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. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara asked the Minister of Energy to provide details on Government tax revenue from petroleum sales between 21 September 2023 and 20 September 2024, and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s profit or loss during that period. He also sought information on whether fraud occurred in fuel sales, the alleged amount defrauded per litre by fuel type, the total sum involved, and whether any such amount has been deducted from fuel prices to provide relief to consumers. Oral Question: Sale of Petroleum (Q.2/2024) Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister supported the motion on financing and empowering entrepreneurship, arguing that economic stabilization, confidence, good governance, and industrial harmony are necessary for investment and growth. He said entrepreneurship should focus on productive value addition and integration into value chains, while labour laws should be consolidated into a modern framework to improve workplace relations. He outlined existing SME and concessional loan schemes, noted geographic disparities and misuse of some funds, and said the Government would use data, training, credit guarantees, ADB-supported credit lines, and ultimately a Development Bank and regional finance mechanisms to support viable businesses nationwide. Private Members' Motion No. 4: Making Every Youth Gainfully Employed Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri urged the Government to address livestock-sector issues, including the shortage of veterinarians and pasture land, citing a proposal to recruit 82 veterinary doctors and concerns affecting dairy farmers in Ampara. He also called for current corruption investigations to proceed without political interference, warning that ministerial directives could undermine accountability, and urged action against wrongdoing both inside and outside the Government. Private Members' Motion No. 3: Livestock Sector Enhancement Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the Government’s plan to strengthen regulation and monitoring of co-operative rural banks and thrift and credit co-operative societies, citing serious financial irregularities in entities operating under the co-operative label. He said organisations taking deposits and lending as banks must obtain Central Bank licensing, and announced stricter auditing, reporting, recruitment controls, branch regulation, and legal amendments where needed. He referred to large reported shortfalls in several district co-operatives and deposits collected by so-called “Saubhagya” entities, stating that authorities are tracing funds and will act against unlicensed or politically established financial operations while supporting genuine co-operative banking. Private Members' Motion No. 1: Co-operative Rural Banks Supervision Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi supported the Private Members’ Motion to establish stronger supervision of the co-operative rural banking system, citing the collapse of 24 rural banks in Avissawella with nearly 100,000 depositors and about Rs. 920 million in deposits. He alleged that former boards illegally placed funds in a private financial institution instead of a State bank as required under Section 40(1) of the Western Province Co-operative Societies Statute, leaving depositors unable to access savings. He called for investigations, legal action against those responsible, new regulatory measures, and management reforms to restore stability and confidence in the system. Private Members' Motion No. 1: Co-operative Rural Banks Supervision Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri seconded Rohana Bandara’s motion and linked it to the Government’s policy statement, “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life,” noting its emphasis on public, private and cooperative participation. He said cooperative banking falls under provincial authority, but argued that existing laws are inadequate when attempting to regulate, centralize oversight, and prevent irregularities. He called for stronger legal and regulatory arrangements to properly govern cooperative banks. Private Members' Motion No. 1: Co-operative Rural Banks Supervision Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara moved a motion urging proper government supervision of cooperative rural banks, citing recent collapses and hardship to depositors. He argued that the original role of People’s Bank in supporting and supervising rural banks has lapsed, with oversight now fragmented under Provincial Councils, while many banks have shifted away from lending to villagers toward depositing funds in larger financial institutions. He called for effective supervision to address misuse of government funds, mismanagement and political interference, while also studying successful models such as the Saubhagya Cooperative Bank and replicating good practices where appropriate. Private Members' Motion No. 1: Co-operative Rural Banks Supervision Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake denied allegations that he had intervened in the release of 323 containers, stating that he had no authority over such releases and had acted within legal limits. He challenged Opposition MPs who made the claims, including allegations about weapons, to provide evidence to the police or courts and cooperate with investigations. He argued that using Parliamentary Privilege to make unsupported accusations wasted Parliament’s time and created a national issue unless the claims were substantiated or withdrawn. Points of Order - Customs Container Matter and Questions of Privilege Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake denied allegations that he used authority to release Customs consignments or waive demurrage on Ramadan-related donations. He stated that the release of about 60 tonnes of donated dates raised by the Saudi Ambassador was delayed, but the Ministry of Cultural Affairs paid the full duty and demurrage, and he did not exercise any authority in the matter. Points of Order - Customs Container Matter and Questions of Privilege Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake objected to an allegation he described as a serious national issue and requested time to respond in Parliament. He stated that he and his party had not entered politics through corruption and had no fear of addressing the claim, while indicating he lacked authority over the matter being discussed. Points of Order - Customs Container Matter and Questions of Privilege Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake denies allegations that he released the containers in question, noting that earlier claims linked them to the Western Province Governor. He states that if accusers believe he was responsible, they should take the matter to court and name him as a suspect rather than making shifting public accusations. Points of Order - Customs Container Matter and Questions of Privilege Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations that he was involved in releasing containers from Customs. He said earlier claims, based on a Customs trade union statement, had alleged in Parliament in January that the containers belonged to the Western Province Governor. Points of Order - Customs Container Matter and Questions of Privilege Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara denied having raised the issue of weapons himself, stating that it was the Customs Officers’ Association that referred to it. He said the CID had been informed who released the consignments and urged that those officials, including those referred to in the presence of Hon. Bimal Rathnayake and the Deputy Minister, also be questioned. Points of Order - Customs Container Matter and Questions of Privilege Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Ramanathan Archchuna raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) to the Prime Minister in her capacity as Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education regarding alleged irregularities in appointments of internal graduates made in 2020/2021. He said graduates who entered university in 2014 and completed studies around 2019 were affected by political instability and subsequent government recruitment decisions in August 2020, and sought attention to perceived unfairness in those appointments. Points of Order and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the 2017 handling of SLIIT under the 2015–2019 UNP Government ignored Presidential Commission observations and that the Cabinet at the time bore collective responsibility. He argued that the Rs. 408 million repayment was made from SLIIT funds that belonged to Mahapola, amounting to a serious offence. He said, following COPE recommendations, legal action is being pursued through the CID and Bribery Commission to restore Mahapola’s trusteeship and ownership while retaining SLIIT as an institution, expanding scholarships, and keeping programmes affordable. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri outlined the origins of Mahapola’s investment in SLIIT and cited the 2003 and 2005 agreements that gave Mahapola profit-sharing, director appointments, and approval rights. He argued that the 2015 agreement improperly transferred extensive control over state land and assets to SLIIT while limiting Mahapola’s role and undercompensating it relative to SLIIT’s profits. Referring to findings of a Presidential Special Commission, he asked what action the present Minister would take against the individuals identified as responsible. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Rs. 373 million from the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund was used to construct SLIIT buildings, but several requested details were unavailable and are being sought. He said a 2017 Cabinet decision and Gazette recognized SLIIT as an autonomous non-governmental institution not coming under any Ministry, limiting the Ministry’s present ability to act. In response to supplementary questions, he alleged irregularities in the transfer of control of SLIIT from Mahapola, noted that Rs. 408 million was repaid using SLIIT’s own retained earnings, and said COPE had recommended legal action. He indicated that steps are being taken to pursue accountability, restore Mahapola’s trusteeship and ownership of SLIIT, and use its income to support scholarships and affordable education programmes. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri said that, although the Commission Report has already been tabled, it should be provided to MPs on request and used to ensure truth and accountability regarding the Easter attacks. He questioned whether allegations involving then Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara, state intelligence officers, and a state officer reportedly mentioned by the President to the Cardinal had been investigated or included in the Report. He asked the Prime Minister to assure Parliament that these matters would be investigated transparently and without delay. Oral Questions - First Round Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka condemned the Easter Sunday attacks and argued that they must be understood in the context of political extremism, failures in national security, and attempts by former power blocs to regain authority through fear and communal narratives. He alleged that false claims about an LTTE resurgence, including in relation to the Vavunativu police killings, were promoted with the involvement of some intelligence elements, while responsibility also lay with the Maithripala Sirisena–Ranil Wickremesinghe Government’s internal power struggle and inaction. He criticized former officials and Ministers who, despite prior warnings or responsibility at the time, now use national security arguments in Parliament. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy criticized the Government for failing, after nine months in office, to act on election promises to deliver justice for the Easter Sunday attacks, saying existing commission and committee reports should be properly reviewed and sent for legal action. He proposed appointing a dedicated police team to examine and collate all available evidence, and asked the Government to identify alleged State or intelligence-linked actors without casting suspicion on the wider intelligence community. He also urged inquiries into the funding and political links of the Ibrahim family, and contrasted the Government’s current positions on casinos and Easter justice with its earlier pledges in Opposition. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Read →