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- 7 February 2025 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam’s intervention consisted only of addressing the Deputy Speaker and did not include any substantive argument, question, proposal, or reference to legislation or policy. Ministerial Statements on Justice Department, Foreign Employment, and Hydrated Lime Importation Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam said staff in the two LRC offices serving the North and East face unfair transfers requiring travel of around 450 kilometres because there are no other offices in those districts. He argued that this practice reflects discriminatory policies of previous governments and called on the Government to end it immediately to establish its credibility. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Public FinanceEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that the military continues to act with a wartime, anti-Tamil mindset, citing the construction of the Thissa Viharaya in Thyiddi on land he said was confirmed at District Coordinating Committee meetings to be privately owned and built without legal process. He demanded that the Government uphold the rule of law and address the alleged illegality, calling it a test of its commitment not to pursue discriminatory policies. He also raised concerns over reported plans to acquire more land to extend the Palaly Airport runway, arguing that sufficient land exists within the current High Security Zone and that any proposal should be discussed with Jaffna MPs and affected residents. Debate: Intellectual Property Act Regulations (Geographical Indications) Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
- 22 January 2025 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam said the Government’s mandate for ethical political change requires consistency between its pledges and actions, particularly on repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He criticised continued and alleged misuse of the PTA in the North and East, including arrests during Tamil memorialization and questioning of schoolteachers over a sports event performance, and asked for immediate corrective action. He also called on the Prime Minister, as Education Minister, to resolve the Jaffna Central College principal appointment issue that she had previously raised in Opposition. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 22 January 2025 AI summary G. G. Ponnambalam commented on the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme, noting that its website presents the initiative under social, environmental and ethical categories, with the first two focused mainly on apolitical issues such as the environment and physical cleanliness. He argued that the ethical component, which refers to building trust in systems through integrity, suggests a broader mandate but is too briefly developed, and called for a more comprehensive public presentation of the programme. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) EnvironmentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary G. G. Ponnambalam raised several issues outside the day’s main topic, urging appointments to the Health Ministry’s Dispenser Service following 2024 interviews, measures to prevent transfers out of the Northern Province, and action to hold overdue Efficiency Bar examinations or grant increments to affected Grade I dispensers. He also called for the restoration of Colombo–Jaffna train services reduced after track repair works, including services from Mount Lavinia via Wellawatte and Bambalapitiya. He further urged the Foreign Minister to secure the repatriation of Sri Lankan citizens reportedly forced into service with the Russian Army. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) HealthcareInfrastructureForeign Affairs Read →
- 18 December 2024 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that ethnic-based political identities arose because the idea of “Sri Lankan” had long been equated with Sinhala Buddhist majoritarianism, and that calls for a common national identity must be accompanied by concrete corrective action. He cited the disputed Tissa Viharaya at Thyiddy in Jaffna, alleging that the military illegally built it on six acres of private land under cover of a high security zone despite local objections and a Divisional Secretary’s report stating it lacked authority and permission. He tabled the 22 May 2023 report and demanded that the Government address the alleged illegal occupation and construction as a test of its commitment to equality and a genuine Sri Lankan identity. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & HousingJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam congratulated the new Speaker while stressing that the role requires impartiality beyond party mandate, especially given the Government’s two-thirds majority. He urged the Speaker to avoid the shortcomings of the previous Parliament by ensuring minor parties receive adequate opportunities and by interpreting Standing Orders flexibly and progressively. He said the Tamil National People’s Front would extend its fullest support if the Speaker acts fairly. Opening: Parliament Meeting, Affirmations, and Speaker's Election Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 December 2024 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that the composition of the Committee on Parliamentary Business should reflect the presence of single-Member parties and independent groups that do not necessarily align with the main Opposition. He said the Standing Orders were framed for a two-party context and called for flexibility, as in previous Parliaments, so that each constituent party can be informed of and contribute to Parliament’s functioning. Procedural Matters: Sitting Hours, Legislative Standing Committee, Committee on Parliamentary Business Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam alleged that the World Bank-funded Strategic Cities Development Project in Jaffna was implemented without local institutional participation, adequate technical data, or qualified oversight, and urged the Government and Prime Minister to investigate possible corruption and negligence linked to recent severe flooding. He also said flooding in Batticaloa was worsened by the uncoordinated simultaneous opening of tank sluice gates. He further appealed for funds to construct breakwaters, deepen channels, and improve coastal protection for Northern fisherfolk whose boats were damaged after the cyclone, while asking that alleged corruption under the previous fisheries minister be examined. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) InfrastructureEnvironmentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 4 December 2024 AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam congratulated the Government on its mandate and welcomed the President’s statements on democracy and inclusion, but questioned how the pledge against ethnic-based politics would apply to Tamil parties raising issues of discrimination, land settlement and demographic change in the North and East. He argued that a generic “Sri Lankan” identity must not obscure the history of Tamil grievances and cited UN Human Rights Council concerns about the limits of purely domestic accountability. He called for the Prevention of Terrorism Act not to be used against commemorations or detainees, compared Tamil memorialization with JVP commemorations, and urged the Justice Minister to release nine Tamil political prisoners and inquire into the prison transfer of one detainee known as “Morris.” Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →