Hon. Ananda Wijepala, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Kurunegala

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

Profession: ---

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 244 #19 of 225·#8 in party

Attendance 5/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

244 speeches

28 February 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala requested the Chair for an additional minute to make one further point during the proceedings. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
28 February 2025 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government has depoliticised the Police and public service, with appointments and transfers handled through independent commissions, and has instructed institutions under his Ministry to operate without political interference. He stated that stalled corruption and crime investigations have been restarted, the FCID re-established, and Police restructuring is under way, including a Central Criminal Investigation Unit and provincial investigation divisions. He cited recent seizures and arrests linked to narcotics, financial crimes, pyramid schemes, cybercrime and organised crime, and said CID sub-units and MOUs with institutions are being developed to speed up investigations. He also said Police salaries have not been reduced, allowances are being consolidated into basic salary, and a separate Police salary structure is planned for the next Budget. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Law & OrderCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
27 February 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala clarified that recent police transfers and appointments have been carried out only with the approval of the National Police Commission. He stated that appointments, transfers, disciplinary control, and removals fall within the Commission’s constitutional remit, and affirmed that the Government would continue to work with the NPC in accordance with the law. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Law & OrderParliamentary Procedure Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala tabled an answer detailing current passport fees, including Rs. 10,000 for normal and online normal service passports and reduced options for applicants under 16 years of age. The response stated that, due to passport stock constraints at the Department of Immigration and Emigration, normal service passports are being issued by priority after one month from application until new stocks arrive. Oral Question: Investigations into Damaging Buddha Statues in Mawanella (Q.6/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
25 February 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled answers on an incident dated 23 December 2018 linked to the Easter Sunday attacks, stating that names and addresses of suspects and investigating officers would not be disclosed due to ongoing national security-related investigations. He reported varied legal outcomes for suspects, including suspended sentences for six, discharges for several groups, bail for ten pending Attorney General’s instructions, and ongoing High Court trials in Kegalle, Colombo, and Puttalam under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and Penal Code. He added that no relevant matter was reported under part (b)(ii) and that part (c) did not arise. Oral Question: Investigations into Damaging Buddha Statues in Mawanella (Q.6/2024) Security & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that judicial security has not been reduced and remains in place for judges. He said recent shootings in Usswetakeiyawa, Kotahena, Negombo, and at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court premises are under investigation, with evidence indicating involvement by an organized underworld group. He added that information from seized phones and arrested persons is being examined, that the Defence Secretary would provide further details, and that the Government is focused on maintaining public and national security. Ministerial Statement: Foreign Reserves and Debt Servicing, with Points of Order and Procedural Matters Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary The Minister said the 2025 Budget was framed without additional tax burdens and was intended as an initial recovery platform after economic bankruptcy, with allocations for education, healthcare, SMEs, rural development, vulnerable groups through Aswesuma, and development in the North and East. He said the Government would implement the Clean Sri Lanka programme, including action on narcotics, road discipline, institutional strengthening, legal reforms, and restoration of the rule of law. Responding to Opposition claims, he cited increased revenue collections by Inland Revenue, Customs, and Excise in late 2024 as evidence of improved administration rather than new taxes. He also stated that public sector salary increases are provided for in the Budget, with Rs. 110 billion allocated for the first-year enhancement in addition to the existing salary bill, and that related circulars would follow. Appropriation Bill 2025: Second Reading (Fourth Allotted Day) HealthcareLaw & OrderPublic Finance Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala stated that the Government is not responsible for all media reports and that police action would apply to all suspects regardless of gender. He said periodic updates could be provided, but cautioned against making statements that could undermine ongoing police investigations. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: Shooting Incidents in Colombo Magistrate's Court and Middeniya Women & ChildrenLaw & Order Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala cautioned that images circulating online may be AI-generated and should not be treated as factual without verification. He clarified that he had referred to “some politicians” rather than specific Opposition parties in relation to the Middeniya case, and said the Government’s statements are based on police investigations rather than unverified social media claims. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: Shooting Incidents in Colombo Magistrate's Court and Middeniya Law & Order Read →
21 February 2025 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala responded to Opposition concerns over the Colombo Magistrate’s Court shooting and the Middeniya murders, rejecting claims of a collapse in national security and stating that investigations and arrests had been made promptly. He said judicial security arrangements remain unchanged under the IGP’s 2011 circular, with a Police coordinating officer appointed for related matters. He detailed arrests and evidence recovered in the Colombo court shooting investigation, including suspects alleged to have aided the gunman, and said three suspects had been arrested in connection with the Middeniya killings. He argued that underworld activity had historically benefited from political patronage, but claimed the current Government has removed such protection and allowed Police to investigate without political interference. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: Shooting Incidents in Colombo Magistrate's Court and Middeniya Security & DefenceJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary The Minister expressed regret over a court shooting and said the main suspect, the van and driver had been arrested within hours, with investigations continuing into possible accomplices and links to recent murders. He characterized the incident as part of localized clashes among organized criminal gangs, not a breakdown of national security, and stated that public and national security remain intact. He said security for judges had not been reduced, noted that police were not permitted to carry firearms inside courts where private security handled internal security, and offered protection for media personnel subject to threat assessment. Government Response on Court Security Law & OrderJustice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
20 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs presented, under Standing Order 119(4), a report on actions taken regarding matters concerning the Ministry of Public Security and its affiliated institutions, as referenced in the Committee on Public Accounts report. He moved that the report be referred to the Committee on Public Accounts, and the House agreed. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 February 2025 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala informed Parliament that, following Hon. Mano Ganesan’s query, he had checked the incident of 5 February, for which a complaint was lodged on 13 February. He said three members of the same family were arrested, produced in court under case B/21924/25, and the matter was settled between the parties through counsel without a remand request. He added that any further action regarding the alleged assault would need to be pursued by the complainant. Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill: Second Reading Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
24 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Nanayakkara assumed it. Votes of Condolence: Rukman Senanayake, A.A. Reginald Perera, Sirinal de Mel, and Dr. I.M. Ilyas Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 January 2025 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government had not stated that the unauthorized arrivals would be deported to Myanmar, but was handling the matter under Sri Lankan law through the courts, Immigration, CID investigations, health checks, and humanitarian assistance. He said decisions would be guided by intelligence assessments, international human rights norms, and consultation with international organizations, noting that the Human Rights Commission had been granted access and that the group now numbered 117 after a birth. He also informed the House that an inquest into the death of a woman at Maradana Police Station had confirmed suicide, following her arrest on five warrants. Adjournment Motion: Ensuring Protection for Rohingya Refugees in Sri Lanka Foreign AffairsJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
23 January 2025 AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs responded to a matter raised by Hon. Shritharan, stating that he would make inquiries on the same day and provide a response within the day. Matter of Privilege: Non-Allocation of Time to Speak in Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 January 2025 AI summary The Minister said the passport issuance crisis was inherited from the previous Government and is being managed through online appointments, urgent-review committees, and controlled daily issuance of around 2,900 passports despite a nominal cap of 2,500. He stated that about 586,935 applications had been received since January 2024 and about 587,094 passports issued, with a remaining backlog of roughly 125,000, while stock is conserved pending replenishment. He cited inadequate prior ordering and the pending writ case C.A. 609/2024 as barriers to normalization, and said the Government is expediting legal proceedings, considering an expert committee report, and initiating emergency procurement of five million passport booklets, with normalization expected after August 2025. He added that the current supplier, Thales DIS Finland Oy, is delivering monthly lots under the existing tender, and that the e-passports issued comply with ICAO standards. Question by Private Notice: Delay in Issuing Passports Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs stated that he would look into the matter raised by the Member and report back to the House. He clarified that the matter referred to was the incident in Paranthan. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Law & OrderParliamentary Procedure Read →
22 January 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a reply stating that there are 36 horses in service, with their ages ranging from 10 to 23 years across specified categories. He said one tender had been received for a related procurement from Majestic Company Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., with an expected cost of Rs. 138,944,973.80 including taxes. As the company failed to submit the performance bond and sign the agreement, steps are being taken under Procurement Guidelines to refer the matter to the Departmental Procurement Committee for cancellation. Oral Question: Police Mounted Unit - Horses Information Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 January 2025 AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme as a broad social, ethical, environmental, economic and political transformation, rather than a limited clean-up or road safety initiative, and said it has a plan, vision and roadmap with public participation. He argued that the Government inherited bankruptcy, social breakdown and crime, and said the Police have been depoliticized and are acting under the rule of law to address corruption, organized crime and road safety. He cited recent reductions in daily road accident deaths, the high public health burden of accidents, and arrests linked to organized crime, including members of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Security Department, as evidence of ongoing enforcement efforts. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Law & OrderEnvironmentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →