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- 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem moved a resolution to appoint a Select Committee to investigate the State’s mandatory cremation policy for COVID-19 deaths in 2020 and recommend measures to ensure justice for affected families. He argued that the policy contradicted WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, ICRC and local expert guidance permitting safe burial, denied next-of-kin religious rites and last respects, and disproportionately affected Muslims and other religious minorities. He cited UN Human Rights Council resolutions of 2021 and 2022 calling for investigation and protection of religious burial rights, and noted that burials were later permitted only after local and international pressure. Private Members' Motion 6: Select Committee to Investigate COVID-19 Cremation Decisions Religion & CultureJustice & Human RightsHealthcare Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem questioned the Attorney-General’s Department’s reported decision to enter a nolle prosequi in a high-profile case, citing concerns that the reason given regarding an identification parade lapse was inadequate. He referred to the Government’s manifesto commitment to establish an independent Prosecutor’s Office and alleged that prosecutorial discretion may be used for political or extraneous purposes, while noting staffing constraints in the Department. On behalf of the Opposition, he gave notice seeking a full-day parliamentary debate on the matter, subject to agreement by the Committee on Parliamentary Business. Ministerial Statements on Justice Department, Foreign Employment, and Hydrated Lime Importation Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem briefly sought permission from the Deputy Speaker to intervene in the proceedings. No substantive policy position, proposal, or question was presented in the recorded statement. Ministerial Statements on Justice Department, Foreign Employment, and Hydrated Lime Importation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem criticized the previous administration’s handling of Muslim COVID-19 burial issues, citing an attempt to send Janazahs to the Maldives for burial. He asked whether the Government would conduct an administrative inquiry and take action against officials involved in those decisions who remain in responsible positions. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Corruption & Governance ReformReligion & Culture Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised concern over the policy adopted during the relevant period to deny burials, stating that it affected Muslims and Catholics and had attracted international human rights attention. He argued that the decision was unscientific, wasteful of public funds, and involved taking bodies to distant locations, including a proposal to send them to the Maldives. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Justice & Human RightsReligion & Culture Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem posed his second supplementary question. No substantive issue, proposal, or context is included in the provided excerpt. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem questioned the Government’s handling of the COVID-19 forced cremation policy and the later decision to bury victims in Oddamavadi, arguing that both were based on unscientific premises and affected the religious rights of Muslims and other minorities. Citing operative paragraphs of the 23 March 2021 UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka, he asked why no inquiry or accountability process had been undertaken despite the resolution’s call for investigations. He also raised concern that officials involved in the disputed decisions had since been appointed to senior health positions. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions HealthcareJustice & Human RightsReligion & Culture Read →
- 7 February 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem asked the Minister of Defence for details on the Government’s COVID-19 burial programme at Majma Nagar in Batticaloa, including the role of the Armed Forces. He sought information on personnel deployed, allowances paid, vehicles used or rented, fuel costs, and whether relatives of the deceased were charged any fees and in what amounts. Oral Answers to Questions and Second Round Questions Public FinanceSecurity & Defence Read →
- 24 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem paid tribute to former Members Rukman Senanayake, Sirinal de Mel, A.A. Reginald Perera and Dr. I.M. Ilyas during condolence proceedings. He recalled Senanayake’s role in party politics, alliances and clandestine contacts during the 1988 period, de Mel’s leadership in the National Employees Union, and Perera’s service in local government and Parliament. He also described Dr. I.M. Ilyas as an important figure in the political history of Sri Lankan Muslims and conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased. Votes of Condolence: Rukman Senanayake, A.A. Reginald Perera, Sirinal de Mel, and Dr. I.M. Ilyas Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem responded to a reference by the Deputy Minister, denying that the Motion was intended to incite racism or accuse the Government of racism. He argued that the persons concerned should not be repeatedly described as “illegal immigrants” but recognized as refugees fleeing persecution, and criticized Foreign Affairs officials for allegedly misleading Ministers on the issue. Adjournment Motion: Ensuring Protection for Rohingya Refugees in Sri Lanka Foreign AffairsJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem noted that the Minister’s reply had exceeded the allotted time by 19 minutes and requested that, as in previous instances, 20 minutes be added to the Adjournment Debate. Adjournment Motion: Ensuring Protection for Rohingya Refugees in Sri Lanka Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem welcomed action against officials who deliberately acted during the COVID-19 period but recalled that Muslim burials were permitted only after major protests. He argued that the cremation-only policy was unscientific and hostile, citing WHO guidance and medical views that the virus would not spread through groundwater or survive after death. He specifically questioned what action would be taken against Prof. Meththika Vithanage for her claims regarding groundwater contamination and burial policy. Oral Question: Disposal of the Dead Due to COVID-19 During 2019–2022 Justice & Human RightsHealthcareReligion & Culture Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised concern that COVID-19 death data was not recorded or reported by religion, suggesting this could have been determined from names. He questioned the Minister on the prolonged lockdowns of predominantly Muslim villages such as Atulugama and Akurana after reported COVID-19 cases, alleging residents faced unnecessary fear and illegal pressure, and asked whether the actions in Atulugama were unlawful and whether an inquiry would be conducted. Oral Question: Disposal of the Dead Due to COVID-19 During 2019–2022 Religion & CultureLaw & Order Read →
- 23 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media to provide detailed COVID-19 statistics for 2019–2022, including laboratory-confirmed cases, confirmed deaths, and demographic breakdowns by age, sex, residence, ethnicity and religion. He also requested data on the disposal of COVID-19 dead bodies, including numbers cremated and buried and corresponding demographic and geographic breakdowns, and asked for reasons if such information cannot be provided. Oral Question: Disposal of the Dead Due to COVID-19 During 2019–2022 HealthcareReligion & Culture Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary The Hon. Rauff Hakeem asked the Minister of Defence to provide details on landslide-risk areas in the Nuwara Eliya District amid rainy conditions since January 2024. He sought information on affected settlements and public properties, a breakdown of occupied vulnerable houses and immovable properties by Divisional Secretary and Grama Niladhari divisions, and the alternative measures planned for residents in those houses. Answers to Written Questions: Landslide Risk Areas EnvironmentSecurity & Defence Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Defence to provide details on landslide-risk areas in the Kandy District following rainy conditions since January 2024, including locations with settlements and public property. He requested a breakdown of vulnerable occupied houses and immovable properties by Divisional Secretary’s Division and Grama Niladhari Division, and asked what alternative measures would be taken for affected residents. Answers to Written Questions: Landslide Risk Areas InfrastructureEnvironmentSecurity & Defence Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem asked the Minister of Defence to provide details on landslide-risk areas in the Matale District following rainy weather since January 2024. He requested identification of affected settlements, public properties, and occupied vulnerable houses or immovable properties by Divisional Secretary’s Division and Grama Niladhari Division, as well as the alternative measures planned for residents. Answers to Written Questions: Landslide Risk Areas Security & DefenceLand & Housing Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem asked the Minister of Defence to provide details on landslide-risk areas in the Badulla District following heavy rains since January 2024. He sought identification of affected settlements and public properties, a breakdown of occupied vulnerable houses and immovable properties by Divisional Secretariat and Grama Niladhari Division, and the alternative measures planned for residents in those houses. Answers to Written Questions: Landslide Risk Areas EnvironmentLand & HousingSecurity & Defence Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem asked the Minister of Defence for details on landslide-risk areas in the Kegalle District following rainy conditions since January 2024. He sought information on affected settlements and public properties, a divisional breakdown of vulnerable occupied houses and immovable properties, and the alternative measures planned for residents living in those locations. Answers to Written Questions: Landslide Risk Areas Land & HousingSecurity & DefenceEnvironment Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem stated that he was present with Hon. Shritharan at the VIP terminal when officials claimed there was a travel ban, and he questioned the legal basis for it. He argued that any such restriction must be based on a court order and that action under the PTA does not justify arbitrary decisions by the TID. He requested a proper investigation and report, describing the incident as a breach of MPs’ rights and an injustice to Hon. Shritharan. Question of Privilege: Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan (Travel Ban) Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →