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 July 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara rejected State Minister R.M. Jayawardhana’s corruption allegations, stating that the acts cited did not occur during the Yahapalana/United National Party Government. He urged the Government, which had pledged to catch wrongdoers, to proceed against the actual offenders. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary R.M. Jayawardhana cited audit findings on Lanka Sugar Company’s Sevanagala and Pelwatte operations, alleging large unauthorized write-offs, procurement losses, advance payments, incomplete projects, excess recruitment, and other financial irregularities under previous management. He said the Government has decided to revive the institution rather than privatize it, including a two-year halt on new recruitment and steps to protect employees and farmers. He also denied that the Ministry was using its licence to import brown sugar and rejected claims that the National People’s Power Government intended to privatize Lanka Sugar Company. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardhana rejected opposition claims that the collapse of Pelwatte and Sevanagala occurred under the current Government, stating that Lanka Sugar Company had recorded losses, irregularities, and alleged misuse amounting to Rs. 7.47 billion before the present Minister assumed office in December 2024. He cited audit findings on unauthorised payments, politically influenced recruitment and promotions, and a large wage burden, noting that the two plants currently employ 9,489 workers. He also reported outstanding dues as of mid-2025, including Rs. 3,740 million payable to suppliers and Rs. 2,034 million to farmers, and argued that prior mismanagement had damaged the institutions. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister recounted the closure, privatization and subsequent revival of the Hingurana Sugar Factory as Gal Oya Plantations under a 51 per cent Government and 49 per cent private partnership, arguing that earlier privatization and mismanagement had damaged Ampara’s economy. He said current operations still disadvantage sugarcane farmers through low prices, unfair agreements, poor infrastructure, alleged intimidation of protests, unpaid dues to the Government and private control despite majority State ownership. He called for accountability for those responsible for the factory’s collapse and stated that the Government would take measures to ensure benefits reach farmers rather than only management. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera raised concerns over the appointment of the Ayurvedic Commissioner for the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, alleging that candidates with the highest interview marks were not selected and that an unqualified person was appointed. He said a second Gazette had been issued under the same conditions despite the cost of the original interview process, and requested the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government to intervene to ensure a fair appointment process. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera requested additional time to raise an issue with the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. He sought to draw the Minister’s attention to a matter concerning the appointment of the Ayurvedic Commissioner of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera raised concerns that small tea growers still lack access to concessionary fertilizer, noting that a sack costs around Rs. 10,000–11,000 and that the sector supports nearly two million people and foreign exchange earnings. He requested government action on fertilizer support and questioned its investment policy, alleging approval for a major casino project at the “City of Dreams Sri Lanka” complex despite unpaid licence fees and possible tax concessions. He contrasted this with earlier government criticism of casino-related investments. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan urged that youth societies be permitted at the estate division level, arguing that past misuse by some should not lead to denying opportunities to all. He asked that geography as well as demography be considered, noting that large estate areas make travel difficult for youth. He also cautioned that the initiative should not be reduced to party political youth societies, while acknowledging that political education and electoral outcomes are part of the democratic process. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan welcomed welfare proposals but argued that wage and tax policies can offset benefits, and said plantation estate workers have been neglected despite budget references to a Rs. 1,700 wage. He rejected reliance on the Wages Board and urged the Government to reform the plantation model so workers become stakeholders, with a new business plan rather than piecemeal wage increases. He also asked the Youth Affairs Ministry to amend the National Youth Services Council circular limiting registration to one youth association per Grama Niladhari division, arguing that divisions with much larger populations, especially in estate areas and Colombo, require population-based provision. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha JJB AI summary Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha supported the Bills amending the Budgetary Relief Allowance of Workers Acts and the National Minimum Wage of Workers Act, stating that they legally implement long-anticipated private-sector wage increases and complement the Government’s 2025 Budget measures to address public-sector salary anomalies. He argued that the Government had engaged employers and trade unions to secure the best possible wage outcome, while also taking steps to diversify markets and protect employment amid external economic pressures, including risks to the garment sector. He said the IMF programme was necessary because of the country’s prior bankruptcy and linked the wage reforms to the National People’s Power Government’s broader political and economic transformation agenda. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government’s handling of salary increases, arguing that tax policy reduces the benefit to employees and that election promises have been delayed. He alleged political victimization and interference in the public service, suppression of trade unions, halted recruitments, and failure to support private-sector workers affected by factory closures. He also objected to demolitions of informal tourism-related businesses without a fair process and accused the Government of prioritizing major business interests over small earners, while warning against politicizing the Youth Societies Movement through the National Youth Services Council. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe rejected Opposition claims of political “witch-hunts” and argued that the Government was proceeding with investigations and policy commitments, including probes into alleged frauds such as those relating to the Cultural Fund. He said the Government had delivered a major private-sector wage increase but acknowledged unresolved labour issues in the public and private sectors, urging trade unions to allow time for planned measures including a Wages Commission, an Education Council, and reforms to professionalize education-related services. He also stated that the Government had identified 48 tanks with unauthorized constructions around them and was beginning demarcation and removal work according to a clear policy. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe alleged that past governments tolerated or sheltered organized criminals and were linked to incidents such as the killing of Wasim Thajudeen and white-van abductions. He argued that such abuses contributed to the country’s decline and contrasted that period with the present, saying criticism of President Anura Dissanayake is now freely expressed while truths about the past are emerging. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi welcomed the wage-related Bills for private sector workers but argued that the proposed relief is inadequate for workers and small entrepreneurs facing high living costs. He questioned unmet election promises, including higher estate-sector wages and jobs for graduates, and urged the Government to state openly what it can deliver and seek practical proposals from others. He criticized continued reliance on blaming previous governments, alleged misconduct such as double fuel allowances and political inducements at local level, and called for credible economic plans as debt servicing resumes. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi said a recent cluster of gunshot injuries to elephants suggested a possible organized effort to generate media attention and political agitation, and urged that elephants not be used for narrow political purposes. He thanked veterinary, security, local government, community, and Indian medical teams involved in the “Bhathiya” elephant case, while noting the animal died before the foreign veterinarians arrived. He said the Government would establish a wildlife hospital and mobile veterinary unit, and had requested a CID investigation into possible organized activity, including trade union actions linked to mortality spikes, while citing recent forest reserve declarations as evidence of its conservation efforts. SO 27(2) Question: Human-Elephant Conflict Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara questioned reports that police have been instructed to include JVP/NPP members in Community/Area Security Committees and allow them to lead. He argued that these village-level crime prevention committees were historically independent bodies involving religious leaders and civil organizations, and asked whether such political involvement is compromising police independence. Oral Question: Post of Sub-Inspector of Police - Recruitments (Q.7/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra JJB AI summary Arun Hemachandra stated that earlier migrant worker insurance arrangements involved multiple insurers and commissions to the Bureau, but later selected entities handled the business without commissions accruing to the Bureau, leading to claim-related problems and alleged irregularities. He said funds that should have gone to the Bureau or Government were lost and that the responsible welfare institution had not acted adequately. He indicated that the Government is addressing these issues through its work plan and policy commitments to protect migrant workers. Oral Question: Migrant Workers - Remittances (Q.6/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera urged the Government to proceed with the proposed Milleniya Export Processing Zone in Kalutara, noting that 244 acres had already been acquired, surveyed, planned and partly developed for industrial use. He questioned reports of a proposal dated 22 April 2024 to return the land to Horana Plantations under Section 39, despite its earlier acquisition under Section 38, and asked who was responsible and who would benefit. He requested a separate inquiry involving relevant officials, himself and the area Minister, arguing that completing this zone would support the Government’s stated policy of establishing EPZs and avoid wasting public investment. Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asserted that 244 acres and 20.41 perches intended for development had already been fully acquired under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2113/64 of 08.03.2019, with substantial public funds spent on infrastructure, and rejected claims that acquisition or alienation remained incomplete. He alleged officials were misleading the Minister, noted a prior proposal to return the land to Horana Plantations, and said the related court case concerned only compensation for rubber cultivation on leasehold LRC land. He called on the Minister to take disciplinary action against responsible officials and to resume work on the site. Oral Question: Construction of Milleniya Export Processing Zone (Q.5/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Cabinet approval has been obtained to digitize and regularize EPF-related processes to improve transparency, with work being expedited. The Minister said fund management currently lies with the Central Bank while administrative oversight is nominally with the Ministry of Labour, and this structure is being regularized. He acknowledged that employees, as the real owners of the fund, should have access to information through a digital platform, while noting that no special forensic audit has currently been initiated. Oral Question: Active Accounts in Employees' Provident Fund (Q.4/2024) Read →