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

20 February 2026 AI summary The State Minister said authorities have analysed communications where politicians or close relatives are allegedly linked to criminal dealings, and that arrests will not be made without sufficient intelligence. He criticized the appointment of persons with direct links to criminals to political office and urged cross-party cooperation against organized crime and drugs. On a separate CID summons issue, he said the Senior DIG was not aware of any such summons, but he would re-check and report back while withholding details that could affect investigations. Clarifications and Supplementary Questions; Matters of Order and Privilege Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Ananda Wijepala said investigations into recent killings linked to underworld and narcotics networks were ongoing, and urged political parties to remove members connected to such criminal elements while stressing that the Government is working to prevent further loss of life. Responding to questions on Police vacancies, he said approval had been granted to recruit 10,000 personnel, with 1,500 constables and about 200 Sub-Inspectors already selected, and further gazettes for Women Police and STF recruitment due shortly, though the full process takes several months due to interviews, checks, medicals and training. He clarified that Public Security Committees are non-political bodies intended to assist with drug prevention and crime control, not law enforcement, and said the Police are being depoliticized and strengthened to act more proactively. Clarifications and Supplementary Questions; Matters of Order and Privilege Law & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary State Minister Ananda Wijepala said he could only provide information related to ongoing investigations and would not make irresponsible statements to Parliament. Responding to the Opposition’s offer to support efforts against underworld activity, he said the Opposition had avenues to assist and alleged that some of its local authority members were connected to such matters, indicating he would present examples. Clarifications and Supplementary Questions; Matters of Order and Privilege Law & OrderParliamentary Procedure Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Following the arrest of “Podda” Padme and several underworld figures, investigations are continuing, including examination of about 30 mobile phones. Information from devices and statements suggests links between the suspects and certain politicians, into whom investigations have begun with statements being recorded. A comprehensive statement is to be made after the investigations conclude. Oral Question: Drug Raids and Asset Seizures (Q.1649/2025) Law & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala outlined the Government’s programme to address drug supply and demand, including raids by the Tri-Forces, Police and STF and a multi-level structure from the National Council for Drug Control to village-level Public Security Committees. He said traffickers and distributors are being arrested, while users are directed to rehabilitation and treatment rather than incarceration. He detailed the expansion of rehabilitation services, including district centres, halfway homes, a women’s centre, and trained counsellors to assess appropriate treatment pathways. Oral Question: Drug Raids and Asset Seizures (Q.1649/2025) Law & OrderPublic FinanceHealthcare Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala provided a detailed list of individuals whose assets had been suspended or frozen in connection with narcotics and organized crime investigations. He identified properties, vehicles, boats, bank accounts and cash holdings, with stated values ranging from under Rs. 1 million to hundreds of millions of rupees, including cases where valuation was still pending. He said the listed assets had been deactivated or frozen accordingly as part of the relevant enforcement action. Oral Question: Drug Raids and Asset Seizures (Q.1649/2025) Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
20 February 2026 AI summary From 21 September 2024 to 26 January 2026, the Minister reported drug seizure and arrest figures, including 1,468.061 kg of heroin with 1,829 suspects and 9,486.100 kg of cannabis/“Kerala Ganja” with 829 suspects, alongside other categories such as ICE/methamphetamine. He stated that detailed tabulations are provided in Annexes 03 to 28, with the comprehensive annex tabled and placed in the Library. He added that part (b) of the question does not arise. Oral Question: Drug Raids and Asset Seizures (Q.1649/2025) Law & Order Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary The Minister provided annual figures on shootings from 2020 to 2025, noting an increase to 140 incidents in 2025, with 65 deaths and 68 injuries that year. He said recent shootings were linked to organized crime, drug trafficking, illegal firearms, personal disputes, and overseas criminal networks, and outlined police responses including joint operations, checkpoints, intelligence-led investigations, firearm seizures, community reporting mechanisms, and rapid-response motorcycle units. He also referred to institutional measures such as Provincial Special Crime Investigation Bureaus, the Central Crime Investigation Bureau established on 04.09.2025, criminal data systems, asset monitoring, and action inside prisons to disrupt crime and drug networks. Oral Questions: Crime Statistics, Temple Jewellery, Police Releases, and Infrastructure (1745/2026 - 1851/2026) Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary The Minister provided a tabulated reply on the number of police ranks released to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption from 2015 to 2025, noting that 246 officers were released in 2025. He stated that, as of January 2026, CIABOC had requested five officers in one instance and three officers in another, including a Police Inspector and a Woman Sub-Inspector, and that the numbers released to date had been provided. Other sub-questions were deemed not applicable or not arising. Oral Questions: Crime Statistics, Temple Jewellery, Police Releases, and Infrastructure (1745/2026 - 1851/2026) Law & Order Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs stated that the requested information for parts (a)(i) and (ii) had been provided to the House in a year-wise table, noting that records for 1972 were unavailable due to the turbulent situation in the country at the time. He added that part (b) did not arise. Oral Questions: Crime Statistics, Temple Jewellery, Police Releases, and Infrastructure (1745/2026 - 1851/2026) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary The Member stated that the FCID is handling a complaint dating back to 2019, noting that the unit had previously been inactive and was only recently reinstated and regularized. He said investigations are progressing quickly, key issues have been identified, and directions will be given to expedite further action. Oral Question: Gampaha Sanasa Development Bank Complaints (1751/2025) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
18 February 2026 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that 207 complaints had been received regarding Gampaha Sanasa-related entities, including 203 at the Gampaha Police Station and 4 at the FCID, mostly concerning non-repayment of deposits and alleged financial irregularities from 2019 onward. He said some complaints had been mediated or referred for civil action, while several larger matters involving alleged fraud, misappropriation and deposit losses amounting to hundreds of millions of rupees had been referred to the Attorney-General or remained under investigation. He also noted that related issues are affected by Appeal Court case No. CA/WRT/59/20 and that investigations into Gampaha Development Company’s alleged failure to transfer title for shop units after collecting over Rs. 1.1 billion are continuing before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court. Oral Question: Gampaha Sanasa Development Bank Complaints (1751/2025) Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government had acted on its manifesto by stabilizing the economy, increasing foreign exchange earnings and fiscal revenue, and allocating funds for disaster recovery after “Ditva.” He framed the Bill abolishing MPs’ pensions as part of a broader effort to reform political culture, reduce privileges, and combat corruption, rejecting the Opposition’s argument that pensions deter corruption. He said investigations into corruption would continue, alongside measures against links between politicians, narcotics and the underworld, and referred to wider reforms including education changes and the “Praja Shakthi” rural poverty programme. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the area in question is not a High Security Zone and that defence authorities have not identified a large-scale public safety crisis. He said nine people had died in shootings in the past 45 days compared with 12 in the same period the previous year, and described the incidents as isolated matters under investigation. He noted arrests and repatriations linked to organized crime, said overall crime had decreased, and pledged to strengthen public safety and national security measures while withholding full details until investigations conclude. Oral Question Second Round and Ministerial Response (Q.1184/2025, Security Incident) Law & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary The Minister expressed condolences for the killing of a lawyer and his wife, while stating that the incident was isolated and did not amount to a national security threat or a general threat to the legal profession. Responding to the Opposition Leader, he said investigations were proceeding on evidence, with several arrests for aiding and abetting and 12 police teams deployed, but further details could not be disclosed. He linked broader violent crime to the circulation of illegal firearms and narcotics-related underworld activity, citing weapon seizures, repatriation of organized crime suspects, and security measures for judges, Attorney General’s Department officers, lawyers, and investigators where threats are assessed. Oral Question Second Round and Ministerial Response (Q.1184/2025, Security Incident) Security & DefenceLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs presented the 2024 Annual Report of the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation to Parliament. He proposed referring the report to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Governance, Justice and Civil Security, and the House agreed. Papers Presented: Government Reports and Annual Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the CID began investigations into the sugar levy matter using information from the Auditor General, then reported it to the Attorney-General. Following the Attorney-General’s directions, the file was referred to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, which is currently conducting further investigations. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary Investigations into the Easter attacks are ongoing, including claims that Sara Jasmine may not have died, though there is no confirmed report that she is in India. The Minister said legal action has already been initiated based on prior information, and the new Government is continuing deeper inquiries into possible conspiracy behind the attacks. He declined to disclose details that could affect investigations and stated that an open warrant may be obtained if necessary. Oral Question: Detention Orders (Q.1638/2025) Justice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala clarified that the Emergency Regulations were used only for disaster response, essential services, relief delivery, and public safety, not for political repression, media suppression, or governance by emergency powers. He stated that relief payments had largely been completed, including the Rs. 25,000 payment in full, 95 per cent of the Rs. 50,000 grant, and 65 per cent of crop-damage compensation at about Rs. 150,000 per hectare. He rejected allegations of a police state, said police had been allowed to act lawfully and without improper political orders, and affirmed that communal or religious extremism would not be permitted in relation to issues such as Tissa Vihara. He also explained that the Defence Secretary’s notice referred to the end of the active cyclone disaster phase, with the country now in the post-disaster recovery phase. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & OrderReligion & Culture Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said emergency regulations introduced after Cyclone Dicha were necessary to deliver urgent relief, support prompt decision-making, and restore essential services during the disaster response. He stated that the regulations, made under the Public Security Ordinance, now require parliamentary approval for extension, and indicated that concerns raised about them would be addressed. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Parliamentary ProcedureSecurity & Defence Read →