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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
  • 9 April 2026 AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the debate concerned approval of regulations under the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts, the President’s Proclamation under the Public Security Ordinance, and a Resolution under the Essential Public Services Act, rather than the Easter attacks. He argued that the extension of Emergency Regulations for one month was needed to continue post-Cyclone Ditva relief, rehabilitation, and essential service distribution, and stated that these powers had been used for disaster response rather than suppression. He also outlined government relief measures, including housing and bereavement compensation, targeted welfare payments, fuel support for fishermen, fertilizer increases, and temporary absorption of electricity cost increases, while linking current fuel and gas pressures to Middle East tensions and global supply disruptions. Debate on Regulations under Defence Acts and Extension of State of Emergency Parliamentary ProcedurePublic FinanceSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 8 April 2026 AI summary A procedural motion was moved proposing that Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi take the Chair. The House agreed, after which the Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 April 2026 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration presented the 2024 Annual Report of the National Institute of Language Education and Training. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Administration, Justice and Civil Security, and the motion was agreed to. Tabling of Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 April 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the relevant matters raised in parts (a)(i) to (iii) were all affirmed. He said a committee chaired by retired Court of Appeal Judge Ruwan Fernando, including representatives of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, was appointed on 29 August 2025 to study the issue and recommend necessary amendments. The committee is expected to submit its report to him before 1 June 2026, and he indicated that part (c) does not arise. Written Answers to Questions Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 7 April 2026 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration responded to a question on the Debt Conciliation Board, confirming that a committee had reported on 15 July 2025 and that a Technical Committee was appointed on 22 September 2025 to review existing procedures, proposed amendments, and implementation of recommendations. He stated that legal amendments are expected following that review and provided the composition of both committees and the current Debt Conciliation Board structure, including the main board and branch boards. He also reported that the Board has 19 members, 40 staff members, and an allocation of Rs. 98 million. Written Answers to Questions Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 20 March 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is committed to securing justice and closure for families of missing persons across all regions, while acknowledging the pain related to disappearances at the end of the war in 2009. He said concerns about appointments to the Office for Reparations would be raised in appropriate forums, and noted that the CTUR Act has been referred to the Law Commission because some provisions conflict with the Office for Reparations Act and the OMP Act. He affirmed that disappearances and killings would be addressed under local criminal law, with new laws if needed, and said the Government is seeking international expertise, assistance and training to support enforcement over the coming years. Oral Question: Accountability for Disappeared Persons and UNHRC Engagement Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
  • 20 March 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations have been strengthened through new recruitment, budget allocations and Cabinet approval to extend the OMP mandate to cases beyond 2000 and newly reported complaints. He said Rs. 375 million has been allocated for a 75-member inquiry panel, with plans to complete 5,000 complaints this year and 6,000 next year, while referring identified perpetrators to relevant authorities. He outlined OMP work on mass grave cases, forensic training, database development, Certificates of Absence, regional outreach and family engagement. He also described the legal framework and activities of the Office for Reparations, including revival payments to 4,456 claimants by end-2025 and collective reparation initiatives in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Oral Question: Accountability for Disappeared Persons and UNHRC Engagement Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 20 March 2026 AI summary The Minister said the Government recognizes that many persons remain unaccounted for after the final stages of the conflict, but noted that figures vary due to differing records and methodologies, citing 2,764 based on records since 2009 while acknowledging it is debatable. He outlined steps by the Office on Missing Persons, with ICRC support, to consolidate records, develop a comprehensive database, strengthen data collection and coordination, and build forensic capacity for mass grave investigations. On the Chemmani mass grave and other sites, he said investigations are being conducted under judicial supervision with allocated funding, trained personnel, forensic procedures and international technical support. He rejected the UN’s SLAP initiative as an external mechanism not accepted by Sri Lanka, and said the Government is strengthening the OMP after a period of insufficient political support. Oral Question: Accountability for Disappeared Persons and UNHRC Engagement Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 20 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that the question was being raised for the first time and requested two weeks to provide a response. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 March 2026 AI summary The Minister moved approval under Section 26(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, for the remuneration and service conditions of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption’s staff, stating that this is necessary to establish an independent 971-member cadre. He said legal clarifications had confirmed that the State Finance Management Act does not restrict appointments under the Anti-Corruption Act, and outlined related anti-corruption measures including dedicated courtrooms, FATF-linked procedures, and improved investigative capacity. He also urged that allegations such as those concerning coal procurement be referred to the relevant independent authorities, cited recent action by the Commission as evidence of independence, and briefly referred to economic reserves, contingency planning amid Iran–US tensions, and resolving issues with the QR Code system. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that CIABOC is not under any ministry and that a ministry cannot determine its salaries. He said any salary-related issue could be discussed with the Prime Minister and, if necessary, with the President, who holds the relevant powers. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 17 March 2026 AI summary Clarified that the current proposal does not address remuneration for Commissioners or Directors, as those matters are governed by Sections 23 and 24 of the Anti-Corruption Act. Any future salary increases for those positions would need to be considered separately and are not part of the item under discussion. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill for its Second Reading on 7 April 2026. The Bill was ordered to be printed and referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection. Bills Presented and Points of Order Justice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
  • 17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara acknowledged that inadequate court facilities are unacceptable and said long-standing infrastructure issues in courts are being addressed systematically. Referring to the specific court raised, he stated that the work is expected to be completed within the year and that efforts will be made to move the court into the proper building, avoiding continued rent payments. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Justice & Human RightsInfrastructure Read →
  • 17 March 2026 AI summary The Minister acknowledged that around 60 projects had been stalled due to the economic crisis when the government took office. He said action was initiated after the issue was raised through the District Coordination Committee and by letter, with Cabinet memoranda submitted and coordination undertaken with the Cabinet Secretariat and NBRO. He noted that recent cyclone conditions increased NBRO’s workload and caused delays, but stated that the aim is to complete the matter within the year. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
  • 17 March 2026 AI summary The Minister responded that the Morawaka court has operated since January 2021 in a rented building at Gatabaru Rajamaha Viharaya due to cracks and slope instability above the original court building, with a monthly rent of Rs. 440,000 and limited facilities. He said NBRO recommendations and updated designs have led to Cabinet-approved stabilization works, including reducing the retaining wall height and soil nailing, to be implemented with NBRO consultancy under an AIIB–Government of Sri Lanka funded landslide risk project. The work is expected to begin in April, be completed within six months, and allow repairs and reinstatement of the court in its original building by December. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Justice & Human RightsInfrastructure Read →
  • 17 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down accordingly. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 March 2026 AI summary The Minister said the Government is monitoring the evolving global situation under the President’s direction, including its economic, energy, and communications dimensions. He stated that appropriate action would be taken when necessary, in response to remarks by the Leader of the Opposition. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Security & DefenceForeign Affairs Read →
  • 6 March 2026 AI summary The Minister moved approval for a Gazette resolution under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance declaring specified essential services, arguing that the measure is limited to sectors such as energy, health, transport, water, food supply, banking, local authority services, irrigation, telecommunications and agriculture to ensure continuity of public services. He said the powers had facilitated relief operations after the “Dittu” cyclone by allowing resources and personnel to be redirected despite administrative constraints, and rejected Opposition claims that the regulations were intended for repression. He also defended the Government’s foreign policy amid Iran–US tensions, stating Sri Lanka remains neutral, supports peace, and will not allow its territory, airspace or waters to be used to harm others, while disputing Opposition and social media claims about a vessel and alleged intelligence-sharing. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Law & OrderPublic Finance Read →
  • 6 March 2026 AI summary The answer tabled provided overtime provision, expenditure and balances for the prison system from 2020 to 2025, showing expenditure rising from Rs. 785.1 million in 2020 to Rs. 1.91 billion in 2025. It attributed the increase to 24-hour operations across a nationwide prison network, severe overcrowding of about 40,000 inmates against capacity of about 11,000, staff shortages against the approved cadre, increased court-related duties, and higher overtime rates following salary increases. It stated that overtime should be properly managed and outlined measures including recruitment, virtual court appearances, expanded rehabilitation, expedited forensic reports, and greater use of community corrections to reduce congestion. Oral Questions: Various Tabled Answers (Health, Justice, Education) Public FinanceSecurity & DefenceLaw & Order Read →