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. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera supported the No-Confidence Motion by alleging that the coal procurement matter, cited by the Auditor General, reflected major corruption despite the Government’s anti-corruption mandate. He highlighted findings on Trident’s alleged lack of accreditation for sample verification and the expiry of umpire samples, and argued that those involved should face prosecution under the Public Property Act, Penal Code, and related corruption and conspiracy provisions. He called on COPE, the Bribery Commission Director General, and the Attorney General to act promptly against those responsible. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar opposed the No-Confidence Motion against the Minister of Power, arguing that current coal procurement for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant is being conducted transparently and without corruption. He cited audit findings and local and foreign laboratory testing, including further samples sent to Australia, to reject allegations of substandard coal or fraud during the present period. He contended that past coal procurement was controlled by politically connected groups and said the Opposition’s accusations were unsupported and politically motivated. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala defended the Government against the Opposition’s No-Confidence Motion, arguing that several allegations raised against Ministers lacked evidence and that related matters, including the coal issue, were already before courts or parliamentary oversight bodies such as COPE. He said the Government was willing to debate and investigate procurement concerns, including through committees, and asserted that any loss from substandard coal would not be passed on to consumers. He also attacked the credibility of Opposition signatories by linking some to past Central Bank bond scam proceedings, while maintaining that the Government would act internally against wrongdoing if evidence emerged. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that the importation of substandard coal has increased electricity generation costs and could lead to higher electricity bills, citing a National System Operator letter indicating an additional coal-related cost of about Rs. 20 billion and possible total increases beyond the President’s Rs. 15 billion relief package. He disputed the President’s stated Rs. 7.5 billion coal procurement loss and called for updated CEB price data to be checked by the Public Utilities Commission. He also raised concern over alleged pressure by the COPE Chairman on the National Audit Office and warned that parliamentary majorities would not prevent accountability for those responsible. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that the Government was elected with a mandate to eradicate corruption and argued that credible investigations should be led by the Government side. She said the Opposition had been invited and given time to present evidence for its allegations but had not done so, and urged the public to judge based on facts rather than political claims. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that members of her political movement, whether in Government or Opposition, are bound by the same political culture and discipline. She emphasized that allegations of corruption involving any member, including Hon. Sunil Handunnetti or Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, would be investigated without distinction. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister argued that the Opposition’s allegations over coal procurement are aimed at portraying the Government as corrupt rather than addressing systemic weaknesses. She acknowledged flaws in procurement and state institutions and said COPE and National Audit Office inquiries are important for identifying and correcting them. She challenged the Opposition to provide evidence of intentional corruption by the Minister, Cabinet or President, stating that the Government would act if such wrongdoing were proven. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Called for stronger protection of women and criticized Government members for alleged insults, while expressing disappointment in the President and the Government he had previously supported. He argued that allegations against Ministers should be investigated through bodies such as COPA and COPE, with the accused temporarily resigning until cleared, rather than remaining in office. He also rejected the Government’s presentation of partial fuel price reductions after larger increases as “relief” to the public. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued that the coal tender complied with High-level Procurement Committee requirements, stating that supplier eligibility depended on registration before bid submission, not before issuing bidding documents. She contrasted this with the previous award to Potencia LLC, which she said supplied coal for three years while unregistered following a Cabinet decision, and challenged the Opposition to show any comparable ministerial interference by Minister Kumara Jayakody. She also addressed laboratory accreditation concerns, stating that Mitra SK South Africa was accredited for key coal quality tests but lacked only ash composition capability, with related issues examined at COPE and to be handled through government and committee oversight. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka alleged serious irregularities in the coal procurement for Norochcholai, citing CEB, PUCSL, Auditor-General and system operator findings that coal quality and testing processes were deficient. He questioned the extension of the import window, delays in appointing committees and laboratories, failure to test umpire samples, and the use of laboratories he said lacked required accreditation, arguing these actions made tender cancellation and penalty recovery impracticable. He also denied personal allegations, referred to legal action he had taken, and stated that substandard coal would create generation shortfalls requiring higher-cost diesel generation, estimating a Rs. 19–25 billion cost impact to consumers. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana rejected allegations raised by the Opposition Leader regarding coal quality at the Lakvijaya power plant, arguing that the PUCSL assessment relied on non-accredited laboratory data and flawed ash-content methodology. He said the Auditor-General’s Special Report was brought before COPE at the request of its government-side Chairman to identify and correct issues, and alleged that past procurement practices favoured certain suppliers while the present tender process was transparent. He acknowledged lower GCV in some consignments but said penalties, including for delays, had been imposed under the applicable framework, and stated that COPE would table its report shortly for further debate. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne challenged the Government’s account of the coal testing process, citing COPE evidence that the laboratory was not accredited when certificates were issued and referring to a Special Audit finding of Rs. 22.4 billion in losses from non-scheduled power generation. He questioned whether responsibility was being shifted to the Lanka Coal Company General Manager while Ministers, the Chairman and the Secretary avoided accountability, and urged the Bribery Commission and other agencies to act impartially under the Anti-Corruption Act. He also referred to the LCC Chairman’s resignation letter and argued that, given the allegations, the relevant Minister should not continue in office. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Opposing a no-confidence motion debate on the Minister of Power and Energy, Sajith Premadasa alleged serious fraud in the importation of substandard coal and argued that the Minister’s position had become untenable. He cited PUCSL findings on reduced generation efficiency, low calorific value, increased fly-ash emissions, an estimated Rs. 8.497 billion loss from nine vessels, and risks of load shedding, and also referred to Auditor-General observations on unregistered suppliers, premature contracts, invalid quality accreditation, and emergency procurement issues. He further linked the coal issue to what he described as a government policy favouring fossil-fuel generation over renewable energy, stating that consumers face higher costs and weakened energy security. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka rejected allegations that a coal procurement tender was awarded to an unregistered supplier, arguing that the Auditor-General’s Report showed registration only had to be completed before bid submission and that the decision was made by a High Procurement Committee of officials. He also disputed claims that coal testing lacked accreditation, citing certifications from Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in South Africa and Indonesia regarding the laboratories used for relevant tests. He stated that contractual mechanisms exist to penalize and recover losses from substandard coal, with further confirmatory testing underway, and denied political intervention in the procurement process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando argued that the no-confidence motion was intended to challenge alleged wrongdoing in coal procurement, not merely to test parliamentary numbers. He said the Government had moved from denying problems to admitting the coal was substandard, and demanded answers on why an allegedly unregistered bidder was allowed, why procurement criteria were relaxed, and whether the Auditor-General’s findings would be accepted. He alleged failures involving an invalid load port report, inaction after early warnings on substandard coal, and improper tender procedures that increased costs from about USD 98 to USD 142 per metric ton. He also questioned reported meetings with a supplier during the tender process and suggested these matters indicated possible collusion or fraud. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara alleged major fraud in a coal procurement process, citing the Auditor General’s report and claiming losses of about Rs. 30 billion due to poor-quality coal, irregular tender conditions, registration issues, and altered bid quantities. He questioned why the LCC Chairman resigned, why the Minister travelled to Russia, and why coal samples were tested in Indonesia, and argued that the government was protecting the Minister despite pending legal issues. He contrasted these allegations with the government’s anti-corruption mandate, called for investigations into past scandals including the bond issue, and accused the government of delaying elections and shielding allies. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam said his party initially did not sponsor the No-Confidence Motion against the Minister of Power because related matters were before COPE and the Colombo High Court, but the National Audit Office report required Parliament to take a position. He cited alleged procurement irregularities in the 2025/2026 LCC coal tender, including unregistered suppliers, relaxed criteria, reduced bid periods, lapsed testing accreditation, substandard coal, reduced Norochcholai output, and estimated losses of Rs. 2,237.7 million. He argued that the issue concerns ministerial ethics, public trust, and good governance, and called on the Minister to resign or step aside while court proceedings and accountability processes continue. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayatissa rejected the No-Confidence Motion’s allegations on coal procurement, arguing that longstanding irregularities predated the current Government and that the present process registered suppliers, invited bids, allowed appeals, and awarded the tender to the lowest evaluated bidder without ministerial interference. He said changes to prequalification criteria were made in 2023 before the current administration, and no party challenged the award before the Procurement Appeals Board. He emphasized that the Government is now using both Load Port and Discharge Port reports from accredited laboratories to test coal quality, unlike earlier practices that relied mainly on Load Port reports, and is investigating discrepancies while pursuing penalties for deviations in calorific value, ash, sulphur and moisture. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar seconded the No-Confidence Motion against Minister Punith Kumara Jayakody, alleging large-scale misuse and losses in coal procurement and citing findings attributed to the Auditor General’s Report. He argued that tender conditions and timelines were deliberately altered to favour an unqualified supplier, that the award proceeded without proper Attorney General concurrence, and that substandard coal shipments were accepted despite failed calorific value tests. He also criticised the President and Government for protecting the Minister, claiming the procurement failures contributed to financial loss, power cuts, and electricity tariff increases. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera alleged that a Minister facing corruption allegations over a coal tender was being protected by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake despite his previous anti-corruption stance. He claimed the tender-winning company, Trident Chemphar Limited, and its representatives had serious corruption-related records, and said the resignation letters of the Lanka Coal Company Chairman warning of irregularities were suppressed and replaced with a health-related resignation. He argued that these circumstances required an inquiry and made the Minister unfit to remain in office, and also accused the Minister of undermining solar power despite its significant contribution to national electricity generation. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →