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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
  • 8 January 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that more time is needed to answer a Standing Order 27(2) question received the previous day. He said the question includes several data-dependent sub-questions, including figures on detentions and prosecutions under the Prevention of Terrorism Act since 1979, and requested time to provide a comprehensive response. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) Question and Exemption Motion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 December 2024 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara denied that a leaflet incorrectly described him as “Attorney-at-Law,” stating that it referred to him as having worked as a Government Attorney. He challenged the opposing claim as based on a misreading of the Sinhala text and asked for documentary proof, such as a certificate, to substantiate the allegation. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 18 December 2024 AI summary The Minister raised a Point of Order to clarify that he had served as a Government Attorney in the Attorney General’s Department and did not wish to be addressed as “Attorney-at-Law” as a personal title. He said his challenge was limited to another Member’s public claims about qualifications and asked that any claimed qualification be presented to the House. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara moved that Hon. Imran Maharoof take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne left the Chair and Hon. Imran Maharoof assumed the Chair. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara briefly responded to an issue raised by another Member by suggesting that the matter be set aside for the moment and referred to the Council of Legal Education. The intervention indicates a procedural proposal to seek the Council’s view on the matter under discussion. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara clarified that a barrister qualification obtained abroad does not by itself permit appearance in Sri Lankan courts, and that one must pass the local Attorneys-at-Law examination. He argued that “Barrister” is not an accepted local professional title for practice without conversion or local qualification, noting that the “Attorney” examination existed only before 1973. He suggested seeking clarification from the Council of Legal Education on the use of such titles in Sri Lanka. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara questions whether a person who became a Barrister after completing the Bar Vocational Course had also undergone an apprenticeship. The intervention appears to seek clarification on the individual’s legal training and professional qualification process. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara briefly responded to a remark made by Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella in his absence, seeking to clarify the basis on which she claimed the right to use the title “Attorney-at-Law.” He questioned the duration and grounds of her claimed legal qualification, asking for correction if his understanding was wrong. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara’s intervention appears to consist only of an address to the presiding officer, “Hon. Deputy Chairperson,” with no substantive remarks, proposals, questions, or policy positions recorded in the provided text. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 December 2024 AI summary The Minister supported the Supplementary Estimate for educational relief and said the Government had stabilized the economy, maintained investor confidence, and remained committed to transparency, accountability, and a “cleaner Parliament.” He addressed public debate over MPs’ qualifications, arguing that scrutiny of credentials reflects a changed political culture, while criticizing politically motivated allegations. He explained that the “Dr.” title appearing before his name on the Parliament website was an error he had not submitted, said he lodged a CID complaint to determine whether it was accidental or deliberate, and requested the Secretary-General’s office to temporarily take down and fully verify the Parliament website to prevent further erroneous information. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 December 2024 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration moved that Hon. (Senior Professor) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees vacated the Chair and Hon. Sena Nanayakkara presided. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara responded to concerns raised by Hon. Ponnambalam regarding longstanding issues affecting the North, noting that the current Government had been in office for less than a month. He stated that genuine grievances, including the issue of political prisoners, would be addressed after proper legal assessment, and invited the Member to refer such matters to his Ministry for review. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the Government is examining corruption and fraud allegations and is taking steps, in consultation with legal authorities, regarding political prisoners and detainees held on remand without evidence. He said investigations into corruption and the Easter Sunday attacks are ongoing, but cautioned that cases require proper evidence and cannot be rushed. He asked for two more months, arguing that corrective action is underway after longstanding failures. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Corruption & Governance ReformSecurity & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara clarified that the Government’s policy statement includes a commitment to release political prisoners. He added that the Government had been in office for less than a month, implying that time is needed to act on the pledge. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Only a limited number of cases are referred by the Police to the Attorney-General for advice, typically when necessary or where uncertainty exists. The Minister stated that he cannot direct the Police or the Attorney-General on what advice should be sought, and noted that if Police make errors, available remedies include human rights and other legal mechanisms rather than ministerial intervention. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government’s electoral mandate reflects public demand for a new political culture, rule of law, action against corruption, and national reconciliation. He stated that the Government would prioritize social cohesion, reject racist and religious extremist politics, and protect dignified remembrance and freedom of expression while preventing incitement. He said the Prevention of Terrorism Act should be repealed and replaced with a counter-terrorism law aligned with international best practices, with existing laws used in the interim to curb racism, religious hatred, and extremism. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Corruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
  • 4 December 2024 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration presented the 2023 Annual Performance Report of the Legal Aid Commission Department. He moved that the report be referred to the relevant Consultative Committee, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Performance Report of Legal Aid Commission Department 2023 Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 3 December 2024 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara moved that Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi take the Chair during the sitting. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi presided. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Parliamentary Procedure Read →