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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney at Law, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Colombo

Minister of Justice and National Integration

Profession: Attorney-at-Law

Roster profile ↗
Speeches 338 #12 of 225·#6 in party
Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 179 speeches
Last spoke 9 June 2026 in Debate

Activity by sitting

96 sittings · counts only, no scoring.

Topic focus

AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.

Speech history

338 speeches
  • 22 May 2025 AI summary Moved approval of Regulation No. 06 under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The regulation amends limits for the “Miscellaneous Escrow Account — Department of State Accounts,” including removing maximum limits on expenditure, debit balances, and liabilities, and reducing the minimum receipts limit from Rs. 1.5 million to Rs. 400,000, valid up to 31 December 2024. Parliament agreed to the motion. Resolutions under Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023 Public Finance Read →
  • 22 May 2025 AI summary Moved approval for Regulation No. 05 under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The regulation amends the Third Schedule limits for the “Seized and Confiscated Goods Escrow Account — Sri Lanka Customs” by increasing the maximum expenditure limit from Rs. 8 million to Rs. 16 million, with no minimum receipts, maximum debit balance, or liability limits, valid until 31 December 2024. Parliament agreed to the motion. Resolutions under Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023 Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 22 May 2025 AI summary Moved approval of Regulation No. 04 under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The regulation amends the 2024 limits for the Department of Prisons’ Industrial and Agricultural Activities Escrow Account, increasing the maximum expenditure to Rs. 160.354 million and the minimum receipts to Rs. 160 million, with no maximum limits for debit balances or liabilities. The motion, which had Cabinet approval, was agreed to by Parliament. Resolutions under Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023 Public Finance Read →
  • 22 May 2025 AI summary Moved, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, approval of Regulation No. 03 under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023. The regulation amends the Third Schedule limits for the “Warehouse Escrow Account (Explosives) — Sri Lanka Navy,” including reducing the minimum receipts limit from Rs. 2.7 billion to Rs. 2.65 billion and setting no maximum limits for expenditure, debit balances, or liabilities, valid up to 31 December 2024. Parliament agreed to the motion. Resolutions under Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023 Public Finance Read →
  • 22 May 2025 AI summary Moved approval of Regulation No. 02 under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023, amending financial limits for the Department of Educational Publications’ “Printing, Promotion and Sales Escrow Account.” The regulation removes maximum limits on expenditure, debit balances and liabilities, and reduces the minimum receipts limit from Rs. 20 billion to Rs. 8.5 billion, valid up to 31 December 2024. Parliament agreed to the motion. Resolutions under Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023 Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 22 May 2025 AI summary Moved approval of a regulation under Section 8 of the Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023, on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The regulation amends the limits for the Bribery Commission’s escrow account used for bribery entrapment operations, increasing the maximum expenditure limit from Rs. 50 million to Rs. 150 million and setting no limits on receipts, debit balances, or liabilities, with validity up to 31 December 2024. Parliament agreed to the motion. Resolutions under Appropriation Act, No. 34 of 2023 Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 20 May 2025 AI summary The Minister responded that the challenged decision was made by the Cabinet under President Ranil Wickremesinghe and stated that it was legally valid. He said that if the disputed 60 perches fall within the originally acquired land, the matter could be discussed separately, while noting that providing office space for lawyers is outside his Ministry’s remit. He added that if the land belongs to the Ministry, it would be willing to discuss and facilitate the matter with the Urban Development Authority. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Justice & Human RightsLand & Housing Read →
  • 20 May 2025 AI summary The Minister clarified that several plots acquired in 2006 were allocated for the Kandy Court Complex, a lawyers’ complex to be built at lawyers’ expense on lease, and parking. He stated that the 40-perch block mentioned had not been transferred to the Ministry of Justice, and that the Ministry cannot acquire separate land solely for lawyers’ chambers under its current mandate. He added that if the disputed 60 perches are within the acquired court land the matter can be discussed further, but current information indicates the CEB block is outside the allocated court area and available internal space has already been used. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 20 May 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Ministry is aware of the Kandy Bar Association’s request regarding lawyers’ chambers, following a discussion on 14 March 2025. He stated that the Ministry does not collect data on lawyers without chambers, but the Bar Association’s 2024 register lists 1,051 lawyers in the Kandy judicial zone. He noted that a Cabinet decision of 9 September 2024 approved transferring the relevant land portion to the Ministry of Justice, with the Kandy Bar Association to enter directly into a lease agreement with the UDA and undertake construction without government funds. The Ministry has since written to the Minister of Urban Development to facilitate the Bar Association’s access to the land. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 20 May 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration presented an Order made under the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, as directed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2428/43 of 20 March 2025. He moved that the Order be referred to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Integration, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Corruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 May 2025 AI summary The Minister supported the Resolution under the Customs Ordinance linked to Gazette notifications under the Revenue Protection Act, stating that the Government is reopening vehicle imports in a phased manner with appropriate duties to support sectors such as agriculture, commerce and tourism while protecting foreign reserves. He argued that the current administration has restored stability after the previous economic crisis and rejected Opposition criticism over the Government’s performance. Referring to recent local government elections, he said the National People’s Power had secured control or leading positions in a large number of local authorities, described the elections as peaceful, and said the Government would treat the results as a mandate to correct weaknesses and accelerate promised reforms. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
  • 8 May 2025 AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara responded to a point raised by Hon. Musthapha regarding the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Act, stating that discussions were already underway with the Bar Association and others. He invited interested professionals, including Hon. Musthapha, to contribute and said a committee would be appointed to develop suitable legal proposals with the Bar Association’s assistance. Referring to the imprisonment of a person whose phone rang in court, he said the matter was serious and was being examined by the Judicial Service Commission, but he could not comment on a judge’s conduct. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 8 May 2025 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara sought the Speaker’s permission to proceed with his remarks but did not present any substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy position in the recorded excerpt. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 May 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Court Automation Programme, originally begun as a UNDP project and later halted, has been restarted with UNDP assistance after the Government appointed a committee chaired by Justice Obeysekere. Responding to a supplementary question, he said he cannot direct the independent Judiciary but has referred a related matter to the Judicial Service Commission for consideration. He also stated that prison authorities have been asked to investigate an incident involving a person in custody, with a provisional indication of an altercation with other inmates, pending a final report. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) InfrastructureJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 8 May 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara outlined measures to reduce court delays and manage caseloads, including permanent Tourist Courts, unified and separated court structures where appropriate, new jurisdictions, additional High, District and Magistrates’ Courts, and the expansion of Model Courts. He said Small Claims and Pre-Trial Courts are being developed in several areas, while old pending cases are being targeted through separate judges where resources allow. He identified staff shortages as a major constraint, noting recruitment plans for court staff, process servers, ushers, Government Analyst’s Department officers and judicial officers. He also referred to expanding Land Mediation Boards and other mediation mechanisms as alternatives to reduce the courts’ workload. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) InfrastructureJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 8 May 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration reported that there were 29,132 civil cases pending for 5 to 10 years and 17,271 pending for over 10 years. He stated that measures to address delays include increasing the number of courts, assigning manageable caseloads, and establishing additional courts in high-volume areas, with further details to be tabled in a written answer. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 8 May 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration presented the 2023 Annual Report of the Office for Reparations — Sri Lanka. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on State Administration, Justice and Civil Security, and the House agreed to the motion. Papers - Tabling of Annual Reports and Documents Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 9 April 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha assumed the Chair. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 April 2025 AI summary Approval was sought for an Order made under Section 7(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) Act, No. 2 of 2013, as published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2418/28 of 8 January 2025 and presented to Parliament on 20 March 2025. The Minister noted that Cabinet approval had been signified, and the motion was put to the House and agreed to. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 April 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Proceeds of Crime Bill fulfils the Government’s mandate to combat corruption by identifying, preserving, forfeiting, and returning assets obtained through crime to the State or victims. He emphasized that bona fide purchasers and honest citizens would not be affected, and argued that forfeiture is not a retrospective penal sanction but a mechanism to deprive criminals of illicit benefits, including through non-conviction-based forfeiture. He noted that no fundamental rights challenge had been filed against the Bill and said the legislation creates a unified framework where existing laws were scattered and largely dependent on prior convictions. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →