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- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa rejected allegations that his party promotes or supports underworld activity, stating that it opposes murder, robbery and corruption. He asked that the Inspector General of Police be directed to investigate those involved in such activities and bring them before the law, pledging his party’s support for such action. Clarifications and Supplementary Questions; Matters of Order and Privilege Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested an urgent Government statement on SriLankan Airlines’ finances, restructuring path, and the Rs. 25.3 billion recapitalization in the context of IMF EFF commitments on SOE commercialization and reducing fiscal risks. He sought details on the airline’s going-concern status, debt composition, recapitalization structure and budget approval, annual profits and losses of the airline and related subsidiaries from 2021 to 2025, and the share of tourist arrivals carried by SriLankan. He also asked the Government to explain operational weaknesses such as loss-making routes and staffing levels, outline planned reforms, and disclose projected fiscal exposure over the next three years, including guarantees, leases, refinancing risks, and consistency with fiscal consolidation targets. Question by Private Notice: Current Status of SriLankan Airlines Restructure Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Following the arrest of “Podda” Padme and several underworld figures, investigations are continuing, including examination of about 30 mobile phones. Information from devices and statements suggests links between the suspects and certain politicians, into whom investigations have begun with statements being recorded. A comprehensive statement is to be made after the investigations conclude. Oral Question: Drug Raids and Asset Seizures (Q.1649/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Hon. Ravindra Bandara asked for an update on investigations into alleged links among the underworld, narcotics networks, and politics. Referring to the arrest of “Podda” Padme and others, he specifically sought the current progress regarding any political connections uncovered. Oral Question: Drug Raids and Asset Seizures (Q.1649/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ravindra Bandara AI summary Ravindra Bandara asked for immediate disclosure, under items (a)(ii) and (a)(iii), of the total value of seized or suspended assets and the names of their owners, stating that the information would be useful to the House. Oral Question: Drug Raids and Asset Seizures (Q.1649/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked why approximately 42 corruption-related cases, allegedly withdrawn against powerful individuals including former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, had not been refiled despite a presidential election promise. He questioned whether the delay was due to fear, political arrangements, or other obstacles. Oral Question: Three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court (Q.1/1206/2024) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera referred to the 2018 Judicature Amendment and the establishment of Permanent High Courts-at-Bar for day-to-day trials in serious cases, stating that such references are made on the gravity of offences with the Chief Justice’s approval. He questioned why the part-heard case against former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over alleged use of public funds for his parents’ memorial, withdrawn during his presidency due to immunity, has not been recommenced after that immunity ended. He asked whether the Government has discussed the matter with the Attorney-General and what steps will be taken to re-file and proceed with the case. Oral Question: Three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court (Q.1/1206/2024) Read →
- 20 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration for details on the legal basis, commencement date, case backlog, concluded cases, and annual filings of the three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court in Colombo. He also sought clarification on whether the court’s anti-corruption proceedings had become defunct and what steps were being taken to expedite bribery, financial crime, and corruption cases. Oral Question: Three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court (Q.1/1206/2024) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha argued that media reporting on gas shortages and queues should not be treated as the problem, and said the priority should be identifying and resolving the underlying issue. He tabled a letter from the Association of Sri Lankan Divisional Secretaries and Assistant Divisional Secretaries to Minister Lal Kantha alleging undue political influence over land duties by Rukmal Jayawira, a Coordinating Secretary to the State Minister for Lands and Highways, and requested that the matter be investigated. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the amendments to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the Judicature Act, arguing that drug trafficking and dependence had expanded through political protection, weakened rule of law, and organized networks. He cited increased arrests and raids in 2025 compared with 2019, and said the Government is pursuing a whole-of-nation anti-drug effort through district and local operations councils involving security forces, police, officials, and political authorities. He linked the drug problem to poverty and said programmes such as Aswesuma, the “Praja Shakthi” national mission, Clean Sri Lanka, digitization, and “Rata Ma Ekata” are intended to support poverty eradication, rehabilitation, and institutional reform. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Rishad Bathiudeen acknowledged the Government’s anti-drug efforts and the President’s stated firmness, but questioned whether ministers were acting consistently and without racial bias. He cited funds allocated under the previous government for Muslim refugee returnees in Jaffna—Rs. 80 million for resettlement and Rs. 40 million for road development—which he said were returned and not restored despite assurances. He urged the Government to stop discriminatory actions affecting returnee communities. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Sudath Balagalla JJB AI summary Hon. Sudath Balagalla argued that narcotics trafficking had expanded under past political patronage and said the Government would further amend laws if needed to eradicate drugs, while dismantling related criminal networks and expanding rehabilitation for affected youth. He stated that since the Government took office, 51 tons of heroin and other narcotics had been seized, attributing this to the removal of political protection. He also outlined relief and reconstruction measures in Badulla District following the “Ditva” cyclone, including cash assistance to families and students, livestock compensation, industry support, concessional credit, grants, and rebuilding fully damaged houses. He urged the Opposition to offer constructive, evidence-based criticism rather than “mudslinging.” Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the Bill but argued that Sri Lanka must fully implement hydrographic control and charting to secure maritime safety and State revenue. He said the National Hydrographic Act, No. 7 of 2024, created the necessary offices, but the country still lacks deep-water charting equipment costing about USD 0.7 million. He alleged that past outsourcing through NARA allowed foreign private companies to collect navigation-related fees that should have gone to the Treasury, and urged the Government to fund the equipment immediately to enable collection of an estimated USD 51 million annually from vessels entering Sri Lankan waters. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Bhagya Sri Herath said the Opposition supports the amendments to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the Judicature Act, arguing they will strengthen action against narcotics trafficking, including interdiction and prosecution beyond Sri Lankan territory and on the high seas. He linked the need for reform to past political protection of drug networks and said police action was previously constrained by political pressure, while maintaining that the current administration would not allow corruption or crime. He also clarified that DNA testing can be sought in maintenance cases where paternity is denied, and said drug policy must combine enforcement against traffickers with rehabilitation, sports, and public-space programmes to address addiction and reduce demand. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman, speaking during debate on the Judicature and dangerous drugs amendment Bills, questioned a 9 February 2026 Gazette requiring re-registration of pre-2019 SIM cards, arguing that telecom operators were already obliged under TRCSL licence conditions to retain customer identity data. He linked the issue to investigations into the killings and disappearances of Lasantha Wickrematunge, Wasim Thajudeen, Prageeth Ekneligoda, Sivaram and others, saying missing telecom data had affected those cases and asking whether the Gazette would enable operators to avoid responsibility. He urged the Government to take legal action against operators if they failed to maintain required records, rather than create a process that could undermine prosecutions, and called on the President to honour campaign promises on these cases. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama supported the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment) Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, linking them to the Government’s mandate to restore rule of law and reform justice institutions. He argued that past governance had allowed criminal networks and drug trafficking to penetrate state institutions, and said the Government was improving judicial infrastructure, recruitment, investigations, policing, prisons, and rehabilitation. He noted severe prison overcrowding and said Budget allocations would support modernization and rehabilitation, while further legal reforms would be presented by December. He also highlighted the “The Whole Nation Together” anti-drug programme and Public Security Committees in all 14,022 Grama Niladhari divisions as part of a community-based response to drugs. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister tabled responses on the suspension of debt repayments, stating it was approved by the former President and former Finance Minister, with Parliament apprised, and noting that a related Fundamental Rights application was dismissed by the Supreme Court. He said there was no constitutional violation and referred to the Public Debt Management Act, No. 33 of 2024, and the Public Financial Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, as part of the current debt and fiscal framework. He also stated that the IMF Extended Fund Facility was requested and approved in March 2023 without prior submission to Parliament, but that the current Government had renegotiated elements of the programme, including tax relief, support for local industries, protection of social spending, increased welfare allowances, and further talks to accommodate cyclone-related spending needs. Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the April 2022 interim debt standstill was recommended by the Central Bank’s Monetary Board and announced by the Ministry of Finance in response to depleted reserves and external debt servicing difficulties. He said the decision was approved by the then President and Minister of Finance, later ratified by Cabinet, and Parliament was informed on 4 May 2022 during discussions on the economic situation and IMF negotiations. He added that the Central Bank had previously reported the country’s precarious financial position to former Finance Ministers under the Monetary Law Act, and that subsequent debt restructuring and IMF-related agreements were approved by successive Finance Ministers. Statement and Procedural: Legal Basis of Financial Bankruptcy Declaration and Standing Order Debate Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. T.K. Jayasundara JJB AI summary Hon. T.K. Jayasundara thanked the Deputy Minister for the response and proposed establishing a regular coordinating mechanism in Galle, under the District Coordinating Committee Chair and Secretary, to discuss and prioritize sites identified for archaeological evaluation. He asked whether any legal barrier exists to forming such a committee and proceeding at district level. Oral Question: Firearms Review and Archaeological Heritage (Q.7-1717/2025) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the issues concerning economic centre management fall under his Ministry and involve procurement and management decisions, including irregular construction practices, unaccounted payments, and audit queries linked to earlier work by officials who are no longer in post. He stated that the Ministry will provide written clarification on ongoing actions. He added that NAMSL has been legally established, with board appointments made under Cabinet approval and relevant criteria, to manage Sri Lanka’s economic centres properly. Oral Question: Kaduruwela Market Complex (Q.) Read →