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 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya tabled answers on the national poverty alleviation initiative, outlining an inter-agency “People’s Empowerment” framework involving new national bodies, reorganised district and divisional coordination structures, and Community Development Councils to prepare participatory Grama Niladhari Division development plans. She identified shortcomings in past approaches, including fragmented programmes, weak community participation, poor targeting, dependency, political influence, skills gaps and inadequate data. The new approach is presented as an empowerment- and livelihood-based model aligned across ministries, linked to the Government’s “Prosperous Country - Beautiful Life” policy and the Sustainable Development Goals, with a target to reduce poverty below 5 percent by 2030. Ministerial Statements: Poverty Alleviation and Industry Development Read →
- 22 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary No report on the alleged incident had reached the Ministry or the Government Information Department, and the Minister said any specific case would be checked with the Police. He justified requiring a Government Information Department press ID only for the Cabinet media briefing, citing security and verification concerns after an incident involving a person falsely presenting as media. He added that registration is being expedited and would help identify bona fide journalists for possible benefits such as equipment concessions, training, and scholarships, while journalists without the ID may attend other press conferences. Oral Question: Investigations into Assassinations, Abductions or Assaults of Journalists Since 2010 (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika supported the regulations under the NMRA Act, arguing that medicine price control is needed through a fair and scientific process while maintaining reasonable margins for suppliers and protecting patients. He said current shortages stem largely from past procurement failures and the economic crisis, and noted that the government has increased tender awards substantially and expanded local purchasing limits for hospitals as an interim measure. He also defended the new MRP and MCP mechanisms, stating that consultation requirements under Section 118(4) had been met and that quality procurement is being prioritized following past controversies. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy supported the medicines pricing formula under the NMRA Act but raised concerns about reported shortages of essential medicines, local hospital purchasing arrangements, diagnostic equipment shortages, and possible conflicts of interest within the NMRA, including whether its Chairman should engage in private channeling. He asked the Health Minister to clarify governance and ethical issues at the NMRA and to ensure that pricing and procurement systems do not worsen shortages or disadvantage public hospitals. He also requested urgent interventions for several hospitals in his district, including reopening closed clinics, completing unfinished facilities, replacing mortuary equipment, providing staff and quarters, opening the Kalpitiya hospital building, and upgrading Puttalam District Hospital to a National Hospital. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe supported the Regulations under the NMRA Act, describing them as necessary to control medicine prices and address long-standing problems in access to drugs. He argued that profiteering, corruption, politicization, staff shortages, outdated hospital equipment, and drug shortages had harmed patients, especially poorer families. He said concerns about shortages or substandard medicines should not prevent regulation, and stated the government would work to improve health services and implement the price-control measures. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary Minister Chrishantha Abeysena supported regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act to impose maximum price ceilings for medicines by generic category, arguing that excessive mark-ups and brand-driven practices have burdened patients and undermined the health sector. He said price control must be accompanied by stronger quality testing, better laboratories, support for domestic manufacturers, and action against officials or practices that delay registrations or create shortages. He also addressed wider health workforce issues, opposing expansion of private medical colleges on the grounds of limited internship capacity and fiscal constraints, and called for balanced strengthening of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and allied health cadres. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan welcomed the proposed medicine price regulation but argued that continuing medicine shortages in hospitals and private pharmacies must be addressed urgently. He warned of impending health-sector staffing gaps, particularly from retiring RMOs, and called for timely appointments and alternatives to prevent harm to rural communities in areas such as Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu. He urged reforms to procurement and petty-cash procedures for rural hospitals, stricter enforcement against unstaffed NMRA-registered pharmacies and unregistered clinics, action on an alleged misuse of a Health Ministry vehicle, and resolution of delayed Bachelor of Pharmacology admissions. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody supported the approval of regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 5 of 2015, arguing that medicines are essential and that price control and availability are matters of public welfare. He alleged that past failures in procurement and supply, including incidents involving substandard or fraudulent medicines for cancer patients, reflected corruption by politicians and officials and called for accountability. He said a national medicines policy, drawing on the principles associated with Professor Senaka Bibile, is necessary to address the pharmaceutical “mafia,” and stated that the Government is acting to reduce medicine prices and prevent the supply of substandard drugs. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah supported strengthening the National Medicines Regulatory Authority under the relevant regulations to address rising medicine costs and improve access to essential drugs. He proposed introducing maximum retail and ceiling prices through a transparent pricing formula, modern digital price surveillance, stronger enforcement, and fast-tracked registration for quality local pharmaceutical production. He also called for greater transparency in NMRA approvals and pricing decisions, independent audits, and an internationally standard quality control laboratory to prevent distribution of substandard medicines. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad expressed support for reducing medicine prices but raised concerns about the technical basis and implementation of the proposed NMRA pricing regulations. He questioned whether WHO guidance, IHP concerns, and the Senaka Bibile principles had been adequately considered, and asked whether the regulations had consensus among importers, distributors, and retailers as envisaged under Section 118 of the NMRA Act. He warned that CIF-based, brand-oriented price caps and unclear margin allocation across the supply chain could disrupt supply, reduce quality options, and require stronger local quality-control capacity. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi stated that past political and official misconduct had undermined public trust in medicines through the supply of substandard drugs, and said those responsible are now subject to legal action and asset freezes. She linked current health sector reforms to restoring quality and public confidence, noting international recognition through Sri Lanka’s Health Minister chairing the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee. She highlighted plans to expand primary care access to about one facility per 5,000 people within three kilometres and supported maximum retail price controls to ensure affordable, quality medicines in a patient-centred and equitable health system. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara supported the NMRA Act reforms, stating that the amendments and Gazette No. 2446/34 of 21 July 2025 empower the NMRA to set maximum ceiling prices and pricing formulas for medicines imported or manufactured in Sri Lanka. He argued that this would allow price caps across pharmacological groups and reduce costs for the public, framing the measure as part of the Government’s wider welfare-oriented reforms in health, education, transport and justice. He also referenced the establishment of the Criminal Proceeds Investigations Division as part of efforts to address misuse of state resources and recover public assets. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera supported the regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 5 of 2015, stating that they form part of government efforts to improve health services and address issues such as overcrowding, long waiting lists, and access to medicines. He emphasized the NMRA’s role in procurement oversight, pricing through Maximum Retail Price and Maximum Ceiling Price mechanisms, quality assurance, and post-dispensing pharmacovigilance. He referred to COPE findings on past irregularities, including misuse of Waiver of Registration procedures and alleged corrupt procurement of human immunoglobulin, and called for strengthening the NMRA as an independent authority. He also cited a 2025 WHO report commending Sri Lanka’s steps to improve transparency, accountability, and corruption-risk assessment in medicine regulation. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary Necessary measures have been initiated to address the requests raised. A committee chaired by the Prime Minister is examining them with the aim of ensuring fair outcomes. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Department of Pensions Services Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody rejected allegations regarding an incident at a CEB meeting, saying the individual involved was a former employee dismissed over bribery allegations and not accepted by other unions. He stated that the person had been allowed into the meeting despite this background, but was removed by security after allegedly obstructing proceedings and recording videos to disrupt the discussion. He asked the Opposition to verify the facts through other union leaders present and said the matter had been referred to the police for appropriate action. Oral Question 5: Ceylon Electricity Board Regional Offices Read →
- 10 October 2025 Hon. [Name not clearly identified in OCR] AI summary The member questioned the transfer of disabled police officers who had long been permitted to serve near their homes, arguing that officers disabled in service or for health reasons should not lose that accommodation. He alleged political influence over police and Civil Security Committee appointments, warned that police powers in drug cases could be misused for retaliation, and accused the Government of seeking to protect its public standing through control of the police. He also raised concerns about claimed independence in law enforcement and independent commissions, citing public commentary around the arrest and bail of Ranil Wickremesinghe, and urged officials in independent commissions to act independently. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara argued that the Government was using measures such as a Cabinet reshuffle and a delayed Gazette to avoid accountability over issues including the 323 missing containers and to bypass the National Police Commission. He warned that undermining Independent Commissions would politicize the Police and return it to practices seen before the Commissions were strengthened, citing alleged incidents in Kalutara and Monaragala as examples of political pressure. He urged the Government not to threaten Commissioners, defended the role of the 19th Amendment in strengthening democratic safeguards, criticized the 20th Amendment, and called for disabled police officers to receive suitable postings without arbitrary transfers. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama argued that constitutional safeguards and independent commissions depend on political leadership and institutional respect, not merely legal provisions. He cited the 17th Amendment in 2001 as a progressive reform establishing independent commissions, contrasted with later amendments that weakened or restored them, and criticized past governments for politicizing appointments. He maintained that under the current Government the commissions, including the National Police Commission, are exercising their constitutional powers freely. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta rejected the adjournment motion, arguing that the Opposition figures sponsoring it had previously supported or enabled measures such as the 18th and 20th Amendments that weakened independent commissions. He stated that the National Police Commission’s delegation of powers by Gazette was constitutionally permissible and did not amount to curtailing its authority. He further argued that the current Government is supporting an independent and effective Police service while acting against organized crime, drug networks, and political wrongdoing. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala opposed the Opposition motion, arguing that delegation of police transfer powers by the National Police Commission through Gazette notification would be constitutional under Article 155G(2). He said affected officers already have appeal mechanisms through the NPC, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and fundamental rights jurisdiction, and defended the need for IGP discretion in deploying officers for operations against drugs and organized crime. He rejected newspaper-based allegations and crime claims as unproven, contending that the motion sought to pressure independent bodies such as the NPC, CIABOC and CID and lacked any identified illegality. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →