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- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that Budget 2025 does not reflect the Government’s electoral mandate and instead follows restrictive fiscal targets under the Public Financial Management Act and IMF-related debt sustainability framework. He said the Government had abandoned pledges to renegotiate for a more people-centred approach, warning that expenditure caps, primary surplus targets, and optimistic growth and revenue assumptions could undermine growth, social protection, and debt repayment capacity by 2028. He called for urgent renegotiation of IMF, bondholder, and fiscal targets, justice for EPF/ETF members affected by domestic debt restructuring, and a poverty-reduction strategy based on production, jobs, savings, consumption, and exports rather than handouts alone. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) Read →
- 21 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna raised concerns over national security amid recurring incidents and referred to allegations that politicians from previous governments had links with the underworld. He asked the Minister to identify those politicians, clarify the alleged connections, particularly involving narcotics, and ensure they are brought before the law rather than using past failures to excuse future inaction. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: Shooting Incidents in Colombo Magistrate's Court and Middeniya Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary Eranga Gunasekara stated that the government is investigating alleged political bribery connected to liquor/bar permits and will disclose in Parliament the names of politicians involved once inquiries are completed. Responding to an Adjournment Motion by Hon. Rasamanickam, he rejected claims that the government was hiding or delaying the matter and said the administration is seeking to change the previous political culture around permit issuance. He cited alleged examples involving former Kurunegala politicians and said the government recognizes lawful alcohol consumption while committing to proper investigations and disclosure. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara stated that the investigation in question is being conducted by the current government. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara said the new Government’s position on bar permits is aligned with concerns raised about corruption, noting that although it could have resumed issuing permits after coming to power, the President halted the process. He stated that names connected to alleged bribery in the issuance of permits had been tabled in Parliament by the Chief Government Whip, and that investigations into the matter had now begun. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam sought clarification on the Government’s pledge regarding liquor bar permits, noting that the President had promised during election meetings to cancel such permits after taking office. He argued that not all MPs were involved in the alleged permit culture and questioned why the promised cancellations had not yet been carried out. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB AI summary Eranga Gunasekara, speaking for the government on the Adjournment Motion moved by Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, said bar permits had been used as part of a broader political culture rather than as an issue divided along ethnic lines. He stated that the National People’s Power government had moved to change this practice by halting the issuance of bar permits without proper inquiry, assessment of economic value, or alignment with tourism policy. He also noted that the government recognizes the lawful right of adults to consume alcohol. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta said liquor bar licences had historically been issued through political patronage, including as inducements for MPs, and alleged that the previous government granted many licences shortly before an election for political advantage. He said licences should be assessed against local need, economic conditions, and social and cultural factors, and that the current government is investigating whether recent licences met required recommendations and regulations. He stated that the National People’s Power government would not issue licences as bribes or favours and would pursue legal action or cancellation where investigations find breaches. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam moved an Adjournment Motion calling for the cancellation of liquor shop permits in Periya Nilavanai, Ampara, citing public protests and the President’s earlier claim that such permits were issued as political bribes under the previous Government. He argued that issuing liquor licences does not promote tourism in areas lacking transport and visitor infrastructure, and said increased outlets worsen social and economic conditions, especially in the North and East. He demanded that the Government disclose who recommended the permits, refer allegedly bribery-based licences to the Bribery Commission, cancel them, and take action beyond merely publishing lists of beneficiaries. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando criticized the Government’s Reconstruction Budget as continuing the same post-1977 economic policy framework previously opposed by its leaders, citing past Budget speeches by Sunil Handunnetti and Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He accused the Government of inconsistency on issues such as alliances, nationalism, the Adani wind power project, and claims about ending vehicle permits. He urged the Government to resolve the Italian driving licence recognition issue affecting Sri Lankan expatriates, particularly from Wennappuwa, and questioned Budget provisions on diaspora incentives and tourist vehicle permits. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Arun Hemachandra supported the Budget as a corrective response after bankruptcy, arguing that it addresses corruption, waste and past political excesses while increasing public servant salaries, expanding welfare measures and prioritizing digitalization through initiatives such as decentralized President’s Fund services, digital consular services and GovPay. He said the Government is changing political culture by reducing privileges, citing past presidential foreign travel entourages and costs, and highlighted the abolition of transferable duty-free vehicle permits as an anti-corruption reform. Responding to claims that the East had been neglected, he listed Budget allocations for education, hospitals, roads, fisheries, resettlement, water harvesting and development planning in the Eastern and Northern-Eastern areas, including projects in Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Gayan Janaka JJB AI summary Hon. Gayan Janaka supported the Second Reading of the Government’s maiden Budget, arguing that it differs from previous Budgets by prioritizing concessions and relief for ordinary people rather than political interests. He said the Budget reflects proposals developed through public engagement and is part of a broader programme to rebuild the economy, link education with growth, and ensure citizens share in economic benefits. Responding to Opposition criticism, he asked for time for the new administration to implement its programme and said the Government would work to make the Budget’s proposals a reality. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the NPP Budget, arguing that it provides the maximum relief possible for professionals and public servants within the constraints created by past mismanagement. He rejected Opposition claims that the Budget is defined by the IMF or former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, stating that its results should be judged over the Government’s five-year mandate. He also said the Budget reflects an inclusive national mandate across race, religion and region, and criticized past governments since 1977 for corruption, failed leadership and responsibility for crises including the Central Bank bond scam and Easter attacks. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized the Budget as debt-dependent and lacking credible revenue measures, arguing that it remains within IMF and Treasury parameters despite the Government’s earlier policy promises and references to an Economic Council. She questioned how many commitments in the Government’s policy document are reflected in the Budget and said many proposals, including customs reform, port expansion, Trincomalee oil tank development and North-East industrialization, continue policies of previous administrations. She welcomed certain shifts, including support for foreign investment, international education, disability-related measures, estate hospitals and pension adjustments for 2016–2020 retirees, while urging the Government to acknowledge past opposition to similar economic reforms and the costs of political violence. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan said the Opposition would support beneficial Budget measures while offering constructive criticism, welcoming welfare programmes for low-income groups, rural children, pregnant mothers and plantation communities, particularly to address malnutrition. He urged stronger support for SMEs and farmers, lower interest rates, expert economic management, and conditions to attract foreign investment while continuing action against bribery and corruption. He called on the Government to ensure implementation of the proposed Rs. 1,700 basic daily wage for plantation workers by pressuring both private plantation companies and state entities, noting earlier promises of a Rs. 2,000 wage and rising cost-of-living pressures. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Appropriation Bill, arguing that the Budget is fair and inclusive despite the country’s economic difficulties, and contrasted it with past governments’ alleged misuse of state resources. He said the President had reduced personal expenditure and that the Government was seeking national development rather than benefits for officeholders. Responding to claims that the Eastern Province had been neglected, he cited allocations including funds for Kalmunai sports facilities, Eastern University, hospitals in Trincomalee and Ampara, a Trincomalee dockyard, Eastern infrastructure, Swami Vipulananda Institute, and a cardiology unit in Ampara. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that the Budget is not neoliberal, despite being framed within IMF-related constraints and the fiscal limits of the State Finance Management Act of 2024. She said the Budget reasserts the state’s role through major allocations for social protection, education, health, and public investment, including Rs. 749 billion for social protection and about Rs. 1.9 trillion combined for education, health and welfare. She also cited proposed amendments to the Electricity Act to halt privatization and changes to strengthen the Paddy Marketing Board’s role in the paddy market as evidence of increased state intervention. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha JJB AI summary Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha argued that the Budget is based on “economic democracy” rather than classical liberalism, social liberalism, state-controlled socialism, or neoliberalism. He said the Government will neither withdraw from the economy nor take it over entirely, but will intervene where necessary, including by taking a fair stake alongside private actors, cooperatives and foreign investors. He also defended planned recruitment of 30,000 public servants to fill essential vacancies and justified public sector wage increases as a response to long-neglected wages and rising living costs. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government’s first Budget as a departure from the JVP’s earlier anti-IMF and anti-neoliberal positions, arguing that it continues policies associated with the previous administration, including tax-based stabilization and market-oriented reforms. He questioned shifts in Government policy on India, the CEB, underutilized lands, free trade zones and investment boards, and alleged that the public had been misled about these changes. He also raised national security concerns following shootings and a killing inside a courthouse, calling for investigations into possible internal complicity and for stronger protection for judges and MPs. He further questioned the reduction of earlier promises to employ 35,000 graduates, including in teaching, IT and state services, to a 30,000-person youth employment scheme. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Ajith Gihan alleged that ministers from previous governments were involved in rackets and called for investigations into those allegations. He asked whether the government would take action against those found responsible. Oral Question: Foreign Employment and Worker Protection (Q.1/2025) Read →