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- 21 October 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that prisons are holding remand and convicted inmates beyond their designed capacity, creating health and environmental concerns. He said the Government is constructing new buildings and relocating some facilities, and undertook to examine the situation at Wariyapola specifically. He requested further details from Members and said action would be taken to ensure the safety of inmates and nearby residents. Oral Question 9: First Prison in Sri Lanka and Prison Conditions Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration responded to concerns about public safety near long-established remand prisons, stating that villagers’ fears or requests for clarification should be addressed. He said the matter could be discussed, including the possible establishment of a police post, and asked the Member to submit the issue in writing so he could intervene through the Ministry of Public Security if necessary. Oral Question 9: First Prison in Sri Lanka and Prison Conditions Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration provided answers to a parliamentary question on prison facilities and inmate accommodation. He stated that Welikada Prison was established in 1844, tabled annexes containing requested data, and cited accommodation standards for cells and wards. He also identified Wariyapola Prison as relevant to the question, with a capacity of 1,188 and an average inmate population of 1,636 in August 2025. Oral Question 9: First Prison in Sri Lanka and Prison Conditions Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 10 October 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that he had requested relevant information from the Judicial Service Commission and therefore sought two weeks to respond. He noted that he had not previously asked for additional time on the question and requested the Member’s indulgence. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government had achieved economic stabilization and cited the IMF staff-level agreement on the Fifth Review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility, with expected access to about USD 347 million subject to Executive Board approval. He criticized the Opposition for using parliamentary privilege to make allegations rather than engaging substantively on legislation, while asserting that the Government was restoring the rule of law through investigations, judicial reforms, court digitization, and action on complaints of delay or misconduct. He outlined plans to operationalize additional special courts for bribery, corruption and fraud cases, stated that over 60 Bills were at committee stage, and said reforms including anti-terrorism and online safety laws were being aligned with international standards. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Final Speeches Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara moved that Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara take the Chair. The House agreed to the motion, after which Hon. Chanaka Madugoda vacated the Chair and Hon. (Prof.) Sena Nanayakkara assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that the matters raised were under investigation and that the individual concerned had responded only to questions from the Committee, not made voluntary statements to the media. He argued that Parliament should not compel disclosure of details related to ongoing investigations, as doing so could interfere with or disrupt the investigative process. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Government and Opposition Speeches Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara acknowledged reports of extortion and ill-treatment within prisons and said officers had been transferred, removed, or recruited as part of efforts to address long-standing institutional corruption. He said prison overcrowding, particularly among remand prisoners, could not be solved by infrastructure alone, and outlined measures to expedite Government Analyst reports, facilitate quicker bail, and consider legal reforms enabling High Courts to grant bail more promptly. He added that 50 officers had been recruited to the Government Analyst’s Department, with the aim of strengthening human rights protections and reducing prolonged detention. Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya Law & OrderCorruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration said he did not have details of the specific case raised, but noted that charities sometimes pay bail or fines to secure inmate releases. He undertook to inquire into the matter, requested contact with the lawyers involved, and said he would intervene if necessary information showed that eligible inmates had not been released after fines were paid. Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya Justice & Human Rights Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary As of 23 September 2025, prisons held 34,765 inmates, comprising 10,509 convicted prisoners and 24,256 remand prisoners. The Minister stated that there is no procedure to release prisoners solely after 20 years, as releases depend on court-imposed sentences and sentence calculation under Prison Rules, with remission not applicable to death or life sentences. He also reported that 2,122 prisoners were in custody as of 31 August 2025 due to inability to pay fines, and noted that such prisoners may be released only through normal sentence completion or Presidential pardons under Article 34 of the Constitution. Oral Questions Nos. 03, 04, 05: Prison Inmates, Mahiyangana Fair, GN Offices in Vavuniya Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary Moved the Bill for its Third Reading and sought leave to correct any typographical, grammatical, or numbering errors. The motion was agreed to, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Voting and Third Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary The Minister moved the Second Reading of the Bill to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, arguing that statutory post-office benefits such as residences, staff allowances, transport and related facilities have enabled misuse of public funds. He stated that the Bill does not affect the presidential pension under Article 36 of the Constitution, and that security for former Presidents is handled separately through Cabinet decisions and threat assessments. Citing Supreme Court cases involving former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Maithripala Sirisena, he said courts had found attempts to expand entitlements beyond the Act to be unlawful or unsupported. He urged support for the repeal as a measure to reduce wasteful expenditure, uphold equality before the law, and treat public funds as held in trust for the people. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderPublic Finance Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed that an expert team is accessing the mass grave site under OMP coordination following Court leave sought on 26 August 2025, with an interim report to precede any Magistrate-ordered excavation and exhumation. He stated that adequate funding will be approved, investigative methods will follow expert opinion and international protocols, and international assistance will be sought if needed. He also outlined Court-led inter-agency coordination involving relevant institutions and said dignified last rites would follow scientific identification processes and consultation with families, religious leaders and civil society, with the process expected to commence by October subject to weather. Oral Questions: Jaffna Massacre (Q. 2-117/2024) and Displaced Persons in Valikamam North (Q. 3-1253/2025) Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human RightsPublic Finance Read →
- 10 September 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration presented the 2024 Performance Report of the Prisoners’ Welfare Fund of the Department of Prisons. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection, and the motion was agreed to. Tabling of Reports and Papers (Annual Reports and Performance Reports) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government had acted on reports that returnees from India were being detained, describing it as an isolated technical issue and asking the UN and international partners to cooperate reasonably while offering assistance. He acknowledged criticisms of the Office on Missing Persons, citing weaknesses noted in the UNHRC report, and said he would submit a Cabinet Paper to appoint a 75-member expert panel and seek allocations to expedite investigations. He also said ONUR is working with the UN on a reconciliation roadmap, and that the OMP is engaged with 17 mass grave sites, including Chemmani and Matale, with support being sought from the ICRC and other partners. He urged members to work together on reconciliation and missing persons issues beyond partisan politics. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Foreign AffairsEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara said committees are progressing reforms to the Online Safety Act, the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, and the proposed Independent Public Prosecutor’s Office, with consultation processes planned and the MMDA expected to be finalized by next year. He stated that the Government acknowledges UNHRC concerns as a basis for strengthening democracy, justice and reconciliation, and said the Batalanda Commission Report is with the Attorney-General for consideration of possible criminal charges. He defended the Government’s rule-of-law approach, saying investigations involving former President Ranil Wickremesinghe were not politically instigated and that the Judiciary, Police and investigative authorities are independent, while adding that the Government remains open to correcting mistakes. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
- 22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the Government is moving to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act with legislation based on an international definition of terrorism while safeguarding human rights and freedom of expression, with technical assistance from UN experts. He said a committee chaired by Justice Thurairaja has been appointed to examine sentence remission for long-term prisoners, including those outside PTA cases, with a policy proposal to be brought to Cabinet. He also said the Online Safety Act is considered oppressive and that a ministerial committee is preparing replacement legislation to address cyberbullying and online harm without restricting free expression. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Law & OrderEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara rejected claims that the NPP Government was racist or inactive on Tamil concerns, arguing that it had adopted an inclusive national approach and begun addressing issues affecting the North, East and South. Referring to the OHCHR report, he acknowledged that concrete outcomes were still limited but said the Government had been in office for only about a year and would deliver on its commitments. He criticized what he described as divisive racial politics and highlighted the appointment of a committee headed by President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne to examine repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 22 August 2025 AI summary The Minister thanked the mover of the Adjournment Motion and said the issue was timely ahead of the forthcoming UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva. He emphasized that the NPP treats human rights as a national and inclusive concern, citing the presence and participation of Ministers and MPs from different communities, including the North and East. He criticized the main Opposition, the SJB, for its absence and limited participation, arguing that it appeared to regard human rights as mainly a Tamil and Muslim issue. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Justice & Human RightsParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 August 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute’s 2024 Report to Parliament and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Administration, Justice and Civil Security. The motion was agreed to. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →