Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC, M.P.
Profession: Attorney-at-Law; President's Counsel
Speeches 186 #21 of 225·#8 in party
Attendance 3/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 87 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Adjournment
Activity by sitting
81 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
186 speeches- 1 March 2025 AI summary Proposed the establishment of provincial-level prosecuting offices. The suggestion appears to relate to decentralizing prosecutorial functions or improving access to prosecution services at the provincial level. Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper moved an Adjournment Motion proposing a Select Committee on the Administration of Justice, citing public concern, institutional mistrust, delays, and resource shortages affecting the Police, Attorney-General’s Department, Judiciary, Government Analyst, Prisons Department and related bodies. He proposed measures to expedite criminal cases, fast-track investigations and indictments in major public-interest crimes, improve trial efficiency using existing Criminal Procedure amendments, engage specialists, and establish provincial prosecuting offices. He also suggested temporary funding to recruit senior State Counsel and retired judges or prosecutors at provincial level, arguing that a transparent parliamentary committee could examine delays and help restore confidence in the justice system. Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 1 March 2025 AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper stated that a sermon he referenced was delivered very recently, after recent underworld-related incidents. He said he was speaking responsibly and could provide evidence of the sermon if required. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Law & Order Read →
- 1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper criticized the Budget and warned against attempts to entrench political power, drawing comparisons with past constitutional actions affecting the Opposition. He raised concerns over several major criminal investigations, including the Easter Sunday attacks, the murders of Lasantha Wickrematunge and Dinesh Schaffter, the Central Bank bond case, and recent organized killings, calling for consistent use of legal mechanisms, including PTA investigations and trial in absentia where appropriate. He also questioned the President’s remarks suggesting criminal links within the police, armed forces, judiciary, and legal profession, urging the Minister of Justice to clarify and defend confidence in the justice system. He concluded by warning against abuse of power and organized crime while stating that the Opposition would support the State in defending the country’s integrity. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Law & OrderCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised concerns about the continued blocking of donated Sinhala and Tamil translations of Tafsir Qur’an, questioning their classification as “extremist literature” and requesting corrective action. He proposed further digitization of parliamentary work, including ending his hard-copy Hansard distribution, upgrading Members’ outdated laptops, installing desk-based screens and keyboards, and improving canteen and tea services through a pay-for-consumption model. He also asked that unpaid allowances for Police officers attached to Parliament be considered. On Arjuna Mahendran’s extradition, he argued that the absence of a Sri Lanka-Singapore treaty makes extradition difficult, warned that fair-treatment concerns affect such requests, and suggested proceeding with an in absentia trial under existing criminal procedure provisions. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised a Point of Order under Standing Order 92(2) regarding Finance Ministry Circular MF/2/2025, which requires District Coordinating Committees to approve decentralized development funds by 25 February 2025. He requested that the Ministry postpone the deadline by two days, noting that the current date coincides with the Second Reading vote and would prevent Members from participating in the Committee Stage. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 February 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that the 2025 Budget has neglected the Eastern Province, citing only a brief reference to development through Indian multi-sector grant assistance and no substantive domestic allocations for key needs. He highlighted recent flood damage linked to Gal Oya/Senanayake Samudraya, calling for downstream development, a secondary dam, proper bridge repairs, and smart irrigation planning to address climate change impacts on agriculture. He also said the Budget lacks provisions for Eastern tourism and transport infrastructure, including rail improvements serving destinations such as Nilaveli, Arugam Bay/Pottuvil and Pasikudah. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget AgricultureInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
- 17 February 2025 AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper stated that he had tabled four amendments to the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill, which he said should be considered at Committee Stage and are consistent with Article 78 of the Constitution. He requested that the Minister in charge of Local Government, with the advice of the Attorney-General, incorporate the amendments. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
- 17 February 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper clarified the Opposition’s position on the Supreme Court Determination concerning the Local Authorities Elections legislation, arguing that the Court required a two-thirds majority not because Parliament contradicted a prior judgment, but because the Bill sought to apply youth nomination requirements retrospectively to nominations already accepted, creating an Article 12(1) issue. He stated that Act No. 30 of 2023 was prospective and alleged that the previous administration had used the youth candidate issue to obstruct the postponed local authorities elections. He also noted that if the Bill were certified that day with the agreement of Members, the earliest possible date for holding the elections would be around 11 April. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper seconded the Adjournment Motion on Sri Lanka Cricket, linking recent on-field disappointments, including losses to Australia and the Women’s Under-19 team’s failure to reach the semi-finals, to public concerns about corruption in cricket administration. He argued that delays in implementing earlier anti-corruption measures have allowed the same group to attempt to regain control through the forthcoming SLC election, and urged that the matter be treated seriously. Adjournment Debate: Sri Lanka Cricket Development and Anti-Corruption Measures Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that the Attorney-General cannot proceed beyond the evidence provided by investigations, noting that the CID under the Minister of Defence bears responsibility for gathering evidence in long-pending cases such as Lasantha Wickrematunge’s murder. He accused the Government of using the Attorney-General as a scapegoat for investigative failures and warned against repeating this in relation to the Easter Sunday attacks. He urged the Government to change its approach, end disinformation, and secure justice for victims before MPs retire. Private Members' Motion 5: Abolishing the Pension Scheme of Members of Parliament Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary Seconding the Motion on MPs’ pensions, M. Nizam Kariapper said any change appeared to apply prospectively and urged Members to prioritize fulfilling obligations to ensure justice before retirement. He focused on the unresolved Lasantha Wickrematunge murder case, arguing that the Attorney-General’s advice not to proceed was based on insufficient evidence from the CID and should not be used to shift blame to the AG. He called on the Government and investigative authorities to pursue those withholding information, consider state-witness options or prosecutions, and ensure accountability in the case. Private Members' Motion 5: Abolishing the Pension Scheme of Members of Parliament Justice & Human RightsParliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper sought clarification from the Minister on an application form that appeared to permit individual applications despite the Minister’s statement that applications must be made by groups of producers in a given area. He asked the Minister to confirm the correct eligibility and verification process. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper urged that, before implementing the relevant registration regulations, small-scale and regional producers be consulted and made aware of their importance, particularly for products associated with specific areas such as Jaffna, Valvettithurai, Maruthamunai and Valaichchenai. He requested a special initial programme, including simple and affordable legal aid for registration, noting that costs such as travel to Colombo and fees of over Rs. 45,000 would be burdensome for local entrepreneurs. He also raised concerns that the application process lacks a mechanism to verify whether registered products are genuinely sourced from the claimed region, warning that this could enable misuse, adulteration and false regional branding. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) AgriculturePublic Finance Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC queries the time allocated to him for his speech, asking whether he had 13 minutes. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter is raised in this intervention. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the regulations under the Intellectual Property Act to register geographical indications, describing them as broadly commendable and important for protecting and marketing Sri Lanka’s region-specific products. He urged the Minister of Trade to consult experts and ensure accurate understanding of geographical indications, distinguishing them from trademarks and noting their basis in international intellectual property frameworks such as WIPO and TRIPS. He cited examples such as Ceylon Tea, king coconut, Maruthamunai handloom sarongs, regional curd, dodol, thalaguli and cashew to argue that Sri Lanka should better protect and promote products linked to particular places and traditions. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Public FinanceAgriculture Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper briefly remarked that he had lost speaking time and had intended to address the subject in more depth. Referring to points made by Nalinda Jayathissa, he suggested, in a humorous aside, that those matters might be added to geographical indications as a special indicator for Sri Lankan Parliamentarians. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper asked whether an Eastern Province State university could be given the opportunity to establish a law faculty, in the context of efforts to expand legal education, to improve access particularly for Muslim girls interested in law. He also noted that the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University awards an LLB and, despite not being under the UGC, appears to have similar eligibility for the Law College Entrance Examination, requesting that the Prime Minister look into the matter. Oral Question: Bachelor of Laws Degree Awards (Q.1/2024) Education Read →
- 5 February 2025 AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper raised a point of order in relation to a case in which he said he was the petitioner. He clarified that a proviso allows the Election Commission up to three months to fix the date for receiving nominations, despite earlier provisions referring to 14 or 17 days for issuing the notice of poll. Procedural: Provincial Councils Elections (Special Provisions) Bill - Supreme Court Determination Status Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper seconded the Adjournment Motion on protecting Rohingya refugees, arguing that those rescued from Myanmar should not be characterized merely as “illegal immigrants” but treated as refugees and trafficking victims fleeing persecution. He urged strong action against traffickers, UNHCR access to assess and assist the group, correction of what he described as erroneous official framing, and adherence to the principle of non-refoulement. He also called on the Government to dispel public panic and misinformation about large refugee inflows while maintaining border management and social harmony. Adjournment Motion: Ensuring Protection for Rohingya Refugees in Sri Lanka Foreign AffairsReligion & CultureJustice & Human Rights Read →