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- 3 February 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna questioned the resignation of the Chairperson of the National Women’s Commission, citing her stated concerns over lack of operational independence, absence of budgetary allocations, and administrative interference. She criticised the Government for failing to support the Commission despite its stated commitments to women, and urged that independent commissions be allowed to function without interference. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticised the Government’s handling of coal procurement, arguing that delayed long-term tenders have led to emergency purchases that increase costs, weaken oversight, and create opportunities for corruption. She called for a transparent long-term coal tendering system to protect national interest, power security, and deliver cheaper electricity. She also urged the Government to ensure the proper functioning of the National Women’s Commission established under the Women’s Empowerment Act of 2024, noting the role of the Parliamentary Women’s Caucus in creating it. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna raised concerns over the treatment of teacher development officers, noting their long service in schools and arguing that removing 12,000 of them would worsen the existing teacher shortage. She urged the Government to absorb them into the teaching service, welcomed the absorption of some monk development officers, and called on the Government Chief Whip to withdraw remarks she said insulted teachers. She also alleged poor planning in coal procurement for Norochcholai, warning that delayed tenders and emergency purchases could lead to high costs, low-quality supplies, and corruption similar to past emergency power-sector procurements. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna alleged misuse of public resources, including the unlawful appointment and payment of an investigations officer from Parliament funds and the provision of meals and transport. He accused government figures of using official residences and multiple vehicles despite earlier public commitments to avoid such privileges, citing the alleged ordering of 1,700 cabs and use of luxury vehicles. He called for an investigation and urged the Bribery Commission to give the matter special attention. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna raised concern over a complaint reportedly made by the Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament to the Bribery Commission against the Speaker, including questions about the Speaker’s authority in relation to any suspension and inquiry involving the official. He alleged attempts by the Government and JVP to exert control over independent institutions, and called on the Bribery Commission to conduct a prompt and impartial inquiry into allegations against the Speaker. He cited claims relating to vehicle and fuel allowance misuse, use of Parliamentary Media Division resources, and unpaid meals for the Speaker’s Private Secretary, arguing that these matters required investigation and accountability. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe criticized the Government’s economic management and alleged that state institutions, including the CID, Bribery Commission and judiciary, were being used selectively against the Opposition. He called for inquiries into allegations concerning the Speaker’s office, including treatment of a parliamentary receptionist, vehicle and fuel allowance use, media equipment, meals, appointments and official residences. He also raised concerns over alleged corruption in Norochcholai coal procurement and claimed proposed education reforms contained numerous errors, urging proper application of the law and accountability. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake stated that the public expected this Government to act differently from previous governments since 1948, but that expectation was not being met. He urged the Government to act prudently on current matters and not blame the Opposition for its own failures. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Government’s conduct, arguing that despite being presented as a highly educated and intellectually capable administration, it was acting irrationally. He contrasted the Government’s claimed expertise with its decisions and asked why it was behaving in that manner. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary Minister Kumara Jayakody rejected allegations that the Government had altered coal tender specifications, stating that any changes were made in 2023 and that the current tender conditions remain unchanged. He said coal quality deviations are governed by contractual adjustment and penalty formulas, noted that six shipments had arrived with notices issued over low GCV in two consignments, and said suppliers are selected through tender boards rather than by Ministers or Cabinet. He also defended possible emergency procurement of 300,000 tons of coal as necessary and usable, and said a previous LNG tender had lapsed by bid validity while its capacity terms would have imposed excessive costs on Sri Lanka. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera supported the telecommunications resource-sharing regulations but warned that a possible Dialog acquisition of SLT and Mobitel could create a monopoly, citing concerns over transparency in SLT appointments, conflicts of interest, and consumer impacts on price and quality. He then raised concerns over the 2022–2025 coal procurement for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant, arguing that tender criteria had been weakened contrary to National Audit Office recommendations on supplier experience, financial strength, quality, and ethics. He alleged that a previously blacklisted supplier with inadequate coal supply experience had been selected, resulting in substandard coal shipments below the required calorific value. He urged the Government to address procurement failures, ensure reliable coal quality and supply, and prevent risks to Lakvijaya’s generation capacity and the wider economy. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the preliminary inquiry concerns the appointment, qualifications, selection, and confirmation of the Deputy Secretary-General, not allegations against the Speaker. He said any challenge should address whether the appointment was proper and lawful and whether the qualifications submitted were accurate. Points of Order regarding Parliamentary Secretariat Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam criticised the removal of a parliamentary officer, saying it was done without a charge sheet or opportunity to make representations. He argued that the action undermined the offices of Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of Parliament and set a damaging precedent for parliamentary administration. He also referred to a complaint against the Speaker at the Bribery Commission and accused the Speaker of acting unfairly toward officers. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Noted that a full-time Governor has still not been appointed to the Southern Province, and placed this matter on record in Parliament. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka clarified that, at the Staff Advisory Committee meeting attended by him as the Opposition’s representative, the Opposition had stated that the Deputy Secretary-General should be given an opportunity, contrary to some media portrayals of the matter. He said several Opposition Members raised concerns about proceeding unilaterally, particularly in light of references to alleged personal animosity involving the Speaker. He also drew attention to the nearly three-month vacancy in the post of Governor of the Southern Province, covering Galle, Matara and Hambantota. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that an inquiry into a senior parliamentary officer should not be handled by an Additional Secretary, citing Standing Order 7(1), the Administrative Manual and Public Service Commission rules requiring an investigating officer to be senior to the officer under investigation. He also referred to a bribery or corruption complaint against the Speaker involving alleged misuse of public resources and inducement of MPs, and requested that the report and expenditure details relating to the relevant committee be presented to the House. He tabled a chart he said had been published online and asked for the actual report to clarify the matter. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara raised concern over reported conflicts between the Speaker and the Parliamentary Secretariat, saying such disputes were unprecedented and risked undermining parliamentary independence and procedure. He referred to the removal of the Secretary, complaints reportedly lodged with the Bribery Commission by Secretariat officials, and questioned the process by which related inquiries were being handled. He argued that the situation was damaging the dignity of Parliament and asked how parliamentary proceedings could continue effectively under these circumstances. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on the functioning and independence of the National Commission on Women established under the Women’s Empowerment Act, No. 37 of 2024, following the resignation of its first Chairperson, Dr. Ramani Jayasundere. He cited reported concerns over the absence of budgetary allocations, office space and staff, alleged administrative interference by the line Ministry, and the appointment of an Executive Director without the Commission’s approval. He asked for details on the Commission’s mandate, funding, staffing and premises, and called for immediate steps, including possible supplementary allocations, to protect its statutory independence and support the Women’s Development Fund. He also linked the issue to Sri Lanka’s obligations under CEDAW, SDG 5 and the Act, and urged a Government response to concerns raised by women’s rights organizations. Parliamentary Announcements and Ministerial Statement Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised urgent education infrastructure issues in the Gampola Zone, citing closed schools and unsafe or inadequate temporary arrangements, including Paragala School and Al-Hikma Muslim School facing a landslide threat. He asked the Government to engage UNICEF to expedite tendering and construction of temporary classrooms, and to have provincial education authorities approve donor-funded temporary structures for Al-Mina School during the Ramadan closure. He also requested a discussion with relevant provincial officers to address problems affecting Muslim, Sinhala and Tamil schools, and argued that holding Provincial Council elections would allow such matters to be resolved at the provincial level. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the CID began investigations into the sugar levy matter using information from the Auditor General, then reported it to the Attorney-General. Following the Attorney-General’s directions, the file was referred to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, which is currently conducting further investigations. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Government’s progress on a proposed forensic audit, stating that letters from the CID and National Audit Office indicate a lack of witnesses, insufficient evidence, and limitations in proceeding with the investigation, and tabled those letters. He argued that, as in the coal tender issue, responsibility appeared to be shifted to officials, and asked what mechanism would be used to hold the actual perpetrators accountable and whether the matter had been used as an election slogan or to protect those involved. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Read →