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 August 2025 Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage asked whether due diligence had been carried out on the capacity and financing of Markop River Restaurant (Pvt) Ltd. before awarding the relevant project. He further asked whether the Urban Development Authority would investigate the matter. Oral Questions and Answers (Q.846/2025, Q.1024/2025, Q.1068/2025, Q.1070/2025, Q.1073/2025, Q.1076/2025, Q.1092/2025) Read →
- 22 August 2025 Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary The matter concerns returning an asset or service to the Municipal Council, but the previous MMC administration reportedly declined to accept it, leading to private operation. With court proceedings still ongoing, the new MMC administration has indicated willingness to take it over for public use, and action is to be taken after the legal process concludes. Oral Questions and Answers (Q.846/2025, Q.1024/2025, Q.1068/2025, Q.1070/2025, Q.1073/2025, Q.1076/2025, Q.1092/2025) Read →
- 22 August 2025 Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage asked whether the Urban Development Authority could return the Gangabada Udyana land to the Matara Municipal Council following an inquiry. He said the original understanding was that the land would revert to the Council after UDA development, but it had instead been given to a private entity that briefly opened it while commercializing public access and needs. Oral Questions and Answers (Q.846/2025, Q.1024/2025, Q.1068/2025, Q.1070/2025, Q.1073/2025, Q.1076/2025, Q.1092/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe seconded the Adjournment Motion on digitalization, arguing that Sri Lanka has lagged behind other countries in technology adoption while regional competitors advance. He emphasized the need to involve the State, private sector, education system, international experts, institutions and the diaspora, with early action in schools and universities to improve computer literacy. He noted ongoing Government initiatives such as digital ID and e-passports, stating that digitalizing public institutions would improve efficiency, ease transactions, support crime control and reduce corruption. Adjournment Motion: Government's Initiative towards an Inclusive Digital Economy Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Oshani Umanga moved an Adjournment Motion on the Government’s initiative for an inclusive digital economy, presenting digital economy development as a key pillar of the Government’s development strategy. She called for stronger integration of public digital infrastructure and AI-related technologies into the national economy, with emphasis on youth and women, startups, innovation-led enterprises, foreign investment, and international engagement. She proposed a broad public awareness programme led by the Ministry of Digital Economy and outlined planned measures including digital state services, national ID and licensing systems, land registration, government networks and cloud services, rural inclusion, knowledge centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and smart-city infrastructure. Adjournment Motion: Government's Initiative towards an Inclusive Digital Economy Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Responding at the close of the debate, the Minister rejected allegations by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara that immunoglobulin linked to the Keheliya Rambukwella-era procurement scandal had been reused and caused three deaths. He said the later batch in question was from a different consignment, had been temporarily withheld after adverse reactions and an NMRA test, but was later cleared for controlled use after review including a WHO-prequalified laboratory report; remaining stocks were then permitted for use. He stated that reports did not attribute the cited deaths to the medicine, defended continued procurement of immunoglobulin as life-critical, and requested that the allegation be withdrawn from Hansard. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that high vehicle taxes have made imported vehicles unaffordable, despite the Government allowing imports. He alleged serious irregularities and corruption in the coal procurement process, including violations of procurement guidelines, tender conditions tailored to a specific company, and a resignation by the Coal Company Chairman over the issue. He also raised concerns over Litro Gas and the reintroduction of a failed immunoglobulin product, citing reported deaths and demanding accountability from the NMRA and the Government. He further questioned the handling of legal proceedings involving Ranil Wickremesinghe and warned that public threats, magistrate transfers, and alleged pressure on judicial officers undermine the rule of law. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake criticised proposed vehicle allocations, arguing that Sri Lanka’s public institutions already have excessive government vehicles and that importing or allocating 2,000 more, particularly to MPs, would undermine public confidence in reform efforts. He urged proper use of official facilities, including the Speaker’s residence, and questioned public expenditure in areas such as Railway overtime payments and stalled projects. He also cited concerns from the National Construction Association about continuing institutional corruption and the decline in the construction sector’s contribution to GDP, calling for funds and attention to be redirected to substantive governance and economic problems. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage supported the Orders on the Luxury Tax on motor vehicles and under the Construction Industry Development Act, arguing that improved economic management has stabilized the Treasury and enabled the resumption of vehicle imports. He said the construction sector had been distorted by political interference, commissions, proxy contractors, and cartel-like tender practices, including contracts routed through community-based organizations. He welcomed CIDA’s reduction of contractor registration and renewal fees to encourage wider participation, genuine contractors, and competition, and called for legal and administrative measures to regularize tenders and prevent collusion and corruption. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka alleged irregularities in a coal tender process, citing Cabinet Paper No. 78/2025-P, which he said reduced the tender period from six weeks to five, followed by a further reduction by the NPC to three weeks. He claimed the mandatory chair’s signature was not obtained because the chair had resigned and refused to sign, and alleged the process was manipulated to favour a connected bidder, comparing it to earlier fertilizer procurement issues. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera raised a point of order challenging another Member’s allegation of corruption exceeding one billion dollars. He questioned whether the claim was being made responsibly, asked what evidence supported it, and disputed the implication that a minister known to oppose corruption would engage in such conduct. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka criticised the Government’s vehicle import tax policy, arguing that the reopening of imports was offset by a new 60 per cent luxury tax and that vehicle taxation had increased beyond previous levels. He disputed Government claims of economic revival, citing lower GDP growth, negative agricultural growth, rupee depreciation, money printing, and questioned statements about a Rs. 1 trillion Central Bank reserve. He also alleged insufficient action on corruption complaints and raised specific concerns over coal procurement, claiming tender timelines were shortened in breach of fair international bidding standards and that the process appeared structured to benefit a preferred supplier. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Padmasiri Bandara JJB AI summary Hon. Padmasiri Bandara defended the Government’s handling of paddy purchasing in Polonnaruwa, stating that district collection centres had opened, only dry paddy was being bought, and more than 26,000 metric tonnes had already been purchased in the Yala season. Speaking during debate on Orders under the Finance Act and the Construction Industry Development Act, he argued that the construction sector was being revived through housing, public building and road projects, with fairer access to contracts and reduced CIDA registration renewal fees. He said past political interference, contract capture and misuse of community-based organisations were being ended, and maintained that taxes and the Rs. 10,200 million Budget allocation for Polonnaruwa were being directed to public development and rural livelihoods. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody addressed regulations on construction and vehicle imports, arguing that both sectors reflect economic direction and require transparent, needs-based policy. He cited COPE concerns over alleged misuse of the electric vehicle permit scheme for overseas workers, including permits granted despite inadequate overseas employment, questionable remittance patterns, and lack of proper delegation or review. He also argued that improved Customs revenue reflects stricter enforcement and reduced corruption, not only higher taxes. On construction, he called for infrastructure projects to be linked to production, exports, and rural development, stating that the Government is restarting projects with greater value for money and reduced corruption. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman argued that the rise in Customs revenue reflected steep import tax increases rather than economic growth, with high vehicle and essential-goods duties being passed on to consumers and reducing purchasing power. He cited sharp increases in prices of common cars, vans, motorcycles, rice, salt, and wheat flour, and said poverty had risen as a result. He questioned the Government’s handling of vehicle import controls, including BYD releases, used vehicles stuck at Hambantota, demurrage costs, and a Gazette validating Bureau Veritas certificates retrospectively, and called for equal conditional release arrangements for small importers. He alleged selective facilitation in import and tender decisions and warned that higher Customs revenue ultimately comes from the public. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Dharmapriya Dissanayake JJB AI summary Dharmapriya Dissanayake discussed the resumption of vehicle imports from 1 February 2025 after a nearly five-year suspension, including battery-powered, petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles. He said difficulties with vehicles falling under “other” classifications led to Gazette No. 2434/04 of 28 April 2025 establishing a new taxation framework. He rejected Opposition concerns that imports would damage reserves or destabilize the economy, and urged support for the Government’s regulations and development measures. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera argued that, under Articles 42–46 of the Constitution, State Ministers and Deputy Ministers are collectively accountable to Parliament and should therefore be subject to Motions of No Confidence. He contended that Standing Orders do not prohibit such motions, citing past parliamentary practice including the 1981 motion against the Leader of the Opposition and references in Priyani Wijesekera’s work. He urged that a properly submitted no-confidence motion should not be blocked procedurally and should be taken up for debate. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera said the BYD vehicle taxation dispute showed the need to update Customs and tax regulations for electric and hybrid vehicles to ensure consistency, legal certainty, and reduced corruption risks. He cited past under-invoicing cases involving Land Rover imports and urged broader legal and regulatory reforms to prevent revenue losses and unequal treatment. He called for the next Budget to prioritize a national EV charging network with the CEB, LECO and private sector, supported by renewable energy and smart-grid development to encourage EV adoption, attract power-sector investment, and strengthen grid stability. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary The Minister acknowledged major inefficiencies in the railway system while noting the dedication of many staff. He said the Government has taken a Cabinet policy decision to fill technical vacancies, though implementation was delayed by some departmental heads, and is now working with the new General Manager, State Minister, volunteer engineers, and trade unions. He stated that reforms would be systematic and projected about a 50 percent improvement in rail services within a year. Oral Question: Technical Officer Vacancies in Sri Lanka Railways (Q.676/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. T. B. Sarath JJB AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath stated that a full inquiry should be conducted into the issue raised regarding the leasing of two parcels of land in 2014 and 2023. He said the Ministry was also concerned about whether the activities of Venerable Itthekande Saddhātissa Thera had received approval, and that action would be taken according to law following a proper investigation. Adjournment Debate: NMRA Medicine Supply and State Land Leasing Read →