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

11 September 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled an answer stating that, in line with ICAO standards, Sri Lanka will issue only “All Country Passports” for foreign travel, and EC passport applications were accepted only until the existing blank EC stock was exhausted. He said the forthcoming electronic passport will also comply with ICAO standards, with no separate regional passports. For pilgrims to India and Nepal, a P-category all-country passport is issued, while Emergency Certificates are not issued to patients travelling to India for medical treatment. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions with Answers) Foreign Affairs Read →
10 September 2025 AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs presented the 2024 Performance Report of the Department of Immigration and Emigration. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection, and the House agreed. Tabling of Reports and Papers (Annual Reports and Performance Reports) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary The Minister clarified that no journalist had been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, contrary to allegations. He stated that intelligence information had been referred to the Police, who only recorded a statement in relation to a national security matter, and placed this clarification on record. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government had stabilized key economic indicators while re-establishing rule of law, citing revived investigations into the Lasantha Wickrematunge, Keith Noyahr, Eknaligoda and Easter Sunday cases and stressing that officials and politicians are subject to the law. He said commemorations of war dead would be permitted without banned symbols or glorification of terrorism, and that measures were being prepared to facilitate the return of Sri Lankan refugees from Tamil Nadu. He announced plans to repeal the PTA by September and replace it with legislation meeting international standards, amend the Online Safety Act after consultations, and review NGO legislation with civil society input. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Law & OrderJustice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that he could respond within two days on matters falling under the Ministry of Public Security. He clarified that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption is an independent body and not under his Ministry, while indicating he could address related complaints made to the Police or CID if details are provided. Question by Private Notice: Tellippallai Base Hospital Financial Irregularities Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary Every complaint received is under investigation. Continuation of the relevant businesses will depend on court determinations, and further action will be taken in accordance with court orders. Oral Question: Park Properties Fraud Investigation (Q.7/1081/2025) Justice & Human Rights Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary At the next court sitting, the Police Legal Division will make submissions and take necessary steps regarding the matter. Ananda Wijepala stated that special attention would be given to the issue. Oral Question: Park Properties Fraud Investigation (Q.7/1081/2025) Law & Order Read →
19 August 2025 AI summary The Minister provided police data on 126 complaints against the company, mainly at the Mirihana Special Crime Investigation Division, where 95 complaints are under investigation with witness and director statements being recorded. He said arrests cannot currently be made because company members have obtained an interim order in Court of Appeal Writ Application No. 751/24, valid until 10 November 2025, though the Police Legal Division is seeking to have it vacated. He added that four cases have been filed, while the remaining complaints have been reported to court, settled, or referred for civil action. Oral Question: Park Properties Fraud Investigation (Q.7/1081/2025) Public FinanceLaw & Order Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala stated that, under the relevant Police Circular, the Divisional Officer responsible for the process is the SSP or SP of the Police Division, leaving no scope for politicians to submit lists or influence selections. He explained that Community Police Committee arrangements include the Grama Niladhari, a police-appointed Convener, and a Chairman chosen by consensus, with former members able to reapply subject to review by the OIC or HQI under the prescribed framework. Adjournment: Parliamentary Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary Clarifies that the term “Divisional Officer” refers to the Senior Superintendent of Police of the relevant Police Division, not to any political officeholder. The response addresses the member’s concern by defining the role in administrative policing terms. Adjournment: Parliamentary Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Law & Order Read →
6 August 2025 AI summary The Minister provided answers on the establishment and operation of Public Security Committees, stating that 14,126 committees were planned and 12,710 had been established by 4 August 2025 following the 4 April 2025 decision. He outlined their objectives, including community-based crime prevention, conflict resolution, environmental protection, disaster risk management, youth empowerment, public awareness, and narcotics eradication. He also detailed their functions, appointment process, and membership criteria, including local residency, inclusion of Clean Sri Lanka Rural Committee members, at least 50 per cent youth participation, and at least 25 per cent female representation. Adjournment: Parliamentary Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala rejected claims of politicization in the appointment of Division Officers, stating that appointments are made by the Police and should be understood in line with the relevant circular. He said the system is community-based and includes required representation for women and youth, each at 25 per cent, and cautioned against misleading public interpretations. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Women & ChildrenLaw & Order Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala rejected claims that Public Safety Committees had been politicized, stating that their secretary is the local Grama Niladhari, the chair is a respected community member, and the convener is the Community Police officer, with no politicians included. He said the cited criticism relied on a selective reading of a circular and argued that facilitation by the Divisional Secretary or Development Committee Chair does not amount to political interference. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala supported the motion to remove former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon under the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, stating that a statutory committee found him guilty on 19 of 23 charges after hearing evidence from 38 witnesses. He outlined the composition and process of the committee and argued that its findings justified parliamentary action. The Minister also cited a series of past allegations and proceedings involving Tennakoon, including torture findings by the Supreme Court, alleged failures related to the Easter Sunday attacks, the 2022 Galle Face attacks, and other criminal or disciplinary controversies, to argue that Tennakoon was unfit to hold the office of Inspector-General of Police. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that integrated search operations involving the Tri-Forces had recently been launched around Kalpitiya. He said an integrated action plan would be formulated with the Ministry of Fisheries, the Navy, Tri-Forces and Police to prevent the inflow of narcotics and contraband. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Law & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that the matter raised concerning Customs procedures would be discussed with the Department of Customs to establish a formal process. He clarified that his earlier statement related to operations by the Police Department with the Navy, but undertook to address the Customs-related issue separately. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Law & OrderParliamentary Procedure Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Ananda Wijepala answered a question on narcotics and contraband smuggling along the north-western coastal belt, stating that such incidents are reported from time to time. He outlined ongoing measures including police and motorcycle patrols, intelligence gathering, Navy-assisted raids, roadblocks, joint Navy-Police operations, checks at fisheries harbours, monitoring of previous offenders, coastal surveillance by the Police Narcotics Bureau, community awareness programmes with the Ministry of Fisheries, and procurement of ATV/UTV vehicles for coastal patrols. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Law & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that enforcement action is being taken against individuals who overstay their visas. He said the Department of Immigration and Emigration has begun investigations and issued instructions to apprehend such persons. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Law & Order Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that narcotics enforcement has been expanded through police searches across all divisions, with the Tri-Forces and Police Special Task Force jointly deployed to disrupt supply. He said the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board plans 6,134 demand-reduction awareness programmes this year, with about 3,000 already completed, and that school-based committees and Public Security Committees are being used to support prevention and public participation. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Law & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
5 August 2025 AI summary In response to Question 858/2025, the Minister listed the institutions under the Public Security Section and reported that, since the present Government took office, the Sri Lanka Police conducted 128 investigations and the Department of Immigration and Emigration 149, while three other institutions conducted none. He detailed the subject areas, arrests, cases filed and seizures, including firearm-related homicide and attempted murder investigations, protected animal killings, immigration and passport-related violations, 219 foreign nationals arrested by Immigration, and 2,089 firearms seized by Police up to 31 July 2025. He also stated that Immigration had not instituted prosecutions, with deportations and removals handled under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act, No. 20 of 1948. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →