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- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Fasmin Sharif JJB AI summary Hon. Fasmin Sharif supported the National Audit (Amendment) Bill, arguing that stronger audit mechanisms are needed to protect public funds, identify fraud or misuse, and strengthen parliamentary scrutiny through reports to Parliament and COPE. He also referred to supplementary estimates and said audit reforms would help prevent a recurrence of past financial mismanagement and improve accountability among public officials. He raised additional issues including the National Milad celebration, the Kurukkalmadam mass grave inquiry, revival of a halted Kandy District water project, alleged racist online content targeting Muslim MPs, and Government positions on the Mahar mosque land issue and recognition of Palestine. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake supported the amendments to the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018, and the related supplementary estimates, arguing that they aim to strengthen public sector audit governance, accountability, fiscal discipline, and the surcharge process. He placed the Bill in the context of Parliament’s constitutional control over public finance under Article 148, the role of the Auditor-General, and IMF-identified weaknesses following the 2023 programme. He also criticised past misuse of public funds and said the Government was seeking to correct public financial management through stronger audit and oversight mechanisms. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera stated that the new Bill addresses conflicts of interest in imposing and recovering surcharges by allowing the Cabinet Secretary to issue a surcharge certificate where the Chief Accounting Officer is implicated. He said the Independent Surcharge Review Committee would then proceed, strengthening accountability and social justice, and urged the House to support swift action against misuse of public funds. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera supported the National Audit (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it restores and strengthens the Auditor-General’s powers after limitations under the National Audit Act No. 19 of 2018. He said the amendment would allow audit findings on misuse, corruption, waste and abuse of public funds to trigger legal and surcharge processes, including referrals to an Independent Surcharge Review Committee and, where necessary, action through appropriate authorities. He also outlined streamlined appeal procedures and safeguards where a Chief Accounting Officer is implicated, while criticizing the Opposition for misrepresenting the Bill and delaying the debate. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe accused Hon. Amila Prasad of acting against his conscience, referring to a social media post stating “Lakmali, forgive me” as evidence that he recognized wrongdoing. He argued that the matter was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of conduct. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath raised a privilege matter concerning legal action by Richardsons Technologies (Pvt) Ltd. against Dr. Roshani Dissanayake over evidence she gave before COPA on alleged irregularities in Colombo Municipal Council public-private partnership projects. He said the company’s letter of demand, Court of Appeal defamation application, and Colombo District Court damages suit challenge protections under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act for witnesses before parliamentary committees. He requested that the matter be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to protect COPA’s privileges and the independence of parliamentary committee proceedings. Ministerial Statements and Privilege Question Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna sought clarification from the Prime Minister regarding alleged financial irregularities involving hospitals in the Northern Province, including Tellippalai Base Hospital and the Trail Cancer Hospital established in 2017. He alleged that diaspora funds had been collected and used without proper agreements or transparency, citing missing monies, the absence of an MoU with Colours of Courage Trust, and specific sums including Rs. 17 million and £31,324. He also referred to earlier allegations of fraud at Chavakachcheri Hospital and related legal action against him. Ministerial Statements and Privilege Question Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the Bribery Commission has initiated a preliminary inquiry under Section 42 of the Anti-Corruption Act into Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna’s complaint, and that further answers can be given only after an investigation begins or concludes. She said the Government is pursuing anti-corruption action within the legal framework while respecting the Commission’s independence. She also raised concern over alleged threatening and harassing conduct towards MP Lakmali Hemachandra, linking it to the wider issue of violence against women in politics, and requested the Speaker to caution Members or establish procedures to prevent such behaviour. Ministerial Statements and Privilege Question Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Ramanathan Archchuna raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources concerning alleged corruption and weak enforcement in the fisheries sector. He sought district-wise details of cases filed against illegal beach seine and purse seine fishing, information on meetings with fisher organizations and actions taken, and records of transfers in Northern and Eastern fisheries departments. He also asked whether the Minister would act on evidence relating to alleged bribery in sea cucumber farm approvals and a video concerning State land use, and requested project values, timelines, and proposals for fishery harbour developments at Mayiliddy and Kurikattuwan. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Ministerial Statements Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha argued that the Government failed to secure fair paddy prices and that the Paddy Marketing Board’s procurement and milling plan did not deliver the promised low-priced rice supply, leaving stocks insufficient for national needs. He urged an immediate assessment of rice varieties and the importation of Samba to prevent further price increases, while criticizing the allocation of PMB milling work to a politically connected large operator instead of small and medium millers. He also called for an urgent mechanism to purchase and process burnt sugarcane at Sevanagala, saying farmers should be protected while any arsonists are investigated and punished. Adjournment Debate: Fair Guaranteed Price for Paddy Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala — Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs AI summary Ananda Wijepala urged Opposition support for the Bill repealing certain entitlements under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, arguing it is intended to end excessive privileges for former officeholders rather than to target individuals. He said security for retired Presidents is handled separately through State mechanisms and threat assessments, and is not affected by the Bill. Citing staffing arrangements and 2024 expenditure figures for former Presidents and a former First Lady, he argued that past benefits had expanded without limits through regulations and Cabinet decisions, and that abolishing them was part of changing the political culture and setting an example to the public. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad supported removing excessive entitlements under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act but argued that the office of President must retain necessary dignity, security, and protection after retirement while the Executive Presidency continues to exist. He said the Government should abolish the Executive Presidency through a new Constitution rather than remove privileges piecemeal, and criticised attacks on former Presidents associated with the 1978 Constitution. He cited threats from drug mafias, the assassination of Janaka Perera after security was withdrawn, and unrest in Nepal to argue that former Presidents and their families may remain vulnerable because of decisions taken in office. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran supported the Bill to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, arguing that past Presidents had used public funds and Cabinet decisions to secure excessive post-retirement housing and privileges. He said such expenditure was unjustifiable when many citizens, including war-affected people in the North and communities in the Hill Country, still lacked housing and basic support. He stated that the Government would reduce wasteful privileges, redirect savings to public welfare, and pursue policies aimed at dignity, unity, and development for all communities. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna said Northern voters had supported the Government because they believed it opposed repression, and argued that Tamil commemorations of Prabhakaran should be understood alongside Sinhala regard for Rohana Wijeweera. He alleged corruption in the North, including in Jaffna, and claimed the Government had failed to prosecute major fraud while filing 25 police cases against him after he exposed wrongdoing. He also criticized MPs who call for dissolving Parliament while enjoying parliamentary benefits, and demanded accountability for alleged misuse of state resources and politically motivated legal action. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Harshana Rajakaruna supported revisiting former Presidents’ entitlements but opposed portraying all past leaders as corrupt, citing examples of leaders who donated property or made public sacrifices. He argued that post-tenure benefits should be regulated with modest limits rather than abolished entirely, and questioned whether pension entitlements should also be removed under the proposed approach. He further criticized the Government for focusing on cutting presidential perks while electricity tariffs were reportedly set to rise, and called for concrete action on underworld violence, political links to crime, and unanswered questions regarding the contents of 323 containers. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Bill to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, arguing that lifetime official residences, allowances, staff salaries, and utility payments for former Presidents and their widows are unjustifiable while large numbers of citizens lack housing or land. She said the Bill ends the conversion of official perks into permanent benefits, while leaving former Presidents’ pensions and security unaffected. She framed the repeal as part of a broader policy of accountable governance, responsible use of public resources, and redirecting attention to housing needs, including among marginalized communities such as plantation workers. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Sugath Wasantha de Silva supported the Bill to remove additional benefits and perks granted to former Presidents, arguing that elected representatives should return to ordinary citizenship after leaving office. He linked the measure to the NPP’s electoral mandate to change what he described as an anti-people political culture, while saying lawful entitlements would remain. He urged all Members to vote for the Bill, stating that taxpayers facing economic hardship should not fund expanded privileges obtained through previous Cabinets. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported the repeal of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act of 1986, stating that the Bill removes post-retirement benefits such as official residences, secretarial allowances, and widows’ entitlements, but does not affect former Presidents’ security. She argued that the measure fulfils the NPP’s policy commitment to abolish excessive presidential privileges and responds to public demands for equality, accountability, and a new political culture. Citing Supreme Court rulings involving former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, she said past use of office for personal benefit justified legislation to prevent misuse of public power and protect democracy. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe stated that his party would continue making allegations about crimes against the country both inside and outside Parliament, despite defamation actions or letters of demand. He said they were prepared to defend their statements in court and challenged the relevant person to come to Parliament and respond. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Bill to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986, arguing that it implements the NPP’s electoral mandate to abolish excessive benefits for former Presidents and align public spending with the needs of ordinary citizens. He rejected claims that the measure is vindictive, stating it is a lawful and democratic correction of entitlements that he said have been misused or exceeded their intended purpose. He cited court rulings and examples involving former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, and Mahinda Rajapaksa to argue that state residences, land, and renovation expenditures had been unfairly or unlawfully allocated. He added that while security for former Presidents remains a government responsibility, unlimited privileges should not continue. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →