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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
  • 6 March 2026 AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the age limit of 75 for the honorary office was determined by a committee rather than by an individual decision. He said the limit was intended to ensure sufficient mental and physical capacity to handle complex documents, and added that the matter could be referred back to the committee if compelling reasons for reconsideration are presented. Oral Question: Justices of the Peace (Q.23/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government is establishing a new mechanism to depoliticize Justice of the Peace appointments, following large numbers of appointments made near elections. He stated that existing appointments will not be cancelled wholesale, but a modern database will be created with biennial data updates, certification through Grama Niladhari and Divisional Secretariat channels, and complaint mechanisms via WhatsApp, email and telephone. The system will also allow verification of a JP’s seal and identity. Oral Question: Justices of the Peace (Q.23/2024) Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 6 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration said a formal system for appointing and guiding Justices of the Peace has been introduced from 2025, including an updated handbook available online and by QR code. He stated that 66,315 JPs have been appointed since 2013, though records cannot distinguish appointment categories, and that about 40,000 vacancies were identified using a new methodology based on population density and terrain, with 500–750 appointments being issued monthly since June 2025. He outlined new minimum educational, age, health, and integrity requirements, complaint mechanisms for public accountability, and formal training for new appointees from November 2025. Oral Question: Justices of the Peace (Q.23/2024) Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 3 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that 793 death-sentenced prisoners whose appeals are exhausted and who have not received a Presidential pardon are in prison, but declined to provide their names to protect privacy. He acknowledged that former Presidents had granted pardons in such cases, sometimes on committee recommendations and sometimes individually. He said Cabinet approval has been obtained to appoint a committee including a Supreme Court Judge and relevant institutions to develop an objective process, with further action to follow its report and Cabinet approval. Deferred Questions and Parliament Adjournment Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 20 February 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that he would respond only to supplementary questions arising from the main question and limited his answer to the requested statistics rather than individual cases. He declined to address individual matters and added a political remark referring to conduct during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency. Oral Question: Three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court (Q.1/1206/2024) Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration declined to answer a supplementary question on the grounds that it did not arise from the principal question. He stated that supplementary questions must be related to the original question. Oral Question: Three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court (Q.1/1206/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 February 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that Permanent High Courts-at-Bar remain operational, with case assignments handled by the Judicial Service Commission and the Chief Justice, and trial-at-bar references decided by the Attorney-General and the Chief Justice. He said the Ministry of Justice is responsible for infrastructure, including seven additional High Courts, and assured that recruitment of stenographers and support staff would enable more expeditious hearings by mid-year. Oral Question: Three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court (Q.1/1206/2024) Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 20 February 2026 AI summary The Minister answered a question on the Permanent High Court-at-Bar, citing Section 127C(1)(a) of the Judicature (Amendment) Act, No. 9 of 2018 and stating it commenced on 4 July 2018. He provided case statistics for the two courts, including pending and concluded matters, and listed currently active cases with next hearing dates. He said the Government expects to re-establish the FCID and anticipates more bribery and corruption cases, while seven additional High Courts are planned, including five at Hulftsdorp, to function as trial-at-bar or single-judge courts to expedite proceedings. Oral Question: Three-Judge Anti-Corruption Permanent High Court (Q.1/1206/2024) Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that information sought for Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe’s question had been requested from the Judicial Service Commission but had not yet been received, so he could not answer it that day. He asked that the record reflect that Hon. Senasinghe’s absence was due to being informed of this delay, and that the question be taken up later without prejudice. Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration formally moved that Parliament adjourn. The Presiding Member then put the question to the House. Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary Moved that the amended Bill be read a Third time and sought leave to correct typographical, printing, grammatical and numerical errors and make consequential amendments. The motion was agreed to, and the Bill, as amended, was read the Third time and passed. Debate (Final Stage): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Third Reading and Amendments Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary Moved amendments to the Bill to revise provisions on dangerous drugs offences committed on ships on the high seas, including manufacture of heroin, cocaine, morphine or opium derivatives, punishable by death or life imprisonment upon High Court conviction. The amendments also clarified wording on possession above prescribed quantities or trafficking and defined “high seas” in line with international law, after which the amendments were agreed to and the Bill was reported with amendments. Debate (Final Stage): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Third Reading and Amendments Law & Order Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary The motion was moved for the Bill to be read a second time, and the House agreed. The Bill was then referred to a Committee of the whole Parliament, where Clause 1 was considered and ordered to stand part of the Bill. Debate (Final Stage): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Third Reading and Amendments Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary Moved the Bill be read a Third time and sought leave to correct typographical, printing, grammatical and numerical errors and make consequential amendments. The House agreed to the motion, and the Bill was read a Third time and passed. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary Moved that Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj left the Chair and Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi assumed it. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that, under the Code of Criminal Procedure, daily trials are the norm and are necessary to expedite cases, particularly the Easter attack cases involving 23,000 charges, which could otherwise take eight to ten years if heard monthly. He said the court is open but located outside the main Hulftsdorp complex due to space constraints, with efforts to move matters into the complex as facilities improve. He declined to comment on judicial promotions, noting that they fall under the Judicial Service Commission. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary A motion was moved by Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara that Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. M.K.M. Aslam left the Chair and Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj assumed it. Debate (continued): Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara raised a point of order to dispute statements made by Hon. Ajith P. Perera, saying they were inaccurate and amounted to contempt of court. He clarified that the relevant court proceedings are open to the public and media, not conducted in secret, and noted that similar remarks made outside Parliament would carry legal consequences. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government has intensified narcotics enforcement through the “Get Out” programme, citing increased seizures of heroin, “ice” and cannabis in 2025 compared with 2024 and over 280,000 arrests. He explained that amendments to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the Judicature Act are intended to establish Sri Lankan jurisdiction over drug offences committed on the high seas, in line with UNCLOS and UN drug conventions, and to enable prosecution of traffickers intercepted by the Navy or Coast Guard. He also stated that demand reduction must accompany supply enforcement, proposing expanded voluntary rehabilitation and a public-health approach for drug users while targeting large-scale traffickers. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Law & OrderJustice & Human RightsSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 19 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration moved the Second Reading of the Judicature (Amendment) Bill and also presented the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill for Second Reading. He indicated that he would outline the background to the two Bills in the context of actions taken since the Government assumed office. Procedural: Points of Order on Standing Orders and Bill Presentation Justice & Human Rights Read →