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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
  • 20 August 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a written answer stating that the Ministry of Justice and National Integration is pursuing smart court initiatives under the Government’s policy statement, with Kandy and Negombo selected for a Rapid Digital Strategy pilot under the EU-funded “Justice for All” programme. He outlined UNDP-supported Model Court Initiative measures including case management systems, backlog analysis, court calendars, e-filing of bail applications, remote testimony arrangements, and training for judges, court staff and lawyers across listed courts. He further stated that audio-visual technology for remote hearings and remandee video-link appearances is being provided through development partners, including UNODC, and that no Government funds are used for these projects. Oral Questions (Second Round): Various Ministries Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary The Member moved that the Bill be read a Third time and sought leave to correct typographical, grammatical, and numbering errors, along with any consequential amendments. The House agreed to the motion, and the Bill was read a Third time and passed. Bills of Exchange (Amendment) Bill - Passage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary Moved the Second Reading of the Bill, after which Parliament agreed to it and referred the Bill to a Committee of the whole Parliament. The Bill was considered in Committee, with Clauses 1 to 18, the Enacting Clause, and the Title ordered to stand part of the Bill, and it was reported without amendment. Bills of Exchange (Amendment) Bill - Passage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration presented the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill, which seeks to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986. The Bill was scheduled for Second Reading on 21 August 2025, ordered to be printed, and referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection. Bills Presented: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill Law & OrderParliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary Argued that the constitutional requirement under Article 78(1) had been satisfied for presenting the Bill. He stated that although the Gazette was printed on the 30th, it was published on the 31st, so the seven-day period began on the 31st and was completed on the 6th, leaving no procedural impediment to presenting it that day. Points of Order - Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara stated that pardons for prisoners convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act fall under the President’s constitutional powers under Article 34, not the Minister of Justice. He said families of around 11 to 15 imprisoned individuals had submitted names for consideration, and while he is studying the matter, any decision or application for pardon must be directed to the President. Ministry Statement: Release of Tamil Political Prisoners Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary In response to a Standing Order 27(2) question by Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan, the Minister provided figures on Tamil suspects and prisoners connected to LTTE activities held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, including 4 suspects and 88 prisoners with various sentence statuses. He identified the prisons where they are detained and noted that transfers may occur for court or security reasons. He outlined the legal avenues for release, including completion of sentence, bail, acquittal or discharge by court, appeal outcomes, and presidential pardon or remission under Article 34 of the Constitution. Ministry Statement: Release of Tamil Political Prisoners Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
  • 7 August 2025 AI summary Presented the 2023 Annual Report of the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses to Parliament. He moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Administration, Justice and Civil Security, and the motion was agreed to. Tabling of Reports and Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 August 2025 AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that he had answered the questions as specifically asked and categorized. He clarified that statistics on the number of cases filed had not been requested or compiled for the response, and said the question could be re-submitted if that information was required. Oral Question: Cases Filed by Attorney-General's Department (Q.2/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 August 2025 AI summary The member said aggregate case figures are generally around 15,000 to 20,000, but requested that the question be framed more specifically. He proposed asking how many criminal cases were filed during the relevant period, stating that he could then provide the requested information. Oral Question: Cases Filed by Attorney-General's Department (Q.2/2025) Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 6 August 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that the requested data on cases involving politicians and public officials cannot be provided because the Attorney-General’s Department does not record information by an accused person’s social status, profession, or rank. He explained that records are maintained using codes such as region or offence category, and not in a form that would allow categorization of cases by politicians or public officials accused of fraud, corruption, or homicide. Oral Question: Cases Filed by Attorney-General's Department (Q.2/2025) Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 5 August 2025 AI summary Approval was sought for regulations made by the Minister of Justice and National Integration under Sections 61 and 45 of the Judicature Act, No. 2 of 1978. The regulations were published in Extraordinary Gazette No. 2439/34 of 4 June 2025, presented to Parliament on 11 July 2025, and had received Cabinet approval; the motion was agreed to. Procedural: Justice and National Integration Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 August 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that suspects with mental illness may be dealt with under Section 376 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, while briefly responding to remarks made by other Members. He then presented and sought approval for Rules under the Community Mediation Boards (Appointment, Suspension, Cancellation and Code of Conduct) Act, No. 3 of 2023, noting that the details had been tabled. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 5 August 2025 AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said complaints arising from “Operation Yuktīya” under Deshbandu Tennakoon are being investigated, with relief to be granted where warranted, and defended keeping the report on the 309 containers confidential until investigations are completed. He argued that Deshbandu’s appointment as IGP was procedurally questionable and said the debate should focus on alleged abuses by Deshbandu, while noting that the previous political authority had already been rejected by voters. He outlined charges before the committee, including allegations that Deshbandu gave unlawful verbal orders connected to the Weligama W15 Hotel shooting, and assured honest public officers that the Government would protect those acting in good faith. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Corruption & Governance ReformLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 5 August 2025 AI summary The Minister argued that the removal proceedings concerning Deshbandu Tennakoon were being conducted lawfully under the Constitution and the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002. He linked the debate to the Government’s stated commitment to the rule of law, citing public grievances during the 2022 Aragalaya and asserting that the current administration has sought to ensure that Ministers and MPs are not above the law. He rejected Opposition criticisms as baseless and said following legal procedure, rather than using political power summarily, was a strength of the Government. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Justice & Human RightsParliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
  • 5 August 2025 AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration presented the 2024 Performance Report of the Legal Aid Commission Department. He moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Management, Justice and Security, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Reports and Regulations Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 24 July 2025 AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that Government Analyst reports are essential in drug cases to establish the substance, quantity, and scientific composition required to prove offences beyond reasonable doubt, while field tests are only preliminary. He acknowledged problems in the current process and said steps would be taken to address them. He added that recent arrests increasingly involve large quantities of drugs, while persons found with under one gram are generally granted bail quickly by courts. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
  • 24 July 2025 AI summary The Minister said delays in Government Analyst reports are creating difficulties in narcotics cases, including determining the proper court forum after an amendment to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance requiring cases involving over 10 grams to go to the Court of Appeal. He noted that Cabinet approval has been sought to recruit 32 contract officers to expedite reports, following increased workload from about 6,000 recent narcotics arrests. He also referenced a COVID-period policy to reduce prison overcrowding, including decisions on cases involving smaller quantities of heroin, which depended on Government Analyst reports. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 24 July 2025 AI summary The Minister acknowledged delays in the analysis of case exhibits, noting over 29,432 pending exhibits, including about 17,248 in the Narcotics Division, which receives 200–250 exhibits daily. He said the delays are linked to 322 vacancies in the Sri Lanka Scientific Service and 89 support-service vacancies, with existing officers working beyond normal hours. Measures outlined included urgent recruitment through the Public Service Commission, seeking Cabinet approval to hire science graduates on contract, increasing the approved cadre, filling related technical and support posts, and using new technology to provide analytical evidence in court. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Public FinanceJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 24 July 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government Analyst’s Department is Sri Lanka’s only State forensic laboratory, providing forensic and food science services to courts, law enforcement and other State institutions, while also handling training, procurement evaluations, expert testimony and crime scene work. He said the Department had 125 vacancies as at 30 June 2025 and acknowledged that many court cases are delayed due to late Analyst’s reports. Measures identified to reduce delays include workflow prioritization, recruitment, equipment and laboratory upgrades, training, and improved inter-agency coordination. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →