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- 12 September 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised a point of order on the Committee on Public Finance report regarding CIABOC’s budget estimate, stating that the Committee had agreed to recommend amendments to the State Finance Management Act, No. 44 of 2024, to exclude CIABOC and the National Audit Office from its scope in order to protect their budgetary independence. He argued that this would prevent future governments from influencing those institutions through the Ministry of Finance. He also noted that the CIABOC Chair’s salary, previously linked to the President of the Court of Appeal, had not been adjusted after the latter’s salary increase, and said the Committee recommends aligning it with the revised Court of Appeal President’s salary from 2025/2026 onward. Point of Order: CIABOC Report (Hon. Harsha de Silva) Read →
- 12 September 2025 Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem presented, on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, the Committee’s report on the 2026 Budget Estimate of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. The report included the Finance Minister’s observations under Section 31(1)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, and was ordered to lie upon the Table. Committee Report: Public Finance Committee on Budget Estimate of CIABOC Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Shantha Padma Kumara Subasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Shantha Padma Kumara Subasingha raised concerns about organized crime and drug rackets, arguing that current media coverage portrays them as new problems while the Government is in fact exposing and addressing long-standing criminal networks. He asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to state what measures and progress have been made in bringing gang leaders and members before the law, whether fugitives abroad and their host countries have been identified, and what action is being taken where political patronage is alleged. He requested that the Minister clarify these matters for Parliament and the public, while acknowledging the sensitivity of ongoing investigations. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti — Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development AI summary The Minister argued that earlier governments weakened the audit legislation during its passage in 2018, despite changes in officeholders, and said the present amendments are intended to strengthen it. He recalled his 2018 Hansard position that the law needed effective enforcement powers, citing Kenya’s 2015 Audit Act, and stated that the Bill now empowers the Auditor General to complain directly to the Police, including in relation to Ministries and Departments. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti — Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti stated that the individual in question continued to serve as a Permanent Secretary. He alleged that the matter was not taken before court because others did not permit or facilitate such action. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti — Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development AI summary The Minister argued that the Government is restoring fiscal discipline through amendments that reverse changes made in 2018, including raising fines for offences from Rs. 5,000 back to Rs. 100,000 and expanding the Auditor General’s scope to cover revenues as well as Consolidated Fund expenditure. He said the Bill strengthens the surcharge process by creating a Surcharge Review Committee and extending surcharge coverage to Ministries, Departments, and other entities, rather than only local authorities and universities. He maintained that these reforms are intended to prevent public financial misconduct and rejected allegations concerning his party’s internal salary contributions. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti — Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti supported the National Audit (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it restores powers and fiscal discipline that he said were weakened when the original National Audit Act was passed in 2018. He said the JVP had proposed amendments at that time, only some of which were accepted, and rejected claims that the current amendments were driven by the IMF, stating that similar reforms had been advocated before the IMF Governance Diagnostic. He also linked the Bill to wider anti-corruption efforts and defended Parliament’s decision to remove former Presidents from official residences on grounds of public expenditure misuse. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman raised concerns over the January 2025 release of 309 Customs containers, citing a President-appointed committee report that said red- and yellow-labeled containers were released without scanning or physical inspection and that congestion had been artificially created. He questioned a Police statement that two containers suspected of containing methamphetamine were not among the 309, arguing that Customs had not yet identified the contents despite earlier complaints to the CID and Bribery Commission. He called for immediate investigations into who imported the containers, what they contained, and for the findings to be tabled in Parliament, while also questioning the appointment of a Customs official named in the report as Director General. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan supported the National Audit (Amendment) Bill as part of anti-corruption efforts, but said past audit findings had wrongly affected resettlement lands in Musali and Manthai West by treating previously inhabited areas as forest. He supported supplementary allocations for pregnant mothers’ nutrition, housing and resettlement, while calling for increased future funding and urgent improvements to roads, electricity, water, and services in post-war areas. He welcomed India’s Rs. 600 million grant for Mannar General Hospital and urged action on releasing public and forest lands, including 10 acres at Poomoddai for a lawful garbage dumping site before the pending court matter. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Manjula Sugath Rathnayaka JJB AI summary The Hon. Manjula Sugath Rathnayaka supported amendments to the National Audit Act, arguing that they strengthen procedures to address control weaknesses, corruption risks, misappropriation, and losses to the State. He said the amendments empower the Auditor General to initiate legal action, refer matters to law enforcement or regulators, and strengthen surcharge recovery through the Surcharge Review Committee, Chief Accounting Officers, the Cabinet Secretary, and possible reporting to COPE or COPA. He rejected concerns that the measures would discourage officials, stating that honest officials need not fear them, and urged all Members, including the Opposition, to support the amendments. