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- 19 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill and related instruments on import duties, excise duty, and luxury tax on motor vehicles. He highlighted committee concerns that the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill requires mechanisms for lawful foreign exchange movement and repatriation of gambling winnings, and that members viewed the Bill as needing significant revision, international benchmarking, and stronger provisions on transparency, accountability, and enforcement. Papers: Annual Reports and Sectoral Committee Reports Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
- 6 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem criticized the Electricity Amendment Bill, arguing that it reverses prior unbundling efforts by reconsolidating generation, transmission and distribution under State control, which he said would deter private investment, weaken efficiency and strain public finances during the post-debt-crisis recovery. He questioned changes to the unbundling timeline and warned that proposed arrangements could weaken the PUCSL’s regulatory independence through Finance Ministry supervision. He also challenged the tariff treatment of small renewable energy projects, alleging discriminatory returns compared with larger dollar-pegged projects. He called for a high-powered, conflict-free inquiry into LTL shareholdings and alleged links involving former public servants, including hidden employee trust structures and the value of stakes following the IPO. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading InfrastructureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem stated that the Minister had received information only through the District Secretary and that the Ministry was not at fault for being unaware. He alleged that partial conduct by District Secretaries had aggravated the issue, urging the Minister to take note. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem said a June 24 letter from the District Secretary had caused public agitation and argued that key facts had been withheld from the Minister. He stated that the issue arose from the District Secretary’s decision and could not be resolved through District Secretaries alone, alleging partiality in their actions. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 5 August 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem only addresses the Chair, saying “Hon. Presiding Member,” with no substantive remarks, questions, proposals, or policy arguments recorded in the provided excerpt. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem objected to the allocation of speaking time, stating that it could not be divided in the proposed manner. He argued that the mover of the matter should be given three minutes. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem objected that the mover and seconder of an adjournment motion were allotted insufficient time to present its substance. He argued that this was unfair to Members participating in the motion. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem paid tribute during condolence motions to former MPs Aberatna Pilapitiya, Lucky Jayawardena, W.B. Ekanayake, Malini Fonseka and R. Sampanthan, recalling their parliamentary, provincial, ministerial and public contributions. He highlighted Pilapitiya’s role in UNP politics in Sabaragamuwa, Jayawardena’s service in Kandy and Udunuwara, Ekanayake’s work in the North Central Province, and Fonseka’s enduring contribution to Sinhala cinema and her collegial conduct in Parliament. He gave particular emphasis to Sampanthan, describing him as a statesman and leading Tamil parliamentary figure, noting his role in the TULF, post-1983 politics, the Indo-Lanka Accord process, the formation of the TNA, and his insistence that any North-East merger required Muslim consent. Condolence Debate: Late Hon. Members (R. Sampanthan, A. Pilapitiya, W. B. Ekanayake, Lucky Jayawardana, Malani Fonseka) Parliamentary ProcedureForeign AffairsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem requested a clarification in the presence of the Leader of the House and emphasized the need to hold a debate on the matter being raised. The intervention was brief and was interrupted before further details were provided. Oral Question: Drafting of a New Constitution (Q.225/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 24 July 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem supported the need for education reform and welcomed key academic appointments, but called for clarity on reported changes to History, Aesthetics, and a proposed Religion and Ethics curriculum allegedly affected by outside pressure. He asked the Government to publish a White Paper, acknowledge prior work by former officials and contributors, and ensure module reviews are handled by independent experts rather than the original authors or non-specialist ministry officials. He also raised constituency and infrastructure concerns, including stalled school facilities in Nawalapitiya and landslide-affected school buildings in several provinces, requesting funding through climate-resilient infrastructure programmes. On higher education, he urged reconsideration of objections to private medical education, citing foreign exchange outflows and international practice, and proposed positioning Sri Lanka as a higher education destination. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) EducationInfrastructureReligion & Culture Read →
- 22 July 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised concerns about Gal Oya Plantations in the Ampara District alongside issues affecting Lanka Sugar Company factories, noting that cane farmers had met the Minister and that the Minister agreed to attend the District Coordinating Committee meeting on the 31st. He cited an Auditor General’s report alleging inadequate Treasury oversight, non-payment of dividends to the Government, major liabilities, and operational inefficiencies, and questioned whether there were attempts to create a monopoly over sugar and ethanol operations. He alleged intimidation of farmers, police action against farmer leaders, arson, misuse of insurance, forced indebtedness, and unfair pricing, and requested ministerial intervention with Treasury participation to address farmers’ grievances and ensure proper oversight. Adjournment Debate: Safeguarding Local Sugar Industry Public FinanceLaw & OrderAgriculture Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem argued that the Easter Sunday attacks require further investigation into alleged links mentioned in the Presidential Commission report, including “Abu Hinde” and “Pakkam Abu,” and called for key witnesses such as Saharan’s wife, Hadiya, to be examined without intimidation. He questioned the role of the Attorney General’s Department in objecting to her evidence and urged the Government to identify and disclose any “deep state” actors referred to by the President. Referring to B Report 35882/24 connected to the Channel 4 matter, he criticized the investigation for charging only a subordinate officer while not proceeding against two others, and demanded that the Government handle the inquiry transparently. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Security & DefenceJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem stated that available powers are not being exercised because of fear, specifically fear of “pseudo-patriots” and “pseudo-nationalists.” He implied that political hesitation or pressure from nationalist actors is preventing decisive action. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem criticized the limited role being attributed to the Office on Missing Persons, arguing that when Sri Lanka’s international reputation is at stake, the OMP should not be reduced to a merely observational body. He characterized the situation as a serious tragedy. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Foreign AffairsJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem questioned why the Office on Missing Persons is being limited to observation rather than taking more active steps. He implied the need for the OMP to move beyond passive monitoring and deliver concrete action on cases of missing persons. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Security & Defence Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem referred to the killing of over 150 Muslim Hajj pilgrims and their family members by the LTTE at Kurukkalmadam and stated that a related case remains dormant in the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court despite requests for excavation. He urged the Ministry and the Office on Missing Persons to take action on the matter. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Religion & CultureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem questioned the Government’s inaction on alleged mass graves linked to past violence, including sites at Hokandara, Gampaha, Matale and Sooriyakanda. He argued that even graves said to contain slain JVP members had not been excavated, and called for those sites to be investigated as well. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem cited Section 11(e) of the Office on Missing Persons Act, noting that it empowers the OMP to establish committees, divisions, and units and delegate functions to them. He urged that these committees be appointed, stressing that the matter has international significance. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem challenged the Government’s response to an unspecified matter, stating that although a statement may have been issued, no representative had visited the relevant location. He urged the authorities to verify the situation directly by making inquiries. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 July 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem briefly responded that the point being made may be correct. No substantive proposal, question, or policy position was elaborated in this intervention. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Parliamentary Procedure Read →