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- 5 August 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence stated that he intended to respond to a question raised by the Leader of the Opposition under Standing Order 27(2). No substantive details of the answer or policy issue were provided in the excerpt. Ministerial Statement: Medical Faculty Suspension at Kotelawala Defence University Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary Aruna Jayasekera raised a point of order to clarify remarks referring to him as former Eastern Commander, stating that only a small segment within intelligence, not the wider apparatus, had assisted an extremist group for political purposes. He emphasized that intelligence and CID units remain professional, citing their handling of the Arugam Bay incident, and said a criminal investigation is ongoing. He added that he fully cooperated with the CID, spending six hours giving evidence about events during the previous government and his own actions as Eastern Commander. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Justice & Human RightsSecurity & DefenceParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government is committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice for the Easter Sunday attack victims, noting that the Presidential Commission report was handed to the CID on 20.04.2025 after allegedly not being referred by the previous Government. He stated that investigations have been restarted and strengthened without political interference, with professional CID and intelligence officers reinstated, while sensitive findings cannot yet be disclosed. He rejected the need for a special prosecutor’s office with international assistance, arguing that Sri Lanka’s legal and security institutions have sufficient capacity and that trial-expediting reforms are already being pursued. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Corruption & Governance ReformSecurity & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 19 June 2025 AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera stated that the matter had been discussed at the Ministry’s Advisory Committee and that further discussions were scheduled. He indicated that the Ministry would attend to the issue and respond accordingly. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Pallimunai Land and Military Camp Issues Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 19 June 2025 AI summary Agreed to proceed with the matter and offered thanks. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Pallimunai Land and Military Camp Issues Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 19 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister confirmed that the Pallimunai land in Mannar, currently used by the Navy, is strategically important for coastal surveillance and preventing illegal activities. He said the matter was discussed at the Defence Ministry Advisory Committee, and following a court decision, steps are being taken to acquire the land for the Ministry of Defence while paying fair compensation to verified owners, with a proposed valuation of Rs. 151.5 million. He added that the Government is mindful of the affected fisherfolk’s livelihoods and will consider providing alternative nearby land where possible. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Pallimunai Land and Military Camp Issues Land & HousingSecurity & Defence Read →
- 17 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence stated that the Government had noted the questions raised by the Leader of the Opposition and would consult the Minister of Education, with the Deputy Minister of Higher Education present in the House. He undertook to provide answers within the following week. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 June 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence said the Government is taking complaints about theft of fish catch and damage to fishing equipment along the Eastern coast seriously, with the Navy, Coast Guard, Police and fisheries authorities conducting operations against illegal activity. He cited the arrest of two suspects in Kaluwanchikudy on 2 June and requested public cooperation and information to support enforcement. He said proposals such as designating landing points, improving registration and monitoring of vessels and gear, and considering engine-power reductions would be examined, while noting operational constraints caused by the lack of nearby functioning harbours. He also announced that Captain S.D. Kodikara had been appointed to coordinate naval operations and that Navy contact points had been established in several eastern coastal areas. Adjournment Motion: Prevention of Criminal Activities Affecting Livelihood of Fishermen of Ampara and Batticaloa Law & OrderAgriculture Read →
- 5 June 2025 AI summary A petition from Mr. G. Wickramasingha of Habarakada, Homagama, was presented to Parliament by the Deputy Minister of Defence. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 3 June 2025 AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera supported the motion and said the Ministry of Defence is developing a strategic, long-term disaster management approach in consultation with MPs, experts, and relevant line agencies. He stated that Rs. 95 million has been allocated for immediate short-term relief projects on the south bank of the Kelani Valley, with implementation to begin soon. He also said the National Council on Disaster Management, chaired by the President, would be convened to appoint expert committees to address disaster situations across the country. Adjournment Motion: Sustainable Solution for Flood Control in Kelani Valley Security & DefenceInfrastructure Read →
- 22 May 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence announced a correction to KDU’s 2025–2026 admissions notice regarding the Faculty of Medicine. He stated that the Government has decided admissions to the KDU Faculty of Medicine for that intake will be limited to foreign students and cadet officers only. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Education Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Major General (Retd.) Aruna Jayasekara stated that the Government’s priority is to counter terrorism and prevent divisions or provocations that could contribute to a resurgence of terrorist activity. He said the Government would act decisively and would not hesitate to protest such activities, whether in Canada or elsewhere internationally. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Security & Defence Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that Sri Lanka has consistently objected to the “Tamil Genocide Memorial” unveiled in Brampton, Canada, and outlined the project’s development since 2021 despite protests by Sri Lankan diplomatic missions. He said the Foreign Minister summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to reject genocide allegations as unsubstantiated and to protest related Canadian proclamations, while noting Canada’s position that the memorial was a municipal and privately funded initiative. He argued that such initiatives could undermine Sri Lanka’s reconciliation efforts and said the Government would continue diplomatic action to challenge these narratives and prevent similar measures. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Foreign AffairsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera stated that he would obtain the relevant messages from the Member in order to take action on the matter raised. He thanked the Member for presenting the facts. Oral Question: Soldiers Recruitment Special Workwear (445/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 April 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Defence, the Deputy Minister stated that military personnel recruited for specialised vocations have been assigned duties relevant to those roles, and that the Army, Navy and Air Force permit civilian attire in certain duties depending on service orders and the nature of work. He reported that 46 naval personnel in the Information Technology Division who had been serving in civilian attire had refused to perform duties in uniform. He also referred to an annex providing service-wise details of personnel recruited under special enlistments and those currently in service. Oral Question: Soldiers Recruitment Special Workwear (445/2025) Security & Defence Read →
- 28 February 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera said Sri Lanka’s national security remains assured through a professional military, with Defence allocations to be used for institutional strengthening, modernization, technology, research and development. He stated that a National Security Advisor Council would be established by law, cybersecurity legislation is being advanced through the Digital Economy Ministry, and the National Disaster Management Council would be reconvened and disaster management restructured. He outlined plans to modernize the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and hydrographic services to address maritime security, illegal fishing, environmental protection and revenue generation from navigational charts. He also said force levels in the North and East would continue to be reviewed, retaining personnel only where essential and redeploying others as necessary. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) InfrastructureEnvironmentSecurity & Defence Read →
- 28 February 2025 AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera outlined the Defence Ministry’s 2025 Budget allocations, noting that they cover 25 institutions beyond the tri-forces, including intelligence, disaster management, defence education, the Coast Guard and meteorology. He defended the allocation by citing the security forces’ roles in war, disaster response, COVID-19, the Easter attacks and the economic crisis, while linking the Budget to the Government’s stated mandate for reform and accountability. Responding to concerns from Northern MPs, he said unnecessary military-held lands would be released while essential areas are retained, compensation would be paid, the Palaly–Achchuveli road had been reopened, the Palaly runway would be developed, and access to a Kilinochchi school playground would be urgently addressed. He also stated that troop numbers in the North and East were far below claims made in debate, with total tri-forces strength island-wide now under 200,000. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Security & DefencePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 21 February 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence acknowledged the issue and said discussions had been held with District Secretaries over the previous six weeks. He stated that the National Council for Disaster Management would be convened soon, and that a special programme with relevant line ministries to improve basic infrastructure in disaster-relocated areas had been prepared for submission to Cabinet. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) InfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
- 21 February 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekera responded on behalf of the Minister of Defence to questions on natural disaster compensation from 2017 to 2024, stating that district-wise details on property, business, and loss-of-life payments had been submitted as annexes. He explained procedures for verifying land ownership for claims above Rs. 10,000, while allowing District Secretaries to consider residence history or owner consent in certain cases. He outlined current relief rates for cooked meals and dry rations, and said revised NBRO property-damage valuation estimates had been prepared for approval due to increased construction costs. He added that all compensation due for fully assessed houses from 2017 had been paid by end-2024, with remaining delays linked to pending District Secretary proposals, late assessments, or documentation issues to be submitted by 28 February 2025. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Justice & Human RightsEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence stated that the matter raised was sensitive and said he would consult the Minister and other responsible authorities before responding. He assured Parliament that he would provide a response in due course. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Security & Defence Read →