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- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake asked the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development about a National Gem and Jewellery Authority building and land at Galle Face Terrace, Kollupitiya, which he said had subsided due to adjacent construction by a Renuka Holdings-affiliated company. He sought confirmation of the Authority’s legal action against Renuka Holdings and asked whether the Government-appointed Board of Directors planned to settle the case and sell the property to the company, or to explain if not. Oral Question: National Gem and Jewellery Authority Property (Q.4/2024) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary The Member raised concerns relating to the NMRA data deletion issue, stating that records of a Jaffna pharmacy had reportedly been completely deleted and seeking clarification. He also alleged that 18 pharmacies in Jaffna were operating without licences, linked this to the trafficking and sale of Pregabalin and related court cases, and questioned the Ministry over alleged neglect by the RDHS in licensing oversight in the Northern Province. Oral Question: NMRA Data Deletion Incident (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked whether investigations into alleged drug rackets linked to the NMRA, including alleged data deletion and the involvement of technical staff, had identified the masterminds who directed those actions. He referenced public allegations during the previous Government and the remanding of a former Minister in related cases. Oral Question: NMRA Data Deletion Incident (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media for details on the reported deletion of data from National Medicines Regulatory Authority computers, including the date it was reported and the names and addresses of officers allegedly involved. He also sought confirmation on whether the deletion enabled large-scale fraud and requested an update on the progress of investigations into the incident. Oral Question: NMRA Data Deletion Incident (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister spoke in support of the debate on regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act and Public Debt Management Act, and the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, while responding to recent political claims by the Opposition. He rejected reports of government MPs crossing over and criticized Opposition references to “mafias,” saying such networks had developed under their own past political activity. He also said the recent hartal in the North and East had failed, argued that people were rejecting divisive politics, and urged political actors not to misuse religion in local political campaigns. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando supported regulating casinos and gambling to attract foreign exchange, tourism and investment, citing the City of Dreams Sri Lanka project and Melco Resorts’ concerns about legal and regulatory uncertainty. He argued that the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill gives extensive control to the Minister, including over appointments, removals, capital requirements, funding, staffing, directives and regulations, undermining the stated independence of the regulator. He urged a stable and credible framework to reassure investors and warned that political inconsistency and excessive ministerial control could deter investment. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj supported the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, arguing that Sri Lanka needs formal regulation to protect vulnerable groups and prevent gambling-related outflows of money. She linked the Bill with the Public Debt Management Act regulations and Foreign Exchange Act orders as part of broader financial management reforms aimed at accountability, debt discipline, and compliance with international practice. She stated that stronger rules are necessary for Sri Lanka to manage borrowing, meet repayment obligations, and move toward financial stability by 2028. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna said the Opposition supports regulating gambling but argued that the proposed Gambling Regulatory Authority must be independent, with key appointments approved by the Constitutional Council to prevent excessive ministerial control. He proposed allowing casino gambling only for foreign passport or visa holders while prohibiting Sri Lankan citizens from participating, citing practices in countries such as Singapore and China. He also questioned reported plans for cannabis cultivation on BOI land in Mirigama and criticized the Government for reversing earlier positions on gambling, cannabis, rice and salt imports, while stating that the Opposition would support constructive policies aligned with public promises. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, stating that it replaces the limited 2010 Casino Business (Regulation) Act with a comprehensive regulatory framework and an independent Authority empowered to license, renew, suspend and cancel licences. She argued that casinos had operated for years without effective regulations, noting that the first licensing regulations were issued only in 2022, and highlighted offences and safeguards in the Bill, including restrictions involving minors and requirements for expert board membership. She said the Bill represents a legal advancement over ministerial control and that any shortcomings could be addressed through future amendments. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad asked the Government to disclose the full cost structure of the new Sathosa-branded rice programme to assess whether Treasury-funded costs or below-cost pricing could distort competition with private traders. He expressed support for the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, citing earlier gambling legislation and the need to secure tax revenue, while questioning how entry fees, winnings taxes, licensing, online betting enforcement, and investor confidence would be managed. He urged that casino regulation be oriented toward attracting foreign high-spending tourists, supported by international expertise and a fully digitized reporting and tax platform. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government for increasing taxes and revenue without delivering promised relief, including reduced electricity tariffs, timely fertilizer subsidies, fair paddy prices, rice market reform, and public services. He alleged that farmers’ incomes had fallen while rice imports continued, and questioned the Government’s management of state revenue and cost-of-living issues. He also warned against politicization of the public service, police, military and judiciary, citing concerns over appointments, transfers and law enforcement, and argued that such institutional interference and public insecurity would deter investors. He further criticized proposed tourism measures such as issuing driving licences at the airport, saying they could harm small and medium local tourism operators. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe defended the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill as a measure to regulate existing gambling activity rather than expand it, and said the Government would consider constructive proposals. He rejected Opposition claims about public borrowing, stating that the Government would borrow only within legal, IMF and fiscal discipline frameworks for productive projects and public benefit, unlike past borrowing that he said failed to create adequate assets. He also described the North-East hartal as unsuccessful and argued that recent election results showed public rejection of divisive ethnic politics, while affirming the Government’s commitment to transparency and responsible governance. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha supported the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill as an improvement on the 2010 framework, arguing that gambling is already legitimized and should be regulated transparently to attract tourism and foreign exchange while ensuring oversight. He identified concerns including ministerial direction over the Authority under Clause 77(1), the need for tourism sector representation, stronger regulation of online gambling, and clearer definitions for digital gambling, junkets, software, machines, and casino games. He also proposed updating provisions on cash desks and “currency” to accommodate electronic transactions and urged amendments to reduce ambiguity, strengthen accountability, and attract reputable operators. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha argued that Sri Lanka’s debt problem lies not in borrowing itself but in the unproductive and poorly governed use of loans, contrasting this with countries whose high debt levels finance productive assets. He said the Public Debt Management Act, No. 33 of 2024, and the establishment of a Debt Management Office would centralize borrowing, debt servicing, guarantees, and reporting across public entities. He emphasized that the framework is intended to improve transparency, clarify repayment capacity and revenue generation from loans, and support fiscal discipline and debt sustainability. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake responded to criticism linking him to port sector issues, stating that the Government is rebuilding institutions affected by corruption and mismanagement rather than producing immediate results. He cited a reported 66 per cent increase in Sri Lanka Ports Authority profits in the first half of 2025, from Rs. 14,691 million to Rs. 24,418 million, and urged Members to acknowledge progress and not undermine port workers and professionals. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne argued that gambling, including shipboard, onshore and online operations, already exists in Sri Lanka and that the Bill seeks to regulate rather than introduce it. She outlined the historical and policy background, citing earlier laws, failed attempts since 2010–2013, and the 2022 Committee on Public Finance recommendation for a dedicated authority modelled on international practice such as Singapore. She said weak regulation had led to lost tax revenue, money remittances, and risks of money laundering, and highlighted clauses on supervision, revenue collection, responsible gambling, AML/CFT enforcement, online gambling regulation and licence suspension. She urged Members to support the legislation as a mechanism to control an existing unregulated market and collect due revenue. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe criticized former governments and economic advisers for failing to implement proposals contained in the 2016 Budget, arguing that many pledged reforms remained undelivered. He listed areas such as industrial policy, tax administration technology, debt management, SOE reform, digital identity, anti-dumping legislation, land banking, tourism branding, SME finance, labour law changes, and commercial dispute resolution as examples of past failures. He said the present government is now implementing several of these measures, including GovPay, public debt management reforms, anti-dumping provisions, women’s employment-related labour reforms, SOE KPIs, and forthcoming initiatives on industrial policy, land banking, tourism branding, and MICE development. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim argued that while gambling regulation is necessary, the proposed Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill is flawed and risks politicization, monopoly formation, weak revenue collection, and inadequate control of online gambling and money laundering. He proposed greater independence for the regulator, reduced ministerial control over appointments and rule-making, inclusion of tourism representation, bringing lotteries under the Authority, and stronger enforcement, taxation and penalty powers. He also questioned whether proposed borrowing for the Central Expressway from China Exim Bank and the Treasury complied with the State Debt Management Act, and asked for clarification on its impact on external public debt and debt servicing. He further raised concern that foreign reserves had declined in 2025 despite IMF inflows, tourism, exports and remittances, citing lower-than-expected multilateral disbursements. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised questions to the Deputy Minister on the distinction between money printing and asset-backed monetary expansion. He also queried the implications for Central Bank independence if it is placed on or linked to the Gambling Regulatory Authority, and called for joint action to address related anomalies. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary The Minister noted that the Government marked the 25th International Youth Day on 12 August with a National Youth Conference held under the President’s patronage, themed around youth action for the Sustainable Development Goals. He said the Government’s youth policy seeks to develop a “future-ready” generation by integrating environmental concerns, skills, leadership, and opportunities for young people. He argued that past political culture had denied youth adequate roles in employment, politics, and leadership, and said the Government is working to address that gap. Ministerial Announcement: National Youth Conference Statement Read →