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- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando raised concerns about Police resources being provided for a private event at the BMICH, allegedly based on false claims about expected attendance by schoolchildren and parents. He noted reports that 119 Police vehicles and four motorcycles were supplied for a fee, and referred to public acknowledgements by the Cabinet Spokesman and Police Media Spokesman that an inquiry was underway. He asked why Police resources were deployed for the event, whether proper procedures were followed, and the current status of the inquiry. Oral Question: Police Officers, Vehicles and Resources Availability (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that the previous Government had tendered and completed legal and payment processes, amounting to about Rs. 1.3 million, for the removal of buildings and tanks before the current Government took office. He said the contractor later found and attempted to remove underground tanks not covered by the inspection board’s estimate, prompting MPs to intervene on behalf of residents. He added that the work has been halted, a Police complaint has been lodged, and investigations have begun into the disposal process, which he said was based on incorrect procedures and data. Oral Question: Ceylon Petroleum Corporation - New Refinery in Trincomalee (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson raised concerns over the removal of fuel storage tanks near the Kaduruwela railway station in Polonnaruwa, formerly used when fuel was transported by train. He stated that above-ground and underground tanks with substantial diesel and petrol capacity had been removed under a contract reportedly worth about Rs. 2.5 million, and questioned whether the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation was aware of the underground tanks. He tabled documents and photographs and requested a full investigation into the matter, citing potential loss to the Government. Oral Question: Ceylon Petroleum Corporation - New Refinery in Trincomalee (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that two Southern Expressway interchanges, at Kapuduwa and Baddegama, were added outside the original design due to political influence, at significant cost. He noted that an interchange can cost over Rs. 1 billion, or at least around Rs. 600 million, and said the current obstacle cited is court action affecting land acquisition. He also observed that the proposed industrial zone connected to the matter had not yet been built. Oral Question: Southern Expressway Interchanges (Q.Unspecified/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Karunaratne JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne responded that his position was consistent with that of Lal Kantha and said the Government had begun addressing shortcomings in paddy procurement and storage from the Maha season, with fuller intervention planned for the Yala season. He stated that refurbishment of neglected Paddy Marketing Board stores was about 75% complete, 133 closed BAG stores had been reopened, and more would be opened with a more systematic procurement process and mechanisms for entrepreneur participation. He also said investigations and legal action were underway over alleged thefts and asset destruction at the Paddy Marketing Board under the previous Government, with recoveries being pursued. Oral Question: Paddy Marketing Board - Purchase of Paddy (Q.310/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Asked what action had been taken on his complaint to the anti-corruption committee regarding the Tellippalai Trail Cancer Hospital. Oral Question: Ministry of Health and Affiliated Institutes - Financial and Non-Financial Assistance Received (Q.192/2024) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna challenged the accuracy of figures given regarding diaspora donations to the Tellippalai Trail Cancer Hospital, citing substantial contributions in 2019 and from individual families. He alleged that donation receipt, registration, and acknowledgement procedures followed in the South were not being applied in the North, and questioned why an audit of the hospital welfare society had not been obtained. He asked what action had been taken on his complaint to the anti-corruption committee and called for compliance with requirements for welfare societies to register and submit audit reports. Oral Question: Ministry of Health and Affiliated Institutes - Financial and Non-Financial Assistance Received (Q.192/2024) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister discussed the Sectoral Oversight Committee report on the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and tabled the Ministry’s clarifications and progress note, noting that only 3.55 per cent of rough gemstones imported between 2022 and 2024 had been value-added and re-exported through official channels. He argued that large volumes of imported gems were moving outside lawful accounting systems through informal transactions, causing foreign exchange losses, and called for stronger investigations, including future forensic audits into licensing abuses. He outlined measures including institutional consolidation under a proposed Mineral Bureau, a technology-based gem valuation tool, airport VAT refund kiosks for tourists from 1 July, tax and duty incentives to formalize re-exports, and a broader national mineral policy covering value addition and resource management. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara responded to points raised by Hon. Ajith Perera, stating that some matters are under CID investigation and should not be discussed in a way that could prejudice the process. He said anti-corruption work is progressing and that results are expected to become visible in about six weeks. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera expressed regret that an urgent motion under Standing Order 19 on the Israel-Iran conflict was not debated after his delayed arrival due to a minor accident. He urged the Government to reactivate the Permanent High Court at Bar mechanism for anti-corruption cases, noting that it was created under the 2018 Judicature Act amendments to enable day-to-day trials but has not received new cases in the past seven months. He also questioned the handling of alleged abuses in Presidential pardons, asking why prisoners unlawfully released under general pardons have not been taken back into custody despite officials being remanded. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister explained that findings raised before COPE require further investigation and legal assessment before they can become admissible evidence or lead to prosecution. He said COPE reports should be sent to the Attorney-General’s Department, which may decide to prosecute, refer matters to CIABOC, seek further information, or direct additional investigations, but this process can take months due to procedural and workload constraints. He proposed attaching an Attorney-General’s observer, a police investigator or observer, and a CIABOC officer to COPE to provide technical support, enable preliminary legal classification, and speed up referrals for action. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera sought clarification on how COPE findings can be moved into formal legal processes, noting public concern that inquiries do not always lead to legal action. He said COPE often hears from officials and former board members, while alleged wrongdoing may originate with political authorities, citing the dairy cattle matter and the National Gem and Jewellery Authority matter. He proposed that, before COPE reports are tabled, relevant legal authorities review them to identify possible legal steps. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister said the Special Audit Report on the dairy cattle importation project indicated that about Rs. 21 billion in public funds had been spent without delivering a successful outcome, reflecting serious issues of fraud and misuse of public revenue. He argued that while the Government is committed to prosecuting corruption swiftly, cases must be investigated and filed according to proper legal procedures and evidentiary standards to avoid acquittals. He also highlighted the need to improve public legal literacy, referring to a proposed JURE Project with the Ministry of Justice, and said disputes over provincial council procedures should be taken to court. On foreign policy matters, including Israel and Iran, he said the Government recognized the humanitarian concerns but would follow parliamentary procedures for debate while focusing on domestic governance. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva supported expediting legal amendments to allow COPE matters to be referred to the Attorney General, and said similar powers should be extended to COPA and the Public Finance Committee. Citing the 2024 e-Visa issue and the dairy cattle importation programme, he argued that parliamentary committee findings should lead to legal accountability but cautioned against targeting only officials. He tabled documents relating to the dairy cattle programme and questioned why only the Secretary was being blamed despite involvement by multiple officials, Ministers, and Secretaries, calling instead for a full forensic audit to identify all responsible parties. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga alleged serious procurement and financial irregularities in the dairy cattle import project, citing Cabinet decisions, Auditor General findings, the release of a 20 per cent advance without required securities, and a claimed fruitless expenditure of Rs. 2,110.3 million. He also raised concerns over the National Gem and Jewellery Authority’s relocation after building damage, stating that rent payments, procurement issues, conflicts of interest, and equipment damage caused avoidable losses when repairs would have cost far less. He said COPE’s scrutiny of such matters is intended to prevent waste and redirect public resources to welfare needs. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Rishad Bathiudeen said wrongdoing identified in the COPE process should be punished, but cautioned against broadly branding people as corrupt while officials were jailed and politicians remained unaffected. He criticised the Government’s response to Israel’s attack on Iran, arguing that Sri Lanka should more clearly condemn Israel given Iran’s past financial assistance to Sri Lanka and ongoing debt repayments. He also rejected allegations concerning the Nintavur Pradeshiya Sabha and alleged that a supporting member in the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha chairman vote was unlawfully prevented from voting, saying his party would seek legal redress. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa called for COPE to expose past corruption, including alleged fraud linked to dairy cow imports and local government bodies, and urged punishment and confiscation of illicit assets. He argued that Sri Lanka should have improved local dairy breeds using available technologies and fodder rather than pursuing imports that failed to increase milk production as expected. He rejected Opposition allegations of deals to form local councils, saying members from other parties had voluntarily joined the ruling side, and said voters in the East were moving away from communal politics toward a new political culture. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem argued that alleged irregularities in dairy cattle imports should be investigated on the basis of the Auditor General’s findings, drawing a comparison with Opposition-led scrutiny of the e-Visa transaction and IMF-related anti-corruption requirements. He raised a legal interpretation issue under the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act on whether secret voting in mayoral elections can be determined by the presiding officer, suggesting judicial clarification if necessary. He also criticized the denial of an urgent adjournment debate on the Israel-Iran conflict and faulted the Foreign Ministry’s statement on Israel’s attack on Iran for not identifying the aggressor or invoking international law and non-alignment principles. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Welcoming the debate on the dairy cow import scandal, K. Kader Masthan called for punishment of those responsible for alleged fraud involving the planned importation of 20,000 cows from Australia, of which he said only about 5,000 arrived. He urged that anti-corruption commitments not be undermined in local authority arrangements and that corrupt individuals not escape accountability. He also cited a Human Rights Commission finding that a PTA arrest over a pro-Palestinian sticker was wrongful, asked that such action not recur, and criticized the refusal of an adjournment debate on the Israel-Iran conflict. He condemned Israel’s attack on Iran, questioned Sri Lanka’s lack of condemnation, and called for the safe repatriation of Sri Lankans working in Israel, including after reports that a Sri Lankan nurse was injured. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Lalith Kumara JJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Lalith Kumara said the COPE report revealed serious financial misconduct in dairy cow importation and distribution, including advance payments for animals that did not arrive and politically influenced allocation of imported cattle. He linked the decline of the dairy sector to cattle theft, unsuitable imports, and political misuse of officials, citing incidents in Gampaha and warnings from veterinary officers. He proposed that local authorities use mechanized equipment to harvest roadside grass for dairy feed or compost, arguing this could support national dairy self-sufficiency, and said the Government should enforce the law against those responsible for losses to public wealth. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →