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- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman questioned the Government’s handling of continuing essential food shortages, focusing on the salt shortage and asking why salt imported through the State Trading Corporation had not reached consumers at affordable prices. He alleged that imported rock salt, despite relatively low landed costs and duties, was being sold at Rs. 350–400 per kilogram due to stock control by private interests linked to Puttalam Salt Ltd. and Raigam. He urged the Consumer Affairs Authority to inspect stocks in Hambantota and Puttalam rather than only small retailers, and criticized the appointment of a private salt company owner to the board of a public salt company as a conflict of interest. He also briefly raised concern that the Auditor General’s post remained vacant. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Alleged past wrongdoing was widely known and reported, with failures to follow the system despite court orders. The present Government, upon taking office, implemented the relevant requirements immediately, and the remarks framed the previous period as one of lawlessness. Debate: Finance Act Order - Tax Exemptions and Government Policy on Renewable Energy Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva sought clarification regarding references to the online visa issue, stating that the Committee on Public Finance had previously brought the matter before Parliament and court, including concerns about threats. He asked the Government to clarify which Opposition Members were being referred to and raised concern over the delay in appointing an Auditor General. As Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, he questioned whether a politically influenced appointment was being considered and emphasized the need for the Auditor General’s independence. Debate: Finance Act Order - Tax Exemptions and Government Policy on Renewable Energy Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary The speech supported gazettes relating to tourism-related charges and vehicle luxury tax amendments, arguing that tourism recovery requires efficient visa processing, airport development, and stronger legal mechanisms to ensure airlines remit fees collected through tickets. It stated that exemptions continue for children under five, airline crew, and short-term transit passengers, and criticized past stalled airport and online visa projects while saying the Government had restored legal and procedural compliance. The speaker also explained proposed Luxury Tax threshold increases for vehicles, citing depreciation and price increases after years of import restrictions, and linked the measures to wider economic activity, investment, tourism arrivals, and capital spending. Debate: Finance Act Order - Tax Exemptions and Government Policy on Renewable Energy Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana raised concerns that about 80 perches of land, previously linked to Ceylinco and now administered by Navloka after Treasury intervention, may be sold illegally instead of being retained for public use. He asked what action the UDA and BOI will take to prevent the sale and make the remaining land available as common amenities for local residents. Oral Question: Millennium City Housing Complex, Oruwala - Lands for Common Amenities (Q.10/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that the closure of the CWE had been done without properly identifying its assets and liabilities, resulting in expired leases and outdated rents at properties including Welisara and near the head office. He said inspections found expired or absent agreements for warehouses and small shops, issues with access to an adjacent court, and properties islandwide leased under questionable arrangements, including to political associates. He outlined steps to obtain valuations, execute new two-year lease agreements at fair market rates, regularize documentation through a legal panel, and re-establish the CWE as the “National Co-operative Wholesale Establishment” to intervene in wholesale trade. Oral Question: Warehouses of Co-operative Wholesale Establishment in Welisara - Lease (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary An inquiry will be initiated after obtaining information from the Member and officials regarding problematic bridge contracts handled by SD&CC. It was stated that SD&CC had 69 bridge contracts, 19 of which have become social issues, and that due to malpractice, losses, and lack of capacity, 27 contracts were removed from SD&CC and reassigned after the current Government took office. The Minister said the Government is reviewing such bridges for expedited decisions and may proceed under the supervision of the newly established Minuwangoda Urban Council if it is willing. Oral Question: Bridge at Pansilgoda, Minuwangoda - Non-Completion (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody questioned the removal of a usable bridge in 2021, stating that around eight villages depended on it as their main route to Minuwangoda and as a feeder to the Gampaha–Minuwangoda route. He asked whether the Government would investigate the officials and political authorities responsible for dismantling it without due consideration of local needs or a replacement timeline. Oral Question: Bridge at Pansilgoda, Minuwangoda - Non-Completion (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that the Government’s stated aim of resolving land documentation problems in the North-East was inconsistent with the law being used, warning that unclaimed lands could vest in the State by 28 June unless the Gazette was revoked. He urged the Minister to withdraw the Gazette, consult Tamil Members from the North-East, and instead use a committee or commission process similar to approaches for wildlife or forest lands. He said affected communities had not been adequately informed within the three-month period and pledged cooperation to address displacement- and tsunami-related land issues if the current legal mechanism was abandoned. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma AI summary Hon. Harshana Suriyapperuma said the Government is pursuing structural reforms, tax policy revisions, improved governance of state-owned enterprises, and transparent recruitment and promotion systems as part of its economic programme. He argued that prudent management has reduced inflation and interest rates, built reserves, improved external credibility, and created conditions for private sector, SME, youth entrepreneurship, and foreign investment support, including collateral-free lending and debt restructuring. He said tax revenue must reach the Treasury without leakages, electricity tariffs and EV taxation would be handled through data-based policy, and EV infrastructure would be expanded with the private sector. Referring to the relevant Gazette, he stated that Customs and other agencies are implementing it effectively and that revenue outcomes are in line with projections. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva criticized the Government for reversing energy sector reforms and said renewable energy had been undermined by tariff decisions, including reducing a unit rate from Rs. 20 to Rs. 14. He alleged that incorrect cost data on Sobadanavi purchases had been presented to Cabinet, contrasting it with PUCSL figures of Rs. 45 to Rs. 72 per unit, and warned this would benefit diesel-based interests. He opposed any closed-door 18 percent electricity tariff increase, urging the Government to recalculate and stating that any necessary increase should be limited to about 3–4 percent. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam supported the regulation under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act relating to electric vehicles, arguing that increased EV use should also generate revenue to fund relief for citizens who cannot afford to pay. He rejected Opposition criticisms, stating that the new Government had not acted for the benefit of ministers or MPs and was focused on people-centred policies, local authority regularization, and development. He said the Government had completed budgetary and procurement groundwork in its first months and expected to implement 40–50 projects per electorate in the coming months as part of a corruption-free development programme. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said investigations into the referenced incident would proceed without interference and noted that relevant ministries and stakeholders had established a mechanism within 24 hours to ensure swift action in similar cases. She pledged measures to protect women’s and children’s rights, including ethical changes in media practice, and said the Government would act for all communities. She also defended the Government’s mandate and its women parliamentarians against criticism, stating that they would pursue necessary laws, discipline, attitudes, and public awareness to prevent violations against women and children. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake stated that the public had placed significant trust in the current Government, believing it would act differently from previous governments over the past 70 years. He also referred procedurally to being granted additional speaking time by Hon. Gayantha Karunathilaka. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the functioning of deputy and state ministerial roles, arguing that some ministers fail to delegate responsibilities and that deputies are left without meaningful work. He said opposition criticism should be treated as a means of identifying and correcting government errors, citing his past opposition to the Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government’s fertilizer policy. He urged the Government to meet public expectations by ensuring proper supply of essential goods such as salt and rice. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake alleged that officials, including heads of a commission, held improper meetings with a person he referred to as the “GOD” to decide who would be charged and how quickly cases would be filed. He warned others not to deny knowledge of such conduct, asserting that he knew where and when these discussions took place. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister responded to debate on regulations under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act by linking recent political developments in the North to the Government’s mandate and rejecting criticism of the National People’s Power’s local government election performance. He argued that Tamil areas remain affected by long-term underdevelopment, population decline, unemployment, migration, and drugs, and criticized other Tamil parties for relying on communal campaigning, cash, and liquor rather than development plans. He outlined Government initiatives for the Northern Province, including an industrial estate in Kankesanthurai, expansion of Palaly Airport and harbour and ferry links, improved rail services, sports facilities, bridge and road rehabilitation, irrigation tank restoration, and palmyrah-based industries, with the stated aim of creating over 40,000 jobs within three years. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister outlined problems in intermediate-grade admissions to National Schools, noting that high demand and Cabinet-authorized exceptions had led to admissions beyond vacancies and class-size limits. She said this had caused overcrowding, reduced opportunities for Grade 5 Scholarship entrants, complicated staff transfers, contributed to complaints and investigations, and widened inequities between popular National Schools and other schools. She proposed revising admission authority and circulars to prohibit admissions without vacancies or beyond maximum class sizes, establish fair and transparent criteria with limited hardship exceptions, and pursue broader reforms including improved resources and expanded bilingual education. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Most Mahaweli reservations have already been gazetted, but many Irrigation Department reservoir reservations remain ungazetted due to legal ambiguities that are being addressed. The Minister stated that authorities intend to identify and act against occupations or cultivation within reservations, including houses, hotels, swimming pools, and large-scale cultivations allegedly linked to politicians or proxies. He affirmed readiness to investigate such encroachments and protect reservoir reservations under the relevant legal framework. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe JJB AI summary 712 persons have so far been identified within the Nuwara Weva reservation, including both lawful permit or title holders and unlawful occupants, with further surveys expected to identify more. Dr. Susil Ranasinghe said encroachment of reservoir reservations had become an illicit practice, alleging involvement by former ministers and associates, and noted that name lists had been tabled. He proposed that specific cases be reviewed at the District Coordinating Committee with relevant officials to verify deeds and permits, identify any official complicity, and support remedial action against unlawful occupation. Oral Questions: Irrigation Reservoirs and Land Settlement (Q.578/2025 and Q.3519/2025) Read →