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- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. K. Kader Masthan) SJB AI summary On behalf of Hon. K. Kader Masthan, Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka asked the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment for details on Samurdhi Development Officers in the Vavuniya District, including current staffing numbers, vacancies, and whether new recruitment is planned. He also sought clarification on long-term postings within the same Divisional Secretary’s Divisions, possible transfers, alleged politically based appointments, and whether such appointments have affected transfer decisions. The question further requested information on any internal inquiries into alleged financial fraud by Samurdhi Development Officers in the district and the current status of those inquiries. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.1116/2025, Q.1180/2025, Q.1316/2025, Q.1429/2025) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Dr. Upali Pannilage defended the “Praja Shakthi” National Movement to Eradicate Rural Poverty, describing it as an integrated community-led development mechanism rather than a fund distribution scheme. He outlined its national and village-level structure, including Community Development Councils in all 14,008 active Grama Niladhari divisions, and said it transfers local development decision-making to communities with social audit mechanisms. He noted that Rs. 25,000 million has been allocated for 2026 and said welfare policy will combine assistance with empowerment, supported by government funds and World Bank and ADB assistance. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti responded to an issue raised by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen concerning about 97 persons whose recruitment or regularisation had been delayed due to a pending Bribery and Corruption complaint alleging paid recruitment. He stated that the complaint process has now concluded, the Department of Management Services has been informed, and the Government expects to absorb them into the cadre and resolve the matter soon. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary Wasantha Piyathissa defended the Praja Shakthi programme as a lawful, grassroots development mechanism and rejected Opposition criticism by attributing administrative delays and economic collapse to shortcomings of previous governments. He said the Government had intervened in the Hingurana Sugar Factory dispute between Gal Oya Plantation Company and cane farmers, including discussions on temporary paddy cultivation for interim farmer income, though the Board had not approved the proposal. Outlining his Ministry’s welfare work, he cited increased elderly allowances for 800,000 low-income beneficiaries, disability allowances for 162,588 persons, skills training for youth with disabilities, and new service-access systems for persons with speech impairments. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Mrs. Anushka Thilakarathne said the country has placed its trust in the NPP Government and argued that political forces unable to adapt would lose relevance. She concluded by stating that the NPP Government would rebuild the country. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha reviewed the development of Sri Lanka’s electricity sector, arguing that delays to major projects such as Sampur and Uma Oya contributed to higher generation costs and tariffs. He urged the Ministry to reconsider the proposed large LNG FSRU, proposing instead a smaller supply arrangement using LNG from Cochin, and called for prompt action on BESS approvals and the 160 MW storage tender. He criticized tender conditions for the Sapugaskanda 100 MW project as restrictive to capable local firms, questioned the impact and cost of CEB restructuring and voluntary retirement plans, and requested attention to pending retiree pension increments. He also defended LTL’s commercial record and overseas operations, arguing that it should be supported with suitable governance rather than constrained by inappropriate procurement rules. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that while he was not opposed in principle, he had not agreed at the time to proceed with a stock market listing. He highlighted shareholding disparities at LTL, noting that most of its roughly 600 employees, particularly those joining after 2017, have no shares while about 15 employees receive substantial returns, including an estimated Rs. 1.3 billion from 2024 profits. He said the Government had identified these issues, was intervening to resolve them, and had restructured the CEB and acted against corruption as part of institutional reform. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe described changes to the shareholding structure of LTL, stating that part of the CEB’s stake was transferred to West Coast Power to settle CEB debt and that concerns arose because the transfer was not made through the stock exchange. He said a later attempt to list about 22 per cent of shares to raise funds was stopped because the State’s 51 per cent holding had to be protected. He added that the proposal was for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to take 20 per cent, and that the IPO was halted after LTL indicated it could provide the required funds. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about the cadre and recruitment arrangements at CPSTL, noting that the entity is wholly state-owned and subject to oversight by the Department of Public Enterprises. Referring to a letter from the Ministry Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, which he tabled for the Library, he argued that CPSTL cannot recruit staff at its discretion and requested the Secretary to examine the matter. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the Government’s fuel pricing and revenue management, stating that CPC-related figures had fallen from Rs. 27 billion in the first six months of 2024 to Rs. 17 billion in the same period of 2025 while pump prices had not reflected larger declines in international fuel indices. He alleged a lack of transparency in the monthly fuel pricing formula, windfall gains to connected parties, and irregular lubricant sales causing losses, and requested investigations into these matters. Citing the Auditor General’s 2023 report, he said recoveries had not been made for delayed deliveries, off-specification stocks, and shipping short-landings, including alleged dues of US$ 4.39 million and US$ 27 million to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara alleged irregularities in a tender process, noting that while most companies quoted with tax, one quoted without tax on the same day a Gazette was issued, suggesting prior knowledge of the tax change. He called on the President, as Minister of Finance, to investigate who was responsible if the Government is committed to opposing theft and fraud. He also referred to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation earning Rs. 27 billion in the first six months of 2024. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that past opposition to energy infrastructure, power plants and CEB restructuring contributed to current electricity sector problems. He questioned the costs of the Sobadanavi and Sahasdanavi projects, citing figures he said showed high capacity and unit charges, and asked for clear timelines on converting diesel-based thermal plants to LNG. He also raised concerns over a battery energy storage tender, alleging that one bidder’s tax-excluded bid appeared to anticipate a tax exemption gazette issued around the tender opening, and called for scrutiny of possible insider information. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna urged the Government to release Tamil political prisoners, citing the death of Anandhasuthakaran and the hardship faced by affected families. During the Power and Energy Ministry Vote, he tabled documents alleging corruption in a 2024 solar power project in Kilinochchi and Poonakary, including claims of facilitation payments, land misuse, and the creation of a new company after legal issues over EPF/ETF payments. He also raised concerns about public statements on road development, called for Puttalam Hospital to be made at least a Teaching Hospital, and challenged the President to act on the corruption dossier he had submitted. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri criticised the Government’s energy sector management, alleging contradictions in the appointment of the Energy Minister and irregularities in wind power and battery-plus-solar tenders, including claims that procurement conditions favoured Chinese interests and excluded local consortia. He argued that promised reductions in electricity and fuel prices had not materialised and demanded that the Minister state when and by how much those prices would be reduced. He also raised a procedural concern as a COPE member, saying the summoning of a private entity without an Auditor-General’s report was contrary to Standing Orders and that any suspected wrongdoing should instead be referred to law enforcement or anti-corruption authorities. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. S. M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar criticised the Government’s energy policy, alleging that electricity and fuel pricing decisions overstate losses, protect institutional profits, and pass costs to consumers despite CEB profits and the legal role of the PUCSL in tariff adjustments. He raised concerns over electricity sector reform appointments, blackout follow-up measures, LNG and battery tenders, solar buyback policy, and alleged irregularities in a Trincomalee solar project linked to ministerial influence. He called for lower electricity and fuel costs, grace periods before power disconnections, progress on the Trincomalee oil tanks, transparency in anti-drug operations, and fulfilment of Government promises on taxes, fuel, food, education and health. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake JJB AI summary During the Energy Ministry estimates debate, R. M. Gamini Rathnayake criticized a former Deputy Minister over an alleged unpaid CEB electricity bill linked to a 2019 event. He said the Government had abandoned previous plans to restructure the CEB into 12 companies and instead, through the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Act, would operate it under four state companies while protecting employees, noting voluntary retirement applications and secured jobs. He argued that future energy policy would shift away from costly fossil fuels toward renewables, targeting 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and addressing projected demand growth through more transparent procurement and long-term planning. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. D. V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D. V. Chanaka said he takes full responsibility for a document he tabled and intends to release it to the media. He urged that if media institutions are to be summoned before the Ethics and Privileges Committee, the relevant Minister should also be summoned. He also alleged unlawful large-scale transfers at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and CPSTL through trade union influence at Muthurajawela and called on the Minister of Power to stop them immediately. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D.V. Chanaka questioned alleged government criticism of Derana TV and Aruna newspaper over reports on police clearance procedures, arguing that two Ministers had given conflicting positions and tabling a Moratumulla Police Station form listing recommendations from the Public Security Committee Chair and Grama Niladhari as requirements. He said action should not be taken against media when the reported procedure matched information from the responsible Minister, and contrasted this with past publications by the JVP’s Lanka newspaper. Turning to the Energy Ministry, he asked how the Government planned to bring in a refinery investor without first separating and valuing the CPC and the refinery, and sought details on the Mannar 50 MW wind project, including who initiated it, allocated land, conducted feasibility work and prepared the RFP. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the Government was attempting to create an autocracy. He stated that his claim was based on evidence and identified himself as the source of that assertion. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: 'Aruna' News Report (19.11.2025) and Related Procedural Matters Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised concerns that applicants for police character certificates are being required to obtain recommendations from Community Police Committee Chairmen. He cited two cases in the Kirinda-Puhulwella and Kamburupitiya areas, naming the applicants, police stations, GN divisions and committee chairmen involved, and questioned whether such requirements create partisan control over community-level administration. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: 'Aruna' News Report (19.11.2025) and Related Procedural Matters Read →