Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney at Law, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Colombo

Minister of Justice and National Integration

Profession: Attorney-at-Law

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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

17 February 2026 AI summary Moved that the Bill be read a Third time and sought leave to correct language, printing, grammatical and numerical errors and make consequential amendments. The motion was agreed to, and the Bill was read a Third time and passed. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the Government does not agree, indicating its opposition to the matter under consideration. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the Government does not agree, without providing further explanation or elaboration in the recorded speech. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the Government did not agree, indicating opposition to the matter under consideration. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary A division was called, and the House proceeded to vote after the Division Bell was rung. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Division on Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara clarified that the Bill has prospective application and is not retrospective, stating that it complies with the Constitution, which protects the President’s pension but not MPs’ pensions. He also addressed the recent murder of a lawyer, noting that 12 police teams are investigating, four alleged assistants have been arrested, and the Government condemns the act and will pursue the perpetrators. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the Opposition had again avoided addressing the substance of the Bill under discussion. His brief remark was procedural and critical of the Opposition’s approach to the debate. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 February 2026 AI summary Moved the Second Reading of a Bill to abolish the non-contributory pension entitlement for Members of Parliament, stating it would apply prospectively to current and future MPs after enactment while not requiring existing pensioners to repay benefits. He framed the measure as fulfilling a National People’s Power election pledge and cited the January 2025 payment of Rs. 34,406,186 in former MPs’ pensions as context for the reform. He also referred to public approval data, government actions on reducing presidential privileges, narcotics and crime, and condemned the recent killing of an attorney and his spouse, saying investigations and arrests were proceeding. Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Debate Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary The Minister stated that under the Code of Criminal Procedure, criminal trials should proceed on a day-to-day basis, with long adjournments being exceptional and proceedings held in open court. He said state properties, including former “Minister bungalows,” were being repurposed as court facilities to expedite cases because new courthouses cannot be built immediately. He noted that several courts had already been opened and a further five or six were planned, framing the measure as part of the Government’s pledge to reduce delays in criminal justice. Division: Resolution under Public Security Ordinance Justice & Human Rights Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said Rs. 2.85 million would be released to the relevant High Court and then to the Kaluwanchikudy Magistrate’s Court by 9 February for excavation work. He attributed the delay to procedural requirements, court vacations, Cyclone Ditwah, and the need to clarify budget rates for audit purposes, and apologized to the affected families. He said subsequent funding tranches should be faster, noted his personal involvement in the excavations, and stated that DNA analysis would proceed simultaneously with excavations, followed by required religious rites. Private Notice Questions: MSMEs and Kalmunai Massacre Site Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
5 February 2026 AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Annual Reports of the Office on Missing Persons for 2022, 2023 and 2024, along with the 2024 Annual Report of the Office for Reparations. He proposed that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Governance, Justice and Civil Security, and the House agreed. Papers Presented: Government Reports and Annual Reports Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration responded to Members’ concerns on a Bill, stating that some criticisms were based on misunderstandings and that consultations would continue before enactment. He undertook to verify whether Fundamental Rights cases had been filed, clarify the Bill’s applicability and related concerns, and improve the Bill through the consultation process. The sitting was then suspended for the lunch interval until 1.00 p.m. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary The Minister said the Tenant Protection Bill is intended to prevent unlawful “self-help” evictions, such as cutting utilities or blocking access, and does not stop landlords from evicting tenants after a lease ends or after lawful notice under a contract. He rejected claims that the Bill would undermine the rental market, stating that it protects only tenants facing illegal pressure without a court order. He noted that the Bill was gazetted in September 2025, public submissions were invited, the Bar Association’s proposals are being considered, and the Government will allow another month for input before proceeding to the Second Reading and correcting any technical issues. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Justice & Human RightsParliamentary ProcedureLand & Housing Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara acknowledged delays in addressing required changes to legislation introduced by Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, while stating that retrospective legislation cannot be pursued. He said the matter has been referred to the Law Commission and affirmed readiness to act once the process allows. Adjournment Debate: Stock Exchange Activity and Ministerial Response Law & Order Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary The Minister responded to concerns raised by Hon. Mano Ganesan on criminal justice and prison issues, stating that the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, No. 25 of 2024 applies only to judgments after 3 May 2024 and that retrospective application may be unconstitutional, with the matter referred to the Law Commission for review. He said Cabinet approval has been obtained to create 50 temporary Scientific Research Officer posts to address Government Analyst’s Department backlogs contributing to case delays and prison overcrowding. He also stated that a general amnesty has been proposed to the President for Independence Day 2026, including provision for prisoners over 65 years of age. Adjournment Debate: Stock Exchange Activity and Ministerial Response Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the Government, including the President and its Members, is committed to protecting the independence of the Attorney General’s Department and all institutions while upholding the rule of law. Responding to concerns raised by the Leader of the Opposition and commentary on social media, he said he is accountable to the President for his ministerial responsibilities and would not act on unverified allegations, but assured that action would be taken against offences regardless of position or status. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
23 January 2026 AI summary The Minister replied to questions under Standing Order 27(2) on the appointment and independence of the Attorney-General, stating that the President appoints the Attorney-General only with Constitutional Council approval under Articles 41A(1) and 61E, a mechanism restored by the 21st Amendment. He said the Government acts within existing constitutional and statutory safeguards, including the removal procedures in Act No. 5 of 2002, to prevent arbitrary removal and ensure due process. He added that criticisms of the Attorney-General and other public bodies are recognized as expressions of opinion, but the Government would take lawful measures if such opinions affect the Attorney-General’s independence. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary Under Section 27 of the Office for Reparations Act, reparations are available to persons affected by armed conflict in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, political unrest or civil disturbances, serious long-term harm, enforced disappearances, or property damage. The Minister stated that incidents described as “mob violence” would need to fall within these defined categories, particularly political unrest or civil disturbances, to qualify for assistance under the Government’s 2022 reparations policy. He added that compensation schemes are implemented without district- or province-based distinctions. Oral Question No. 3 (1009/2025) - Government reparations and compensation Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary The Minister said prison overcrowding and delays in Government Analyst reports were longstanding issues, noting that facilities built for about 10,500 inmates held around 28,000 when the Government took office. He stated that approval had been obtained to recruit 50 officers for the Government Analyst’s Department, with further vacancies to be filled, aiming to issue reports within three months. He also said drug-related bail delays arise because current law sends cases involving over 10 grams to the Court of Appeal before a GA report clarifies jurisdiction, and that amendments are being pursued to allow High Courts to grant bail. He added that voluntary rehabilitation programmes exist under the Ministry of Public Security, while acknowledging complications involving offenders who also possess drugs. Oral Question No. 2 (812/2025) - Prison overcrowding Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
21 January 2026 AI summary The Minister acknowledged prison overcrowding and said the Government is expanding capacity in existing facilities, adding new sections, and repurposing suitable State-owned buildings rather than waiting for new construction. He identified delays in Government Analyst reports, caused by staff shortages, as a major factor in remand congestion and said recruitment is under way to speed up reports and bail applications. He also noted plans to expand community-based corrections, which diverted 16,000–17,000 offenders last year, and to amend drug-related bail laws so High Courts can grant bail instead of requiring applications only to the Court of Appeal. Oral Question No. 2 (812/2025) - Prison overcrowding Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →