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- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson stated that despite raising an issue a month earlier regarding tanks in Polonnaruwa, no action had been taken and local unrest continued. He alleged that underground tanks and buildings had been removed although tenders were called only for two above-ground tanks, and noted that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation claimed it was unaware of the underground tanks. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Kumara Jayakody stated that no tender process has been initiated to award fuel transportation to a single individual. The remark appears to address or deny an allegation regarding the allocation of fuel transport contracts. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy asked why graduates with foreign degrees who received appointment letters during the good governance period, and in some cases assumed duties at Divisional Secretariats, were later rejected from graduate appointments. He noted that over 4,000 such graduates had served during COVID with official identity cards and submitted required documents, and questioned whether it was unjust to deny them appointments while foreign-trained medical graduates can enter government service. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu supported the amendments to the Companies Act, No. 07 of 2007, stating that they would address gaps on beneficial ownership information and strengthen anti-corruption, anti-money-laundering, and counter-terrorism financing compliance. He linked the need for reform to past economic mismanagement and corruption, including the Central Bank bond scam, and said the current administration was pursuing investigations and institutional independence. He also emphasized the need to protect and formalize companies, particularly in the North and East, and said the Government would fund and conduct a fair investigation into the Chemmani mass graves. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Upul Kithsiri JJB AI summary Proposed amendments to the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, are presented as necessary to identify ultimate beneficial ownership of companies and strengthen safeguards against money laundering, terrorism financing, and other unlawful activity. The speech links the reforms to improving investor confidence and international recognition, citing past legal gaps, opaque company ownership, delays in land allocation, approval-related corruption, and banking obstacles faced by investors. It also refers to recent government action on market issues such as rice, salt, and vehicle imports as part of a broader claim that the administration is removing barriers to economic development. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana said the Government’s priorities are economic stabilization and growth, alongside action against fraud and corruption. He linked the Companies Act amendment to the earlier Proceeds of Crime Act, stating that it would close loopholes allowing illicit funds to be laundered through companies by requiring disclosure of beneficial ownership and real interests. He also cited economic indicators, including increased government revenue, higher remittances, and targets to reduce poverty by 2027 and eradicate extreme poverty by 2030. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath supported the amendments to the Companies Act, No. 07 of 2007, stating that they implement FATF Recommendation 24 on beneficial ownership by requiring companies to disclose their true share owners. He argued that the measure is necessary to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and corruption, and said it would improve Sri Lanka’s legal credibility and investment climate by assuring transparency for lawful investors. He noted that concerns about applicability to foreign companies had been raised before the Supreme Court and said the amendments followed discussion and consensus without evidence of adverse impact on investors. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri disputed Opposition claims about Port Authority land in Trincomalee being used for a solar project, stating that approval had been granted on 01.07.2023 under the previous administration. He also defended the formation of youth clubs under “A Tomorrow for Youth” and alleged past misuse of National Youth Services Council and election-period funds by political opponents. He argued that the Government had prioritised economic recovery and rule of law by passing several legal reforms, including criminal procedure, proceeds of crime, foreign judgments, and Companies Act amendments, and linked these measures to improved tourism, remittances, and foreign investment prospects. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised concerns over differing customs duty treatment for BYD ATTO 3 electric vehicles, stating that new imports were declared at 100 kW and charged Rs. 5.5 million while used vehicles were treated as 150 kW and charged Rs. 9.5–10 million, despite BYD listing the model at 150 kW. He questioned whether the lower duty treatment indicated improper links between importers and the government, and urged the Minister and government to release 500–600 vehicles reportedly stuck at the port after payment in foreign currency. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported the Companies Act amendment, linking it to Sri Lanka’s FATF anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing commitments and the need to identify beneficial owners behind companies and institutions. He argued that stronger disclosure and enforcement would help expose misuse of corporate structures, fraud involving public funds, and entities registered under proxies. He also responded to remarks about the NPP youth movement, referenced the burning of the Jaffna Library and reconciliation efforts with Tamil communities, and cited recent court rulings on the 2022 Aragalaya protests and reported increases in investment as part of the Government’s broader reform agenda. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Anushka Thilakarathne referred to Supreme Court rulings that fundamental rights were violated by the Emergency Regulations imposed in July 2022 during the Aragalaya period. Supporting the Companies (Amendment) Bill, she said it would close loopholes, align Sri Lanka with international standards on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, and allow requested public access to beneficial ownership information. She cited concerns about foundations and trusts allegedly used to launder funds, and argued that improved public trust in government had contributed to increased tax registrations. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported amendments to the Companies Act to strengthen company registration procedures by identifying beneficial ownership, control, and connected parties. He said the reforms address money laundering and terrorism financing risks, align Sri Lanka more fully with FATF Recommendation 24, and should improve rather than deter investment by increasing transparency and regulatory stability. He also responded to concerns about the Registrar of Companies website outage, stating it occurred during a service transition back to the Ministry, was under investigation, and had been rectified after about 10 days. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam supported the Companies Act amendments, saying they address legal deficiencies and require disclosure of beneficial ownership to reduce tax evasion and misuse of companies, including in relation to terrorism financing. He linked the debate to the anniversary of the 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom, arguing that past governments diverted public anger onto minorities and recalling similar concerns after the Easter attacks. He called for national unity beyond ethnic divisions and stated that the NPP Government would protect all communities and reject racism. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena supported the amendments to the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007, stating that they are intended to identify ultimate beneficial owners of companies and align Sri Lanka with international standards, including FATF Recommendation 24. He argued that stronger powers for the Registrar of Companies to obtain, maintain, and refer information are needed to prevent misuse of corporate structures for money laundering, terror financing, and unclear ownership. He said mandatory filings and beneficial ownership disclosure would improve public trust, investor confidence, and orderly business regulation, and requested cooperation to pass and implement the reforms. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage supported the Companies Act amendment introducing beneficial ownership disclosure, stating it would require information on directors, shareholders, beneficial owners and sources of capital to prevent fraud, money laundering and hidden unlawful interests in companies. He argued the measure aligns with the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” agenda and would not deter legitimate investors, but would target those unable to explain the lawful origins of their funds. He also linked the reform to improving Sri Lanka’s business environment, international benchmarks such as the World Bank’s B-READY index, and the need to improve operational efficiency in institutions including the Registrar of Companies. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy outlined the Sectoral Oversight Committee’s review of amendments to the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007, noting discussions with the Legal Draftsman’s Department, the Ministry and the Registrar of Companies on issues including money laundering, terrorism financing and IMF-required reforms. He said the amendments, including beneficial ownership disclosure and greater access to company information, aim to prevent misuse of registered entities and concealment behind fronts. He also urged the State to develop safeguards for legitimate industrialists, entrepreneurs and business operators, linking business regulation to broader concerns about personal and property security. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Thanura Dissanayake said July 23, 1983 should be remembered as a consequence of State-backed nationalism and anti-democratic actions under past governments, including the 1981 Jaffna DDC election. He argued that earlier parties used ethnic nationalism for political advantage, while the current National People’s Power Government seeks to build national unity, political stability, and reconciliation across all regions. He said the Government is linking stability to economic development, including Rs. 5 billion in development work in the North, reopening long-closed roads and bridges, and proposed broader social efforts such as a future Sri Lankan Day to promote unity. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe defended the Government’s renewable energy tariff revision, arguing that reducing the rate from 37% to 20% was intended to balance the interests of consumers, businesses and solar investors rather than harm investors. Speaking on the Companies (Amendment) Bill, he said the amendments address gaps in the 2007 law by requiring disclosure of beneficial ownership in line with FATF Recommendation 24. He argued that stronger transparency provisions are needed to curb money laundering, terrorism financing and the black economy, and called on the Opposition to support the Bill as part of efforts to promote political and economic stability. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Hon. Arun Hemachandra supported the Companies (Amendment) Bill, stating that it would strengthen transparency, curb shell companies, improve tender integrity, and align Sri Lanka with FATF requirements and the 2023 IMF programme. He linked the reforms to past procurement scandals, alleged misuse of charitable foundations and companies, and the need to empower institutions such as the Registrar of Companies, CIABOC and the FIU. Responding to the Opposition Leader, he also addressed land issues in Muththunagar, Trincomalee, saying the lands had been vested in the Port Authority in 1984 and that later actions during the yahapalana period should be examined. He further referenced the anniversary of the 1983 anti-Tamil violence, stressing the Government’s commitment to national harmony and preventing recurrence. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 Hon. Sarath Kumara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sarath Kumara supported the Companies (Amendment) Bill, stating that it implements FATF Recommendation 24 by requiring disclosure of companies’ ultimate beneficial owners to improve transparency and prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. He highlighted provisions requiring company secretaries to confirm beneficial ownership within two months and report to the Registrar of Companies within six months. He argued that the amendments would reduce the space for criminally motivated investments and invited Opposition Members to support efforts to strengthen the rule of law. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →