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- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi rejected media reports disputing his earlier allegations about Sri Lanka Cricket and tabled Executive Committee minutes from 30 July 2021 recording a decision to appoint Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon as an adviser with specified allowances and benefits. He alleged wider fraud and misuse of SLC resources, criticised the Government and Sports Minister for not stopping the forthcoming SLC elections despite the allegations, and said he would seek judicial intervention. He also stated that he would continue presenting documents on alleged misconduct, including previous claims relating to World Cup travel and visa arrangements, and warned against attempts to silence such disclosures. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma outlined the 2025 Budget’s revenue, expenditure and financing framework, citing total expenditure including debt service of Rs. 8,835 billion, projected revenue of Rs. 5,042 billion, and a financing requirement to be met through domestic and external borrowing. He said Budget implementation would be coordinated through Finance Ministry departments and emphasized new debt management arrangements, including the Public Debt Management Office and related committees, to improve transparency and reduce reliance on costly commercial borrowing. He also addressed allegations related to past bond matters, saying any documents should be tabled fully rather than selectively. Referring to the forthcoming Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, he said changes on SVAT and withholding tax would be implemented with digital systems and safeguards to avoid cash flow burdens and ensure efficient credits or refunds. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva argued that the Budget debate should give greater scrutiny to revenue measures and borrowings, including tabling the ISB restructuring agreement and examining bilateral debt clauses, comparability of treatment, and protections for domestic stakeholders such as the EPF. He said the Government had largely continued the previous administration’s IMF-linked debt restructuring programme despite earlier criticism of borrowing, and called for more rigorous parliamentary processes on debt, including possible constitutional reforms. He also questioned revenue policy implementation, citing cigarette excise calibration and casino taxation as areas where, in his view, weak design or enforcement was causing avoidable revenue losses. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary The Minister stated that the Government would take action against any institutions or individuals found to have acted improperly, rather than limiting the matter to discussion. Oral Question 1: Government Institutions - Security Companies (Q.1/4/2024) Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Asked whether the Government would take concrete, due-process steps to recover losses and pursue those responsible in broader corruption matters, citing the Avant Garde case as an example. Part of the intervention was expunged by order of the Chair. Oral Question 1: Government Institutions - Security Companies (Q.1/4/2024) Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary The Minister stated that Circular No. 445 already provides the governing framework for the matter, but acknowledged that past problems may have occurred during implementation. He undertook to examine the issue and take necessary steps to strengthen future State provision. Oral Question 1: Government Institutions - Security Companies (Q.1/4/2024) Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns that despite the large number of State institutions, only a small proportion use State security service providers, while private security contracts have reportedly involved irregularities. He asked whether the Government would strengthen and expand the two State security entities, including by using retired military and Civil Security personnel, so they could provide security for more State institutions and reduce fraud and corruption in contracting. Oral Question 1: Government Institutions - Security Companies (Q.1/4/2024) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe responded to an allegation concerning the transfer of the Dehiattakandiya Zonal Director of Education, stating it followed a bribery and corruption complaint over Grade 4 examination paper printing and was pending investigation, not politically motivated. Addressing Hon. Nizam Kariapper’s Motion on public service retirement ages, she highlighted the physically demanding conditions faced by police officers, including long hours and outdoor duties beyond age 50. She argued that, rather than raising the retirement age for such services, officers should be permitted to retire from at least age 55 to enable a dignified retirement. Adjournment Debate: Public Administration Circular No. 19/2022 Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe defended reforms at Sathosa and other state institutions, saying the Government was bringing private-sector expertise into public bodies to strengthen them rather than sell them. He said Sathosa faced long-standing irregularities, including Rs. 350 million worth of goods unaccounted for since 2014, ongoing CID complaints, weak computer systems, and quality-control issues in rice procurement, and outlined steps such as filling 21 vacancies, appointing an acting CEO, and procuring an integrated stock and sales system. Responding to allegations on tax evasion and procurement, he said the Government would not protect offenders and was acting through the Consumer Affairs Authority, Inland Revenue Department and other agencies, citing VAT details of several companies named in the debate. He also said vehicles held by the Presidential Secretariat were being redistributed to institutions as required and rejected claims that appointments were based on union affiliation rather than merit. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the police search of former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon’s residence, stating that officers failed to locate him after three and a half hours and instead left with whisky bottles. He cited televised remarks by Sunil Watawala claiming knowledge of the whereabouts of Deshabandu Tennakoon and Sevwanthi, and asked who was responsible for concealing them. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara challenged claims regarding paddy storage, stating that while the Maha harvest was 4.6 million metric tons, storage capacity existed for two to three seasons and had been destroyed. He also questioned police action concerning the former IGP, alleging that despite visiting his house and seizing 800 bottles of whisky, police had failed to arrest him for 20 days. He further asked how police could rely on a reported consensus not to arrest six individuals, referring to statements made in the Court of Appeal and by police. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government’s handling of paddy purchasing, arguing that despite promises to buy large quantities from the Maha and Yala harvests, only Rs. 5 billion had been allocated and only 488 metric tons had reportedly been purchased by the previous Friday. He alleged that numerous rice mills with substantial storage and processing capacity had been destroyed in past incidents, claiming these facilities could have supplied around 60% of the country’s rice requirement. He challenged government members to respond during their speaking time regarding responsibility for those incidents. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. R.G. Wijerathna JJB AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna argued that Regional Economic Centres have not met their stated objectives of ensuring fair producer prices, effective marketing, islandwide distribution, and affordable consumer prices. He cited inactive centres in Jaffna, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi built at significant public cost, and said the Nuwara Eliya centre handles only about 20 per cent of local vegetable production while traders, rather than farmers, effectively determine prices. He called for stronger inter-ministerial coordination to build a national distribution network, measures to reduce post-harvest losses through improved transport and packaging, and a Ministry-affiliated unit to oversee the transparency and use of management trust funds. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Dilip Wedaarachchi objected that allegations of corruption and theft affecting people in the Hambantota District must be raised in Parliament. He argued that if such matters cannot be presented there, the purpose of attending Parliament is undermined. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Dilip Wedaarachchi stated that he would raise allegations of corruption in Parliament rather than make a complaint to the relevant Commission. The remark was framed as a response to an accusation or challenge, asserting his intention to use the House as the forum for disclosure. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi alleged that a cooperative election was postponed and then suddenly held without written approval from the Election Commissioner, leaving his side unprepared. He claimed that government-aligned candidates won several cooperatives, including Agunukolapelessa and Hungama, through improper conduct, and referred to photographs and records he had tabled as evidence. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Dilip Wedaarachchi disputed the claim that a General Meeting had been held, while asserting that records and photographs exist documenting the election process and the selection of five members. He asked the Minister to examine the evidence, including voting details, and noted that those addressed had also participated in the election. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi alleged that the Election Commission and the National People's Power violated election-related rules in the Hambantota District, including by holding activities despite letters from the Commission stating that even a general meeting could not be held. He said he had previously raised concerns about nine principals being named as suspects during the General Election but no action had been taken. He tabled related files, photographs, and Election Commission letters, and requested an investigation. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Dilip Wedaarachchi stated that the Weeraketiya Cooperative election was held on 16 March, disputing a contrary claim by another Member. He said the Election Commission and the Hambantota Election Office were involved, and tabled letters, photographs, and related documents as evidence of how the voting was conducted. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi objected to conduct he described as wrongful and unbecoming, referring specifically to actions by individuals in Weeraketiya. He urged Hon. Aravinda Senarath to restrain or address those associates and called for order during his remarks. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →