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 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam said the Batalanda Commission Report records serious abuses during 1988–1990, including abductions, extrajudicial killings, vigilante activity with state involvement, obstruction of investigations, and protection of alleged perpetrators. He linked these findings to other periods of violence, including the southern insurrection and the war in the North and East, arguing that many commission reports on grave abuses have remained unimplemented. He urged the Government to investigate those named, prosecute where warranted, and implement the recommendations of this and other commissions to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe argued that the Batalanda Report should be understood within the wider context of unlawful detention, torture, abductions and disappearances during the 1988-89 period, which he attributed to the policies and actions of the then UNP Government. He referred to the JVP’s participation in democratic politics before its 1983 ban, evidence in the Report disputing its responsibility for the July 1983 violence, and the escalation of repression after the Indo-Lanka Accord. He stated that the current Government, in office for four months, would take lawful measures to investigate crimes committed across the country and hold perpetrators accountable, also recounting his own alleged near-abduction in October 1989. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman referred to the Batalanda Commission Report and questioned why the JVP/NPP had not pursued the issue earlier despite past opportunities and political alliances, arguing that any renewed accountability process should examine all actors and periods even-handedly. He asked whether the Government would investigate individuals now aligned with it who were allegedly involved in operations against the JVP during 1988-89, as well as other past incidents including those linked to Matale. He also raised current concerns about the use of counter-terror laws, citing the detention of a youth over a sticker critical of Israel, and urged proportional policing, respect for expression and assembly, and due process. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala seconded the Motion and cited findings of the Batalanda Commission, arguing that its report implicated Ranil Wickremesinghe in abuse of power, unlawful interference with police functions, and indirect responsibility for unlawful detention and torture chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme between 1988 and 1990. He referred to specific report passages identifying houses allegedly used for detention and torture, including premises linked to Wickremesinghe and police officers, and said the report also recorded that Wickremesinghe accepted there was no proof connecting the JVP or NSSP to the July 1983 riots. He framed the debate as an opportunity to seek justice for those killed or tortured during the period, including political activists and Attorney-at-Law Wijedasa Liyanarachchi. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody questioned delays and poor execution in a WPRDA project, noting that about Rs. 199 million had already been spent without public benefit and that tiles were already peeling. Referring to 13 years of alleged disorganized implementation since 2012, he proposed that the Deputy Minister initiate a formal investigation into the use of public funds. Oral Questions: Primary Health Care and School Infrastructure Projects Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody raised concerns about alleged political misuse of authority in Minuwangoda, citing demolished public structures, the unreconstructed Pansilugoda bridge, and questions over spending priorities at the Regi Ranatunga School pool project. He asked whether all allocated funds for the pool had been used, whether a full audit had been conducted, and whether there was any evidence of misappropriation. Oral Questions: Primary Health Care and School Infrastructure Projects Read →
- 10 April 2025 Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara urged the Minister to ensure faster implementation of decisions and questioned a new circular dated 04.04.2025 establishing Public Security Committees under the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative. He argued that Community Police Committees already operate across all 14,022 Grama Niladhari divisions and asked whether the new structure would politicize grassroots policing or replace existing committees. He also raised the transfer of the OIC of Kobeigane, noting that the National Police Commission had reversed it but the appointment letter was pending, and alleged that charges were being prepared after the fact to justify the transfer. Oral Question 212/2024: Sri Lanka Police - Vacancies and Promotions Read →
- 10 April 2025 Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns that many National Schools lack qualified principals and argued that the designation of National Schools has often been politically driven without meeting required standards. He questioned why qualified SLEAS Class I officers are not applying for principal posts in certain schools and urged education authorities to examine the reasons teachers are reluctant to take up principal positions, proposing practical solutions such as recruiting more SLEAS Class II officers and addressing underlying issues. Oral Question 10/2024: National Schools - Lack of Qualified Principals Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to implement cost-reflective policies with proper preparation and to consider Opposition proposals constructively. Citing the former Auditor-General’s remarks on corruption among government officials, he called for cross-party cooperation to address national issues, including taxation concerns and renewable energy policy, in the context of the Adjournment Motion moved by Hon. Ajith P. Perera. Adjournment Motion: Renewable Energy Policy and Rooftop Solar Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe alleged that land owned by the Sri Nagananda International Institute at Manel Watta had been fraudulently sold by Shiranthi Rajapaksa on 10 October 2023, misleading monks associated with the property. He cited an electricity bill paid by monks and referred to a related CID arrest over alleged fraudulent documents for a Rajapaksa family residence near the Menik Ganga. He requested action under a recently passed Act addressing illegal activities and said he was prepared to hand over relevant documents to the CID. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe responded to allegations concerning a land matter by referring to documents he said established ownership of the relevant plots. He stated that one portion related to the D.A. Rajapaksa Stadium at Diyagama and that other portions were held in the name of Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa, later re-registered on 10 October 2023 to Samararatna Kodikara and sold at various prices. He tabled eight title deeds connected to the land, including deeds referencing Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa and the Sri Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan questioned the Government’s consistency on promises made during the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, citing the nomination of a bar licence holder for local elections and a Sinhalese national list bonus-seat candidate in the Nanattan Pradeshiya Sabha division, where he said there are no Sinhala residents. He supported the agreements signed during the Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit, arguing that India had helped Sri Lanka during its downturn and that such agreements were appropriate given India’s position as a neighbour. He stated opposition to any attempts by China-aligned actors to obstruct Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and said Chinese activities should not be permitted in the North and East. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj supported the Bill, describing VAT reform and effective tax collection as necessary for economic stability, national production, and the welfare of workers, farmers, consumers, and traders. He argued that previous tax systems allowed politically connected persons to evade obligations while ordinary citizens bore the burden, and linked the reform agenda to broader accountability measures and the Government’s response to international economic pressures, including U.S. tariff policy. He also criticised some Tamil representatives for rhetoric rather than development proposals, referred to Pillayan’s arrest and past disappearances in the East, and urged Eastern Province MPs to bring substantive plans for post-war rebuilding and regional development. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Upali Samarasingha stated that, upon learning of the matter that day, relevant officials were immediately instructed to suspend the activities in question. He said the suspension should remain in place until the election period ends and the District Committee’s decisions are implemented. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Morning Session) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the size and cost of Sri Lanka’s public service, stating that salaries and pensions in 2024 accounted for about 39 per cent of Government revenue, and argued that past recruitment outside approved procedures had created staffing imbalances, underutilization, and higher administrative costs. He said Cabinet restrictions imposed during the fiscal crisis limited recruitment to essential posts, while recent Cabinet decisions established committees to review staffing, approve essential recruitment, and redeploy excess staff. Under Budget 2025, he said the Government will fill 30,000 essential vacancies through merit- and competency-based open competitive recruitment, with Rs. 10 billion allocated, and that approvals have already been granted for 18,853 vacancies, including 3,147 Nursing Officers. He also linked youth unemployment to pressure for State jobs and proposed broader responses such as skills development, university programme review, rural job creation, entrepreneurship support, and expanded childcare facilities. Ministerial Statement and Privilege Question; Procedural Motions Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam requested permission to question the Prime Minister, noting that Opposition Members have limited monthly opportunities to do so. He asked whether the Government would urgently allocate funds for the preparation of a new Constitution, given that no provision for it had been made in the current year’s Budget. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Six months into office, the Government says it cannot be held responsible for 16 years of previous inaction but is working to strengthen State institutions to investigate past injustices and prevent recurrence. It argues that distrust of bodies such as the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations reflects earlier institutional failures, and says it is appointing suitable personnel, providing resources, and considering expanded mandates or new mechanisms if needed. The Minister also states that legislation passed the previous day forms part of this process and invites Members to identify specific cases for follow-up. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya said the Government would investigate specific complaints and emblematic cases, including the Easter Sunday attacks and attacks on media personnel, while noting the difficulty of evidence gathering 16 years after the war. She stated that mechanisms such as the Office on Missing Persons would be strengthened to address enforced disappearances, and requested details on any persons allegedly held for political beliefs so their cases could be reviewed. She reiterated the Government’s commitment to repeal the PTA, said a Cabinet-approved committee would prepare a White Paper on repeal and replacement national security legislation, and noted ongoing identification of military-held land for release without altering ethnic composition. She also said the Government’s initial focus was economic stabilization and elections, with a consultative process for a new Constitution to begin after pending elections, including Provincial Council Elections, are addressed. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Prime Minister on post-war reconciliation, stating that Sri Lanka has not addressed root causes of conflict or ensured truth and justice 16 years after the war. He asked what action the Government is taking on emblematic massacre cases, enforced disappearances, political prisoners, use and repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, land seizures by State actors and others, and the timeline for a new Constitution. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister said the Proceeds of Crime Bill fulfils the Government’s mandate to combat corruption by identifying, preserving, forfeiting, and returning assets obtained through crime to the State or victims. He emphasized that bona fide purchasers and honest citizens would not be affected, and argued that forfeiture is not a retrospective penal sanction but a mechanism to deprive criminals of illicit benefits, including through non-conviction-based forfeiture. He noted that no fundamental rights challenge had been filed against the Bill and said the legislation creates a unified framework where existing laws were scattered and largely dependent on prior convictions. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Read →