Hon. Ananda Wijepala, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Kurunegala

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

Profession: ---

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Speeches 244 #19 of 225·#8 in party

Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

244 speeches

10 April 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is taking steps to depoliticize the Police in response to rising crime, underworld activity and narcotics use, including among schoolchildren. He said non-politicized Public Security Committees are being established to replace or improve upon existing Community Police Committees, and noted that their membership would include Divisional Secretaries, religious leaders, principals, retired police officers and retired military personnel under the relevant circular. Oral Question 212/2024: Sri Lanka Police - Vacancies and Promotions Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that Budget 2025 has made provision for police-related needs, including urgent approval to recruit 2,500 officers, with gazetting planned for the following month subject to training capacity. He said further recruitment, improved medical facilities, and transfer arrangements to nearby divisions are being pursued to reduce workload pressures. He also noted that the Ministry is working with the Attorney-General to resolve more than 100 pending Supreme Court cases affecting police promotions. Oral Question 212/2024: Sri Lanka Police - Vacancies and Promotions Law & OrderPublic Finance Read →
10 April 2025 AI summary The Minister provided figures on Police Service vacancies, stating that there are 26,047 vacancies in the General and STF cadres, plus 1,821 in supporting services. He said recruitment and promotions have been delayed partly due to over 100 Supreme Court cases, but ASP recruitment is at the final stage and 5,940 officers awaiting promotion are being processed under applicable schemes. He outlined Budget 2025 and Police Welfare Fund allocations for food, uniforms, buildings, quarters, welfare facilities and medical support, and said work is underway on revised allowances and a separate Police salary structure for possible consideration in the 2026 Budget. Oral Question 212/2024: Sri Lanka Police - Vacancies and Promotions Public FinanceSecurity & Defence Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala informed Parliament of developments in the investigation into the 31 December 2023 shooting incident at the WIS tourist hotel in the Weligama Police Division, involving six suspects including SDIG Deshabandu Tennakoon. He said the CID had sought asset confiscation before the Matara Magistrate’s Court, Tennakoon had surrendered to court, and a search of his Hokandara residence had resulted in the seizure of liquor, wine, a firearm, and two Apple mobile phones. He stated that further submissions had been made to court and investigations were continuing due to public interest in the matter. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
19 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs presented the 2023 Annual Report of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board. He proposed that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Administration, Justice and Civil Security, and the House agreed. Tabling of Annual Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Members of the previous Government, other political parties, and civil society organisations lodged complaints without restriction. The point made was that the complaints process was open and accessible to all. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala responded to Hon. Namal Rajapaksa’s allegation that he had filed numerous corruption cases against him and his family while serving at CIABOC. He clarified that CIABOC acted on complaints received, referred matters to the relevant investigative bodies such as the CID, FCID or Bribery Commission, and that prosecutions were handled by the Attorney-General’s Department, denying any personal or targeted agenda. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
12 March 2025 AI summary The Minister informed Parliament that the suspect in the Anuradhapura Hospital incident raised in the House had been arrested at Galnewa by police teams deployed for the operation. He stated that, as previously pledged, the suspect would be produced before court and due process would be followed. Speaker's Announcements and Welcome Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala responded to concerns raised about recent CID searches, stating that a Matara house was searched on confidential information, with officers identifying themselves and obtaining consent, and that facts will be reported to the relevant Magistrate in future. He also addressed the alleged sexual assault of a lady doctor at Anuradhapura Hospital, saying police investigations are underway, the suspect has been identified as an army deserter, five police teams have been deployed, and authorities expect a swift arrest and prosecution. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
4 March 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Government remains committed to freedom of expression and that Cabinet has initiated a public consultation process to identify amendments to the Online Safety Act, with a concept paper to be submitted by the relevant ministries. He stated that no arrests, remands, or prosecutions have occurred under the Act to date. He also explained that the proposed tax on profits from service exports by residents, including IT services, was reduced from the previous Government’s proposed 30 per cent to 15 per cent, with non-resident migrant worker remittances excluded and expected 2025 revenue estimated at about 0.04 per cent of GDP. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary An amendment was moved at the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2025, under Head 189 for the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs. The allocation cited was Rs. 17.1 billion in recurrent expenditure and Rs. 2.045 billion in capital expenditure for Programme 01, Operational Activities. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Voting & Amendments (Heads 103, 189, 222-226, 304, 320, 325) Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary An amendment was moved at the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill, 2025, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, relating to the allocation for the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs. The amendment proposes substituting the capital expenditure figure on page 29, line 8, with “Capital Rs. 16,945,000,000.” Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Voting & Amendments (Heads 103, 189, 222-226, 304, 320, 325) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that there is no conflict of interest because the Secretary is not involved in investigations in that capacity, and officials are acting within their official roles. He noted that the matter will ultimately come before the courts and said any concerns submitted would be examined. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Justice & Human Rights Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala responded to points raised about the Easter Sunday attacks and the Ministry Secretary, stating that former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and the then Ministry Secretary acted diligently and honestly during their tenures. He said Ravi Seneviratne is the current Ministry Secretary and argued that accusations against officials should not be made in Parliament without basis. He assured the House that investigations into the Easter attacks are progressing and that those responsible would be revealed expeditiously. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Justice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that corrupt procedures also occurred during the previous administration’s period. The remark appears to challenge or respond to claims about corruption by pointing to similar practices under the opposing side’s time in office. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that the matter in question is already before the courts and under investigation because corrupt acts have occurred. He indicated that the issue is being addressed through legal and investigative processes. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala responded to concerns raised over passport issuance, stating that the long-running “N Series” passport system had operated for 22 years without proper tender procedures and that previous governments had failed to address the issue. He said the current administration inherited severe queues and a backlog of 125,000 passports, has introduced 24-hour operations, increased daily issuance to 4,000, and raised quotas at four regional offices. He explained that the e-passport tender is subject to a Court of Appeal injunction, while a temporary shift to “P Series” machine-readable passports is being handled under legal advice without payments yet being made, and that a new tender process will proceed after the court case concludes. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala’s recorded intervention consists only of an address to the Deputy Chairperson. No substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy position is provided in the excerpt. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala responded to allegations regarding the Pelawatta–Isurupaya protest incident, stating that although an intelligence officer was initially questioned and released, Police never reported to court that Army intelligence was involved. He said the actual suspect, a Development Officer from Matara, was later arrested and that investigations are complete with legal action underway. He further asserted that since the NPP took office, Police have been enabled to act independently and actively, rejecting claims that policing or national security has weakened. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala requested the Chief Government Whip to allocate him three minutes to speak. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or argument was raised in the excerpt. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Parliamentary Procedure Read →