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- 24 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister JJB AI summary The Prime Minister tabled a response outlining Government initiatives to advance Sri Lanka’s digital economy, emphasizing digitized public services, automated administrative processes, transparency, and cashless transactions. The response identified priority projects including the Sri Lanka Unified Digital Identity linked to the E-NIC and other official systems, online access to civil registration certificates through overseas missions, online applications to the President’s Fund, and the expansion of GovPay and LankaQR-based payments. It stated that these measures are intended to reduce bureaucracy, improve service delivery and accountability, expand financial inclusion, and support more efficient implementation of Government policy. Ministerial Statement: Prime Minister Response on Colombo Port and Digital Economy Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara JJB AI summary Padmasiri Bandara asked the Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing whether two NHDA-owned Pradeepa Halls in Modara and Maligawatta had been leased for 30 years to politically connected persons, and whether proper Government Chief Valuer assessments and procurement procedures were followed. He also sought details on the alleged sale of 116 perches of NHDA land near the Buddhist Centre in the Maththegoda Housing Complex at Rs. 500,000 per perch, including recipients, intended use for housing, valuation status, and reasons if required procedures were not followed. Oral Question: Question No. 4 - 449/2025 (Housing) Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti stated that industrial zones handed over to Divisional Secretaries lack clear accountability for infrastructure and administration, despite rent collection. He said the Government intends to bring such zones under the Ministry and the Industrial Development Authority, and to prevent unauthorized commercial sub-leasing of State plots unless conducted under Ministry oversight and proper agreements. He added that future regularization through Divisional Secretaries would follow formal procedures. Oral Question: Question No. 2 - 446/2025 (Industrial Zones) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage – Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports AI summary The Minister defended the 2025 Budget as the Government’s first step toward “system change,” arguing that it redirects policy toward reducing corruption, waste and politically driven expenditure while rebuilding productive State assets. He cited projected revenues, recurrent expenditure, interest payments and the Rs. 1,315 billion capital expenditure allocation, stating that criticisms about missing revenue details or small project allocations ignored the Budget’s figures and multi-year funding structure. He also highlighted allocations for the North, including roads, housing, the Mullaitivu Waddduvakal Bridge and the Jaffna Library, framing them as part of national unity and post-conflict reconciliation. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof questioned whether the NPP Government’s first Budget reflects the leftist and “system change” policies it advocated while in Opposition, arguing that many proposals resemble conventional budget measures and previous administrations’ approaches. He criticised perceived reversals on issues such as foreign investment, the Trincomalee oil tanks and digitisation, and urged the Government to accept scrutiny without blaming past politicians or dismissing all former MPs as corrupt. He also called on Government members to clarify whether they understand and support the Budget and to align their conduct and policy implementation with the mandate for change. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana challenged the government’s claim that it inherited a bankrupt economy by citing the 2025 Budget, Economic and Financial Situation report, which records economic growth of 5.5 per cent in the third quarter of 2024. He also sought clarification on Annexure IV of the 2025 Budget Speech, which states that VAT arrears of construction contractors involved in tsunami projects will be written off. He requested details of the companies, beneficiaries, and amounts involved, noting concerns about the decision and its connection to projects from a period when the current President was a Cabinet Minister. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Riyas Farook JJB AI summary Riyas Farook defended the Government’s first Budget as an effort to correct administrative and political failures in education and other sectors, particularly in school admissions, transfers, and infrastructure. He cited problems arising from the “1,000 National Schools” and “Nearest School — Best School” programmes in Akurana and Poojapitiya, including unresolved feeder-school allocations, declining enrolment, underfunded development projects, and alleged political interference in principal transfers. He requested action to rebuild facilities at Al Ashaar National School and said the Government was reviewing admissions practices that disadvantage poorer families, with the aim of presenting a more reliable education system by the following year. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara defended the Government’s recent political change as a move away from corruption, chauvinism and patronage, arguing that it has restored international confidence and created a fairer environment for investment and entrepreneurship. He said the Government’s economic programme should combine humanist social renewal with sustainable and equitable development, including “economic democracy” and wider public participation. He highlighted targets to raise export earnings from USD 12.7 billion in 2024 to USD 19 billion in 2025 and expand tourism from 3 million to 8 million visitors, proposing responsible tourism development in inland areas of Galle District to support rural incomes and industries such as tea, cinnamon and kitul. He also referred to Budget support for small tea-holders, noting an increased allocation from Rs. 1,158 million in 2023 to Rs. 1,355 million. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Aruna Panagoda JJB AI summary Aruna Panagoda supported the Budget’s Rs. 483 billion allocation for transport, arguing that public transport must be made reliable, safe, efficient, environmentally friendly and sustainable after years of politicization and deterioration. He called for modernizing SLTB services, introducing structured bus services on the main corridors into Colombo, strengthening rural and late-evening bus operations, and improving the conduct and public-service culture of transport staff under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. He also raised unresolved compensation issues from land acquisitions for the Ruwanpura Expressway in the Homagama area, stating that Budget funds should be used in stages to address payments and related administrative gaps. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government was pursuing a production-led economic recovery while using the IMF programme as a temporary stabilization measure, noting expected progress on the third review, a possible US$ 335 million tranche, reserves of US$ 6.1 billion, and fiscal targets including a primary surplus of about 2 per cent of GDP. He said measures were being taken to reduce production costs, attract foreign investment through stronger diplomatic ties and investment protection agreements, and investigate corruption and economic mismanagement lawfully. He outlined tourism and foreign employment as short-term foreign exchange priorities, citing increased tourist arrivals and proposing a National Tourism Commission, regional tourism development committees, improved facilities, and insurance and pension schemes for tourism workers. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera criticised alleged custodial deaths and warned that action against underworld crime must follow due process, recalling President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s earlier opposition to extra-judicial killings. He argued that the Government’s first Budget fails to provide for the promised new Constitution and abolition of the Executive Presidency, despite its parliamentary majority and electoral mandate. He urged the Government to establish a constitution-making process with expert input, funding, and a timeline for a two-thirds majority and referendum within the first two years. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake sought clarification on Central Bank independence, arguing that practical interferences remain and requesting that responsibility be restored under the Finance Ministry. He also questioned the reported increase in total public debt from Rs. 28.8 trillion at end-September 2024 by Rs. 1.2 trillion over four months, asking how debt rose without development and noting that rupee depreciation had increased the rupee value of debt. Ministerial Statement: Foreign Reserves and Debt Servicing, with Points of Order and Procedural Matters Read →
- 22 February 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns about unresolved issues at the Ceylon Electricity Board, including a dispute between unions over renewable energy policy. He questioned whether opposition to renewables was benefiting the oil lobby, noting that renewable power was paid at Rs. 29 per unit compared with a stated production cost of Rs. 78 per unit. He warned that the CEB’s recent Rs. 185 billion profit could turn into a Rs. 40 billion loss within two months, potentially leading to increased electricity tariffs. Ministerial Statements: Elephant Deaths from Train Collisions and Power Outage Read →
- 22 February 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said rural road funding would be detailed during the Ministry debate and addressed the KL-02 road project, stating it was terminated in July 2019 due to poor performance by the contractor joint venture. He said a subsequent Cabinet decision sought to re-award the balance work to the same contractors at updated rates, followed by litigation that delayed the project for five years. He proposed seeking Cabinet approval to use Rs. 400 million recovered through the performance bond to complete the roads, referring underperforming contractors to enforcement authorities, and sending the matter to COPE for examination. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 February 2025 Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that the project covered broad objectives in the tea and rubber sectors but had not fully achieved its targets. He noted that reports had identified some problematic areas indicating possible irregularities, and said the Ministry intends to conduct further inquiries. Oral Questions: STaRR Project (Q.1/2025), KL-2 Project Kalutara (Q.2/2025), Lands - Elpitiya DS (Q.3/2025), Meegahakiula Bus Station (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe welcomed the NPP/JVP Government’s mandate and shift toward a more liberal economic approach, while arguing that it represents a major departure from the JVP’s earlier ideology. He defended the development record of past UNP leaders, citing the Mahaweli project, the apparel sector and the open economy, and urged the Government to acknowledge those contributions while supporting key export industries. He also warned that the Opposition would scrutinize alleged wrongdoing, including the release of 300 containers and procurement issues in a wind power project, while supporting anti-corruption efforts. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka criticised the 2025 Budget, arguing that the Government was claiming credit for an economic recovery that official reports show began in 2023, and questioned the medium-term plan to manage the primary balance given recurrent expenditure exceeding revenue. He said the Budget relies heavily on increased indirect taxes that burden poorer households while providing a smaller allocation for public sector salary increases, and warned that planned new borrowing of Rs. 4,000 billion would add future burdens. He acknowledged some expenditure control but raised concerns over agriculture, paddy prices, fertilizer support, and the feasibility of the Government’s rice market interventions. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary Lt. Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga defended the Rs. 100 million allocation for a feasibility study on using rail to transport agricultural produce from Thambuttegama and other hubs, arguing it could reduce post-harvest losses, prices, and road congestion. He rejected claims that a recent High Court incident reflected a national security failure, stating suspects had been arrested and that the 2025 Budget’s Rs. 404 billion security allocation, including aircraft and patrol craft procurement, was adequate because wasteful security deployments had been curtailed. He highlighted allocations for poverty relief and social empowerment, including increased Aswesuma payments and extended transitional assistance, alongside major health and education funding. He argued that anti-corruption governance, fiscal management, and support for a production economy would help attract FDI and achieve growth. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Thanura Dissanayake supported the Budget as a structural and inclusive programme intended to change political culture, reduce waste, and integrate all regions, including the North, into the economy. He argued that the Government had already delivered relief measures such as increased fertilizer support, school supplies, and a Rs. 3,000 pension increase before the Budget. He outlined priorities including rural poverty reduction, digitalized public services, reduced bureaucracy, improved social protection and transport, the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, and basic public facilities. He also stated that the Government would not sell national assets, citing enterprises such as Milco, and would instead pursue a production-based economy. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha defended the National People’s Power Government’s first Budget, arguing that current economic difficulties resulted from previous governments’ failed policies, fiscal mismanagement, corruption, and reliance on IMF-led recovery after bankruptcy. She said the Budget aims to stabilize the economy, prevent further restructuring, strengthen domestic production and exports, and allocate development support across regions and sectors including agriculture, fisheries, industry, infrastructure, and urban issues. She highlighted proposals such as Rs. 11.3 billion for agricultural and agro-industrial productivity, including cinnamon, tea smallholders, coconut, and rural women’s participation, while rejecting Opposition criticism that the Budget is merely a “handout” budget. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →