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- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri criticized past and present political alignments, alleging that those responsible for corruption and economic collapse were protected and that current promises to resolve the crisis have not been made practical. Addressing President Anura Kumara Dissanayake upon his entry to the Chamber, he demanded a concrete programme for delivering promised relief, including support for workers, schoolchildren, and access to medicines. He called for clarity on how state revenue would be distributed to meet public needs and warned against a return to political deals, stating that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya would oppose such practices. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned whether increased government revenue is being used to ease the cost of living for ordinary citizens, while expressing concern over unclear terms of the proposed India agreement. He criticized the Government’s responses on past corruption allegations, including the bond scam, sugar tax fraud, onion fraud, and a former President’s son’s rocket project, saying they lacked names, specifics, or action beyond proposed forensic audits. He demanded accountability, recovery of stolen assets, and warned against any attempt to “whitewash” past wrongdoing, placing the Prime Minister’s written answers on record in the Library. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Welcomed the Minister’s remarks on considering a general amnesty for political prisoners and appealed for the release of named detainees who have been imprisoned for 14 to 30 years. He urged the President and Minister to take humanitarian grounds into account, highlighting the family circumstances of Sachchithanantham Ananthasuthakar, whose children have lost both their mother and grandmother caregivers. Ministry Statement: Release of Tamil Political Prisoners Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary A question was raised about alleged non-compliance by privatized plantation companies with contractual conditions, including conversion of tea and rubber lands to other crops such as cinnamon. The member asked what action the Ministry would take to prevent misuse of plantation lands and enforce the relevant agreements. Oral Question: Land Granted to Private Plantation Companies from State-Owned Lands (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne said investigations into the Polonnaruwa fertilizer fraud, based on information from several Members, found that fertilizer labelled as containing 46% nitrogen had much lower nitrogen content and had already been widely distributed. He stated that such frauds harm farmers and the national economy, and argued that the current Act’s penalties are inadequate. He said the law should be amended to impose stronger, deterrent penalties. Oral Question: Regulation of Fertilizer Act - Maximum Penalty on Fake Fertilizer Manufacturers (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri referred to a police raid in Dimbulagala where ammonia fertilizer allegedly was being repackaged and sold as urea with false nitrogen content, linking it to farmer complaints over poor yields in Polonnaruwa. He questioned the adequacy of the Rs. 5,000 fine for such offences and asked what redress would be provided for the wider economic and social losses to farmers, rice mills, employment, and rice supply. He also referenced the 2021 Qingdao Seawin organic fertilizer procurement and the reported US$ 6.9 million compensation payment. Oral Question: Regulation of Fertilizer Act - Maximum Penalty on Fake Fertilizer Manufacturers (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna defended the Government’s energy and labour policies, arguing that it is ending corruption, accelerating development, and making structural changes to increase electricity generation and improve the CEB’s efficiency. He contrasted current wage increases with past treatment of public servants and workers, presenting the Government as protecting workers’ rights. He also supported regulations under the Tea (Export Duty and Control) Act to levy Rs. 3 per kilogram of exported tea, with proceeds credited to the Sri Lanka Tea Board for fertilizer support, cultivation promotion, and market development. He said the Government aims to restore and modernize the tea industry, including the standing of “Ceylon Tea,” and requested support for the amendments and regulations. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem criticized the Electricity Amendment Bill, arguing that it reverses prior unbundling efforts by reconsolidating generation, transmission and distribution under State control, which he said would deter private investment, weaken efficiency and strain public finances during the post-debt-crisis recovery. He questioned changes to the unbundling timeline and warned that proposed arrangements could weaken the PUCSL’s regulatory independence through Finance Ministry supervision. He also challenged the tariff treatment of small renewable energy projects, alleging discriminatory returns compared with larger dollar-pegged projects. He called for a high-powered, conflict-free inquiry into LTL shareholdings and alleged links involving former public servants, including hidden employee trust structures and the value of stakes following the IPO. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha raised concerns over the proposed LNG FSRU procurement, questioning the eligibility of the China Harbour Engineering Company–Engro joint venture after Engro’s exit, the apparent permission for a site change, and the cost of leasing rather than purchasing the unit. He alleged the arrangement may be corrupt, tabled related documents, and asked the Minister to scrutinize it, while also criticizing the halting of the LTL Holdings IPO and proposed CPC investment. He further warned against concentrating key CEB reform positions under one individual, requested recruitment of 167 qualified electrical superintendents, and argued that high electricity tariffs are undermining Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness despite US tariff preferences. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Anura Karunathilaka stated that the matter in question was not destroyed but altered. The remark appears to be a clarification or response to an accusation, without providing further details in the excerpt. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa criticised the Government’s Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it retreats from its election pledge to repeal the 2024 Electricity Act and instead adopts a similar restructuring model under state ownership with investment access. He rejected claims that the power sector had been ruined over 40 years by previous administrations, asserting that the 2005-2015 period achieved full household electrification, lower tariffs and profitability for the CEB. He accused the Government and allied political forces of opposing or obstructing major generation projects such as Norochcholai, Uma Oya and Sampur, contributing to the lack of major power sector development since 2015. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana said that public concern over the Electricity (Amendment) Bill centres on promised reductions in household electricity bills, recalling President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s 2024 pledge to cut bills by one-third and asking the Government to deliver visible relief. He urged the Minister to announce a clear commitment to reduce bills in 2025, while acknowledging the technical reforms under debate. He also raised a personal clarification regarding a COPA-related allegation involving a leased closed school, denying any connection to the named “Sarath Abeygunawardhana” and stating that parliamentary committees should refer matters to investigative bodies rather than assign guilt. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara said he would address the repayment of the monies in question. He also asserted that JVP Members had taken amounts between 2004 and 2008, citing figures of Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2 million, and requested that those details be stated accurately. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that the proposed electricity sector amendment reverses earlier unbundling reforms by re-concentrating generation and distribution under CEB-linked structures, weakening accountability and risking continued monopoly control. He said the amendment leaves key restructuring decisions to unelected officials, creates insufficiently accountable minister-appointed committees, and introduces ambiguous dispatch terminology that could shift costs to consumers. He also questioned the handling of LTL Holdings and Sri Lanka Energies, requested clarification from the Attorney-General regarding an Article 78(3) objection, and warned against policies that would sideline renewable energy such as rooftop solar. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna responded to a reference made to his receipt of funds from the President’s Fund, stating that he received a LKR 500,000 postgraduate scholarship through the proper application and interview process while his father was in the Opposition. He questioned why only his name was mentioned despite the Minister citing over LKR 7,300 million in total disbursements, and requested that efforts to damage his political reputation be recognized and not hinder his parliamentary duties. Personal Explanations and Committee Resignations Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Namal Karunaratne said imported substandard produce, including pepper, had allegedly been mixed or re-exported as Sri Lankan goods, undermining farmers’ prices and damaging Sri Lanka’s export crop brand in markets such as India. He referred to past campaigns and discussions on the issue, and said the relevant Department is now under his Ministry, which is taking phased action against fraud, corruption and malpractice. He stated that the Government intends to reform the system and develop export crops to increase foreign exchange earnings. Oral Question: Agricultural Crop Export Producers and Regulatory Framework (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Asked whether, following prior concerns raised about corruption in agricultural exports, the authorities have taken steps to prevent such malpractices. Sought an assurance that farmers will be protected from related irregularities. Oral Question: Agricultural Crop Export Producers and Regulatory Framework (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised a supplementary question on a recent smuggling incident involving “red containers,” citing public concern and findings from a presidentially appointed committee that their contents had not been properly verified. He asked what decisions had been taken beyond ongoing investigations and requested that Parliament be provided with details of the items in the containers, the importing institutions, and the categories of goods involved. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Customs - Release of Containers without Inspection (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration to provide details on Attorney-General’s Department cases filed from 2020 to 2024 against politicians and public officials concerning alleged fraud, corruption, and homicides from 2015 to 2019. He sought the number of such cases, how many had concluded, which cases they were, and how many had been withdrawn by the Attorney-General, including their identities. Oral Question: Cases Filed by Attorney-General's Department (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya rejected claims that arrests linked to anti-corruption efforts were a cover or political theatre. She stated that any illegal acts would be investigated without hesitation, including wrongdoing within the anti-corruption process itself, and that offenders would be brought to justice. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →