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 March 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman alleged that 323 containers were recently released by Customs without proper inspection and criticized the failure to table the owners’ names in Parliament. He urged the Government to publish that list, arguing that disclosures about former ministers and past government figures should be matched by transparency on alleged wrongdoing under the current administration. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman requested that the Ministry table the quality report on STC rice, citing reported problems. He criticized the Budget for lacking a concrete plan to raise state revenue and close the financing gap, and alleged that manifesto commitments to zero-rate VAT on essential goods and services had been broken, particularly with a new 15% tax on IT services and exports. He also questioned the Government’s handling of earlier corruption pledges, including the bond scam, and raised concerns that Customs enforcement teams were harassing small and medium traders beyond the scope of the Customs Ordinance. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna supported the Ministry of Finance expenditure, stating that the Budget seeks to restart stalled projects and strengthen agriculture, irrigation, livestock, rural livelihoods, digitalization, and food security. He highlighted allocations of Rs. 56.8 billion for agriculture and Rs. 78.1 billion for irrigation, including over Rs. 32,000 million for the North Central Province Great Canal, and emphasized restoring small tanks and reviving dairy, poultry, and other livestock sectors. He said investigations into fertilizer subsidy irregularities and institutional malpractice are ongoing and that action must proceed through legal processes while the Government works to improve production and ensure access to nutritious meals. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera said the Government is responding to public demands under the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Head, while criticizing the Opposition for inconsistent arguments during the debate. Drawing on COPE observations, he emphasized the need to strengthen oversight of around 430 state enterprises and related entities, particularly subsidiaries and sub-subsidiaries linked to institutions such as the National Youth Services Council. He called for reinforcing the Department of Public Enterprises and associated budget and management mechanisms to improve fiscal discipline, accountability, and delivery of Budget objectives. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana argued that the 2025 Budget had not delivered key election promises, including major reductions in fuel prices, electricity bills, VAT on essential goods, and affordable vehicle imports. He questioned the vehicle tax structure, the feasibility of collateral-free youth business loans, and the failure to attract promised diaspora remittances, while criticizing the Government for focusing on issues such as Batalanda, President’s Fund disclosures, and the residence of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa instead of cost-of-living relief. He also raised concerns about revenue collection by Customs, Inland Revenue and Excise, alleging widespread illicit liquor sales that reduce Treasury income and endanger public health. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra argued during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Vote that stronger public investment and a capable public service are essential for development. She criticized past politicization of recruitment and administration, saying the public service had been used for patronage while recent recruitment freezes also weakened capacity. She said the Budget seeks to protect and strengthen the public service through salary increases, depoliticization, and needs-based recruitment, while improving efficiency, standards, and service delivery. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Handunnetti argued that the current government had established political democracy and was enabling economic democracy by reducing fear, bribery, and interference in the rule of law. He alleged that past government factions obstructed investment and left state lands idle through competing attempts to control or exploit them, citing coastal land in Matara–Polhena–Madiha. He requested that the President, as Finance Minister, appoint an open and independent Presidential Commission to investigate alleged bribery involving past ministers and investors. He also contrasted current parliamentary and institutional openness with what he described as intimidation under previous Rajapaksa administrations. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government had sought to establish political and economic democracy, claiming that Ministers and Members do not interfere in economic management, politics, or the rule of law. Responding to an allegation by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara about licences in Matara, he denied any political influence in licence issuance under the current Government and contrasted it with alleged practices under previous Rajapaksa administrations. He challenged Members to name anyone on the Government side who had improperly obtained such a licence. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara alleged irregularities in the issuance and transfer of liquor licences, including a licence granted to an allegedly unregistered company, alterations of beneficiary names, and licences issued to politically connected individuals and companies. He tabled a list of licences and asked the Government to investigate cases where multiple licences were issued to the same entities, including an alleged beneficiary under 21 years of age, and to cancel licences issued contrary to law. He also argued that tax and licensing leakages in the liquor sector were depriving the Government of substantial revenue, and requested action by the relevant Ministers and authorities. He additionally referred to concerns raised by a Deputy Solicitor General about attending court due to security issues, linking it to wider concerns about the rule of law. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving the Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, alleging a connection to a group interested in acquiring the airline. He questioned the circumstances around the appointment and implied the need for scrutiny of the privatization or acquisition process. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara asked for equal speaking time and raised a concern regarding the privatization of SriLankan Airlines. He questioned whether a conflict of interest exists if the airline’s Chairman is linked to Hayleys, a group reportedly interested in acquiring SriLankan, and noted the Chairman’s connections with individuals in the Government. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara rejected allegations linking him to Perpetual Treasuries, said his COPE questionnaire responses denied receiving money, and challenged critics to pursue legal action if evidence exists. He alleged government misstatements over promised graduate employment, asked for clarity on recruitment, and proposed listing portions of EPF, ETF, Bank of Ceylon, and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation holdings to deepen the Colombo Stock Exchange. He also called for equitable allocation of decentralized funds to Opposition MPs and sought urgent action and updated information on grounded SriLankan Airlines aircraft, citing global aircraft parts and engine-related constraints. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe denied media claims that he had forcibly entered a temple property in Imbulgoda, stating that the land documents in his possession do not show temple ownership or the involvement of a chief incumbent. He detailed several land transfers involving the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports and Spiritual Development Foundation and Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa, later transferred in 2023 to another individual for significantly higher amounts, and tabled the documents in Parliament. He said the circumstances of acquisition raise public concerns, noted that some documents were executed at Temple Trees, and requested a CID investigation. Personal Explanation and Procedural Matters Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera distinguished the proposed Milleniya BOI Zone in the Bandaragama electorate from the UDA project at Millawa, Horana, noting that even officials confuse the two. He argued that around 500 acres, including 244 acres already vested, have been prepared for an investment zone, but progress is being obstructed by leasehold claims held by Horana Plantations. He urged the Government and Prime Minister to prioritize industrial and business development in Kalutara, attract investors in line with the Budget’s investment zone proposals, and avoid relying primarily on taxation while productive land remains unused. Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage — Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment AI summary Minister Upali Pannilage defended the 2025 expenditure allocation of Rs. 714.1 billion for the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry, arguing that the Budget establishes a Sri Lankan economic model rather than adopting foreign ideological labels. He said the Government had not promised across-the-board public sector salary increases but had undertaken pay-structure reforms, including an additional Rs. 110 billion, in line with commitments on dignity of labour and teachers’ salaries. He rejected ethnic interpretations of a Speaker’s ruling, highlighted regional income disparities and the Rs. 13,250 million allocation for district and regional development, and outlined expanded social protection measures, including increased elderly allowance coverage and higher disability-related grants and eligibility thresholds. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Dr. Radhakrishnan emphasized that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, with Rs. 714.2 billion allocated and responsibility for key revenue institutions, must ensure disciplined fiscal management, policy consistency, monitoring, and avoidance of waste. He welcomed anti-corruption commitments and urged decisive action in revenue-collecting bodies such as Inland Revenue, Customs, Excise, and import/export control agencies to increase national revenue. He called for a people-friendly Budget that reduces burdens on low-income groups, promotes equitable regional development, and allocates funds fairly to both Government and Opposition MPs, including for plantation-area roads, childcare centres, schools, temples, and multipurpose development work. He also proposed establishing more industrial estates and cottage industries in the hill country, using available land and closed factories to provide employment for local youth. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal supported the Budget’s proposed digital transformation and improved management of state assets, arguing that underutilized lands, buildings and vehicles have contributed to economic decline and lost revenue. He cited unused public buildings in Puttalam and Musali, including a tourist information centre, health facilities, a bus stand and staff hostel, and urged that such assets be leased or repurposed for public benefit and income generation. He requested a new Open University building in Puttalam and the operational upgrading of health facilities, while also calling for better use and oversight of long-leased state coconut estates and other state lands. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister said the inaugural NPP Government’s Budget had been shaped by a month of consultations with unions, institutions, associations and the public, and argued that many Opposition criticisms repeated misrepresentations rather than engaging with policy. She framed the Budget as part of a broader “system change” intended to reduce privilege and patronage, support ethical entrepreneurs and public servants, and expand opportunities for women, persons with disabilities, youth and underserved communities. On youth employment, she said the Government was replacing patronage-based job allocation with pathways to meaningful work, but noted delays due to legal barriers and pending court-related issues arising from previous decisions. She thanked the President, Finance Ministry officials, State Ministers and others involved in preparing and refining the Budget under challenging conditions. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan argued that decades of poor fiscal management, planning failures and ethnic conflict had weakened Sri Lanka’s economy, citing tax cuts, the fertiliser ban, continued import dependence and post-war stagnation. He urged the new Government to address past mistakes, complete 3,325 unfinished State-funded houses in Batticaloa District by allocating the revised requirement of Rs. 2,724.79 million, and provide fair support to flood-affected farmers. He also called for justice and meaningful redress for over 4,000 cases of enforced disappearance, rejecting inadequate compensation as insufficient for affected Tamil families. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister said the debate covered 23 institutions under the Ministry of Finance and urged fuller Opposition participation, while noting matters linked to the Department of Import and Export Control and the Department of Trade and Investment Policies. He stated that unresolved issues in the Finance portfolio, including aspects of the 2015 Central Bank bond scam, require further investigation by the current Government. He said inquiries were examining alleged payments through a jointly operated Seylan Bank account, 156 cheques, and possible indirect payments to politicians via wine stores, with names and evidence to be disclosed as investigations proceed. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →