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- 22 January 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar welcomed the Clean Sri Lanka programme if it addresses substantive failures, but urged it to investigate alleged fiscal fraud, citing reports of around Rs. 5 billion in unpaid VAT and levies on imported crude coconut oil refined and sold locally after the VAT exemption ended on 1 January 2024. He referred to correspondence involving the Fiscal Policy Department, Inland Revenue Department, and Sena Mills Refineries, and asked that tax enforcement be applied as seriously as other clean-up efforts. He also argued that following the Public Utilities Commission’s 20 per cent reduction in electricity tariffs, water tariffs should be reduced because they had previously been increased in response to electricity price hikes. On Meethotamulla, he accepted that relocation may be necessary for UDA development land but criticised the manner of evictions, water disconnections, and unaffordable rehousing terms, requesting UDA housing in Kolonnawa with a lower initial payment and instalment scheme for affected low-income families. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana questioned the status of land in Ambalanthota, Kaduwela, stating that plots reserved for common purposes and public amenities had allegedly been released to private individuals and developed with buildings. He alleged misuse and corruption involving the Land Reform Commission and asked what action would be taken to recover the land, conduct an official site inspection, identify those responsible, and restore the land for public use. Oral Question: Lands Released from Land Reform Commission to Dharmayathana Protection Council (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana raised concerns that lands vested in the Land Reform Commission under the Land Reform Commission Act, No. 01 of 1972, and later managed by the JEDB and SPC, had been re-allocated without LRC concurrence. He referred to a CID investigation into a land in Kataragama linked to G. Rajapaksa and noted recent Government decisions to halt further LRC reallocations and establish an Auditor General’s office within the LRC. He asked what urgent measures were being taken to begin full investigations and act quickly on irregularities in LRC land administration. Oral Question: Lands Released from Land Reform Commission to Dharmayathana Protection Council (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran argued that pending writ applications do not prevent the Government from granting relief to a Divisional Secretariat that has operated for over 30 years with Cabinet approval. He questioned why full powers cannot be granted despite unresolved boundary issues, noting that other DS Divisions function similarly, and raised concern that a permanent Accountant has not been appointed despite a cadre post being created in 2019. Oral Question: Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat Status (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran challenged the Minister’s response regarding Kalmunai North, stating that it had been upgraded as a full Divisional Secretariat by Cabinet decision in 1993 and had functioned for decades with its own GN divisions, staff, Divisional Secretary, and buildings. He asked whether any Ministry Secretary or Government Agent had authority, or Cabinet approval, to downgrade it to a sub-Divisional Secretariat or place it under Kalmunai South, particularly while related court cases were pending. He also questioned why Kalmunai North alone was treated differently when other Divisional Secretariats operate without finalized boundaries, and sought clarification on whether the change was politically motivated or would deny residents administrative services. Oral Question: Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat Status (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath - Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that although Cabinet approved in 1993 the conversion of 28 Assistant Government Agent offices, including Kalmunai North, into Divisional Secretariats, Kalmunai North has continued to function only as a sub-office under the Kalmunai Divisional Secretariat. He said no Divisional Secretary post has been approved, only an Assistant Divisional Secretary post exists, and no decision or attempt has been made to downgrade the office. He added that DS Division boundaries are gazetted by the relevant Ministry based on Cabinet decisions, and noted that three related writ cases are pending before the Court of Appeal. Oral Question: Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat Status (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government about the status of the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat, citing its establishment and Cabinet-approved upgrading in 1993 and its operation as an independent division for over 34 years. He sought clarification on reported attempts to downgrade it to a sub-office of Kalmunai South, including whether any Cabinet decision exists, whether the relevant Cabinet Paper would be tabled, the basis and legal authority for such a downgrade, and whether officials can override a Cabinet decision. Oral Question: Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat Status (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe said the Land Reform Commission lacks reliable records on the extent, leasing, and current status of its lands, creating irregularities and requiring institutional regularization. He stated that the failed organic fertilizer project funded through the LRC is under inquiry following Cabinet decisions, though the committee’s work has been slow. He also said a committee is reviewing LRC land grants from 2015 onward, new land alienations have been suspended for three months, and legal action will be considered where wrongdoing is found. Oral Question: Lands Owned by Land Reform Commission - Fraudulent Acquisition (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara questioned the lack of accurate records on the total extent of land held by the Land Reform Commission and asked for a study to be conducted and reported to Parliament. He raised concerns over alleged irregularities involving LRC-funded compost fertilizer projects, especially in Anuradhapura, and the alienation of LRC lands to associates, retired military officers, and businessmen. He asked whether the Government, given its anti-corruption pledges, would investigate these matters and take action against those responsible. Oral Question: Lands Owned by Land Reform Commission - Fraudulent Acquisition (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation to provide details on the establishment date and objectives of the Land Reform Commission. He also sought confirmation on whether the Minister is aware of alleged fraudulent acquisition of Commission-owned lands by individuals or institutions, and requested information on measures being taken to protect those lands. Oral Question: Lands Owned by Land Reform Commission - Fraudulent Acquisition (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned whether consignments were released without political influence, asking specifically if the Opposition or any other party had exerted pressure in the matter. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines Profit/Loss and Customs Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Deputy Minister about reports that more than 200 red-labelled containers at the port had been released despite Customs’ role in screening cargo and levying duties under the Finance Ministry. He asked whether the release followed a directive from the President as Finance Minister or from the Deputy Minister, noting public allegations of political influence and concerns raised by Customs officers. Oral Question: SriLankan Airlines Profit/Loss and Customs Operations (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi questioned the implementation of the Lunugamwehera project, citing allegations that vested interests outweighed public needs under the previous Government. He noted deficiencies in elephant protection centres, including in Kolonna, Ratnapura and Udawalawe, where basic resources were lacking despite their tourism importance. He asked whether the Minister had identified new programmes and approaches for elephant conservation or would continue with existing plans and officials. Oral Question: Wild Elephant Detention Centre in Lunugamwehera (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara said the Clean Sri Lanka programme had a laudable concept, including environmental cleanliness and anti-corruption, but argued that its scope was unclear and too broad, causing inconsistent statements and implementation problems. He criticized what he described as performative enforcement actions affecting buses and three-wheelers, and urged the Government to proceed methodically through administrative mechanisms. He also alleged that the programme’s new task force and council structures could sideline legally established local authorities and District Coordinating Committees, and warned against using Clean Sri Lanka to build parallel political structures or consolidate party influence. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB AI summary Hon. Chathura Galappaththi said he supported the objectives of the Clean Sri Lanka programme but questioned the absence of a concrete implementation plan, follow-up mechanisms, and clear operational targets. He proposed practical measures such as sustained monitoring of illegal dumping points using school environmental brigades, scouts, and environmental police, and argued that implementation should rely on existing local authority structures rather than new ad hoc village committees. Citing Singapore’s Green Plan and India’s Swachh Bharat Mission, he said successful cleanliness programmes require structured plans, targets, and statutory grounding. He also raised concerns about the local government electoral system, supported a return to proportional representation, and urged action on the cost-of-living and rice supply issues, including reviving a low-cost mechanized rice storage system piloted in 2012. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme as a broad social, ethical, environmental, economic and political transformation, rather than a limited clean-up or road safety initiative, and said it has a plan, vision and roadmap with public participation. He argued that the Government inherited bankruptcy, social breakdown and crime, and said the Police have been depoliticized and are acting under the rule of law to address corruption, organized crime and road safety. He cited recent reductions in daily road accident deaths, the high public health burden of accidents, and arrests linked to organized crime, including members of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Security Department, as evidence of ongoing enforcement efforts. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the NPP Government has not issued any new liquor licences and said many existing licences were granted during the final months of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s administration. He explained that once issued legally, such licences cannot be cancelled by force but may be addressed through lawful administrative and social measures, which he offered to discuss separately. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera defended the National People’s Power Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme as a five-year effort to rebuild the country through physical, environmental, social and moral reform. He argued that previous administrations had damaged public ethics, health, the environment and governance, and said the programme would address corruption, profiteering, narcotics networks and other harmful practices. He rejected Opposition criticism of the programme, cited the dispute over the cost of its launch ceremony, and called on MP Chamara Sampath to resign if the Government’s stated cost of Rs. 900,000 was correct. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka urged the Government to act without mismanagement and to fulfil pledges made during its election campaign. He specifically called for swift legal action against major fraudsters, those implicated in the Central Bank bond scam, and cases referred to in the alleged 400 corruption files. He also asked the Government to deliver promised reductions in electricity tariffs and fuel prices by curbing ministerial commissions. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka SJB AI summary Hon. Suranga Rathnayaka urged the Government to take stronger action to eliminate opportunities for bribery and address alleged mismanagement. He cited the continuing rice crisis, repeated failures in tenders to import rice, and delays in providing the fertilizer subsidy as examples of administrative failure requiring urgent attention. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →