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- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya supports the new regulations under the IP Act as measures connected to upholding the rule of law. He recalled the 2009 assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge and related attacks, stating that investigations under the 2015 Yahapalana Government, led by senior CID officers, uncovered evidence allegedly linking members of an unofficial State-backed armed group and police officers to the crimes and to the suppression of evidence. He argued that sufficient evidence had emerged to prosecute serious offences, including destruction or disappearance of evidence connected to a homicide and links to the abduction and intimidation of Wickrematunge’s driver. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Government’s credibility while debating trade-related regulations intended to protect domestic industry, arguing that its current actions contradict positions taken while in Opposition, including on oil tanks, foreign relations, bar licences, and the Arjuna Mahendran issue. He said the Opposition would support lawful measures to recover improperly paid compensation and other funds for the State, but demanded consistent action rather than rhetoric. He also raised concerns about a contract allegedly awarded despite an invalid bond and unfinished prior work, and criticized Government MPs for accepting parliamentary insurance benefits while publicly condemning the use of public funds. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that the military continues to act with a wartime, anti-Tamil mindset, citing the construction of the Thissa Viharaya in Thyiddi on land he said was confirmed at District Coordinating Committee meetings to be privately owned and built without legal process. He demanded that the Government uphold the rule of law and address the alleged illegality, calling it a test of its commitment not to pursue discriminatory policies. He also raised concerns over reported plans to acquire more land to extend the Palaly Airport runway, arguing that sufficient land exists within the current High Security Zone and that any proposal should be discussed with Jaffna MPs and affected residents. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa listed compensation payments allegedly made from public funds to 43 politicians and former officials for property damage during the Aragalaya period, stating that the total exceeded Rs. 1.224 billion. He argued that these payments reflected abuse of power and contrasted them with the difficulties ordinary citizens face in obtaining disaster or crop-damage compensation. He said the Government would continue exposing such practices, recover justice for public money, and redirect funds toward services such as health, education and transport. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Hon. Nalinda Jayathissa alleged misuse of state resources by politically powerful individuals, citing bar permits allegedly issued through proxies, President’s Fund payments taken by politicians, and compensation paid in 2022 for property damage. He said he would later disclose names linked to bar permits and questioned how large sums were obtained from funds intended for ordinary citizens. He read out a list of politicians and compensation amounts, arguing that these payments exceeded what ordinary disaster victims typically receive. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa rejected Opposition allegations of corruption against the government, stating that its actions were intended to ease burdens on the public. Referring to the day’s Geographical Indications regulations, he said the government was advancing long-delayed work to promote Sri Lankan products such as tea, cinnamon, pepper, minerals, and palmyrah products in global markets. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raised concerns about a power sector tender, alleging that a bidder whose techno-commercial proposal had been rejected for an unacceptable bid bond was improperly reconsidered and advanced despite the Procurement Committee’s decision. He questioned why the matter was not referred to the National Procurement Commission before appointing a Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee, and argued that tender procedures appeared to have been bent to favour Hayleys/Dhammika Perera. He urged the Government to cancel the tender, negotiate with the compliant lowest bidder if pricing was an issue, and said future LNG power arrangements, including any deal with Adani, would be closely scrutinized for rates and procedural integrity. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka alleged that 27 containers of imported hydrated lime for water treatment had chromium levels of 14 mg/kg, exceeding the permitted 10 mg/kg standard, despite required pre-shipment and local testing protocols. He said the material had been sent to the Ratmalana, Galle, and Ambatale water treatment plants and claimed the National Water Supply and Drainage Board had sought to relax the relevant standard instead of re-exporting the shipment. He tabled laboratory reports and called on Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe to investigate, re-export the containers, and disclose who benefited from the transaction. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the Government’s conduct after receiving a large parliamentary majority, referring to public discontent over cost-of-living issues and remarks made by the President in Kankesanthurai. He objected to actions or rhetoric concerning former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence, challenged the Government to proceed with any legal cases, and alleged unequal treatment of officials. He also complained that he had been unfairly interrupted in the debate while Ministers who made false statements were being protected. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake objected to interruptions and requested the Chair to allow him to continue speaking, saying he was responding to remarks made on the 21st. He challenged allegations against him, referring to files allegedly taken to the Bribery Commission through named individuals, and stated that if there are accusations, cases should be filed rather than merely discussed. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister responded to allegations by stating he was prepared to answer and asserted that complaints involving the Hon. Member, including alleged fraud linked to fundraising for school bags and other matters, were before the Bribery Commission and would be pursued. He referred to a past letter of demand seeking Rs. 500 million, saying he had replied inviting legal action and that no case had been filed. He also stated that an alleged fraud relating to Eppawala phosphate stocks was under CID investigation, with part of the remarks expunged by order of the Chair. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri rejected Opposition allegations that the NPP promotes hostility, arguing that its recent presidential and general election victories were achieved without post-election violence. He said the Government’s actions were directed at corruption and the recovery of wealth allegedly stolen from the people, not political revenge, and criticized Opposition parties for uniting only when legal action is taken against corruption. Referring to the GI debate, he claimed past governance had tainted public institutions and local identities with corruption and abuse, and pledged that the NPP’s parliamentary majority would act with integrity in line with the public mandate. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that the Cabinet sub-committee in question had been established under the previous Government, not the current one. He argued that the relevant issue was whether due procedure was followed, noting that the existence of Appeal Boards in the Guidelines showed that an appeals mechanism was intended and had functioned accordingly. Ministerial Statement: Wind Power Plant Tender Process in Mannar Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised concerns over a procurement decision, stating that the TEC/Procurement Committee’s final report of 2 September 2024 found the company had not met required substantiation and could not be awarded the contract. He alleged that this finding was bypassed and that a politically composed Cabinet subcommittee was influenced to recommend awarding it to Dhammika Perera’s company. Ministerial Statement: Wind Power Plant Tender Process in Mannar Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised a point of order concerning a two-envelope tender process for a 50 MW project, arguing that Hayleys Fentons had initially been rejected on technical grounds and that its financial bid was opened only after a Procurement Appeal Board direction. He stated that, despite the Procurement Committee again finding the technical proposal non-responsive, the matter was approved by a Cabinet sub-committee after 1 November, and that a related court case was withdrawn following an undertaking to split the project into two 25 MW lots. He maintained that the issue was not the identity of the awardee but alleged violations of tender procedures, transparency, and the rule of law. Ministerial Statement: Wind Power Plant Tender Process in Mannar Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged that audit queries concerning public officials be treated consistently, arguing that there should not be different standards depending on the government in power. He cited audit issues involving Dr. Anil Jasinghe, former Secretary Mayadunne, the Paddy Marketing Board, and the Koralai Pattu Central Pradeshiya Sabha Secretary, and called for these matters to be tabled and examined alongside allegations against politicians. Oral Question: Sri Lanka National Hospital Procurement (Q.7/2024) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa responded that a charge sheet had been issued against Consultant Dr. Anil Jasinghe following an audit inquiry into food procurement for the Sri Lanka National Hospital in 2016/2017 and a preliminary investigation ordered by the Health Ministry Secretary. He stated that after a formal disciplinary inquiry and review under the Establishments Code, Dr. Jasinghe was acquitted and discharged of all charges, making the remaining parts of the question inapplicable. Oral Question: Sri Lanka National Hospital Procurement (Q.7/2024) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha rejected the attribution of responsibility to “previous governments,” stating that his Government had made significant progress within two years. He said a cheque had been issued before they left office within two months, and argued that responsibility for subsequent developments lay with the Government in power from 2020 onward. Oral Question: Bingiriya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara challenged the Minister’s claim on rice availability at maximum retail prices, saying many retail shops were not selling at those prices and citing uneven distribution of red Kakulu rice to co-operatives in Matara that caused queues and market distortions. He also questioned the Ministry’s handling of co-operatives, alleging that after Opposition victories in co-operative elections, Governors were appointing additional members under Section 60(a), and asked whether corrective action would be taken. Oral Question: Price Control of Rice Read →
- 6 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Presented the Committee on Public Finance report on regulations under the Intellectual Property Act relating to geographical indications, noting that such regulations must also come before the Committee when levies or fees are involved. He said the joint reporting process was intended to address concerns raised by the previous Parliament’s visa outsourcing matter involving GBS Technology Services and IVS Global-FZCO, where financial aspects had not initially come before the Committee. He referred to a 665-page committee report and a Supreme Court injunction connected to that issue, and urged that the matter be looked into further. Papers Presented Read →