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan thanked India for funding the Mannar General Hospital and welcomed India’s positions on human rights and meaningful devolution through Provincial Councils. He urged the Government to review the Mannar wind power project in light of a prolonged local protest, and called for internationally monitored investigations into human rights violations, including mass graves at Chemmani, rejecting purely domestic processes. He also supported anti-corruption action but demanded that it extend beyond Colombo to local authorities, citing alleged irregularities in Mannar Municipality projects such as the Panangkattukottu stadium and Pallimunai ground, and called for investigations and punishment of those responsible. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha — Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha supported amendments to the National Audit Act, stating that they are intended to strengthen public financial accountability, fiscal discipline, and the independence of audit following concerns over misuse of public funds and commitments under the IMF governance process. He explained that the Bill replaces the ineffective surcharge process under the Audit Service Commission with a Surcharge Review Committee chaired by a retired senior judge, enabling reviewed recovery action through Chief Accounting Officers or the Cabinet Secretary where necessary. He also noted provisions to increase penalties for withholding audit information and to operationalize a fund for audit capacity by allocating up to 15 per cent of audit fees. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake warned that inadequate reserves ahead of macro-linked bond repayments could trigger capital outflows, rupee depreciation, and cost-push inflation, noting the fiscal impact of exchange-rate and interest-rate movements. He welcomed reports of closing 33 state entities but urged a clear plan for improving public-sector productivity without merely retrenching workers. He also highlighted that five major state-owned enterprises account for most state indebtedness and called for discussion on reforms to manage these fiscal risks. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara supported amendments to the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018, citing the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025–2029 and the IMF Governance Diagnostic Assessment 2023 as grounds for strengthening audit enforcement and information-sharing with law enforcement. He outlined proposals to reform surcharge procedures, including replacing sole reliance on “negligence,” creating an independent five-member Surcharge Review Committee, and allowing the Auditor-General to initiate complaints where fraud, corruption or misuse is suspected. He argued that these changes would reduce political influence over surcharge decisions, address weaknesses in current arrangements for ministries and departments, and improve public financial management and service delivery. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri stated that his earlier remarks did not name any individual and should be applied equally to all members. He called for relevant matters to be referred to the Auditor General to investigate concealed practices involving funds flowing into political parties, and urged that appropriate laws be used or enacted to stop such practices. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri spoke on the Bill and two Supplementary Estimates, emphasizing the need to adhere to established parliamentary procedure and customs. Referring to the National Audit Bill, he alleged that public funds paid as allowances to certain office-holders are redirected through bank accounts to party funds, despite claims that salaries and allowances are not personally taken. He requested that the Auditor-General examine such fund flows and called for legal provisions to prevent the concealment or diversion of public monies to political party coffers. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Chanaka Madugoda said the Opposition supports the original National Audit Act and its amendments, including the proposed Independent Surcharge Review Committee, while urging the Government to protect officials from political reprisals for performing audit duties. He requested that the A.K. Seneviratne report on the release of high-risk Customs containers be tabled in Parliament, and asked whether containers linked to the Middeniya ice incident were among the 323 red-channel containers allegedly released without physical examination. He also called for Budget funding to begin the second phase of the Magalla Water Supply Scheme to address water shortages in Galle, and asked the Government to examine inconsistencies in appointments related to the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service and Sinhala-special degree holders. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath supported amendments to the National Audit Act and said they are needed to strengthen oversight by the Auditor-General, Audit Department and Audit Service Commission over fraud, corruption and misuse of public funds. He linked the reforms to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and international reform expectations, arguing that past governments bear responsibility and that the current Government is acting on its mandate through new laws, including the removal of former Presidents’ privileges. He said the supplementary estimates for the Ministries of Women and Child Affairs and Urban Development, Construction and Housing are intended to redirect funds toward restarting stalled projects and delivering public benefits, while also pledging further legal action on waste, corruption and narcotics. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Fasmin Sharif JJB AI summary Hon. Fasmin Sharif said incidents concerning nurses’ attire arose under the previous government due to actions by racist politicians and appointed officials. He stated that discussions had been held with Minister Nalin Jayatissa and that an early solution would be provided, while asking for evidence of any current wrongdoing by such officials so action can be taken. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Namal Sudarshana — Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Sudarshana supported the National Audit (Amendment) Bill, stating that it addresses weaknesses in the 2018 Act by strengthening the Auditor-General’s powers, enabling disciplinary and investigative action, creating an independent Surcharge Review Committee, and allowing COPE and COPA intervention in surcharge recovery. He also explained a supplementary estimate for the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, saying Rs. 1.5 billion previously allocated for festive relief would be repurposed, with existing funds, to provide Rs. 9 billion in nutrition vouchers for pregnant mothers. He said the programme would provide Rs. 4,500 per month for 10 months, plus an additional Rs. 5,000 in December, in response to reported levels of anaemia, low birth weight and low BMI among mothers. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →