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 March 2026 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary The Member supported increasing remuneration and pension benefits for CIABOC officers, including higher salaries for senior officials, but questioned whether the Commission was acting independently or being used to target the Opposition while ignoring allegations against the Government. He raised specific concerns about the handling of complaints relating to “Container 323,” Parliament officials, and energy procurement, including coal quality issues at Norochcholai, alleged tender irregularities, increased diesel use, and possible health impacts. He urged CIABOC to investigate these matters promptly and impartially, and also objected to Parliament being adjourned during a fuel crisis while district development meetings were scheduled on sitting days. Continuation of Debate: CIABOC Remuneration and Service Conditions Read →
- 17 March 2026 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam supported the resolution to strengthen the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, arguing that corruption and fraud were central causes of Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy and that the Commission needs adequate staffing and facilities, including 971 officers and salary provisions. He said the NPP Government is fulfilling its pledges, including the eradication of corruption, while managing economic recovery, natural disasters, refugee-related issues, and international humanitarian obligations. He also criticized the Opposition for alleged inconsistencies on issues such as the rescue of Iranian sailors and for lacking credibility on anti-corruption matters. Continuation of Debate: CIABOC Remuneration and Service Conditions Read →
- 17 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna rejected claims that his concerns about fuel shortages were personal, stating that he was raising the difficulties faced by tourist vehicle operators, three-wheeler drivers, and farmers, particularly in the North, who cannot manage travel or agricultural work with limited monthly fuel allocations. He questioned how farmers could function with 40 litres a month and urged the Government to address the practical impact of fuel distribution. He also asked what action had been taken on six corruption complaints he had filed, including allegations involving Rs. 30 million at Tellippalai Hospital and Rs. 17 million at Chavakachcheri Hospital, and called for investigations rather than only parliamentary discussion. Continuation of Debate: CIABOC Remuneration and Service Conditions Read →
- 17 March 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake said CIABOC had strengthened Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption standing and that the proposed remuneration and service-condition measures would give it greater recruitment capacity and operational independence, including plans for district-level offices. He defended the Government’s QR fuel measures as a response to war-related global disruption rather than bankruptcy, contrasting it with the previous crisis and stating that fuel supply, harvesting activities, and electricity generation were being managed without a need for power cuts. He also referred to the Government’s handling of an incident involving Iranian vessels, saying Sri Lanka acted in line with international law and humanitarian obligations while avoiding alignment with parties to the conflict. Continuation of Debate: CIABOC Remuneration and Service Conditions Read →
- 17 March 2026 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan supported the resolution on salaries and service conditions for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, arguing that it is necessary to implement the autonomous staffing model established by the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023. He outlined the Commission’s expanded mandate, new operational structure, enlarged multidisciplinary cadre, and proposed pay and allowance scheme intended to retain specialized staff and reduce vulnerability to corruption. He also raised concerns about vacancies, limited case filings, and alleged constraints on financial autonomy under the Public Finance Management Act, and proposed legal clarification, direct use of a Commission Fund, a hybrid staffing model, and safeguards against politically motivated transfers. Continuation of Debate: CIABOC Remuneration and Service Conditions Read →
- 17 March 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath said the Government is strengthening CIABOC by improving officers’ salaries, allowances and facilities to ensure independent action against bribery and corruption. He argued that the economic collapse resulted from past corruption and misuse of public funds, and rejected Opposition criticism that the Government had failed to manage recent crises, citing the response to the Ditcha cyclone and current global fuel pressures. He said measures had been taken to address farmers’ fuel needs and prevent fertilizer profiteering, including agreed urea prices of Rs. 9,500 per 50 kg bag through private firms and Rs. 9,000 through the State fertilizer company. Continuation of Debate: CIABOC Remuneration and Service Conditions Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera responded to Hon. Mujibur Rahuman’s remarks on prosecutions under the Yahapalana Government, stating that Rahuman and his colleagues were themselves part of that administration. He argued that responsibility for any actions or omissions during that period should be shared by those who participated in that Government. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman argued that anti-corruption institutions were strengthened under the 2015–2019 Yahapalanaya Government and further in 2023, and said current prosecutions should acknowledge those earlier reforms. He alleged unequal treatment in CIABOC processes, questioning why a Minister facing indictment was not handled like other suspects, and asked why CIABOC had not acted on complaints involving containers, wind power, salt and garlic tenders, and coal procurement. He said the coal issue had caused major losses, fuel diversion, and possible power cuts, and demanded transparency and the Minister’s removal. He also criticized the Government’s current association with Sri Lanka Cricket officials whom its leaders had previously condemned while in Opposition. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala said the Government’s policy is to strengthen CIABOC, the Police and the Attorney General’s Department as independent institutions, noting that operational guidelines had been issued for the anti-corruption law passed under the previous administration. He cited Sri Lanka’s improvement in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index and said CIABOC is being expanded from a Colombo-centred structure to 24 district offices with around 973 staff. Responding to Opposition allegations, he stated that cases, including against a government Minister, would proceed without political protection, and said complaints on procurement or corruption should be pursued through CIABOC, the CID and the Attorney General’s Department. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna said the Opposition supports anti-corruption action and the Anti-Corruption Act, but argued that CIABOC must act independently on both past and current allegations, including complaints concerning the Speaker and officials. He alleged that the Government was protecting “new thieves,” particularly in relation to coal procurement, and questioned why a Minister facing allegations remained in office. He linked coal and fuel management failures to higher electricity tariffs, diesel use, fuel price increases, and problems with the QR system, while demanding tax reductions and relief for the public. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. Chandana Thennakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Thennakoon supported the resolution on remuneration and service conditions for CIABOC under the Anti-Corruption Act, arguing that stronger pay structures, risk and performance allowances, and 971 recruitments are needed to attract specialist investigators in fields such as accounting, banking, engineering, and ICT. He said the Government intends to decentralize anti-corruption work to district level and stressed that political will is necessary for the Act’s effective implementation. He also linked the reforms to past corruption allegations and economic shortages, noting an improvement in Sri Lanka’s Corruption Perceptions Index ranking as evidence of institutional activation. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that LPG and fuel shortages resulted from failures in procurement, storage management, and contingency planning rather than solely from global conditions. He cited non-compliance by an LPG supplier, failure to maintain buffer stocks or collect penalties, underutilized fuel storage, and declining CPC fuel reserves, warning of risks to power generation and fuel supply after April 23 if no firm plan is implemented. He also called on the Government to take responsibility and act on unresolved allegations against National Transport Commission directors following the Priyasath Dep inquiry. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera stated that, as Chair of COPE, he operates strictly within the Committee’s mandate in overseeing audit observations concerning 457 State enterprises. He emphasized that his actions are informed and procedurally grounded. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara welcomed measures to strengthen CIABOC, including improved salaries, recruitment, and district-level anti-corruption programmes, while urging the Commission to act impartially on allegations against senior parliamentary officials. He raised concerns that complaints against the Speaker had not produced visible action, cited provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act relating to media responses by persons facing allegations, and requested action over interviews conducted within Parliament premises. He also referred to an alleged attempt to submit a Cabinet paper regarding the Speaker, and questioned the handling of a coal procurement controversy, including comments by the COPE Chair and technical issues at the Norochcholai power plant. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah supported determining proper remuneration and service conditions for CIABOC officers, arguing that independence, resources, and effective implementation of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2023 are essential to combat corruption and rebuild public trust. He cited Sri Lanka’s improved Transparency International ranking, past losses such as the 2020 sugar scam, and proposed reforms including a beneficial ownership register, digitized public services, and whistleblower protections. He also addressed fuel supply concerns, attributing current constraints to Middle East conflict rather than domestic shortages, and said the Government would maintain supplies for essential sectors while discouraging hoarding and misinformation. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised concerns over alleged substandard imported coal, citing committee discussions in which officials acknowledged environmental damage, risks to turbines, increased reliance on oil-based power generation, higher tariffs, and possible power cuts, and called for the President and relevant authorities to intervene. He argued that Parliament should continue meeting during national crises and proposed that the President, Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, and party leaders meet to discuss a way forward. He also requested action on disputes affecting farmers in Gal Oya, Hingurakgoda, where Wildlife Department action has halted cultivation, and on alleged improper silt removal and sand mining around Pimburattawa tank in Dimbulagala affecting farmers and fishers. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera stated that taxes were necessary to maintain uninterrupted fuel supplies and meet large debt obligations under IMF-related arrangements, while seeking to avoid undue burdens on the public. He said Government decisions were taken collectively and not for private gain, contrasting this with past mismanagement, theft, waste, and corruption. He argued that current technical shortcomings should not be labelled as fraud and said the priority should be easing public pressure arising from global conditions. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Nishantha Samaraweera supported the determination of remuneration and service conditions for CIABOC officers under Section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act, stating that strengthening anti-corruption institutions is necessary to address bribery, corruption, waste, theft, and fraud. He rejected Opposition claims about LPG and fuel shortages, arguing that Sri Lanka has adequate LPG stocks for March, that current supply issues stem partly from a private importer failing to bring in its share, and that the tender-based change of supplier followed proper procedure. He also said fuel queue management was introduced as a technical, temporary response to global tensions, with over 5 million users registered, and accused the Opposition of spreading public anxiety while the Government manages inherited debt obligations. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka called for CIABOC to be strengthened while remaining independent and non-partisan, alleging lack of progress on complaints relating to container, coal, rice, onion and salt frauds and urging priority attention to a complaint against the Speaker. He questioned the handling of a fertilizer-related Fundamental Rights case involving the Minister of Power and Energy, suggesting procedural irregularities. He also warned of an impending fuel supply risk, arguing that the Government had failed to assess the impact of Middle East crude supply disruptions and had not secured sufficient April diesel and petrol cargoes, with diesel availability further strained by power generation needs. He demanded transparent and timely fuel procurement and equal, prompt investigations into major corruption complaints. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 The Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Bribery and corruption were described as undermining public service quality, public trust, merit-based administration, investment, and the rule of law. The speech supported strengthening the legal and institutional framework under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, alongside digitalization measures expected to reduce corruption opportunities within three years. It urged approval of a Motion to finalize CIABOC’s staffing structure, remuneration, and conditions, including 971 positions and an expansion of investigators to 377, to enable the Commission to function effectively and independently. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →