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- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake argued that the coal procurement issue should be assessed on whether Minister Jayakody had any corrupt intent or plan, noting that corruption or crimes usually leave identifiable evidence. He said the dispute concerned differing coal quality test results between the supplier and the buyer, and that moving to a mutually acceptable laboratory after rejecting the supplier’s proposed lab was a permissible step. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that while the low calorific value was accepted, the issue to be examined was the cause of the error. He called for an investigation into the cause and rejected assuming ministerial theft without evidence. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that lapses can occur in import-export processes even in the absence of corruption. He emphasized that the relevant mechanism sets out the procedure to follow when such lapses arise. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake argued that no specific allegation beyond moral responsibility had been made against Minister Jayakody regarding the tender issue. He stated that the Minister had not negligently interfered with or unilaterally altered the process, but had presented the tender award to Cabinet within an existing procedure. He said the matter should be examined to determine whether the reported error, including the lower calorific value, arose from the process, an individual act, or other circumstances. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake joked about a colleague’s confusion before addressing the substance of the debate. He stated that Keheliya had altered a process for corrupt purposes, while Jayakody had no such aim and did not interfere with the process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations that Minister Jayakody interfered with a lawful procurement process, arguing that any such claims should be proven in court with documents. He stated that procurement timelines vary under National Procurement Commission rules and maintained that the existing process was not altered for corrupt or improper purposes. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake defended the procurement process, stating that it had not been changed and that no procedural fault or ministerial interference had occurred. He challenged critics of the no-confidence motion to take legal action if they believed there was wrongdoing, and asked them to identify any specific act by the Minister that distorted the established process. He contrasted this with typical forms of procurement manipulation, such as emergency purchases or changing laboratories, and denied that such subversion had taken place. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the relevant matters had been properly answered with documents that could be tabled, and argued that no substantive allegation had been made regarding the process. He said planned corruption would involve altering procedures and reducing safeguards, which had not been shown, and noted that legal action remained available while predicting the motion would be defeated. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said the Government had continued the existing coal procurement procedure, involving tender evaluation by Bid Evaluation Committees, approval by High-level Procurement Committees, and final award by Cabinet. He outlined the established quality control process for coal shipments, including testing at loading, insurance mechanisms, testing on arrival, and penalties or procedures if standards are not met. He argued that any allegation of wrongdoing should identify whether the Minister of Power interfered with or changed this established process during the past 18 months. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha questioned Minister Jayakody’s credibility by referring to alleged past misconduct involving a Provisional Acceptance Test report and employment-related action, and challenged him to deny it in the House. He alleged that problems at the Norochcholai power plant began after the current Government’s coal consignments and claimed the coal supplied was of historically poor quality. He demanded independent laboratory verification of the coal quality and alleged collective responsibility and protection by Government members for corruption in the procurement process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected the no-confidence motion over coal procurement, arguing that Cabinet acts collectively and that tender decisions were made through technical and procurement procedures rather than by the Minister alone. He said alleged corruption claims and loss estimates, including the cited Rs. 22 billion figure, should be properly examined, while noting that about USD 15 million had already been withheld from the supplier over performance and quality issues. He stated that if alternative generation such as diesel is required due to coal shortfalls, the Government will calculate and seek recovery of the additional cost from the supplier, while ensuring uninterrupted power supply without passing extra costs to the public. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman criticized the Government for not securing the Minister’s resignation over a reported Rs. 22 billion loss linked to substandard coal, arguing that the public would ultimately bear the cost through Treasury funds, tariffs, and litigation. He contrasted this with past ministerial resignations over allegations and accused the Government of failing to uphold its promised political standards. He also alleged undue influence by the COPE Chair on the Auditor General’s Department during preparation of the report and requested the Speaker to investigate, while commending the Department for issuing the report despite pressure. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy JJB AI summary The Minister of Energy defended the Government’s anti-corruption record and said the National People’s Power was committed to ending misuse of public property and enforcing the law equally. He cited his previous work at Lanka Fertilizer, claiming recoveries through performance bonds and penalties, and said his party would act against wrongdoing even within its own ranks. Addressing coal procurement allegations, he denied interfering in specifications or favouring suppliers, said he had refused a Cabinet paper related to “Potencia PLC,” and argued that past procurement practices had failed to impose bonds, quality action, or delay charges, which the Government was now changing. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe alleged corruption in coal procurement for the Norochcholai power plant, citing reduced output, substandard coal, non-accredited testing certificates, and possible overpayment for low-quality coal. He criticized the conduct and independence of the COPE Chair and questioned the absence of the Lanka Coal Company Chairman during proceedings. He called for an independent COPE Chair and a proper investigation, warning of major financial losses, higher electricity bills, industrial disruptions, and load-shedding. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof supported the no-confidence motion against the Minister of Energy, alleging corruption in the coal import process and accusing Government members of trying to deflect responsibility by attacking the Opposition. He argued that the Government, elected on an anti-corruption platform, must answer for rising energy prices and procurement issues rather than rely on past promises or political attacks. He called on the Government to acknowledge the allegations, provide solutions, and address the impact on the public. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Najith Indika JJB AI summary The Hon. Najith Indika rejected the Opposition’s no-confidence motion over the coal tender, arguing that while some consignments had lower-than-required values, there was no basis to allege deliberate fraud by the Minister or Government. He explained the coal import testing and payment process, stating that 80 per cent is paid on load-port results and the balance after destination testing, with adjustments or withholding where specifications fail. He said the Government had restored competitive term tendering, imposed penalties and sought recoveries from suppliers under tender conditions, contrasting this with unrecovered past losses. He also defended the appointment of the COPE Chair, saying it should be held by someone without a compromised record. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper challenged the Government’s claim that a tender registration lapse was merely a “technical error,” citing a Supreme Court judgment that tenders must strictly comply with conditions at the closing time. He argued that later compliance cannot cure non-compliance at the relevant time and said the Auditor General’s report establishes the breach on its face. He further contended that under the CIABOC Act, corruption includes improperly using office to advantage another party, not only personal gain, and that responsibility follows where an act causes the relevant chain of events. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the Government for focusing on past administrations despite holding a large mandate, and urged it to address issues arising since 2024. Referring to the resignation letter of the Lanka Coal Company Chairman, he argued that responsibility for the coal controversy should not be placed solely on the General Manager and said the relevant Minister and Secretary should also be held accountable if arrests are made. He also cited recent political controversies involving no-confidence motions and defended past power projects, warning the Government not to impose power cuts on citizens or obstruct energy development while later claiming credit. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri challenged the acceptance of a coal procurement tender for the Lakvijaya Power Plant, arguing that a required company registration could not legally be deferred over a USD 20 shortfall. Citing page 102, section 6.1.3 of the Special Audit Report on 2025/2026 coal procurement, he said the Auditor General found that fairness was violated by not giving other capable suppliers the same opportunity. He stated that the Ministry Secretary had accepted the report at COPE and called on the relevant Minister to resign rather than “whitewash” the matter. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas - Deputy Minister of Power JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas responded to issues raised following the Auditor General’s Report on coal procurement, stating that the supplier’s registration fee payment complied with tender eligibility rules and tabling the relevant procurement committee minutes. He said umpire samples had been tested or sent for testing through accredited Bureau Veritas laboratories, and defended the accreditation status of the laboratories used for coal quality parameters while tabling supporting documents. He acknowledged gaps in tender and registration arrangements, noting that 2026–2027 criteria would be tightened through higher financial and supply thresholds, ministry-selected laboratories, and a multi-supplier reverse bidding model to reduce dependency on one supplier. He also stated that the agreement was signed subject to Attorney General concurrence and said the Ministry would continue addressing remaining shortcomings. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →