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- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised concerns over an alleged Rs. 860 million fraud in which people lost their life savings, noting that the relevant agency’s licence had been cancelled but that irregularities occurred both before and after that action. He asked the Minister to focus on specific matters including the Rainbow case, employment opportunities in Italy, and the Korea listing issue, while clarifying that he was not making a personal accusation against the Minister. Ministerial Statement: Foreign Employment Issues Read →
- 7 January 2026 HOLIDAY BUNGALOWS BUILT BY CENTRAL BANK IN SOMAWATHIYA NATIONAL PARK: DETAILS AI summary Padmasiri Bandara asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for details on two hotel or holiday bungalow complexes reportedly built by the Central Bank within Somawathiya National Park. He sought information on whether the Minister was aware of them, which authority currently manages them, the total investment made, whether they are in use, and, if not, the reasons for non-use. Oral Question: Holiday Bungalows in Somawathiya National Park (Q.1631/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa criticized the education reform process, saying the error of embedding a website into a module could have been avoided through a formal Green Paper/White Paper process and public consultation rather than a limited presentation-based approach. He called for comprehensive, globally aligned reforms developed through structured dialogue with experts and stakeholders, while retaining compulsory History and preventing links to inappropriate websites. He asked the Prime Minister whether the Government would reorient the reform process through a formal White Paper and consultation mechanism. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Reported incidents concerning local authorities have occurred in the Galle Municipal Council, Godakawela Pradeshiya Sabha, Jaffna Municipal Council, Poonakary Pradeshiya Sabha, and Velanai South Pradeshiya Sabha. Inquiries have been initiated or planned by the relevant Commissioners of Local Government, with a police complaint lodged regarding the Galle Municipal Council incident. The Prime Minister stated that, because local government is a devolved subject under the Thirteenth Amendment and Provincial Councils are inactive, the respective Governors will decide on further action after the inquiries conclude. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Manoj Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Manoj Rajapaksha asked the Prime Minister whether reported incidents at local authority meetings involving obstruction, abuse, threats, or assaults against government officers had occurred. He sought details on the areas affected, action taken against those involved, and future measures to prevent similar incidents. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister provided details on official vehicles and fuel allowances assigned to a former Minister between 30 September 2015 and 26 October 2018. He stated that three Ministry vehicles were used until 1 March 2016, after which fuel allowances were paid for three private vehicles, with entitlements based on President’s Circular No. CA/1/17/1 of 14 May 2010. He also gave the vehicle numbers, periods of use, monthly fuel entitlements and recorded expenditure, noting that payments ceased after the Cabinet was dissolved by Gazette Extraordinary No. 2094/43 dated 26 October 2018. Questions and Papers (Resumption after Adjournment) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala clarified that the Emergency Regulations were used only for disaster response, essential services, relief delivery, and public safety, not for political repression, media suppression, or governance by emergency powers. He stated that relief payments had largely been completed, including the Rs. 25,000 payment in full, 95 per cent of the Rs. 50,000 grant, and 65 per cent of crop-damage compensation at about Rs. 150,000 per hectare. He rejected allegations of a police state, said police had been allowed to act lawfully and without improper political orders, and affirmed that communal or religious extremism would not be permitted in relation to issues such as Tissa Vihara. He also explained that the Defence Secretary’s notice referred to the end of the active cyclone disaster phase, with the country now in the post-disaster recovery phase. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister supported the proclamation of emergency law following a recent national calamity, stating that the powers are intended for rapid recovery and public welfare, not for suppressing dissent. He contrasted this with past uses of emergency powers and the PTA, which he said were associated with killings, disappearances, abductions, and attacks on media. Responding to Tamil MPs, he rejected allegations of current police brutality against Tamils, said the Thayiddy–Tissa Vihara issue is being addressed fairly, and accused opposition figures in the North of raising such claims to divert attention from inquiries into alleged fraud, liquor permits, and sand mining. He assured that no Tamil citizen had been harmed under the current emergency and said the Government would protect people in the North and East. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera said the Opposition initially supported emergency regulations in good faith following a serious disaster, but argued that the current provisions include matters unrelated to disaster relief and could be misused. He urged the Government to limit or reframe the regulations strictly to what is necessary for disaster response, warning that Sri Lanka’s history of emergency misuse has created public suspicion. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera argued that the emergency regulations tabled were overbroad and appeared to be copied from earlier crisis periods rather than tailored to the current situation. Citing a Supreme Court judgment on proportionality, he said emergency powers should be limited to actual necessity and noted that previous support for such regulations was based on an immediate crisis. He raised concerns about alleged selective law enforcement and political interference in policing, and called on the Government to narrow and amend the regulations to address only the present need. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala said the Dicha cyclone had ended, as stated by the Defence Secretary, but post-disaster operations were continuing. He argued that the current emergency regulations are proportionate to the disaster situation and asked the Opposition to identify any misuse of them, while distinguishing the present regulations from past abuses of emergency powers. Citing casualty and displacement figures as of 1 December 2025, he called for a short extension of the regulations and rejected claims that the Government was creating a police state or interfering with police operations. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha supported further steps under the 2024 Mud Crab Fisheries Management Regulations, presented under the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act, stating that fisheries development is linked to wider economic activity and investment. He then focused on issues in the Matugama electorate, alleging that the local government mandate had been distorted through political manoeuvring in the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha. He said public services such as waste disposal, road maintenance, drainage, and cemetery upkeep had deteriorated, despite projects worth about Rs. 50 million being implemented through coordinating and provincial funds, and called for those responsible to be held accountable. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 Hon. Jagath Withana AI summary Hon. Jagath Withana alleged that police were improperly intervening in the administration of the Matugama Pradeshiya Sabha following a dispute involving its Secretary and Chairman Kasun Munasinghe, who had been remanded after complaints of assault and obstruction of official duties. He argued that the allegations were false, that officials had stated no assault occurred, and that the dispute arose from the Sabha’s cross-party decision to oppose the Secretary’s handling of government road development funds. He tabled related documents, questioned the police role in administrative matters, and raised a privileges concern after saying he was prevented from entering the police station. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized the implementation of current education reforms, alleging lack of transparency, inadequate consultation, confusion caused by repeated circulars, missing timetables, delayed uniforms, and insufficient teacher materials for Grade 6 students. She questioned the role of external or political groups in drafting reforms, objected to content and links in the Grade 6 English module, and asked whether official policy was being shaped outside the Ministry, National Education Commission and NIE. She alleged misuse of public funds in printing modules, citing Section 111 of the Anti-Corruption Act, and requested investigations into external printing, costs, errors in modules, the absence of pilots, and ADB-linked funding. She tabled documents and modules, stated that some materials were well written, and argued that aspects of the reforms may violate provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara said the concern was not with the Speaker or the Constitutional Council personally, but with the failure to conclude the appointment process for the head of the National Audit Office. He argued that if the senior-most officer can serve in an acting capacity, there should be a proper decision on a substantive appointment, and emphasized that the Constitutional Council should act independently rather than as a rubber stamp of the President. He also called for the process to be free from interference, including from government figures or personal contacts. Procedural: Points of Order on Auditor-General Appointment and Parliamentary Matters Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva stated that the Committee on Public Finance has a constitutional role in approving the budgets and work programmes of the National Audit Office and CIABOC, and said he had written to the President regarding the need to appoint an Auditor-General. He argued that the President and Constitutional Council must act in accordance with the Constitution by submitting and recommending a suitably qualified candidate on merit. He also questioned the Speaker’s refusal to circulate his letter to Members or the Constitutional Council, saying he did not know the legal basis for that decision and would table both letters. Procedural: Points of Order on Auditor-General Appointment and Parliamentary Matters Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri raised a procedural point under Standing Order 92(2) and argued that appointments to key offices must follow constitutional procedures, particularly Article 41 governing the Constitutional Council’s role. He said the Council is not obliged to approve a name sent by the President and warned against bypassing its Chair or officials. Citing Article 154(3), he emphasized that Parliament’s committees require a duly appointed Auditor-General to conduct pending 2025 audits, and urged the Speaker to ensure an independent nominee is appointed rather than one intended to protect the Government. Procedural: Points of Order on Auditor-General Appointment and Parliamentary Matters Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a procedural and constitutional concern that Sri Lanka has been without an Auditor-General since 6 December, leaving the Audit Service Commission unable to function as required under Article 153A of the Constitution. He said this affects the preparation of National Audit Office estimates, Gazette publication of rules, and the functioning of public finance oversight after the year-end closure of Government accounts. Referring to Standing Order 119(2), he argued that COPE and COPA must be assisted by the Auditor-General personally and that meetings under a Deputy Auditor-General would be improper, requesting the Speaker to examine the matter with the Secretariat. Procedural: Points of Order on Auditor-General Appointment and Parliamentary Matters Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Upali Samarasingha stated that co-operative matters have been devolved to Provincial Councils since the 13th Amendment, creating shared responsibilities between the line Ministry and Provincial Councils. He said the Government is preparing amendments to the Co-operative Act to establish a unified legal framework, and assured intervention in the district’s co-operative issues to secure justice and take legal action where abuses or legal violations by officials are found. Oral Question: Co-operative Hospital Gampaha Administration and Irregularities (Q. relating to Lasith Bhashana Gamage) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Lasith Bhashana Gamage questioned the Co-operative Development Department’s handling of inquiries under Section 47(2), noting that a 2014 inquiry’s directives were allegedly not implemented and that another inquiry was requested in 2025. He said several Gampaha District co-operative institutions, including the co-operative hospital, banking system, trading service, and SANASA banking, were not being adequately supervised. He asked what action would be taken against officials who fail to perform their duties properly, while acknowledging that many officers are honest and capable. Oral Question: Co-operative Hospital Gampaha Administration and Irregularities (Q. relating to Lasith Bhashana Gamage) Read →