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 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem paid tribute to the late Hon. Kumara Welgama, recalling his long parliamentary service since 1994, his development work in Kalutara, his SLFP identity, and his conduct during political unrest and communal tensions. He also acknowledged the late Hon. Tudor Gunasekara’s role in winning Mahara for the UNP in 1977, contributing to Gampaha’s development, and serving as an ambassador. He further noted the late Hon. H. Nandaseena’s service in the North Central Provincial Council and Parliament, and extended condolences to all three families. Votes of Condolence: Hon. Kumara Welgama, Hon. H. Nandasena, and Hon. Tudor Gunasekera Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised concerns about the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill, noting that deeming nominations never to have been presented may adversely affect public servants who took no-pay leave and lost promotions or increments after submitting nominations. He urged the Government to address their situation and said ambiguities identified by the Election Commission, including issues affecting local authority majorities such as in Elpitiya, should be corrected. He proposed referring the Bill to the Legislative Standing Committee for expedited review. Bills Presented and Orders Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & OrderParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem stated that the RTI Commission had summoned the Acting Chief Epidemiologist on 2 January regarding requested information, but the official said it was unavailable. He noted that the hearing was postponed to 20 January and requested that Dr. Hasitha Tissera be instructed to provide the information. Oral Questions Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem questioned the change in COVID-19 death-disposal guidelines issued by the Ministry in March 2020, noting that the original guidance allowed both cremation and burial but was altered after the second death, involving a Muslim person. He asked the Minister to identify the officials responsible for the revised circular and said Parliament should be informed for accountability. Oral Questions Religion & CultureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem briefly intervened to raise a question before the House. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or argument was set out in the recorded statement. Oral Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem queried the Government regarding a visit to Finland, asking for clarification or details about it. The intervention appears to seek information in the context of parliamentary questioning rather than advancing a substantive policy argument. Oral Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem argued against refouling refugees who arrived by boat, noting that payment for passage does not negate their refugee status and referring to violence in their country of origin. He said returning them, particularly families with small children, would be a serious violation, and proposed arranging transfer to a third country through the UNHCR, as done previously by Sri Lankan governments. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Justice & Human RightsForeign Affairs Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary Rauff Hakeem urged the Government not to forcibly repatriate the Rohingya group, noting that it included women and children and warning that such action would damage Sri Lanka’s international reputation. He rejected framing the matter as human trafficking, citing known persecution in Myanmar, and called for the group’s security to be ensured through a humane approach. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Justice & Human RightsForeign Affairs Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem linked economic confidence and investment to the effective enforcement of law and order, urging action on delayed prosecutions and incomplete investigations. He called on the Government and Attorney-General’s Department to expedite accountability in the killings and attacks on journalists, including Lasantha Wickrematunge, Upali Tennakoon and Keith Noyahr, and to ensure media safety. He also raised concerns about reported restrictions on an IMF-related university lecture, describing academic freedom as essential, and questioned the refusal of Human Rights Commission officials’ access to Rohingya refugees held at an Air Force camp, citing the Commission’s statutory powers. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Asked the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation to provide details on land allocated or acquired for the proposed domestic airport at Maberiyatenna in Medadumbara, Kandy. He requested information on the extent of government and private plantation land involved, the number of residences, factories, estate schools and public service institutions affected, and the names and addresses of residents identified as losing homes. He also sought details of policy decisions and resettlement measures for displaced households, or reasons if the information could not be provided. Oral Question: Proposed Domestic Airport in Digana Area (Q. unspecified) Infrastructure Read →
- 18 December 2024 AI summary Rauff Hakeem questioned reported irregularities in vaccine procurement and NMRA approvals, referring to the Health Minister’s earlier statement on the President’s Fund and the Speaker’s pledge to act against wrongdoing. He asked whether approvals had been granted exceptionally before orders were placed, while lower-priced suppliers were denied approval and favoured companies were selected, and demanded that the matter be investigated. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceHealthcare Read →
- 18 December 2024 AI summary Rauff Hakeem criticized the former Government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, citing practices he described as unscientific and contrary to WHO guidance, including the mandatory cremation policy for COVID-19 victims. He also raised concerns about vaccine procurement, suggesting that delays and procurement choices may have benefited certain companies, and asked the Minister of Health whether Sri Lanka could have obtained vaccines at lower prices through timely orders from established manufacturers. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) HealthcarePublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 18 December 2024 AI summary Rauff Hakeem asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media to provide detailed information on COVID-19 Rapid Antigen and PCR testing in Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2022. He sought separate figures for tests conducted by the government and private sector, the NMRA-registered local agents for each test, and the government’s unit and total costs for those tests. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Healthcare Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Rauff Hakeem objected to the appointment of a committee member involved in an allegedly wrongful and unscientific decision as Acting Chief Epidemiologist. He urged the Ministry of Health to avoid appointing such individuals and to conduct a departmental inquiry, with penalties for those found responsible. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Corruption & Governance ReformHealthcare Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem questioned the Government’s refusal to disclose details of persons who died and were cremated during the previous administration, asking for the names and addresses of the deceased and their next of kin. He challenged the Minister’s claim that medical ethics prevent such disclosure and requested that any specific ethical prohibition be identified, noting that the previous Government’s forced cremation policy had been acknowledged as a mistake. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised concern over the non-disclosure of statistics relating to Muslims who died during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing the matter as highly sensitive. He argued that such information should be available and publicly released in line with WHO norms, and said relying on the RTI Act to withhold it undermines the credibility of the Ministry of Health. He requested the Government to provide accurate statistics on the issue. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Justice & Human RightsHealthcarePublic Finance Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Rauff Hakeem congratulated the newly elected Speaker on behalf of the Opposition and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, emphasizing the Speaker’s role in safeguarding Members’ rights and maintaining impartiality, decorum, and parliamentary traditions. He noted that the recent need to elect a new Speaker showed the importance of accountability, institutional safeguards, and the media’s role in good governance, while also acknowledging the former Speaker’s resignation in response to criticism. He urged that parliamentary conduct allow those facing criticism to vindicate themselves through proper conduct in the House. Opening: Parliament Meeting, Affirmations, and Speaker's Election Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 December 2024 AI summary Rauff Hakeem requested that a fair solution be considered regarding an earlier procedural request before the House. He also raised concerns about the scheduled establishment of the Constitutional Council under Article 41A(1)(e), arguing that its composition should reflect Sri Lanka’s pluralistic character, including ethnic and social diversity. He noted uncertainty over the President’s nominee and questioned the absence of a Muslim representative after the Opposition Leader nominated a Sinhala Member, asking that the 11.00 a.m. vote be considered in that context. Procedural Matters: Sitting Hours, Legislative Standing Committee, Committee on Parliamentary Business Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 December 2024 AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised district-level concerns including wild animal conflict, requesting reconsideration of firearms permits for farmers, and Akurana flooding, calling for discussion on engineering proposals and coordination committee action. He also urged negotiated handling of the Kalmunai Divisional Secretariat delimitation issue, taking Muslim community concerns and pending litigation into account, and called for lawful elections before appointing trustees to the Nindavur Mosque. On the Vote on Account, he questioned large allocations linked to sovereign debt restructuring and alleged possible insider dealing, comparing it with past bond controversies, and called for investigations into both external debt restructuring and Domestic Debt Optimization, particularly its impact on EPF members and gains by primary dealers. He said he would submit questions to the Finance Minister seeking formal answers. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) AgricultureCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised concerns over recurrent flooding in Ampara and Kalmunai/Kalkudah, including an alleged incident where the Valathapitty tank bund was cut and worsened village flooding, and called for a proper inquiry. He urged improved drainage planning, consultation with affected communities, completion of unfinished gabion wall, dredging, and channel-widening works, and construction of flood protection embankments along vulnerable rivers. He also requested revival of the World Bank/ADB-funded Climate Resilience Improvement Project to finance drainage and flood-resilience infrastructure, and asked that crop insurance be extended urgently to vegetable and fruit farmers in both up-country and low-country areas. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) InfrastructurePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →