Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney at Law, M.P.
Profession: Attorney-at-Law
Speeches 145 #26 of 225·#10 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 61 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
58 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
145 speeches- 10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem criticised rules requiring exporters to convert dollar proceeds into rupees, describing them as a response to currency depreciation, and opposed the continued use of Emergency Regulations and the Essential Public Services Act framework. He raised concerns about reported proposals to extend judges’ retirement age and alleged that delays in nominating judges to fill vacancies in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal amount to undue interference with judicial independence and a constitutional failure. He also warned against replacing the PTA with potentially harsher legislation and called for investigation into allegations concerning the wartime killing of Prabhakaran’s son if the facts support a possible war crime. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Law & OrderSecurity & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 22 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem paid tribute to several late former Members, with particular emphasis on Prof. Tissa Vitarana’s role as LSSP leader, Cabinet colleague, committee member, advocate of devolution, chair of the All Party Representative Committee, and contributor to science and public health. He also recalled Vitarana’s opposition to the compulsory cremation of Muslim COVID-19 victims and conveyed condolences to his family. Hakeem further commemorated Chandradasa Galappaththi, S. C. Muthukumarana, Janak Mahendra Adhikari, and T. Kanagasabai, noting their regional service, political roles, and his personal or political associations with them, and extended condolences to their families. Statements of Condolence: Six Former Members of Parliament Parliamentary ProcedureEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 20 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem argued that despite large allocations for post-“Ditva” cyclone recovery, implementation remains inadequate, citing unresolved relocation needs for 25 affected schools in Kandy and delays in technical assessments. He raised concerns over paddy farmers in Ampara being unable to sell harvests at fair prices and facing shortages and high open-market prices for urea despite subsidies. He also warned that rupee depreciation, limited Central Bank intervention under IMF conditions and the CBSL Act, and high fuel import spending could worsen inflation and growth pressures, calling for immediate government measures. He further requested an investigation into allegations that companies opened letters of credit for thousands of vehicle imports just before a Customs duty surcharge, suggesting possible misconduct similar to past duty-related windfalls. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Public FinanceInfrastructureAgriculture Read →
- 19 May 2026 AI summary Rauff Hakeem stated that the matter had been raised in Committee by members and that he was attempting to provide clarification on it. Papers and Reports Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 19 May 2026 AI summary Presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the Central Bank’s 2025 Annual Economic Review and the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill. He clarified that questions to the Central Bank Governor on inflation targeting, rupee depreciation, import costs, and Middle East-related economic risks had been sensationalized in social media, while media reports had largely reflected the discussion accurately. He also noted that the Committee examined new penal provisions in the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and that the Government agreed, in line with Supreme Court suggestions, not to file a certificate where an appeal is pending. Papers and Reports Tabled Public Finance Read →
- 6 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised concerns about inadequate financial relief and bank lending in disaster-affected districts, noting low disbursements in Kandy, Badulla, and Nuwara Eliya despite earlier Government commitments. He questioned why affected property owners were being asked to accept a one-off Rs. 500,000 instead of the promised support of up to Rs. 5 million, and asked what had happened to the large parliamentary allocation and donated funds. He urged urgent action to ensure proper distribution of relief. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Land & HousingPublic Finance Read →
- 6 May 2026 AI summary Rauff Hakeem criticised remarks by the President that he said appeared to signal pressure on the judiciary, noting the Bar Association of Sri Lanka’s objections. He then congratulated Joseph Vijay on his Tamil Nadu election victory and highlighted the importance of linguistic identity over religious identity among Tamil-speaking communities, also extending greetings to elected representatives from Muslim and allied parties in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. He urged Vijay to avoid “emotional and unrealistic” claims on Kachchativu and instead promote stronger India-Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu-Sri Lanka ties, including engagement with the Indian Central Government. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human RightsForeign AffairsReligion & Culture Read →
- 10 April 2026 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mrs. M.M. Ramsaana of No. 25, Second Lane, Katugoda, Galle. Citizens' Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Rauff Hakeem urged the Government to repatriate young Iranian cadets rescued from a ship during the Middle East ceasefire, questioning Sri Lanka’s claimed neutrality and the handling of the incident. Turning to the Easter Sunday attacks, he expressed confidence in Shani Abeysekara and Ravi Seneviratne and called for full government and Attorney-General’s Department support for their investigations. He questioned prosecutorial gaps, including the absence of Attorney-General’s officers in court, the handling of evidence from Sara Jasmin, and unexamined matters such as foreign hotel guests, the Vavunativu incident, and Azad Maulana’s Channel 4 claims, urging further investigation under existing legal provisions. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Justice & Human RightsSecurity & DefenceForeign Affairs Read →
- 19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem seconded the Motion and urged that Mondays be designated as sitting days to compensate for the Wednesday fuel-conservation holiday, arguing that Parliament should maintain four sitting days during national crises and that the decision lies with parliamentary authorities rather than the President. He criticized the Government’s foreign policy response to the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, alleging silence and mixed signals, including over the reported torpedoing of an Iranian frigate near Sri Lankan waters. He warned that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea could threaten global oil supplies and called for clearer preparation and a more forthright Government position. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Cost of LivingForeign AffairsParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Rauff Hakeem said the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill fails to address concerns of women-led, membership-based community savings and credit providers, which sought exemption or separate categorization from regulation aimed at predatory lenders. He argued that deferring these issues to future regulations is inadequate. He also criticized the Government’s response to the Middle East crisis, demanding an open condemnation and condolences over the reported assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader and broader condemnation of US-Israeli actions, while expressing solidarity with Gulf countries affected by Iranian strikes and urging de-escalation, nuclear non-proliferation, and respect for sovereignty. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Religion & CultureForeign Affairs Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem briefly criticized another member for being unable to make a proper statement on the matter under discussion. His remarks were limited to an expression of disapproval and did not include a substantive proposal or question. Procedural: Points of Order on Iran Supreme Leader Assassination Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem questioned the Government on its response to the reported assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, describing it as a violation of international law involving a friendly country. He asked the Minister to clarify why there had been no official condemnation or expression of condolence by the Government. Procedural: Points of Order on Iran Supreme Leader Assassination Foreign Affairs Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem rose to raise a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the provided excerpt. Procedural: Points of Order on Iran Supreme Leader Assassination Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem briefly indicated that he had a matter to raise before the House. No substantive issue, proposal, or question was presented in the quoted remarks. Procedural: Points of Order on Iran Supreme Leader Assassination Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 February 2026 AI summary Rauff Hakeem argued that disaster response powers under the Disaster Management Act would have been sufficient, making the continued extension of emergency regulations unnecessary and open to abuse. He cited landslide and rockfall risks in Udunuwara and surrounding areas, alleging inaction by officials despite deaths, damaged homes, destroyed roads, and concerns over quarrying permits, and tabled residents’ representations to the President while calling for proper inspections and valuations. He also raised delays and permit issues affecting the Eastern Province palmyrah industry, including mechanization approvals and compensation for damage. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Justice & Human RightsEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
- 3 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised urgent education infrastructure issues in the Gampola Zone, citing closed schools and unsafe or inadequate temporary arrangements, including Paragala School and Al-Hikma Muslim School facing a landslide threat. He asked the Government to engage UNICEF to expedite tendering and construction of temporary classrooms, and to have provincial education authorities approve donor-funded temporary structures for Al-Mina School during the Ramadan closure. He also requested a discussion with relevant provincial officers to address problems affecting Muslim, Sinhala and Tamil schools, and argued that holding Provincial Council elections would allow such matters to be resolved at the provincial level. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers Corruption & Governance ReformEducationInfrastructure Read →
- 3 February 2026 AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised a supplementary question on the safety of Deltota Muslim College and nearby homes in Piyasena Pura following a landslide after Cyclone “Ditwah”. He said the school playground, primary section buildings, and houses near the hospital were in a dangerous condition, with about 150 schools in Kandy District reportedly facing similar risks. He requested that the Ministry of Education’s Buildings Division or NBRO engineers urgently inspect the premises and determine whether the buildings are safe for students to use. Oral Questions and Ministerial Answers InfrastructureEnvironmentEducation Read →
- 21 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem urged that post-cyclone reconstruction be made resilient to future disasters, highlighting severe coastal erosion in Ampara and the Eastern Province affecting burial grounds, fisheries infrastructure, and heritage mosques, and calling for increased funding, permanent revetments, groynes, and alternative burial land. He cited damage to irrigation bunds, roads, and paddy fields in Batticaloa and requested urgent repairs, particularly to the breached Kaluwamadu bund. He also raised delays and confusion in compensation schemes in Mutur and Kandy, including ambiguity over housing damage categories, kitchen repair payments, and small-business grants, and asked the Government to clarify circulars so officials can disburse assistance promptly. Adjournment Debate: Post-Cyclone "Ditwah" Situation (Part 2) InfrastructureEnvironmentPublic Finance Read →
- 7 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem paid tribute to former Secretary-General Nihal Seneviratne and thanked foreign rescue teams, especially from the UAE, for assistance after Cyclone “Ditwah”, while urging attention to continuing inundation and housing needs in Karaitivu–Chinna Nagavillu, Puttalam. Addressing the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act amendments, he said the changes may restore regulatory clarity but warned that reducing incentives to meet IMF revenue expectations could undermine Sri Lanka’s competitiveness for foreign investment. He cited concerns over tax policy, including personal income tax and corporate tax rates, and questioned whether projected Port City investment and value addition figures are realistic given the limited number of developers currently near commitment. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Public FinanceInfrastructureForeign Affairs Read →