mannar has about 400 MW of wind potential, with 103 MW already operated by the CEB and another 50 MW planned, while the remaining capacity previously earmarked for Adani is stalled due to pending court cases. He also said a 234 MW Pooneryn wind project given to Adani under an MoU is being reviewed, and that if clarifications are not provided promptly, the Government will move to price-competitive tenders. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 14 March 2025 Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody clarified that the project had not been cancelled, but that Cabinet had revoked the previous decision of 28 August 2023 to sign the agreement and was reviewing the matter. He said the Adani Group had informed the BOI of an intention to withdraw, though no final position had been received, and offered to table the local company’s letter if the issue was formally raised. He stated that the previous Government had treated the project as a G2G arrangement, while the current Cabinet was seeking to regularize the process. Oral Questions and Answers Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concerns over post-2009 land acquisition and forest reservation in the Vanni region by the Forest Department and Department of Wildlife Conservation, alleging that residential lands, paddy fields, irrigation areas, roads, and burial grounds had been gazetted without proper procedure or consultation. He cited district figures for Mullaitivu, including 167,487 acres declared as forest and 69,401 acres brought under wildlife-related designations such as Nandikadal, Nayaru, and Sundikkulam. He urged the Minister and Deputy Minister responsible for lands to review and remedy these land issues and to allocate adequate pastureland for large cattle populations in Mannar, Vavuniya, and Mullaitivu. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. E.M. Basnayaka JJB AI summary Hon. E.M. Basnayaka supported the Appropriation Head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, describing it as central to food security and national development, while criticizing the Opposition for lacking constructive proposals. He highlighted the need to survey and productively allocate Land Reform Commission lands, citing alleged past misuse and political land grabs, and urged an expedited programme for using available lands for enterprises and industries. He also raised the issue of wildlife-related crop damage, estimating losses at 35–40 per cent, and noted ongoing efforts involving the University of Peradeniya and State agencies to develop data-based mitigation measures. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Riyas Farook JJB AI summary Hon. Riyas Farook welcomed the Minister’s commitments to address wild elephant issues and flooding in Akurana, arguing that the Akurana problem stems from decades of canal-bank encroachment enabled by successive governments and political patronage. He said the current Government, in office for three months, is pursuing action through multiple agencies, including seeking University of Peradeniya engineering input and allocating Rs. 22 million to the SLLDC for a feasibility study, after earlier reports were not implemented. He also stated that the Government is addressing drinking water shortages in Delthota and would proceed as quickly as possible. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary M.A.M. Thahir raised concerns that Muslims had been excluded from senior public service positions and economically harmed, including through attacks on traders’ shops and past government policies. He urged the Minister to prevent further injustice, specifically citing the need to rehabilitate bunds and tanks to protect agriculture, and called for proper development of the area. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Hon. Aruna Panagoda supported the Agriculture Ministry’s expenditure proposals, emphasizing the rehabilitation of fallow paddy lands in Colombo and the need to address farmers’ problems through public participation. He defended the planned animal census as necessary to quantify crop damage by species such as porcupines, peacocks, monkeys and wild boar, citing a serious wild boar problem in Homagama and the need for data before relocating animals. He also alleged irregular private transfers of Land Reform Commission and state lands to politically connected persons, calling for rectification. He urged strengthened village-level farmer support, improved agrarian and veterinary services, and policies to ensure food security, fair farmer returns, and affordable consumer prices. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concerns over an acting appointment in the Uva Provincial Revenue Department, stating that qualified officers already exist within the Department and suggesting the appointment appeared political. He requested that a lawful appointment to the post of Provincial Commissioner of Revenue be made as soon as possible, rather than allowing an accountant from the Accountants’ Service to act while holding another post. Oral Question: Provincial Commissioner of Revenue - Uva (Q.392/2025) Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised a supplementary question about the appointment of the Provincial Commissioner of Revenue in Uva, noting that the post is usually filled by experienced Inland Revenue officers but is currently held temporarily by an officer from the Accountants’ Service. He requested that the vacancy be gazetted and a proper permanent appointment made promptly, given that qualified officers have applied and the matter has gone to court. Oral Question: Provincial Commissioner of Revenue - Uva (Q.392/2025) Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister replied to a question on the appointment of the Uva Provincial Commissioner of Revenue, stating that no qualified officer was available within the Uva Provincial Council Public Service under the relevant recruitment procedure. He said Mr. D.M.N.P. Dissanayake, a Grade I officer of the Sri Lanka Accountants’ Service, was appointed on an acting basis under Section 32(1) of the Provincial Councils Act, No. 42 of 1987, pending island-wide applications and a suitable appointment. The required qualifications are those in Clause 11.2 of the recruitment procedure, which was placed in the Library, and the expected source services are the Provincial Revenue Service or Inland Revenue Service. Oral Question: Provincial Commissioner of Revenue - Uva (Q.392/2025) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi argued that public sector digitalization is necessary to prevent manipulation and corruption, citing the Auditor-General’s 2022 findings on Central Cultural Fund payments for archaeology-related recruitments made without proper provisions. He said digital systems would improve accountability and referred to Barcelona’s smart city model as an example of using data and technology to manage costs, address urban challenges, and improve public services. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised a procedural objection to allegedly degrading remarks by a preceding Member and requested action under Standing Order 79, warning that a special motion may otherwise be considered. He then urged the Government to use existing legal provisions for digitalization, citing Section 87 of the Anti-Corruption Act as enabling a centralized digital system for asset and liability declarations, and criticized continued reliance on large volumes of paper forms for local authorities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad raised concerns about the impact of AI on Sri Lankan freelancers earning foreign income and called for reskilling and upskilling programmes with dedicated funding. He supported the proposal for VAT-registered businesses to use POS machines but urged rural training, cost support, and trust-building, while also calling for ICTA to be either comprehensively reformed or replaced. He opposed introducing a new tax on IT freelancers at this stage, arguing that investment and sector growth would generate more revenue and employment, and urged the Government to convert its digitalization commitments into national policy. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported the Ministry’s digitalization agenda, arguing that public awareness, stronger legal frameworks, and clear data protection safeguards are necessary, especially for biometric and core identity systems. He said the Rs. 300 million allocation for awareness is inadequate but should be used effectively, and urged expansion of online commerce and job creation through digital platforms. Citing delays in issuing licences, police certificates and birth certificates, he called for urgent digitization of public services, including Parliament as a possible pilot. He also stated that digitalization would make some public-sector posts redundant and urged the Government to manage this openly through redeployment or fair early retirement with pensions, while pressing it to implement reforms boldly over the next five years. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →