Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney at Law, M.P.
Minister of Justice and National Integration
Profession: Attorney-at-Law
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- 6 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara denied allegations attributed to Hon. Mujibur Rahuman, stating that the deceased’s wife had not made any police complaint regarding the matter. He rejected claims involving “Asela, the Secretary” as false and challenged Hon. Rahuman to table the relevant letter and specify the police station and date of any alleged complaint. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 6 May 2026 AI summary The Minister said the Government would not introduce certain proposed Committee Stage amendments at that time because the Attorney-General had advised that some changes could not be accommodated immediately. He thanked the Chair of the Committee on Public Finance for convening it quickly and stated that the Committee would be reconvened soon to reconsider Members’ proposals and bring any necessary amendment later. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
- 6 May 2026 AI summary The Minister moved the Second Reading of a new insolvency and rescue Bill, describing it as a comprehensive reform to replace Sri Lanka’s outdated Insolvency Ordinance and amend related provisions in the Companies Act and Inland Revenue Act. He argued that the current liquidation-focused framework lacks effective restructuring options for companies, partnerships and individuals, contributing to disorderly recoveries, non-performing loans and loss of business value. The Bill would introduce rescue and insolvency procedures, creditor participation, moratoria, regulated insolvency professionals, a Regulatory Authority, and special mechanisms for MSMEs and “no assets, no income” debtors. He urged Parliament to support the Bill, citing international models and technical assistance, including from the IMF and World Bank. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human RightsParliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara objected to remarks made by Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe, stating that they amounted to an insult to the judiciary. He asserted that the judiciary should not be insulted and challenged him to repeat the remarks outside Parliament. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the matter under discussion was before court. He indicated that further parliamentary comment should take account of its pending judicial status. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary Raised a point of order noting that Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe had mentioned his name, but indicated that this was not the matter at issue. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary Asked whether the remarks being made in Parliament could be repeated outside the House, implying concern that they may rely on parliamentary privilege. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara said court proceedings and investigations into matters including Prageeth Eknaligoda’s disappearance and the Easter Sunday attacks are now progressing after initial delays caused by what he described as a collapsed system. He stated that further investigations may lead to charges and called on those implicated to answer them, while asserting that the Government would continue its programme despite Opposition attempts to obstruct it. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary The Minister said the Government is investigating the reported loss of USD 2.5 million to determine whether it resulted from negligence or fraud, and rejected claims that it was being concealed. He outlined a timeline of action, including detection on 22 March, a complaint on 24 March, internal audit measures, notification of the Financial Intelligence Unit and SLCERT, police reporting to court, interdiction of four officers, and cooperation with Australian and US authorities. He contrasted this response with alleged past financial losses under previous administrations, stating that the current Government is also investigating those matters and has filed cases, including in relation to Greek Bonds. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Justice & Human RightsSecurity & DefenceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary The member reminded the House that it had been agreed earlier, while the Speaker was in the Chair, that the debate would conclude at 5.00 p.m. He urged members to proceed in accordance with that decision. Procedural: Adjournment Motion Introduction Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the matter raised would be looked into. Oral Question Q.1 (233/2024): Establishment of Provincial High Court for Western Province Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara responded to concerns regarding the Panadura court premises, noting discussions with the Panadura Bar about repairs and vacant official quarters. He said the Judicial Service Commission had been informed that an additional official residence would be required if another Court of Appeal division is established there, and that engineers had identified a water-level issue affecting construction on part of the premises. He stated that the matter would be discussed further with the engineering team to take necessary steps. Oral Question Q.1 (233/2024): Establishment of Provincial High Court for Western Province InfrastructureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 5 May 2026 AI summary The Minister answered that no Judicial Service Commission recommendation has yet been made to establish a Civil Appellate High Court in Panadura, although a 2021 judicial zoning report proposed one. He said implementation requires concurrence from the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice, gazetting of recommendations, and review in light of current circumstances. He stated that a recent proposal from the Panadura Bar Association, including infrastructure proposals, has been referred to the Judicial Service Commission, with further action dependent on its recommendations. Oral Question Q.1 (233/2024): Establishment of Provincial High Court for Western Province Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara proposed that Hon. Sagarika Athawuda take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Sagarika Athawuda assumed it. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 April 2026 AI summary The Attorney-at-Law tabled a written answer stating that overcrowding and staff shortages affect Kalutara Prison and many other prisons nationwide, with new buildings planned at Kalutara and other institutions to ease congestion. He detailed ongoing recruitment and promotion processes for Prison Guards and Sergeants, including 317 Guard appointments in 2025, examinations and interviews for further vacancies, and expected deployments by June 2026. The answer said staff shortages contribute to operational difficulties, transfers, and occasional delays in producing inmates before courts, while new vehicles, further recruitments, and a staff review seeking revised cadre approval are intended to address these issues. Oral Questions: Second Round and Supplementary Questions Public FinanceLaw & Order Read →
- 10 April 2026 AI summary In terms of Standing Order 50(2), the Minister stated that the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Administration, Justice and Civil Security had examined the “Rescue, Rehabilitation and Asset Forfeiture (Institutional and Private)” Bill and recommended its referral to the Committee on Public Finance. He proposed, with the leave of the House, that the Bill be so referred, and the House agreed. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government would pursue accountability for the Easter Sunday attacks, including filing cases against alleged masterminds and concluding trial-at-bar proceedings. He stated that injustice to victims must not recur and that the Government would not politicize the matter. He also referred to the harassment faced by the Muslim community after the attacks and said such treatment should not happen again under any government. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Security & DefenceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and related preceding incidents are now progressing, including a daily Trial-at-Bar against 25 accused and inquiries into alleged diversion of earlier investigations. He argued that the 2018 Vavunativu police murders were wrongly attributed to rehabilitated LTTE cadres and are now being linked to Zaharan Hashim’s group, suggesting that proper investigation at the time could have prevented the Easter attacks. He criticized opposition figures for calling the debate after the arrest of “Saleh” and questioned political attempts to frame Zaharan alone as the mastermind, while also referring to the post-attack victimization of Muslim communities and rejecting racism and extremism. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Justice & Human RightsSecurity & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara moved that Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Chanaka Madugoda left the Chair and Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 April 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara proposed that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Parliamentary Procedure Read →