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 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa criticised the Government’s economic record, alleging it had failed to deliver promised reductions in electricity and fuel costs, support for farmers and fisherfolk, poverty alleviation, health services, education reforms, and cheaper vehicle imports. He claimed a sudden 50 percent import surcharge had been leaked to connected parties who opened letters of credit for vehicles in advance, causing major losses to the State. He also questioned the Government’s position on a USD 2.5 million payment to a fraudulent account, citing the Central Bank Governor’s statement that responsibility lay with the Ministry of Finance rather than the independent Central Bank. He urged the Government to fulfil the promises in its policy statement and said the Opposition would continue to stand with the public. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar objected to language used by the Leader of the House and asked the Chair to expunge improper words. He criticized the Government’s economic management, citing rupee depreciation, rising debt, increased electricity tariffs, vehicle import restrictions, low FDI, and alleged payment and banking irregularities, and called for investigations into reported vehicle import LC approvals. He argued that the Government had failed to deliver on promises to reduce electricity bills, taxes, fuel costs, prices, and recover stolen assets, and said the Opposition would take these issues to the public. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha moved an adjournment motion citing the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s Annual Economic Review 2025 as evidence that the economy has stabilized after the 2022 crisis, with low inflation, GDP exceeding USD 100 billion, per capita income above USD 5,000, higher remittances, a current account surplus, and improving financial-sector indicators. He contrasted these outcomes with the 2022 contraction, high inflation, depleted reserves, and increased debt-to-GDP ratio, arguing that the Government’s policies since 2024 had restored growth across agriculture, industry, and services. He proposed that all Members support the continuation of structural reforms while managing external economic risks. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage responded to Question No. 1936/2026 on the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation, stating that it was established under Act No. 49 of 1957 to provide affordable quality fish and support cold storage and ice production. He said the Corporation has faced a capital crisis since 2010, affecting statutory payments, supplier dues, bank obligations, and services, and outlined investigations into 2024–2025 financial irregularities, including CIABOC action, arrests, disciplinary proceedings, and dismissals. He also detailed the status of nine ice plants, noting that about five are operational, and described the 2026 recovery plan targeting higher revenue and profit through new refrigerated trucks, cold store refurbishment, recovery of properties and receivables, and expansion of sales agreements. Procedural: Motions and Privilege Matter Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake briefly raised the matter of the Bribery Commission. The available transcript is incomplete and contains no further details on any specific allegation, question, or proposal. Procedural: Motions and Privilege Matter Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Ministry is taking action on institutional irregularities, including recent transfers at the Fisheries Harbours Authority following an alleged financial irregularity in Trincomalee. He stated that legal action has been initiated over corruption and fraud, and attributed past problems at the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation to politically motivated appointments and poorly planned outlets. He said the Government is reclaiming and reopening Corporation outlets after feasibility studies, citing Kotte/Rajagiriya, and reported a Rs. 59 million profit last year with a target of Rs. 190 million this year. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Ajith Gihan asked the Deputy Minister what action is being taken regarding alleged fraud, corruption, and mismanagement that left the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation heavily indebted and weakened before the current Government took office on 24 September 2024. He emphasized the Corporation’s role in ensuring fair prices for fishers and consumers, operating outlets, and supporting exports, while questioning whether legal measures would be pursued against those responsible under previous governments. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the RDA has filed a Police complaint against Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha over an allegation that Rs. 380 million had been paid twice to contractors, which the RDA rejected at a media briefing. He said audit queries on toll revenue discrepancies are not proof of wrongdoing and may relate to staffing shortages or compromised toll gates. He added that the RDA will provide full responses while taking steps to reduce leakages and strengthen the toll system. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Asked that the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Transport, Highways and Urban Development take up the matter, noting that the relevant data is available. He sought details on investigations into an alleged Rs. 380 million duplicate payment at the Road Development Authority and an audit query citing Rs. 4,614 million in unpaid expressway exit charges, including the current factual position and verification process for payments made through the Bank of Ceylon. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that factors including the economic crisis, fraud and corruption, delays, exchange rate fluctuations, design issues, and contractor delays had created additional fiscal burdens. He said these could be quantified separately and offered to compile and present such an analysis, possibly during the next Budget. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether essential drug suppliers are being deliberately discredited through alleged quality failures and removed from state supply, including at regional hospital level, causing some suppliers to avoid State Pharmaceuticals Corporation tenders. He sought details on withdrawals of life-saving or expensive temperature-controlled drugs over the last five years, NMRA batch or product withdrawals, whether withdrawn drugs are being sold in the private market, and the complaints mechanism and number of complaints received in 2024. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera said there is bipartisan agreement on establishing an independent Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to improve the efficiency and independence of the Attorney-General’s Department and reduce political influence over prosecutions. He criticized the delay of more than a year since a committee was appointed and questioned why a pledged reform with consensus had not yet been implemented. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns about alleged unequal treatment within a union, stating that its General Secretary faces charges and that an inquiry by Wasantha Jayaratne made observations without subsequent action. He alleged that politically connected individuals are being protected while others have been sent home without cause and are receiving only part of their salaries, and called for the authorities to investigate. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi marked War Heroes’ Day by questioning why the President did not use the term “war hero” while acknowledging that Sri Lanka’s freedom was secured by them. On the Bill under debate, he raised concerns about Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, arguing that the profitable State entity should not be moved toward stock market listing without explanation. He alleged political interference by the SLIC Chairman, including the removal of senior officials and improper recruitment influence, and called on the Government to remove political appointees from key State posts and clarify its policy on SLIC’s future. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon supported the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, stating that it seeks to strengthen tax administration, widen the tax net, reduce evasion, and improve revenue collection following past weaknesses and corruption. He highlighted proposed measures including mandatory TIN registration, relief for senior citizens on withholding tax, tax relief for donations to higher education institutions, rules on advance installments, reduced cash transactions, and exemptions for certain insurance and vehicle-related benefits. He also referred to the anniversary of the end of the war, paid tribute to security forces, rejected claims that the Government was neglecting the military, and said land issues affecting veterans at Rana Jaya Pura were being reviewed for resolution. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns over vehicle import allowances, claiming that importing more than 1,000 vehicles valued at about US$20,000 each could cause a revenue loss of around Rs. 3.5 billion. He compared current exchange rates and fuel prices with those under former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe, arguing that the rupee has depreciated again and citing petrol and diesel prices as part of his critique of current economic management. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said war remembrance should continue, but raised concerns about alleged links between public figures and diaspora networks, and criticized the Government’s handling of vehicle import restrictions and fuel price announcements. He questioned practices at CIABOC, urged resolution of recruitment issues affecting Kotelawala Defence University medical graduates, and called for action on matters including the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course, student accommodation at South Eastern University, unused railway quarters, and illegal structures in Kotmale/Nuwara Eliya. He also demanded urgent support for SLTB depots facing shortages of tyres, diesel and funds, and appealed for measures to protect Buddhism and avoid inquiries or actions he said could undermine Buddhist institutions. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Kanchana Welipitiya JJB AI summary Amendments to the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017 were presented as measures to simplify tax administration, reduce evasion, and improve compliance without increasing tax rates or imposing new burdens. The speech highlighted relief measures, including the earlier increase of the PAYE threshold, removal of tax for senior citizens earning below Rs. 60,000 per month, and provisions for carrying forward large crisis-related donations by businesses. It also defended enforcement against tax defaulters, rejected Opposition criticisms, and linked the Government’s fiscal approach to support measures such as fuel subsidies and disaster relief, including assistance and housing reconstruction in Kegalle District after the “Ditta” cyclone. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna marked May 18 by paying tribute to Tamils killed in 2009, describing the events as genocide and criticizing the Sri Lankan State and Tamil political figures whom he accused of undermining Tamil interests. He thanked Tamil Nadu leaders, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, for their support and said Tamil Nadu remained a refuge and political ally for Tamils in Sri Lanka. He called for Tamil MPs to speak openly about the Tamil Eelam cause, referred to memorialization and land-related grievances, and urged Sinhala and Tamil people not to clash but to resolve issues through discussion, including with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, by 2029. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody supported the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill as part of the Government’s policy to simplify taxation, improve tax administration, and increase reliance on direct taxes to fund education, health, rural infrastructure, and public services. He argued that past tax administration was weakened by corruption, tax evasion, politically connected concessions, and misuse of public funds, citing pending cases and controversies involving former politicians and the Airbus and sugar tax matters. He said the Government is pursuing reforms, modernization, and digitization to manage public finances properly, and rejected Opposition claims on exchange-rate management by arguing that the economy is now open and being stabilized despite difficult conditions. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →