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- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe criticized the Government for failing to reduce VAT or essential goods prices while, according to him, increasing official privileges and foreign travel. He cited reports on rising food insecurity, weak cyclone reconstruction funding, and Sri Lanka’s position in corruption perception rankings to argue that economic hardship and governance concerns persist. He contrasted current growth figures with those under the previous administration, claiming growth is driven mainly by vehicle imports and taxation rather than investment, and accused the JVP-led Government of reversing earlier positions on strikes, India, and the United States. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath defended the Government’s approach to governance, arguing that it is based on participation, transparency, collective responsibility and fulfillment of Budget commitments, while criticizing the Opposition for persistent criticism and for opposing measures such as abolishing MPs’ pensions. He highlighted Government initiatives including planned housing programmes, 1,000 houses for children leaving care, 1,000 houses for parents who have offered a child to the Sangha, and a preventive public health agenda. He also cited Cabinet approval of LKR 6,000 million for a new hospital in Deniyaya due to landslide risks and said health and education facilities would be planned according to population and geography rather than political considerations. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa challenged the Government’s handling of the National Commission on Women, arguing that it had been placed under the relevant Ministry despite its intended independence and citing the resignation of its Chairperson over staffing, administrative control, and lack of access to senior officials. He tabled Gazette and Appropriation Act documents, questioned delays in funding and operationalizing the Commission, and argued that the proposed Rs. 50 million allocation for 2026 was insufficient compared with the requested Rs. 150 million. He also complained that Opposition questions on education, university administration, acting principal appointments, teacher recruitment, and archaeology were being disallowed, stating that this restricted parliamentary scrutiny. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena argued that Sri Lanka must overcome long-standing “arrears” in human and physical development caused by racism and poor governance, and said the Government would not allow renewed communal divisions. Responding in the context of regulations under the Special Commodity Levy Act, the Customs Ordinance, and the Motor Traffic Act, he said the Government had delivered political reforms within its first year, including reducing executive and ministerial privileges and abolishing MPs’ pensions, while allowing independent anti-corruption institutions to function. He cited improvements in the Corruption Perceptions Index and record or high figures for the 2025 current account surplus, remittances, exports, FDI, tourism receipts, and state revenue collections as evidence of economic stabilization under the NPP Government. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa questioned the Government over alleged forged passports taken from a Ministry, the release of 323 containers from the port, and specifically two cocaine-linked containers reportedly taken to Mideniya, asking who authorized their release. He argued that such a release could not have occurred without written authorization and asked whether it came from the President, the Minister in charge of Police, or the IGP. He also urged the Government to listen to trade unions and doctors and called for a fair and effective programme to address rising underworld violence and national security concerns. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana rejected claims that he had not contacted the Fisheries Minister regarding protesting stilt fishers, stating that he spoke to the Minister through a fisherman’s phone and demanding verification and a solution for their grievances. He criticized the Government over alleged unfulfilled promises, investigations, and what he described as attempts to blame stilt fishers for coral damage. He also accused the Government of pursuing political vendettas, cited public dissatisfaction and recent killings as evidence of governance failures, and called for Provincial Council elections if the Government believes it retains public support. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva criticised the Government’s continued use of Special Commodity Levies on 62 essential foods, arguing that they should apply only during harvest periods and that current policy raises consumer prices contrary to election pledges on VAT and tax relief. He questioned the Government’s consistency on agricultural support, citing stalled cold storage facilities, taxes on agricultural equipment, and wider para-tariffs affecting housing materials. He also demanded action on governance commitments linked to the IMF programme, including a clear position on the IVS–VFS e-visa issue and the delayed Procurement Law, while alleging unequal enforcement in corruption-related cases. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act and Related Orders (Main Business) Read →
- 18 February 2026 Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticized a political group for allegedly reversing its earlier opposition to military involvement by now supporting the use of the army in mosquito-control activities. He argued that the group had previously spread fears about militarization, India, foreign countries, and investors, and accused it of political inconsistency, including changing its stance toward Indian leaders. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act and Related Orders (Main Business) Read →
- 18 February 2026 Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticized President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s stated pledge to end family politics, alleging that political relationships and family ties are still reflected in parliamentary representation. He used examples such as spouses, parents and children, and personal relationships to question whether the promise of ending nepotism has been upheld. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act and Related Orders (Main Business) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa – Leader of the Opposition AI summary Sajith Premadasa disputed the Minister’s response on the National Commission on Women, stating that the Commission had in fact been gazetted and that budgetary provision could have been made through a Supplementary Estimate after its establishment. He questioned the Government’s prior statements to CEDAW that operationalization was complete and argued that the appointment of the Ministry Secretary as Executive Director should have been handled by the Commission and its Chair, raising concerns about the Commission’s independence. Procedural: Ministry Statement and Standing Order Clarification Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary The Member stated that the FCID is handling a complaint dating back to 2019, noting that the unit had previously been inactive and was only recently reinstated and regularized. He said investigations are progressing quickly, key issues have been identified, and directions will be given to expedite further action. Oral Question: Gampaha Sanasa Development Bank Complaints (1751/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage raised a supplementary question regarding over 200 complaints against the Gampaha Sanasa enterprise and further complaints involving the private GDC entity, alleging fraud exceeding Rs. 1,000 million. He noted the involvement of several agencies, including the UDA and the Department of Cooperatives, in relation to a 676-shop complex and asked what steps the Ministry would take to expedite FCID investigations. Oral Question: Gampaha Sanasa Development Bank Complaints (1751/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that 207 complaints had been received regarding Gampaha Sanasa-related entities, including 203 at the Gampaha Police Station and 4 at the FCID, mostly concerning non-repayment of deposits and alleged financial irregularities from 2019 onward. He said some complaints had been mediated or referred for civil action, while several larger matters involving alleged fraud, misappropriation and deposit losses amounting to hundreds of millions of rupees had been referred to the Attorney-General or remained under investigation. He also noted that related issues are affected by Appeal Court case No. CA/WRT/59/20 and that investigations into Gampaha Development Company’s alleged failure to transfer title for shop units after collecting over Rs. 1.1 billion are continuing before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court. Oral Question: Gampaha Sanasa Development Bank Complaints (1751/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Lasith Bhashana Gamage asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to report whether police complaints had been lodged by depositors of the Gampaha Sanasa Development Bank alleging injustice, including the number and dates of such complaints and the status of investigations. He also sought information on any complaints concerning Gampaha Development Company (Pvt.) Ltd., which had obtained a loan from the bank, and the progress of related investigations. Oral Question: Gampaha Sanasa Development Bank Complaints (1751/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Nanda Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Nanda Bandara raised an adjournment question to the Prime Minister on the President’s Fund, established under Act No. 7 of 1978, noting its public purpose, audit requirements, and alleged past misuse for political purposes. He asked for details on the current Board of Governors, any increases or changes in benefits and objectives under the present Government, measures to simplify access to services, and steps taken to ensure transparency in the provision of assistance. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake supported the Bill to repeal parliamentary pensions, describing it as part of a wider effort to reduce political entitlements, restore public trust, and present governance as public service rather than privilege. He argued that past expansions of MP benefits, corruption, and nepotism damaged confidence in politicians and institutions, and said the Government is also cutting unnecessary vehicles, residences, and security while improving revenue collection and international confidence. He rejected claims that ending pensions would cause poverty or corruption, noted that abolishing presidential pensions would require a constitutional amendment, and said the reform supports national unity and a renewed political culture. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Urban Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara said the repeal of parliamentary pensions reflected the democratic aspirations associated with the Aragalaya and the Government’s policy commitments. He raised concerns about ongoing cases against youths and others involved in peaceful protests, noting travel restrictions and police reporting requirements, while stating the Government would not improperly interfere with the judiciary. He distinguished peaceful participation from violence, arson and assaults, called for accountability for attacks on the May 9 protest and related crimes, and said 2026 should be a year in which the innocent receive justice and offenders are punished. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika supported the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill, tracing the expansion of MPs’ pension entitlements since 1977 and arguing that these privileges contributed to an unhealthy political culture. He rejected claims that pensions prevent corruption or that the repeal targets particular individuals, linking the measure to the 2022 public demand for reform and to election pledges to reduce political privileges. He said politics should be treated as public service, with former MPs returning to prior professions if not re-elected, and framed the repeal as part of broader reforms to rebuild public trust. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Parliamentary Pensions (Abolition) Bill, stating that it fulfils the Government’s promise to establish a new political culture without harming current beneficiaries. He argued that the special pension scheme and past parliamentary privileges had not improved governance, addressed corruption, or resolved ethnic discrimination and reconciliation issues. He said abolishing such entitlements is part of restoring public trust in Parliament and encouraging representatives committed to public service and sacrifice. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Bill to abolish parliamentary pensions, arguing that elected Members receive a five-year public mandate and should not retain special lifetime or family entitlements created through amendments to the Parliamentary Pensions Act, No. 1 of 1977. She framed the repeal as fulfilment of a government pledge and cited related measures such as reductions in presidential and former presidential benefits, housing and welfare programmes, wage and salary increases, public service recruitment, education and health initiatives, and anti-corruption commitments. She also referenced IMF comments on growth, inflation, reserves and revenue, and claimed broad public support for the Government’s programme. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Read →