Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam, M.P.
Profession: Attorney-at-Law
Speeches 91 #52 of 225·#1 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution 37 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Debate
Activity by sitting
52 sittings · counts only, no scoring.
Topic focus
AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.
Speech history
91 speeches- 10 June 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam raised concerns over government actions in Mullaitivu, alleging that permanent housing for 244 seasonal fishing families from Negombo in Kokkilai would alter local demographics and should be halted. He also objected to the Mahaweli Authority’s allocation of land in Kokku Thoduvai–Kunjukkalvelai to a southern trader, claiming it involved privately owned freehold land and further encroachment into mangroves, grazing land, and forest reserves. He requested intervention to stop both the housing project and the land allocation, and to restore the disputed land to its original private owner. Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & HousingJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam formally requested a division, seeking a recorded vote on the matter before the House. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 June 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam opposed the extension of emergency powers, arguing that they are being used for political purposes and to suppress dissent in the North and East rather than to address genuine emergencies. He cited the delayed response to missing fishermen from Point Pedro and questioned the continued occupation of coastal lands by the Navy if such forces cannot assist in emergencies. He also condemned the use of the PTA or emergency regulations against expressions of opinion, including songs or praise of the LTTE, and argued that such enforcement reflects the Government’s failure to address Tamil political grievances. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that while the regulations and appropriation resolutions aim to stabilize the economy, the Northern Province requires structural interventions, particularly in education, given its low GDP contribution. He alleged that the Northern Provincial authorities under the Governor have arbitrarily transferred 193 teachers under “exigencies of service” without meeting legal criteria or consulting unions, citing provisions in the Establishments Code and provincial procedural regulations. He further claimed that appeals and transfer decisions were politically influenced, discriminatory and vindictive, affecting teachers in areas such as the Island Zone and Vadamarachchi East and harming students’ access to education. He urged the Government and President, under whose authority the Governor falls, to end arbitrary and discriminatory practices in Northern education if they are serious about developing the province. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformEducation Read →
- 21 May 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam denied an allegation made on 19 May 2026 by Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna that he had abused Ms. Kowshalya Narendran in the Parliamentary Library. He stated that he had not met, spoken to, or seen the individual and argued that the claim was intended to damage his credibility as an MP. He requested that his parliamentary privileges be protected through disciplinary action against the Member concerned and sought a formal apology. Point of Order: Parliamentary Library Conduct Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam rejected an allegation made by an Opposition Member that he had abused a female member of the public in Parliament, stating that he had not spoken to anyone in the Library or elsewhere in Parliament connected to that Member. He requested permission from the Chair to raise the matter formally as a question of privilege at the earliest opportunity the following day. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 May 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam called for a Division, requesting that the matter before the House be put to a recorded vote. Division Vote and Adjournment: Public Security Ordinance Resolution Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 May 2026 AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam said he would call a Division and vote against extending the Emergency, arguing that the Government had not shown a present necessity and that ordinary disaster or foreign-crisis management did not justify emergency powers. He warned that emergency rule risks abuse in the North and East without security sector reform, and cited the detention of books by Theepachelvan Piratheepan through Customs and Defence Ministry involvement as an example of improper censorship requiring rectification. He also demanded the release of military-held private lands in Valikamam North and written guarantees on land returns, including Thayiddi, while raising concerns over garbage dumping near the Chinnathottam Hindu cremation ground in Kinniya and asking for intervention. Division Vote and Adjournment: Public Security Ordinance Resolution Security & DefenceEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLaw & Order Read →
- 6 March 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam called for a Division during the proceedings. The record notes that this occurred before the conclusion of the Division Bell, indicating a procedural move to formally vote on the matter before the House. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 March 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam stated that his party would call for a Division and vote against extending the emergency regulations, arguing that the cyclone no longer justified emergency powers and that the extension was being used to restrict democratic activity. He said emergency rule had historically enabled abuses against Tamils, with continued militarization and lack of accountability in the North and East, citing the Allaipiddy killing as evidence of ongoing impunity. He also requested the Fisheries Minister to intervene with Indian authorities to secure the repatriation of two Jaffna fishermen rescued near Kachchativu and the return of their boat and property without legal action. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderSecurity & Defence Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam urged the Minister to act on information provided by Indian fishermen, including a video identifying affected persons and their location. He stated that the details and video had been given to the Police and Navy, but no action had been taken for six days, and requested immediate intervention. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Law & OrderForeign Affairs Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam raised an urgent concern with the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources regarding two fishermen, Selvarajah Rajkumar and Thangarajah Amalraj, missing at sea for six days. He stated that reported sightings and identifying evidence from Indian fishermen at Kachchativu had been provided to the Navy, Police, and the Minister, and urged the Minister to take responsibility and act on the matter. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Security & DefenceForeign Affairs Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam’s intervention contains only an address to the Presiding Member and no substantive remarks, arguments, proposals, or questions for summary. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam welcomed regulation of microfinance in principle, citing severe post-war indebtedness, especially among women in the North and East, but argued that the Bill fails to address key harms. He said it would undermine longstanding community-based credit systems by treating them as microfinance institutions, and called for such grassroots providers to be exempt and regulated separately. He also criticized the proposed expansion of CRIB coverage as worsening financial exclusion for low-income borrowers, and requested an amendment to the Civil Procedure Code so debt recovery cases are filed where borrowers reside rather than at lenders’ registered offices. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam raised concerns over the Tissa Rajamaha Viharaya at Thayiddi, alleging it was built illegally on privately owned Tamil land through militarized involvement, and criticized government discussions held without the affected landowners. He also objected to alleged “shadow minister” arrangements involving NPP MPs in Northern Provincial Council functions while provincial elections remain suspended, arguing that all Northern MPs should be invited to such official meetings. He further urged intervention regarding PTA detainee Nimalan, who he said faces threats when held in outstation prisons after court appearances, and referred to another PTA-related case involving Morris where he alleged reliance on an illegally obtained confession. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Parliamentary ProcedureEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 6 February 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam called for a division on Item No. 80, a Resolution under the Public Security Ordinance. He proceeded to conduct the vote, instructing Government Members, Opposition Members, and abstaining Members on the electronic voting procedure and asking Members to verify their votes or indicate if they could not vote digitally. Division: Resolution under Public Security Ordinance Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 February 2026 AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam opposed the extension of the Emergency and said he would call for a Division, arguing that emergency powers and the PTA are being used to suppress political activity and protests in the North and East, including over the Thayyiddi vihara issue. He rejected the Government’s justification that the Emergency was needed for cyclone relief, citing past unaddressed cyclone damage in the North and asking why relief had not been provided without emergency powers. He also criticized the Government’s handling of Indian trawler incursions, questioned the low number of seizures and prosecutions, and asked whether affected Northern fishers would be compensated. He further raised concern over the cremation of a Buddhist monk at McHeyzer Ground in Trincomalee and appealed to the Government to stop action against Rajkumar Rajeevkanth over a Facebook post expressing Tamil cultural concerns. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionSecurity & DefenceEmployment Read →
- 23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam said his party sought to offer constructive criticism, and urged the Prime Minister to reverse the previous Government’s ban on law practitioners serving as university lecturers, citing its impact on Dr. Kumaravadivel Guruparan. He also called for greater transparency and fairness in Vice-Chancellor selection processes and appointments to University Councils. He strongly opposed the Cabinet-approved Kivul Oya Project, alleging it continued Sinhala settlement in Tamil areas after wartime displacement and citing environmental feasibility concerns and constitutional issues. He demanded the Prime Minister’s intervention, warning that proceeding with the project would undermine Tamil confidence in the Government’s commitment to systemic change in the North and East. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading EducationEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 5 December 2025 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam called for a Division, prompting the Division Bell to be rung. The excerpt ends at the conclusion of the Division Bell, with no substantive policy argument or proposal recorded. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Third Reading and Division Vote Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 December 2025 AI summary Hon. G. G. Ponnambalam said the Government had advance warnings before the cyclone and floods and called for an in-depth inquiry into preparedness and response, citing loss of life and alleged failures in coordination, particularly across the Northern Province. He argued that relief efforts disproportionately focused on Jaffna while more affected districts such as Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu lacked proper coordinated attention. He demanded transparency in housing relief payments, including immediate publication of household-level beneficiary lists through Divisional Secretariats, citing concerns about inflated figures and political interference. He also stated that his side would call for a vote at the Third Reading to oppose what he described as disproportionate defence allocations and inadequate allocations for the North and East. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →