Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney at Law, M.P.
Profession: Attorney-at-Law
Speeches 22 #168 of 225·#106 in party
Attendance 7/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Justice & Human Rights 10 speeches
Last spoke 6 May 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
19 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
22 speeches- 6 May 2026 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill at Second Reading, stating that it modernizes outdated insolvency and company law frameworks and creates better conditions for businesses, individuals, entrepreneurs, and legal and commercial practitioners. He said the reform would contribute to economic recovery and reflected the Government’s wider efforts to stabilize the country, rebuild international confidence, and improve governance. He also criticized the Opposition over its past economic record and its response to a recent fraudulent foreign remittance incident involving the Ministry of Finance, while emphasizing the Government’s engagement with public officials and salary increases for public servants. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama supported approval of remuneration and service conditions for officers and employees of the Commission under the Anti-Corruption Act, arguing that adequate staffing, salaries and capacity are necessary for CIABOC to function independently and effectively. He said past anti-corruption laws and institutions lacked enforcement culture and resources, while the Government has removed recruitment obstacles and seeks to finalize a 971-member cadre to address a large backlog of investigations. Referring to an indictment involving the Power Minister over an alleged incident from about a decade earlier, he argued that the filing of charges under the present Government demonstrates institutional independence. He also noted that Middle East tensions affect Sri Lanka’s stability but said the Government had stabilized the economy and administration. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama supported the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Amendment) Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, linking them to the Government’s mandate to restore rule of law and reform justice institutions. He argued that past governance had allowed criminal networks and drug trafficking to penetrate state institutions, and said the Government was improving judicial infrastructure, recruitment, investigations, policing, prisons, and rehabilitation. He noted severe prison overcrowding and said Budget allocations would support modernization and rehabilitation, while further legal reforms would be presented by December. He also highlighted the “The Whole Nation Together” anti-drug programme and Public Security Committees in all 14,022 Grama Niladhari divisions as part of a community-based response to drugs. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
- 17 November 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama defended the Government’s estate worker wage proposal, stating that companies and the Treasury would each contribute Rs. 200 to support a Rs. 1,750 wage, with the allowance applicable according to days worked. He outlined the 2026 allocation for the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, totalling Rs. 58,500 million, and said capital spending would proceed prudently through due process following election-related delays. He highlighted court backlogs, weak infrastructure, and staffing shortages, citing issues in Pugoda and Gampaha courts, and noted measures including recruiting 50 State Counsel, providing research staff, appointing 13 committees, and implementing “Clean Sri Lanka” directions to streamline court records by 31 December. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
- 17 November 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama presented three petitions to Parliament on behalf of named individuals from Thanamalwila, Hokandara South, and Nittambuwa, including one petition submitted by four persons jointly. Petitions - Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 November 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama defended the NPP Government’s first year in office, citing economic stabilization, fiscal discipline, improved revenue collection, targeted welfare support, tourism recovery, and the holding of two elections. He said the Government had strengthened social cohesion, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the independence of judicial and investigative institutions. He praised President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Budget presentation and criticised the Opposition for failing to offer substantive or constructive criticism. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionPublic FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama argued that constitutional safeguards and independent commissions depend on political leadership and institutional respect, not merely legal provisions. He cited the 17th Amendment in 2001 as a progressive reform establishing independent commissions, contrasted with later amendments that weakened or restored them, and criticized past governments for politicizing appointments. He maintained that under the current Government the commissions, including the National Police Commission, are exercising their constitutional powers freely. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
- 24 September 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama supported the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill as part of the Government’s wider legal reform agenda and said the colonial-era Penal Code must be modernized in line with contemporary child rights standards. He urged Members to engage substantively because courts may use Hansard to interpret legislative intent, and rejected Opposition claims that the Bill would victimize teachers or elders. He also denied allegations of Government interference in the judiciary, police, or independent commissions, contrasting the current administration’s approach with past instances of politicization, and called for support for the reform process. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformWomen & Children Read →
- 23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama outlined the existing pathways to enter the legal profession, including Law College, state university law faculties and recognized private LLB programmes, noting that admissions and standards fall under the Supreme Court and the Incorporated Council for Legal Education. He argued that the current requirement of at least 40 marks in key subjects for candidates progressing to final examinations should be maintained, and cautioned that lowering pass marks or relaxing criteria would undermine professional standards. He emphasized that Law College admissions must remain merit-based and compliant with established legal education standards. Adjournment Motion: Law College Special Entrance Examination Justice & Human RightsEducation Read →
- 23 September 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama presented three public petitions to Parliament from Mr. B.A.B.S. Jayawardhana of Imbulgoda, Mr. H.K. Asanka of Dompe, and Mr. P.N.C. Wickramanayake of Divulapitiya. No further details on the contents of the petitions were provided. Petitions Presented by Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 August 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mrs. R.A.D.T.N. Rajapaksha of Angel Gardens, Kerawalapitiya Road, Hendala, Wattala. The presentation was made as part of parliamentary petition proceedings. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 25 July 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama presented a petition to Parliament on behalf of Mr. Wasantha Kumara Kapukotuwa of Kidagammulla, Gampaha. Petitions Presented to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 July 2025 AI summary A petition from Mrs. J.M.A.D. Jayasingha of Nava Nugawela, Nayapāna, Gampola was presented to Parliament. Petitions Presented by Members Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 June 2025 AI summary A petition was presented on behalf of Mrs. L.G.W. Thamara Nilangani of No. 119/B, Meddawala Road, Tiththapaththara. No details of the petition’s subject matter were stated in the speech. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 June 2025 AI summary The remarks supported Regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, describing them as part of the Government’s effort to strengthen institutions, the rule of law, and Sri Lanka’s compliance with international anti-corruption standards. Abeywickrama accused previous governments of normalizing corruption, waste, and political use of public resources, while asserting that the current administration is enabling investigations and prosecutions without political interference. He cited recent corruption-related arrests, tender manipulation cases, and clarifications on the “Containers 323” issue and a Government vehicle auction allegation to argue that Opposition claims against the Government were unfounded. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformLaw & Order Read →
- 23 May 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama supported the amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, stating that they advance the Government’s digitization policy and give statutory basis for obtaining evidence electronically from outside court premises to reduce delays in criminal justice. He referred to past precedents including the Sathasivam case and COVID-19 court practices, and said further reforms to the Evidence Ordinance and related laws would follow. He also condemned alleged racist and religious incitement on social media targeting Hon. Muneer Mulafer, said legal action was being pursued, and linked the issue to the Government’s broader commitment to communal unity and constitutional and legal reform. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama defended the Government’s record during its first six months, citing elections, the Budget, and the passage of the Proceeds of Crime law as evidence of progress. He said the Motion to implement Audit recommendations was consistent with Government efforts to strengthen institutions, but argued that such reforms require time and ethical governance as well as legislation. He referred to recent and ongoing corruption-related proceedings, including a sentencing in the North Central Province case and delays in a 2018 bribery case, to argue that the rule of law is now being applied more equally. He also stated that action would be taken against those responsible in the case of the deceased schoolgirl and that relevant institutions would be strengthened. Private Members' Motion (P.19/2024): Course of Action for Implementing Audit Recommendations Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama presented two public petitions to Parliament, one from Mr. M.D.K. Maldeniya of Hiswella, Kirindiwela, and another from Mr. S.A.P.K. Dayananda of Ihalagama, Gampaha. Citizens' Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 1 March 2025 AI summary The Government plans to review problems in bail law and the bail-granting process and introduce necessary reforms. It also aims to improve equal access to legal services, noting the high costs faced by the public, with the 2025 Budget presented as an initial step toward broader legal-sector remedies in future years. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama said the 2025 Budget reflects the National People’s Power mandate to reform multiple sectors, including the justice system. He highlighted inadequate court facilities in the Gampaha District, particularly the Pugoda Court, and stated that funds have been allocated to expedite proper court operations. He argued that the location of courts, police stations, and legal reforms should be based on evidence and policy rather than political influence or personal preferences, citing complications from the Civil Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, No. 43 of 2024. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Public FinanceLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →