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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
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary The Minister thanked Justice Ministry officials and acknowledged constructive Opposition proposals on judicial reform, while stating that constitutional reform and abolition of the Executive Presidency remain Government commitments to be implemented according to its own roadmap. He said allocations have been made for reparations, reconciliation, and missing persons mechanisms, and pledged to address Northern and Eastern concerns while protecting judicial independence and avoiding political interference. He cited justice-sector vacancies as a cause of delays, noting recruitment of 753 officers, and said investigations and indictments on corruption, money laundering, past crimes, and the Easter attacks are proceeding without improper disclosure. He also referred to the Proceeds of Crime Bill as a mechanism for recovering assets derived from crime and rejected allegations of “deals” in relation to judicial accountability. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary The Minister clarified that the President had not sought to restrict attorneys from meeting clients in prison or intimidate lawyers performing professional duties, while noting that lawyers should be mindful of professional boundaries. He apologized only for any personal hurt caused by his remarks about a referenced individual, not for the substance of what he said. On rental payments, he said extensions were due to the lack of alternative premises and that funding for the Adhikarana Piyasa project was intended to consolidate departments and reduce recurring rental costs. 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 The Minister said he had met two groups regarding the Kandy lawyers’ offices on UDA land and had assisted them, inviting any unresolved matters to be referred to him. He also stated that court digitization is being advanced through Justice Arjuna Obeysekere’s Committee, with Kandy selected as one of the model courts and therefore likely to receive the programme earlier than many others. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration responded to concerns about mass graves, stating that funding had been allocated for investigations at Kokkuthoduvai, Mannar, and Colombo sites. He said the recent Chemmani matter would be examined and that evidence would be protected. He affirmed that justice should apply to all Sri Lankans, while indicating he would provide a fuller response in his winding-up speech. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Justice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary The Attorney-at-Law stated that country lists relating to foreign judgments have been prepared and sent to the Attorney General, with a Gazette to be issued after observations are received. He said one condemned building at Kalutara Prison would be demolished and rebuilt with funds allocated this year, and that the previously halted court automation project has been restarted with a further meeting scheduled. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Justice & Human RightsInfrastructure Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the matter had not been neglected and that it was expedited after being brought to his attention by the Panadura Bar. He said the list of countries is being finalized and will be published in the Gazette soon. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara asked Hon. Ajith P. Perera to submit the relevant matter for discussion. The remark was procedural in nature and did not elaborate on the substance of the issue. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara acknowledged the Member’s suggestions and said they would be considered positively. Regarding the Kandy Court Complex, he stated that he had met two groups, would provide necessary assistance, and was still examining how to bring the matter to a conclusion. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Justice & Human RightsInfrastructure Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the matter in question has been initiated and that a previously halted process has now been restarted. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara stated that remarks by Ven. Kagama Sirinanda Thero were made during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Government and clarified that the related social media post has only recently been recirculated. He sought to distinguish the timing of the original statement from its current circulation. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary The Minister outlined Budget 2025 allocations for the justice sector, stating that Rs. 24 billion has been provided despite economic constraints and that the Ministry is addressing major backlogs, including over 1.1 million pending cases as of June 2024. He identified human resource shortages, stalled court infrastructure projects, and weak contract enforcement as key constraints, and said the Government will recruit judicial and non-judicial staff, resume 23 halted projects, construct a new Ministry building, and expand courts in underserved areas. He also proposed implementing pre-trial procedures, expanding Small Claims Courts, piloting digital courts in Kandy and Negombo, and strengthening the Attorney-General’s Department while beginning steps toward a separate prosecution service. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara requested that a list be provided on the same day, stating that he would give it special attention and address it in his response. Questions by Private Notice - Construction Work in Mannar & Release of Tamil Political Prisoners Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 28 February 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that the question was timely but could not be answered immediately because it had been received only the previous day and required data compilation. He cited the Ministry’s upcoming Head of Expenditure debate as adding to staff workload and undertook to provide a full answer within one week. Questions by Private Notice - Construction Work in Mannar & Release of Tamil Political Prisoners Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 27 February 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government remains committed to repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act after introducing new counter-terrorism legislation consistent with international human rights standards, following a review by a committee chaired by President’s Counsel Rienzi Arsekularatne. He rejected Opposition claims that an independent Prosecutor’s Office reflects distrust of the Attorney-General, arguing it is a manifesto commitment intended to separate prosecution from the Attorney-General’s advisory functions and improve impartiality. He also defended the Budget as a “people’s Budget” and said the Government’s first months had focused on ending corruption, waste, and misuse of public funds. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Law & OrderPublic FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 27 February 2025 AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said that during the Committee Stage of the Budget debate, Government Members were presenting substantive points on the economy while much of the Opposition was avoiding economic issues and relying on unrelated or media-driven remarks. He added that the Government would welcome constructive Opposition contributions to rebuilding the country, but criticised what he described as a lack of substantive engagement from many Opposition Members. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 February 2025 AI summary All locations, including Kalutara, are being considered under a single committee. The statement indicates that the committee will apply the same approach uniformly rather than treating Kalutara separately. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 February 2025 AI summary A committee involving the Prisons Department was appointed to examine prison overcrowding and has already met. The judiciary, prisons, police, and other relevant agencies are expected to submit a report within a month with proposals to reduce congestion, after which the Government plans to implement the recommendations. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 20 February 2025 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara stated that while nationwide wartime-style checkpoints are unnecessary, court premises require stronger security measures and action will be taken. He said amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure are before Cabinet to allow testimony via video link, reducing the need to produce remand prisoners in court and assisting witnesses, including those overseas. He indicated the Government aims to bring the amendments to Parliament by March or April and enact them as a longer-term solution. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Justice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 20 February 2025 AI summary Assured the Member that the proposal raised would receive attention. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 February 2025 AI summary The Attorney-at-Law stated that the Government is treating a court incident involving a suspect disguised as a lawyer seriously and has appointed a committee to review security procedures. He said discussions with the IGP, prison authorities, the Judicial Service Commission, Police and the Bar Association would consider allowing armed guards in courts in special cases for high-risk inmates and strengthening court screening. He also noted that the inmate’s transfer from Boossa was handled properly, while acknowledging risks faced by prison officers due to underworld activity and the need to improve their allowances and welfare. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →