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- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Nihal Galappaththi JJB AI summary Nihal Galappaththi argued that the Phase III dairy cow import project caused major public financial losses and failed to meet its objectives of increasing domestic milk production and reducing milk powder imports. Citing a 2025 Special Audit Report, media reports, and a 2018 Hansard adjournment debate, he alleged that Rs. 1.75 billion in advances, rising to about Rs. 2.11 billion with losses, was paid without proper procurement safeguards or recovery action, while farmers faced operational difficulties and imported cows had poor productivity and health issues. He said responsibility lay with political leaders and officials from the 2010–2020 administrations, naming several former Presidents, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and officials, and referred to allegations that cows intended for farmers were distributed to political associates. 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. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera raised concerns that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy response to the Israel–Iran conflict lacks clarity, noting its implications for Muslim communities, migrant workers, and economic ties with both countries. He criticized recent diplomatic appointments, saying most were non-career despite earlier pledges to rely on career diplomats, and questioned the propriety of appointing a retired Chief Justice as an ambassador. He also argued that the President’s visit to Germany, without meeting the Chancellor, reflected poorly on Sri Lanka’s foreign relations. Domestically, he denied allegations of a deal with the NPP over the Dodangoda Pradeshiya Sabha and accused the Government of using inducements and secret-ballot processes to influence local authority outcomes. 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.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah referred to COPE and Auditor General findings on financial abuses, focusing on the failed import of 15,000 dairy cows and alleging waste, disease risks, farmer losses, and a USD 11 million corruption-related loss. He argued that those responsible should be punished and said Sri Lanka should reduce reliance on imported milk by developing modern farms, importing climate-suitable breeds, controlling cattle feed prices, and supporting cooperatives such as Yarlco. He also proposed reviving defunct chilling centres in the North and East, filling veterinary and related staff vacancies in Jaffna District, and providing medicines, equipment, and grazing land to strengthen local dairy production. 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. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that investigations are ongoing and related matters are before court, so details can be provided only after those processes conclude. He asked that the relevant Member clarify where he worked and how payments were made, noting that this issue is also under inquiry. He also referred to allegations involving gems and murders, saying there are sufficient fraud-related concerns and noting that Namal Rajapaksa had acknowledged them. 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. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Called for Parliament to enact the necessary laws and move from debate to implementation. He urged procurement reform and practical delivery of solutions. 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. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa argued that COPE inquiries often become media-focused exercises that repeatedly question and shame officials without producing decisions, especially where issues arise from policy choices rather than administrative wrongdoing. He called for reforms to procurement laws and regulations, citing the prolonged debate over importing dairy cows as an example of systemic delay. He also urged that legal powers be given to act on COPE findings and cautioned against using COPE for political or trade-union pressure. Referring to a recent Presidential pardon controversy, he asked that accountability extend through the full chain of command, including scrutiny of the Justice Secretary’s role, rather than placing blame only on lower-level officials. 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. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary The Second Report of COPE for the first Session of the Tenth Parliament was presented, covering inquiries into eight public institutions and alleging recurring misuse of public bodies contrary to their statutory mandates. The report highlighted issues including losses at the National Youth Services Council and Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment on politically linked events, irregularities at the Land Reforms Commission and Sabaragamuwa University, and major concerns over gold imports and revenue losses at the National Gem and Jewellery Authority. A proposal was made to restore gold import authority to a State entity such as the Bank of Ceylon to curb smuggling and tax losses, while the responsible Ministers were said to remain constitutionally accountable for decisions such as the release of seized gems before the 2024 Presidential Election. The speech also rejected allegations made against a National Lotteries Board official and cautioned public officials not to authorize actions outside their legal mandates. 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 Hon. T. B. Sarath JJB AI summary Hon. T. B. Sarath alleged major irregularities in the dairy cow import project initiated from 2014, citing a Rs. 2,110.3 million unrecoverable loss, increased unit costs without fresh tender approval, and distribution of imported cattle to political associates rather than state farms. He also referred to unrecovered housing loan funds, including Rs. 26 billion outstanding nationally, arguing that such corruption and misuse of public funds contributed to the country’s economic crisis. He called for stolen public money to be traced, offenders prosecuted, and COPE to be given stronger enforcement powers, including authority to impose penalties. 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. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake congratulated retiring public officials before raising allegations arising from the COPE report on the 15,000 dairy cattle import advance, specifically naming the current National Lotteries Board Chairman and calling for COPE to summon relevant officials. He alleged irregular salary payments, mishandling of a performance bond, and increased sitting fees at the National Lotteries Board affecting funds such as Mahapola. He also expressed concern that the remanding of the Commissioner General of Prisons could demoralize and paralyse state administration, urging the Justice Minister to appoint a committee of retired officers and ensure a fair inquiry. He framed his remarks as an attempt to correct administrative errors rather than attack the Government. 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. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi discussed the COPE findings on the dairy cattle import project, stating that despite audit warnings in 2018 and losses from earlier imports, authorities continued with the same supplier and paid a Rs. 1,749.6 million advance for 15,000 cattle without a performance bond, resulting in an estimated sunk cost of about Rs. 2,110.3 million by February 2025. He said the policy objective of increasing local milk production and reducing imports was valid, but the procurement process and implementation were flawed. He also referred to COPE concerns regarding alleged misuse of funds at the National Youth Services Council and Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, and missing or non-functional equipment at the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, calling for investigations, accountability, restoration of technology, and stronger institutional systems. 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. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported focusing the Adjournment debate on COPE’s findings regarding the NGJA and the 2014 dairy cattle import project, rather than other issues. He said Sri Lanka’s milk production remains far below demand, but the cattle import programme was mishandled, including alleged improper procurement, a Rs. 1.74 billion advance to Wellard Rural Exports without delivery of cattle, disease-related cattle deaths, and politically connected beneficiaries. He urged Parliament to debate COPE’s recommendations and called for firm legal action against those responsible. 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. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake seconded the Motion to debate COPE-related reports, focusing on the Special Audit Report concerning advance payments for the Phase III import of 15,000 dairy cattle and related failures since 2014. He said the project involved major expenditure and advance payments but did not deliver the expected cattle or outcomes, while earlier imports had caused disease outbreaks and losses due to inadequate feasibility and management. He urged modernization of NLDB farms, stronger breeding, nutrition, disease control, vaccination, breeder associations, and incentives for liquid milk consumption, with the goal of achieving milk self-sufficiency by 2030 and preventing future fraud and corruption. 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 presented the COPE report on the National Gem and Jewellery Authority for 2022 and 2023, along with its 2024 performance review. He noted recommendations on planning deficiencies, human resource issues, amendments to the NGJA Act, and regulatory, licensing, import/export, fee, gold import, and valuation matters in the gem and jewellery sector. He requested Members from both sides to contribute constructively to the debate based on the reports. 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 moved an Adjournment Motion calling for urgent legal amendments to allow matters identified by COPE to be promptly referred to the Attorney-General for legal action. He cited the Special Audit Report on the failed Step 2 of Phase III of the dairy cattle import project, stating that a USD 11 million advance was paid in 2018 without a performance bond for 15,000 cattle that were never imported, causing an estimated State loss of about Rs. 2.11 billion. He also referred to COPE findings on the National Gem and Jewellery Authority and argued that such audit findings show the need for stronger accountability mechanisms. 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. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a Question by Private Notice on severe shortages of essential medicines in state hospitals, attributing them to procurement delays and systemic, financial and administrative failures. He sought detailed information on current stock shortages, delayed or failed tenders, institutional responsibilities, procurement timelines, e-procurement and stock-monitoring systems, and reforms recommended by oversight bodies. He also asked whether the Government would introduce a legally enforceable National Medicines Procurement Policy, expand local pharmaceutical production, and use transparent tenders with approved private suppliers for urgent needs. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Medicine Procurement Delays Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Susil Ranasinghe described alleged irregularities involving a 76-acre LRC land in Kurunegala vested in the Agriculture Ministry in 2000 and later leased to the Hiriyala Farmers’ Company after BOI-funded development. He said lease rents were reduced and revisions halted through presidential directions, payments were not made, the lease was mortgaged to Lankaputra Bank, and unlawful subleasing occurred despite the State receiving no revenue. He stated that a committee has been appointed to examine how the land can be repossessed and that legal steps are being considered to re-vest it in the State. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Chandana Thennakoon JJB AI summary Chandana Thennakoon questioned a land leasing transaction involving C/S Hiriyala Farmers’ Company, noting that its chairman was former MP Manjula Disanayake and that former Deputy Minister Salinda Dissanayake had intervened in the lease. He alleged that public funds were misused, citing around Rs. 38 million spent on land acquisition and Rs. 56 million by the BOI for development, and asked the Deputy Minister to state his view on what he described as a major fraud. Oral Question: Re-lease of Land in Mahaweli C Zone to Informatics (Pvt.) Limited (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. T.B. Sarath JJB AI summary Hon. T.B. Sarath stated that the UDA had consulted Pradeshiya Sabha chairmen, members, and officials when the relevant gazette was issued, and that underdeveloped Grama Niladhari divisions should have been identified for exclusion at that stage. He said that, in light of the issue now being raised, discussions could be held with newly elected local authorities and the Ministry to consider suitable revisions. Oral Question: Community-Based Water Projects in Monaragala District (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that investigations are continuing into matters relating to the relocation of the Bureau to Badulla during Dilan Perera’s tenure under the previous Government. He argued that retaining the same staff in one station for long periods can lead to irregularities, and said transfers are being carried out fairly and without political vendetta. Oral Question: Sri Lankans Departed for Seasonal Employment in South Korea (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concerns about transfers within the Foreign Employment Bureau, noting that many employees from Badulla were affected because previous Ministers from the area had overseen the Bureau. He requested the Minister to ensure transfers are carried out fairly and with consideration for hardship, such as arranging nearer postings where possible and giving staff time to secure accommodation. Oral Question: Sri Lankans Departed for Seasonal Employment in South Korea (Q.3/2024) Read →