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- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary The Minister stated that the Government has made rapid progress under the IMF programme, including reaching a Staff-level Agreement, advancing ISB restructuring, and securing broad creditor acceptance, including for Governance-linked Bonds. He argued that investor confidence has improved, citing stock market performance and foreign creditor participation, and said disclosures would be made to the London and Singapore Stock Exchanges. He also said a relief package for SMEs is being finalized following the parate execution period, and that the Government is reviewing debt obligations, swaps, litigation, credit rating implications, and banking sector impacts while preparing tax relief measures. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa moved an adjournment motion calling for transparency on the Government’s debt restructuring process, particularly the restructuring of International Sovereign Bonds and whether the new Government has altered or continued the previous IMF programme. He questioned the equity between domestic debt restructuring and ISB terms, citing the macro-linked bond mechanism, and demanded that the IMF staff-level agreement, ISB understanding, bilateral loan agreements, future debt obligations, swap details, and reserve adequacy be tabled in Parliament. He also raised concerns over delayed electricity and fuel price relief, reduced senior citizens’ deposit interest, fertilizer support, compensation promises, high prices, and promised tax changes, arguing that the Government should explain its position and honour its mandate. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa defended the Government’s plan to provide Rs. 6,000 for books and stationery to schoolchildren from Aswesuma and other financially distressed families, arguing that education should not depend on parental income. He also challenged claims to medical qualifications, stating that use of the title “doctor” requires SLMC registration under the Medical Ordinance and outlining the ERPM, internship and registration pathway for foreign medical graduates. He raised concerns over past payments from the President’s Fund to politicians and public figures, contrasting them with difficulties faced by ordinary patients, and questioned transparency in those disbursements. He further referred to spending by the Prime Minister’s Office medical unit and indicated that the current administration was reducing such expenditure. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna referred to a past change to the GCE (A/L) district quota in 2006, alleging it prevented his immediate entry to medical college despite his rank and led to two years of litigation before he entered in 2008. He criticized members of the Rajapaksa family for questioning others’ titles while, in his account, their actions caused him to spend 10 years completing medical studies. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said the supplementary allocation presented by the Prime Minister as Minister of Education is intended to help children from Aswesuma-recipient families purchase educational materials, with consideration for other hardship cases as well. He argued that the measure responds to wider shortages in schools, including lack of teachers, facilities and administrators, and said no child should be treated unfairly. He also raised allegations concerning Namal Rajapaksa’s Law College examination and later university application, calling for an investigation and justice in relation to alleged misuse of political influence. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 REASSESSMENT OF SECURITY PROVIDED TO FORMER PRESIDENTS: STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS — The Hon. Ananda Wijepala AI summary The Minister stated that security for former Presidents is being reassessed under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, which requires “adequate security” but does not prescribe numbers. He said the Government is implementing recommendations of the Chitrasiri Committee to base such security on formal threat assessments, describing the process as standardization and removal of excess personnel rather than a targeted reduction against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He detailed current security deployments and reported that Rs. 1,448 million had been spent in 2024 on security and related maintenance for former Presidents and a former First Lady, arguing that public expenditure must be aligned with assessed need. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake described the forced cremation of COVID-19 victims as a communal crime justified through misused scientific claims, causing severe distress to Muslim families and forcing some to transport bodies long distances to Ottamavadi at significant cost. He said the issue went beyond administrative action and involved political decisions, and stated that the Government would consider legal and governmental measures, within the law, to hold those responsible accountable. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem objected to the appointment of a committee member involved in an allegedly wrongful and unscientific decision as Acting Chief Epidemiologist. He urged the Ministry of Health to avoid appointing such individuals and to conduct a departmental inquiry, with penalties for those found responsible. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya criticized the previous Government’s pandemic-era decision affecting funeral and religious practices, stating it was insensitive, cruel, and lacked scientific basis. She said the current Government would not permit decisions that disrespect any community’s traditions or protect officials who act unscientifically or oppressively. She added that the affected community deserves redress and that the Government is prepared to discuss appropriate measures without causing further trauma or politicizing the issue. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa said that the decision-making committee during the COVID-19 period was established and operated under political pressure. He argued that advice from Health Ministry officials and medical specialists was not given sufficient weight, and that scientific concerns raised by officials were overridden by higher political considerations. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman questioned the appointment of Dr. Anil Jasinghe as Secretary to the Health Ministry, in the context of the former Government’s mandatory cremation policy for COVID-19 deaths despite WHO guidance. He said Dr. Jasinghe had previously described the policy as a Health Ministry decision and accepted responsibility, and asked the Minister to clarify how such an official was appointed after acknowledging the country should be ashamed of that decision. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned why Ministry and Central Bank officials travelled to Washington for an IMF meeting when approval had reportedly been granted to hold it via Zoom. He alleged that about USD 6,000 was spent, including business class travel contrary to a circular requiring economy class, and asked why public funds were used for travel and accommodation when the meeting could have been conducted online. Oral Question: IMF Delegation Expenses in Washington DC (Q.96/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary The CID has completed investigations and a case is before court with charges filed and accused persons named. Wasantha Samarasinghe said there appear to be political links to the accused and stated that, if the investigation is not properly conducted, steps will be taken to ensure it is, while emphasizing that punishment is a matter for the courts. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that Sathosa had conducted an inquiry into the alleged fraud and that a related criminal case was before the Welisara Court, limiting what could be disclosed in Parliament due to sub judice considerations. He said the available information indicated irregular pricing instructions, including sales at Rs. 135 despite a Sathosa price of Rs. 355, and argued that such actions would have required political direction, calling for action against the responsible political authority. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Minister’s position on alleged irregularities involving a Ministry and the BOG, arguing that accusations of fraud, bribery and political involvement had been made by the current government while in Opposition. He asked whether action would now depend only on a court finding and challenged the Minister to accept or deny the earlier allegations, noting the apparent shift from promises of prosecutions to saying there was no political connection. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Minister regarding alleged losses and commissions linked to a white onion fraud, arguing that arbitrary pricing decisions may have enabled such commissions. He asked whether investigations had identified those who received commissions and whether any political authority was directly connected to the matter. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the handling of stocks released from the Port to Sathosa, arguing that the gap between Sathosa’s fixed price and the market price indicated possible embezzlement or theft. He asked why those allegedly identified in relevant files had not been promptly arrested and illustrated his concern with an example of imported rice being bought at a lower cost and sold at a much higher maximum retail price. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri criticized a Minister over alleged administrative misconduct, including a file relating to the leasing of a building. He suggested the Minister should be ashamed and indicated he was closely watching the matter. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri referred to 400 files reportedly prepared by the Opposition and specifically mentioned a file concerning alleged white onion fraud. He stated that the answer regarding that matter was still unknown and raised it for clarification in the House. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri questioned Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe over his earlier opposition claim that he possessed 400 files on alleged fraud, including the white onion case. He said the current proceedings appeared to rely only on a Sathosa complaint and urged Samarasinghe to disclose the names and evidence he had previously claimed to have, so that the Minister of Justice could act against those responsible. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →