Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera, M.P.
Deputy Minister of Defence
Profession: ---
Speeches 125 #36 of 225·#17 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Security & Defence 77 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
52 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
125 speeches- 10 June 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported extending the Resolution under the Essential Public Services Act for another month, citing the need to maintain uninterrupted water, electricity, fuel, health, communications and transport services after the cyclone and amid global crises. He said a Commissioner-General of Essential Services would coordinate state institutions down to local administrative levels, with sectoral regulations to ensure continuity and economic stability. He also stated that the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” fund is lawful and auditable, and defended legal accountability for all individuals, including veterans, while stressing the need for justice for victims of the Easter attacks. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Public FinanceSecurity & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported extending the State of Emergency under the Public Security Ordinance, stating that emergency powers were needed to coordinate recovery and rehabilitation after Cyclone “Ditva” and to appoint a Commissioner General for Essential Services. He said the Government, public service, civil institutions, and Tri-Forces were working on infrastructure restoration, compensation, and resettlement, including construction of 1,000 temporary houses across affected districts. He noted continuing issues over land, legal title, NBRO assessments, and safe resettlement, especially where over 6,000 houses were destroyed in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Badulla. He also said the Government’s objective was to depoliticize the Armed Forces and handle investigations into suspects properly. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Land & HousingSecurity & DefenceInfrastructure Read →
- 22 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence stated that authorities have identified possible coastal routes used for illegal activities, particularly narcotics smuggling, though not specifically linked to the jetty in question. He said the Government intends to retain only the minimum land necessary for security, rapid Tri-Forces deployment, public safety, and disaster response. He undertook to visit the area the following week with the Divisional Secretary and officials to discuss releasing as much land as possible. Oral Question: Ancestral lands of displaced people of Mullikulam - Resettlement (Q.68/2025) Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
- 22 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Navy has released 829 acres of land in the area since 2012 while retaining about 245 acres for Western Naval Command operations, and has provided access, transport, and preschool support for local religious and school communities. He stated that no civilians had been displaced by the Navy and that discussions had already been held with the Divisional Secretary and local representatives. He added that, following instructions from the President, he would visit the area with Ministry officials and consider releasing the maximum possible additional land. Oral Question: Ancestral lands of displaced people of Mullikulam - Resettlement (Q.68/2025) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & HousingSecurity & Defence Read →
- 22 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister, replying on behalf of the Minister of Defence, stated that no private lands in Mullikulam had been taken by the Army and that the Ministry had no information on displaced residents being unable to return since 2007. He said the Navy has used 245.9 hectares of Forest Department land in Marichchikaddi for a naval base since 2009, while about 829 acres have been released to civilians between 2012 and 2017 and 27 alternative houses were built and handed over in Manalkaadu. He added that resettlement data would be sought from the relevant Ministries, denied harassment or displacement by the Navy, and said the remaining land would be assessed so that only strategically essential areas are retained. Oral Question: Ancestral lands of displaced people of Mullikulam - Resettlement (Q.68/2025) Security & DefenceLand & Housing Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera stated that issues affecting those absent during the conflict, discharged personnel, and widows’ families would be addressed through a special committee and a Cabinet Memorandum, with disciplinary matters considered where relevant. He said the Government intends to obtain Cabinet approval, bring amendments to the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pensions legislation to Parliament, and expedite the relevant payments, noting that the President has given the matter special attention. Oral Question Q.921/2025: Widows of Fallen or Missing Military Personnel - Pension/Allowances Justice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary A special programme and nearly completed Cabinet Memorandum are being prepared to address pension and disability-related issues affecting retired, discharged, absent-without-leave, and conflict-disabled personnel, including those assessed by Medical Boards after age 55. The Deputy Minister said Cabinet approval was obtained on 14 July 2025 to appoint a committee covering affected Tri-Forces, Police and STF personnel, including widows and deceased personnel’s families, with the aim of resolving the issues within the year. Oral Question Q.921/2025: Widows of Fallen or Missing Military Personnel - Pension/Allowances Security & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence stated that dependents of military personnel who died due to terrorist causes receive salary and allowances until the deceased’s notional age of 55, after which a fixed lifelong allowance equivalent to the salary at that age is paid under MoD Circular No. MOD/01/2021. He said approval has been granted to amend the Armed Forces Widows’ and Orphans’ Pensions provisions to extend eligibility to spouses and children of certain medically retired personnel who marry after retirement. For personnel missing in action, he noted that death certificates may be issued under the Registration of Deaths (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 19 of 2010, and that applicable allowances are paid from the date the missing person would have reached 55, so no injustice arises. Oral Question Q.921/2025: Widows of Fallen or Missing Military Personnel - Pension/Allowances Public FinanceSecurity & Defence Read →
- 20 May 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Defence, a further two months was requested to respond to the Member’s question. The reason given was that the matter is over 30 years old and relevant details need to be traced. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 19 May 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekera paid tribute to Sri Lanka’s armed forces, Police, Civil Security Department, wounded and fallen personnel, and their families, noting commemorative activities including visits to Ranaviru Sevana and Mihindu Seth Medura and district-level appreciation events. He outlined Government welfare measures, including upgrades to military and police medical facilities, a planned 1,000-strong UN peacekeeping contingent to Haiti, and a proposed regulatory authority for the private security sector employing retired personnel. He also referred to a Cabinet-approved amendment to the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension scheme to extend benefits for dependants of medically boarded-out personnel, and programmes to connect veterans with industry, entrepreneurship and overseas maritime employment opportunities. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Justice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
- 19 May 2026 AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera stated that the “Ditwah” disaster affected 22 districts and that the Government has ground-level information on the impact. He said special procedures have been adopted, grievance-handling measures through the National Disaster Relief Services Centre were further strengthened, delays in obtaining technical information are being addressed, and special on-ground action plans have been prepared to expedite relief efforts. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Public FinanceSecurity & Defence Read →
- 19 May 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is responsible for promptly providing land and compensation to affected persons, and that officials from Grama Niladhari level to District Secretaries are working on implementation. He explained that land identification, NBRI certification, and coordination among multiple landowners and institutions create technical and administrative delays, making it difficult to give a specific completion date. He said the President had discussed the issues during recent visits and assured that the process would be concluded as quickly as possible with cooperation from all parties. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions Land & Housing Read →
- 19 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence provided a detailed response on Cyclone “Ditwah” impacts in the Kandy District, covering landslides, floods, high winds, house and business damages, road obstructions, religious site damage, and fatalities across multiple Divisional Secretary’s Divisions. He reported 6,119 fully damaged houses, 11,352 partially damaged houses, 4,179 damaged businesses, 3,404 families living in rented accommodation, and Rs. 625,999,000 paid as compensation to families who lost houses. He also stated that 14 housing relocation projects had been proposed, five initiated, 302 families had received alternative land, and compensation to Gampola businessmen was ongoing subject to documentation and registration issues. Oral Questions: Department of Wildlife Conservation and Other Questions InfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
- 7 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister supported extending the Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance to continue essential services following the nationwide disaster, arguing that government data showed over 90 per cent effectiveness in post-disaster administration. He rejected Opposition criticisms on relief progress, security sector reform, and land release, citing community engagement in Jaffna and inviting Members to raise land issues at the Defence Ministerial Consultative Committee. He said work had begun on 952 fully damaged houses with Rs. 1,950 million allocated, and payments of Rs. 5,291 million had been made for 24,365 partially damaged houses, while resettlement, temporary shelter, and reconstruction efforts continued with the involvement of state agencies, the Tri-Forces, and civil organizations. Division Vote and Adjournment: Public Security Ordinance Resolution Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
- 7 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence stated that the question was lengthy and requested additional time to provide a response. Ministry Statements: Agriculture, Poverty Alleviation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera supported regulations under the three Service Acts to extend service conditions for women in the Army, Navy and Air Force, raising retirement ages to 55 and allowing retention up to 60 on service recommendations. He argued that the changes would preserve trained expertise, improve professionalism and support the Government’s 2030 defence modernization agenda, noting women’s contributions in conflict, disaster response, professional fields and sports. He also supported extending the State of Emergency for a further month following the cyclone, citing the need to maintain essential services, manage displaced persons in safe centres, and expedite reconstruction and foreign assistance deployment. Debate on Regulations under Defence Acts and Extension of State of Emergency Women & ChildrenSecurity & Defence Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Chairman of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence, the Deputy Minister tabled the Committee Report on regulations made under the Army Act, Navy Act, and Air Force Act. The regulations were published in Gazette Extraordinary Nos. 2423/34, 2423/35, and 2423/36 of 15 February 2025, and the report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 March 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Defence, the Deputy Minister requested two weeks to respond to Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara’s question, stating that extensive details were needed to compile the answer. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Question: Defence Ministry Inquiry (Q.553/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 March 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence supported extending the state of emergency and continuing essential public services, citing ongoing recovery needs after the November “Dittu” cyclone and potential disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East, including pressures on fuel supply, maritime operations, and air operations. He said emergency powers and the Commissioner-General of Essential Services were being used to coordinate relief, maintain essential goods and services, and support displaced persons, with officials, the tri-forces, and police working across districts. He rejected Opposition claims of misuse of emergency powers, stating they were being applied for public welfare, security, livelihood restoration, and continuity of services while upholding the rule of law. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Security & DefencePublic FinanceLaw & Order Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Defence, the Deputy Minister responded to an eight-part question on Sri Lanka’s role in the Colombo Security Conclave, outlining its evolution from a 2011 trilateral maritime mechanism into a regional forum covering maritime security, counter-terrorism, transnational crime, cyber security and disaster relief. He stated that the CSC is a non-military, consensus-based arrangement, with Sri Lanka participating through action plans, meetings, training and intelligence sharing, including a 2024 drug-trafficking interception case. He said the Secretariat is to be located in Colombo, but the Government has not endorsed the previously identified BMICH site due to cost and will seek a Government-owned or more cost-effective location, while the Headquarters Agreement remains under review. He added that Sri Lanka has proposed a permanent Sri Lankan Deputy Secretary-General post because the Secretariat will be based in Colombo, and that future CSC meetings are scheduled for 2026. Ministry Statement: Reply to Question on Proactive Utilization (Standing Order 27(2), 18.11.2025) Foreign AffairsSecurity & Defence Read →