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

18 November 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala said Opposition members were making allegations against senior public officials, including the Ministry Secretary, Shani Abeysekara and the IGP, who were not present to respond in the House. He argued that these attacks intensified as fraud suspects were being arrested and investigations were continuing, and stated that the relevant Minister would provide clarification. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
18 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala said issues raised by Hon. Namal Rajapaksa regarding STF officers’ grievances and recruitment had already been addressed earlier, with remedial steps underway. He rejected allegations linking the Government or Malimawa to drugs or the underworld, stating that law enforcement is being applied fairly and that any narcotics involvement would not be condoned. He alleged past links between Rajapaksa-aligned figures and underworld elements and said such connections, including recent matters involving suspects brought from Indonesia, would be investigated and presented with evidence if necessary. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Law & Order Read →
18 November 2025 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said a court “B” Report has been filed on the Trincomalee incident, with the Magistrate ordering verification of documents and prohibiting changes to the temporary structure until the next hearing on 26 November 2025. He stated that stakeholders had reached consensus, boundary demarcation was being handled by the District Secretary, and the Government would not allow the issue to be used to create communal or religious tensions. He also said a committee on online credit operations is finalizing work under the Online Safety Act framework, a dedicated Police cybercrime division is planned, and no war veterans’ pensions or allowances have been permanently stopped, with only temporary database-related delays being addressed. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
18 November 2025 AI summary The Minister outlined the Ministry of Public Security’s institutions and defended its 2025 expenditure, stating that most allocations for the Ministry, Police, STF, NGO Secretariat, Police Training College and related programmes had either been spent or committed, with targets of around 80–95 per cent utilization by year-end. He said the Police had been depoliticized through the National Police Commission and thanked police personnel, while describing investments in quarters, vehicles, hospital facilities, emergency 119 capacity, training, and allowances. He also noted recent administrative changes bringing the Civil Security Department and Rehabilitation Department under the Ministry and referred to structural reforms such as establishing police criminal investigation divisions. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & OrderPublic Finance Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that the Trincomalee Harbour Police removed a recently installed Buddha statue after receiving information about a security threat and concerns that night protection could not be ensured. He said police have been instructed to restore the statue with proper security, while discussions with chief incumbent monks and the District Secretary continue to resolve the matter and prevent nationalist incitement, with legal action to be taken where necessary. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Religion & CultureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLaw & Order Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary The Minister reported on an incident at Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee involving alleged vandalism of a newly placed Buddha statue, which Police temporarily removed for protection and have since been instructed to reinstall within the temple premises. He said security arrangements are being implemented, Police will report matters to court, and any related land issues will be resolved through judicial process. He also noted a Coast Conservation Department complaint regarding an alleged unauthorized eatery at the site, with legal action to proceed subject to the court’s decision. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Religion & CultureLaw & Order Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala briefly sought permission from the Speaker to provide a clarification. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was stated in the excerpt provided. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that complaints regarding passport issuance for overseas Sri Lankans would be acted on immediately. He said the Government is working to expedite issuance through online processes, prompt document verification, and investigation of specific complaints brought to its attention. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary The Minister responded to Hon. Kader Masthan’s Standing Order 27(2) question on passport renewals and new passports for Sri Lankans abroad, stating that current processing times range from about one month in the Middle East to about three months in North America and Europe, subject to document verification. He reported that in 2024, 61,229 applications were received and 59,285 passports issued, while in 2025 to date 52,868 applications were received and 44,805 issued, with delays in 2024 attributed to passport stock shortages. He said no irregularities had been identified, and that Cabinet approval had been obtained to introduce online passport applications through overseas Missions, with biometric enrolment units to be installed at 20 Missions under Phase 1 by end-2025 or early 2026 with IOM support. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Parliamentary ProcedureForeign Affairs Read →
15 November 2025 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala responded to opposition criticisms of the President’s Vote, stating that the 2025 and 2026 allocations are substantially lower than under the previous administration and are directed mainly to the Clean Sri Lanka programme, research and salaries. He said the Presidential Secretariat had reduced staff, advisers, vehicles, travel, buildings and other recurrent costs while maintaining efficiency, and cited significant savings compared with 2024. He also highlighted the decentralisation of the President’s Fund to Divisional Secretariats, increased medical and educational assistance, and 52 Clean Sri Lanka projects, asserting that funds under the President’s Head are not used for personal purposes. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
14 November 2025 AI summary The Minister defended the 2026 Budget as a stability and recovery plan built around inclusive growth, export diversification, debt sustainability, rural poverty reduction, digitalization, and public service reform. He cited increases in exports, remittances, tourism earnings and revenue, rejected claims of impending default, and said Sri Lanka is preparing to resume external debt repayments from 2028. He highlighted allocations for the Praja Shakthi programme, estate worker wages, public sector vehicles, EPF/ETF arrears, housing loan interest relief, public sector salary increases, and repurposing underutilized State buildings. He also rejected Opposition criticism over Treasury management, MPs’ vehicle and fuel arrangements, and asserted that the Government is changing past practices and strengthening the public service. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Public FinanceInfrastructureEmployment Read →
13 November 2025 AI summary An observations and actions taken report on matters concerning the Sri Lanka Police, based on a report submitted by the Committee on Public Accounts, was presented under Standing Order 119(4). It was proposed and agreed that the report be referred to the Committee on Public Accounts. Opening and Papers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
10 November 2025 AI summary Plans were outlined to deploy 10,000 Civil Security Department personnel to support Police duties with a special allowance, second about 5,000 personnel to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and retain the remainder for CSD functions. The statement also proposed institutional regularization of the CSD, improved facilities, and measures to secure future employment and benefits for personnel seconded to the Police and Wildlife Department. Oral Question: Civil Security Department – Annual Income and Expenditure (Q.1113/2025) Public FinanceLaw & OrderEmployment Read →
10 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Civil Security Department had recently been brought under the Ministry of Public Security and that around 5,000 CSD personnel seconded to the Department of Wildlife Conservation for human-elephant conflict mitigation were being released, with 3,975 already returned. He said most personnel are now being assigned near their home districts, specific cases raised by the Member would be re-examined, and future deployments would follow a proper system prioritizing nearest duty stations. Oral Question: Civil Security Department – Annual Income and Expenditure (Q.1113/2025) Security & DefenceEnvironment Read →
10 November 2025 AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs provided a written reply giving district-wise Civil Security Department personnel strength as at 1 January 2025, totalling 31,422 officers, with figures across multiple districts including Ampara, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and others. He also tabled expenditure details for 2024 and 2025, showing departmental and National Budget allocations mainly for salaries, recurrent expenditure and capital spending. The reply further set out income earned from departmental projects, including agriculture and related services, security services, DASH services, cleaning, entertainment and training, with Rs. 2,173.73 million in 2024 and Rs. 937.65 million up to 31 October 2025. Oral Question: Civil Security Department – Annual Income and Expenditure (Q.1113/2025) Public FinanceSecurity & Defence Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that special attention would be given to proceeds of crime, including assets linked to narcotics and other organized crime, through a recently established investigative unit. He said the Government would also focus specifically on Jaffna and take appropriate interventions. Oral Question: Mob Violence Incidents Since 2020 (Q.1010/2025) Law & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
8 November 2025 AI summary Uniform law enforcement is maintained through the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Police Ordinance, Departmental Orders and IGP circulars, with directions issued to police and local administration when required. Organized crime and mob-related violence are identified as comparatively higher in the Western and Southern Provinces, particularly in specified police divisions including Colombo North, Nugegoda, Gampaha, Elpitiya, Tangalle, Galle and Matara. Measures cited include intelligence-led policing, offender surveillance, public awareness, enhanced patrols and checks, Interpol action, firearms and narcotics seizures, rapid response units, prosecution of corrupt officials, expedited investigations, financial inquiries, harbour checks, prison-related monitoring, inter-agency coordination, and specialized provincial crime divisions. Oral Question: Mob Violence Incidents Since 2020 (Q.1010/2025) Law & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Chanaka Madugoda vacated the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala clarified a statement made the previous day concerning the killing of Lasantha Wickramasekara, alias “Midigama Ceo.” He stated that police records identify the deceased as an IRC-registered offender in the State crime registry, and explained that while police may provide protection to victims and witnesses under the relevant law, the Police Department has no authority to provide such protection to registered offenders. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
23 October 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala addressed the Presiding Member only, with no substantive statement, proposal, question, or policy issue recorded in the provided text. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Parliamentary Procedure Read →