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- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof, speaking during the debate on regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act, said governments must act on anti-corruption pledges and punish those who acquired unlawful wealth. He raised concern over a shooting involving fishermen in Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee, where a 23-year-old was injured, and questioned who authorized the Navy to open fire over an alleged breach of purse seine permit conditions. He argued that restrictions on “surukku valai” fishing are applied unevenly between districts, creating grievances, and urged a proper inquiry into the incident and the enforcement policy. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala defended the Government against allegations of political vendetta, stating that anti-corruption actions are being pursued by independent institutions under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, and related regulations. He said the Government had repeatedly received a public mandate to “catch thieves” and referred to former Ministers being in custody, court proceedings over the “Containers 323” matter, and claims regarding a North Central Provincial Council vehicle auction. He also questioned whether an alleged sale of a parliamentary seat would fall within the scope of the anti-corruption framework, and urged the Opposition to stop spreading false claims and maintain proper conduct in Parliament. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala supported the regulations issued under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, stating that aligned ministerial guidelines would strengthen enforcement and ensure accountability. He argued that opposition criticism reflected fear of anti-corruption action, cited recent allegations against government figures as smear campaigns, and said complaints and court processes should determine the facts. He emphasized that the regulations are intended to address white-collar corruption, including hidden assets, misuse of state funds, and laundering, with no exemption for any person. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised a procedural objection under Standing Order 23, arguing that Parliament should continue until the agreed adjournment time and that both Government and Opposition Members should receive their allotted speaking time. Speaking on Regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act, he questioned the Government’s anti-corruption stance, citing allegations over a cancelled 50 MW wind power tender, property valuation issues, and import-related decisions affecting sugar and salt. He also criticized alleged restrictions on independent media access and urged the Justice Minister to explain how the Regulations would be implemented in practice, stating that genuine anti-corruption measures would receive support. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Krishnan Kalaichelvi supported approving the Regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, arguing that they are necessary to punish those responsible for bribery, corruption, and misuse of public funds. She said corruption had affected many sectors and levels of government, including local authorities, and linked the NPP’s electoral mandate to a public demand to investigate and prosecute “thieves.” She urged implementation of the Regulations to recover accountability across public institutions and stated that those accused of looting public money should be brought before the law. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar argued during the debate on regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act that anti-corruption enforcement should prioritize recovering stolen public funds, not only arrests and prosecutions. He questioned accountability over alleged wasteful spending, unresolved issues concerning 323 containers, and claims of Governors engaging in partisan activity by pressuring opposition councillors. He also called for project decisions to be based on return-on-investment assessments, warning against debt-generating infrastructure, and said the Opposition would support legal amendments needed to recover proceeds of crime. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Aravinda Senarath supported the Regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act, arguing that they are necessary to build a transparent, corruption-free State after decades of misuse of public funds and state resources. He cited alleged abuses including luxury lifestyles funded by public money, irregularities in Hambantota road projects, vehicle registration fraud noted in Auditor General reports, and payments for a non-functioning Colombo Municipal Council sewage project. He said the Government would protect honest public officers, pursue cases with evidence through the courts, and invited genuine support from the Opposition while rejecting efforts to shield wrongdoing. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary He supported the presentation of Regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act and said he had complied with asset declaration requirements, but urged the Minister of Justice to respect the Judiciary and avoid public statements implying political responsibility for court-ordered remands. He criticized the Government’s performance, citing concerns over “Clean Sri Lanka,” public events, appointments, statistics, and what he described as reliance on publicized arrests through anti-corruption processes rather than substantive delivery. He called on the Government to correct course, heed Opposition criticisms where valid, protect public confidence in the President, and focus on measurable economic results, including bringing revenue to the Treasury. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that allegations regarding port container releases are being investigated by a committee under the Finance Minister. He said any false statements should be referred to the CID and emphasized that the Government is acting within the law to address corruption and prevent public misinformation. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a Point of Order seeking leave to table a deed relating to a house in Anuradhapura. He alleged that a government MP who is a lawyer had a property valued at Rs. 50 million recorded in the deed as Rs. 5 million, and claimed this indicated bribery. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe rejected allegations that North Central Provincial Council vehicles were sold for Rs. 28 million, tabling valuation and tender documents to show that disposals followed Government Valuation procedures, were publicly advertised, and in several cases received bids above valuation while bids below valuation were rejected. He also referred to allegations about fast-tracked port container releases, stating that a committee chaired by the Finance Minister had examined Customs actions and that investigations were nearing completion. He said the Government would strengthen laws and pursue inquiries through CIABOC, FCID and CID to address theft, fraud and corruption. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Minister supported amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act, stating that they are intended to ensure accurate declarations of assets and liabilities and prevent false or incomplete submissions. He linked the reforms to the Government’s anti-corruption mandate and rejected claims that omissions could be excused as forgetfulness. He also criticized opposition allegations about government misconduct, citing investigations into claims about the President’s assets and presenting North Central Provincial Council auction notices to dispute allegations about vehicle sales. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran supported the regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act but called for separate legislation to investigate the sources, foreign links, and use of funds received by recognized political parties. He urged stronger action against drug trafficking targeting students, including police complicity, and requested gazette recognition of the Kataragama pilgrimage to enable public servants to obtain leave. He also asked that the State-returned Kataragama pilgrims’ rest be handed back to the Ramakrishna Mission, and proposed reforms to public recruitment practices or, alternatively, soft loans and training for graduates and non-graduates to promote self-employment. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Moved approval of regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act to operationalize updated asset and liability declaration procedures, stating they were vetted by CIABOC and intended to meet modern transparency standards. He said the regulations allow genuine omissions to be corrected while targeting deliberate concealment, and proposed explanatory guidance to help the public complete the forms. He linked the measures to the Government’s anti-corruption mandate and cited recent court cases and policy actions, including disposal of luxury vehicles and investigations into alleged false claims, as examples of enforcing accountability through due process. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Danushka Ranganath JJB AI summary The Hon. Danushka Ranganath asked the Prime Minister whether the Government can assure that its proposed reforms will be effective and results-oriented, citing concerns that previous reforms were poorly implemented and had limited outcomes. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera presented, in Sinhala, the Second Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises for the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, noting that English and Tamil versions would follow. He said COPE had examined the 2023 Auditor-General’s Report and related operational, financial and control documents of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, with attention to its performance, governance, and compliance with Act No. 50 of 1993. He stated that the Committee identified concerns arising from actions beyond the Authority’s statutory powers and emphasized COPE’s role in ensuring accountability, transparency, and protection of public resources in state enterprises. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration tabled the Ministerial Consultative Committee report on regulations made under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023. The regulations, issued by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, were published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2428/43 of 20 March 2025, and the report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined the Irrigation Department’s approach to flood control, noting repeated crop losses since November due to extreme rainfall and identifying 24 flood-prone river and stream basins. He said effective management requires better meteorological forecasting, early warning systems, and data-driven infrastructure such as diversions, reservoirs, and flood-management works. Referring to the World Bank-supported CResMPA project studying 22 high-risk basins and proposed works for the Kelani basin, he argued that fragmented institutional responsibility is the main obstacle and called for a unified coordination mechanism involving relevant central, provincial, and local authorities. Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Flood Control in Kelani Valley Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna supported the adjournment motion on flooding while arguing that recurrent flooding and water-management failures should be addressed islandwide rather than by locality. He cited flooding in Colombo South, displacement near the Iranamadu tank in Kilinochchi, alleged failures in the ADB-funded Iranamadu water project, and inadequate drainage in Nallur as examples. He also referred to a bribery inquiry concerning alleged diversion of cancer-related funds at Tellippalai Base Hospital to illustrate broader governance concerns, and endorsed the proposal to establish a special committee to study and address these issues nationally. Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Flood Control in Kelani Valley Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim argued that issues around data protection and related governance are matters of democratic rights rather than only technical concerns. He criticized the Government, referring to the JVP’s earlier position in Opposition, for not implementing proposals such as an independent Data Protection Authority appointed through the Constitutional Council. He urged the Government to bring forward the civil rights amendments it had previously advocated, stating that his side would support and vote for them. Debate: Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →