Sitting of Saturday, 1 March 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1741955797040395 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Papers Papers Tabled: Annual Report of the Survey Department 2023 1 speeches
- 2 Petitions Petitions Presented 2 speeches
- 3 Procedural Procedural: Opposition Whip Introduction 3 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Fishery Harbours Development and Multi-Day Vessel Operations (Q.2/2025) 6 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Drinking Water Shortage in Ratnapura District (Q.1/2025) 6 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: LRC Land in Mahenawatta - Pitipana Sale (Q.3/2025) 7 speeches
- 7 Procedural Procedural: Question No. 5 stood down 3 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Bo Sapling Planting at Galle Port (Q.4/2025) 2 speeches
- 9 Oral question Standing Order 27(2) Question: Sustainable and Cost-Effective Energy Generation 16 speeches
- 10 Debate Debate: Fuel Supply and Energy Crisis (Discussion under Standing Order 27(2)) 80 speeches
- 11 Opening Ministerial Statement: Minister of Health and Media on Nurses' Concerns 1 speeches
- 12 Procedural Privilege Matter: Vice-Chancellor Appointment - Rajarata University 4 speeches
- 13 Papers Bills Presented: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill 1 speeches
- 14 Debate Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) 87 speeches
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB
AI summary Mano Ganesan moved the customary Rs. 10 cut to the relevant expenditure heads and urged the Ministry to treat national integration, social justice and equality as priorities alongside economic recovery and anti-corruption efforts. He called for constitutional reform and meaningful devolution within a united Sri Lanka, including strengthening the 13th Amendment, and asked the Government to dispel doubts about its commitment to devolution. He also emphasized full implementation of official language policy, proposing stronger use of the Official Languages Commission, Department of Official Languages and NILET to train and deploy language-skilled public officers and teachers so citizens can receive services in Sinhala or Tamil across the country.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister outlined Budget 2025 allocations for the justice sector, stating that Rs. 24 billion has been provided despite economic constraints and that the Ministry is addressing major backlogs, including over 1.1 million pending cases as of June 2024. He identified human resource shortages, stalled court infrastructure projects, and weak contract enforcement as key constraints, and said the Government will recruit judicial and non-judicial staff, resume 23 halted projects, construct a new Ministry building, and expand courts in underserved areas. He also proposed implementing pre-trial procedures, expanding Small Claims Courts, piloting digital courts in Kandy and Negombo, and strengthening the Attorney-General’s Department while beginning steps toward a separate prosecution service.
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper criticized the Budget and warned against attempts to entrench political power, drawing comparisons with past constitutional actions affecting the Opposition. He raised concerns over several major criminal investigations, including the Easter Sunday attacks, the murders of Lasantha Wickrematunge and Dinesh Schaffter, the Central Bank bond case, and recent organized killings, calling for consistent use of legal mechanisms, including PTA investigations and trial in absentia where appropriate. He also questioned the President’s remarks suggesting criminal links within the police, armed forces, judiciary, and legal profession, urging the Minister of Justice to clarify and defend confidence in the justice system. He concluded by warning against abuse of power and organized crime while stating that the Opposition would support the State in defending the country’s integrity.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara stated that remarks by Ven. Kagama Sirinanda Thero were made during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Government and clarified that the related social media post has only recently been recirculated. He sought to distinguish the timing of the original statement from its current circulation.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper stated that a sermon he referenced was delivered very recently, after recent underworld-related incidents. He said he was speaking responsibly and could provide evidence of the sermon if required.
Law & Order Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama said the 2025 Budget reflects the National People’s Power mandate to reform multiple sectors, including the justice system. He highlighted inadequate court facilities in the Gampaha District, particularly the Pugoda Court, and stated that funds have been allocated to expedite proper court operations. He argued that the location of courts, police stations, and legal reforms should be based on evidence and policy rather than political influence or personal preferences, citing complications from the Civil Procedure Code (Amendment) Act, No. 43 of 2024.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary The Government plans to review problems in bail law and the bail-granting process and introduce necessary reforms. It also aims to improve equal access to legal services, noting the high costs faced by the public, with the 2025 Budget presented as an initial step toward broader legal-sector remedies in future years.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK
AI summary The member highlighted infrastructure and staffing deficiencies in courts in Batticaloa District, including delays in the Valaichenai court building, inadequate facilities in Eravur and Vakarai, and shortages of Registrars, and urged the Ministry of Justice to prioritize these under its Budget measures. He also raised severe overcrowding and sanitation issues at Batticaloa Prison and called for its long-term relocation and development of a proper prison complex. He requested an inquiry into alleged Forest Department actions against cultivators in Vakarai and called for justice for affected communities, while also noting the need for a mechanism to address wartime injustices affecting Tamil-speaking people.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB
AI summary Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne argued that prison policy should address groups excluded by social and economic structures, citing severe overcrowding, the high number of remandees and drug-related detainees, and the low educational attainment of inmates. She outlined Budget allocations for prison infrastructure, sanitation, software, vocational training, staff salaries, recruitment, and the Pallekele Prison Complex, and referred to the Government’s prison policy based on the Nelson Mandela Rules. She also highlighted the Criminal Procedure Code amendment to allow audio-visual testimony, plans to recruit 1,000 probation officers to expand community-based corrections, and measures for children in custody, including separate transport and funding for probation, reform, and child-care institutions.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF
AI summary Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne reviewed legislative work undertaken in the justice sector since 2022, stating that 36 Acts and multiple regulations were passed under successive Justice Ministers, with around 90 further drafts in progress. He highlighted laws connected to GSP+, the IMF programme, Central Bank independence, anti-corruption, and election expenditure regulation, and urged effective implementation, including possible amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act and speedy presentation of pending Bills. He also called for phased digitalization of the court system, including SMS court notices and digital record rooms, given fiscal constraints.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the matter in question has been initiated and that a previously halted process has now been restarted.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF
AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne urged the justice authorities to continue digitizing court services module by module, noting recent POS machine installation and difficulties faced in obtaining court records. He called for action on draft house arrest legislation to reduce remand congestion and requested a retrospective amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure so that remand and appeal periods count toward sentences for prisoners sentenced before 1 July, saying it could lead to the release of over 1,900 inmates. He also raised the Kandy Lawyers’ Complex land issue, tabling a related letter and asking that land be made available to junior lawyers at the original 1990 acquisition price.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF
AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne urged that land for a proposed lawyers’ complex in Kandy be provided at acquisition value as agreed with the Urban Development Authority, citing precedents in Matara, Weligama, Ratnapura and Gampola where public land was used for similar facilities. He said the complex would support around 200 new lawyers in the Kandy District and called for further reform legislation. He also thanked ministry officials, the Legal Draftsman’s Department and the Attorney General’s Department for their role in enabling the passage of 36 Acts.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara acknowledged the Member’s suggestions and said they would be considered positively. Regarding the Kandy Court Complex, he stated that he had met two groups, would provide necessary assistance, and was still examining how to bring the matter to a conclusion.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister argued that national harmony is essential to restoring the rule of law, the economy and social stability, and said recent elections showed public support for peace and a common Sri Lankan identity over ethnic or religious nationalism. He said the Government would strengthen reconciliation by integrating related institutions, addressing language barriers in public services, recruiting Tamil-proficient police officers, creating translator and interpreter pools, and using technology to promote language learning. He also proposed a “Sri Lankan Day” for cultural exchange and stated that State media would not be used to amplify hate speech.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera urged the Justice Minister to present a roadmap for implementing shared constitutional reforms, including a new Constitution, power-sharing, devolution, abolition or reform of the Executive Presidency, and electoral reform, noting that the Government may have sufficient parliamentary and Opposition support to act within the first year. He also raised concern over the 2024 amendment to section 9(a) of the Civil Procedure Code, arguing that allowing cases based on the plaintiff’s residence enables Colombo-registered companies and banks to file money suits in Colombo, burdening that court while reducing work in provincial courts and increasing costs and delays. He requested a prompt remedy to address the jurisdictional effects of the amendment.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara asked Hon. Ajith P. Perera to submit the relevant matter for discussion. The remark was procedural in nature and did not elaborate on the substance of the issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera urged the expedited establishment of the proposed Provincial High Court at Panadura and similar measures elsewhere to reduce court delays. He called for immediate implementation of court digitalization and automation, citing prior Cabinet and institutional work since 2017-2019, and said the project had been vetted and could reduce delays, malpractice and inefficiency. He also requested faster publication and digital availability of Sri Lanka Law Reports through a dedicated unit. Referring to the Reciprocal Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, No. 49 of 2024, he asked that the required Gazette be issued under section 2(1)(a)(ii), with the appointed date backdated to enactment to avoid complications in cases already decided under the Act.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the matter had not been neglected and that it was expedited after being brought to his attention by the Panadura Bar. He said the list of countries is being finalized and will be published in the Gazette soon.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera requested that the relevant law be gazetted with the appointed date effective from the date of passage, and urged special attention to poor prison conditions, particularly at Kalutara Prison, citing dilapidation, overcrowding and inadequate sanitation. He called for implementation of a proposed Special Provisions Act to extend sentence-credit benefits under the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, No. 25 of 2024 to about 1,900 convicted appellants affected by delays. He also supported earlier Sectoral Oversight Committee recommendations on setting 18 as the common minimum marriage age, amending the Maintenance Act, and preventing discrimination against children based on parents’ marital status. He proposed establishing a desk with a designated officer at each Divisional Secretariat for mediation board complaints and records, noting their role in reducing court workload.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary The Attorney-at-Law stated that country lists relating to foreign judgments have been prepared and sent to the Attorney General, with a Gazette to be issued after observations are received. He said one condemned building at Kalutara Prison would be demolished and rebuilt with funds allocated this year, and that the previously halted court automation project has been restarted with a further meeting scheduled.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi supported prioritising a new court in Panadura and argued that rebuilding confidence in the rule of law requires an exemplary judiciary, impartial judges, and effective justice institutions. She highlighted the Legal Aid Commission’s role under the Legal Aid Law, No. 27 of 1978, noting its 77 offices, staffing vacancies, inadequate facilities, and proposed expansion to additional court areas. She linked crime and social problems to poverty and inequality, citing the Budget’s public sector pay increase as part of addressing root causes, and clarified that the President’s remarks about lawyers abetting crime were not directed at the legal profession as a whole.
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson called upon Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister, to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Deputy Chairperson informed the Minister that 12 minutes were allotted for the Minister’s speech.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Votes of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration and said shortcomings in court facilities, record-keeping and photocopying services should be addressed after the allocations are passed. He proposed reconsidering judicial retirement ages, particularly for the High Court and Court of Appeal, to retain experienced judges. He rejected Opposition allegations regarding files and political conduct, stating that files had been referred for lawful investigation, and argued that the Government was safeguarding judicial independence through proper appointments and non-interference. He also cited past incidents involving the judiciary and prisons, including the impeachment of Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake and the alleged actions of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, as context for reforms to make these institutions independent and accountable.
- The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri raised a Point of Order directed to the Deputy Minister of Justice. No substantive issue or request is recorded in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson
AI summary The Hon. Deputy Chairperson indicated that another member would be allowed to speak after the current speaker concluded.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Clarified that he had not referred to anyone by name, responding to a procedural or personal point raised during the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB
AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri raised a Point of Order under Standing Order 86(a), asserting that his earlier remarks were accurately recorded in Hansard and that he would take responsibility for them. He objected to alleged insinuations made in the chamber and challenged the Deputy Minister of Public Security to make any further remarks outside Parliament.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB
AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala defended the Government’s record on judicial independence, prison administration, and criminal accountability, stating that courts now function independently and prison institutions have been opened to public scrutiny. He said Singapore had informed Sri Lanka in December 2021 that Arjuna Mahendran could not be extradited under its law, but that proceedings would continue through available legal routes, including trial and enforcement of judgment if extradition fails. He urged that the Attorney-General’s Department and Police be allowed to act independently in complex cases, noted that major public finance suspects are before court, and challenged the Opposition to prove any misuse of public funds by Government members.
- The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK
AI summary Welcoming the Government’s absence of racist rhetoric, Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran called for repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and justice for families of the disappeared, including investigations into alleged disappearances at Vattuvagal and the Kokku Thoduvaai mass grave. He urged action on PTA detainees and political prisoners, citing the case of Anandhasuthakar, and demanded the release of Tamil prisoners. He also raised concerns over post-2009 land acquisition by the Forest Department and military in Mullaitivu and other northern districts, calling for mechanisms to return cultivation, residential, and livelihood lands to civilians before supporting the Ministry’s Votes.
- The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC
AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam welcomed the idea of an Independent Prosecutor’s Office but argued it must be genuinely independent, adequately resourced, and empowered to direct investigations and prosecute, particularly where the Attorney-General’s Department faces conflicts of interest in cases involving State actors. He cited habeas corpus cases, alleged mass graves at Kokkuthoduvai, Mannar and Chemmani, and contested antiquity/religious site disputes as examples where evidence preservation, credible procedures and institutional independence are needed. He also raised concerns about the predominance of former Attorney-General’s Department officers in apex court appointments, arguing that it affects perceptions of judicial credibility and disadvantages career judges.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration responded to concerns about mass graves, stating that funding had been allocated for investigations at Kokkuthoduvai, Mannar, and Colombo sites. He said the recent Chemmani matter would be examined and that evidence would be protected. He affirmed that justice should apply to all Sri Lankans, while indicating he would provide a fuller response in his winding-up speech.
- The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta supported the Votes of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, citing Budget allocations for court digitization, infrastructure, judicial education, and Law Commission work to improve legal development. He highlighted remand prison congestion, particularly in drug-related cases after bail jurisdiction was moved to the Court of Appeal, and said proposed amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure would allow broader use of online testimony and speed up handling of court exhibits. He also raised concerns about past misuse of the ICCPR Act and political interference in the judiciary, arguing that reforms, stronger oversight by the Judicial Service Commission, vacancy filling, and judicial training are intended to build an independent and efficient justice system.
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella addressed delays in the justice system, citing about 1.1 million pending cases across courts and noting their social, economic, and investment-related impacts. She proposed establishing administrative tribunals, digitizing court processes through e-filing and e-payments, and empowering judges to award realistic costs to discourage frivolous litigation. She also requested repairs to the Kandy Court Complex, support for additional lawyers’ offices on UDA land with extended payment terms, and a part-time Commercial High Court in Kandy for high-value commercial matters.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister said he had met two groups regarding the Kandy lawyers’ offices on UDA land and had assisted them, inviting any unresolved matters to be referred to him. He also stated that court digitization is being advanced through Justice Arjuna Obeysekere’s Committee, with Kandy selected as one of the model courts and therefore likely to receive the programme earlier than many others.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Presiding Member JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne assumed the Chair as Presiding Member.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB
AI summary Dr. S. Sri Bavanandarajah supported the Ministry of Justice and National Integration’s role in advancing equality, reconciliation and minority rights, urging remedies for those affected by past abuses, including under the PTA, and answers for families of the missing. He called for expedited trials or amnesty for long-remanded political prisoners, action on missing commission reports, and priority investigations into mass graves. He also requested practical justice-sector measures, including filling Jaffna Prison vacancies, appointing pharmacists, adding a Magistrate at Mallakam, recruiting court interpreters, appointing more inquirers and Justices of the Peace, and reducing the national case backlog. He further urged a rehabilitation centre in Jaffna, stronger action against drugs and gang violence, curbing police bias, and returning military-occupied private lands and reopening closed roads in areas such as Palaly, Myliddy and Kattuvan.
- The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando raised concerns over the large court backlog, citing IMF and committee findings that delays, judicial administrative burdens, shortages of judges, and delays in indictments undermine justice and investor confidence. He urged reforms to reduce case delays, strengthen the Attorney-General’s Department through recruitment and training, and address vacancies in the Prisons Department and Rehabilitation Authority. He also highlighted recurring rental costs for justice-sector buildings and judges’ quarters, supported the move to consolidate offices through the “Adhikarana Piyasa” project, and questioned revenue-raising from courthouse canteens. He further requested respect for the legal profession, noting that lawyers must be able to represent and consult suspects while maintaining ethical distinctions from judicial officers.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister clarified that the President had not sought to restrict attorneys from meeting clients in prison or intimidate lawyers performing professional duties, while noting that lawyers should be mindful of professional boundaries. He apologized only for any personal hurt caused by his remarks about a referenced individual, not for the substance of what he said. On rental payments, he said extensions were due to the lack of alternative premises and that funding for the Adhikarana Piyasa project was intended to consolidate departments and reduce recurring rental costs.
- The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB
AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara raised concerns about an alleged conflict of interest involving a judge connected to an Opposition MP and requested that the Minister ask the Judicial Service Commission to examine the matter or clarify the allegation. Speaking on reconciliation, he cited his experience in Kilinochchi to argue that unresolved language issues continue to hinder administration and national integration, linking this to the legacy of the 1956 Sinhala Only Act and the marginalization of English. He urged practical reconciliation measures and supported the Government’s initiative to promote a common Sri Lankan identity, including a proposed “Sri Lankan Day” cultural festival.
- The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe congratulated Minister Harshana Nanayakkara and urged cross-party cooperation on eliminating corruption and ensuring justice. He praised Sri Lanka’s judicial independence, noting available mechanisms such as recusals and transfers where bias or conflicts arise, and thanked the judiciary and Ministry staff for maintaining standards. He also defended the Attorney-General’s Department as principled and non-political, while acknowledging pressures and limits affecting the Attorney-General’s role.
- The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe urged attention to staff retention in the Attorney General’s Department amid high taxes and living difficulties, linking the issue to prosecutorial capacity and deficiencies in police investigations. He called for urgent digitalization of court processes to reduce litigation costs and improve access to fundamental rights remedies, and supported reforms to reduce case delays to about 18 months. He also requested prison and sentencing reforms, including remission for long-term prisoners based on good conduct, deduction of remand time from final sentences, retrospective implementation of Cabinet-approved measures, and relief for inmates imprisoned for minor drug offences or inability to pay fines, citing overcrowding and rehabilitation considerations.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilaka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilaka moved that another Member be granted an additional three minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe said a proposal reportedly approved by the previous Cabinet should be resubmitted, gazetted and brought before Parliament, with implementation from May if necessary. He urged upgrading prison-based production, including the Welikada laundry for hospital linen, and expanding private-sector partnerships to establish 10–20 industries in each prison to help offset operating costs. He also proposed CSR coordination to pay small outstanding fines for long-detained inmates and requested action on Welikada Prison’s long-unrepaired drainage system under the Municipal Council.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam urged expedited bail or release for long-term detainees held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and questioned delaying its replacement pending new organized crime legislation. He argued that genuine reconciliation is necessary for economic progress and requires careful handling, accountability, adequate funding for the Office on Missing Persons and Office for Reparations, and stronger attention to the Geneva accountability process. He called for a new Constitution to address reconciliation and the national question, proper implementation of language policy, and special attention to the families of the disappeared.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam argued that reconciliation, accountability, and reintegration require the adoption of a new Constitution. He noted the Government’s stated intention to introduce one and urged that constitutional reform be prioritized to address the national question and support economic improvement.
- The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB
AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam said the Ministries of Justice and National Unity are central to nation-building in a country affected by decades of war and communal tensions. He stated that institutions under the Ministry of National Unity have been allocated Rs. 2,895.5 million and argued that resolving the national question, promoting harmony, addressing corruption, and ending impunity are necessary for development. He highlighted Budget measures to assist 1,350 people with war-damaged properties, 5,000 families of the disappeared, and victims of the Easter bombings, saying the Government would use these mechanisms to pursue justice and unity.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB
AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi argued that the Government’s mandate is to restore justice, transparency, institutional independence and public trust following past misuse of public assets and funds. He outlined a series of proposed laws and reforms, including measures on public procurement, public asset management, state enterprises, investment protection, AML/CFT, proceeds of crime recovery, disability rights and other regulatory areas. He noted Budget allocations of Rs. 80.2 billion for law and order and Rs. 14 billion to strengthen Mediation Boards, stating that the objective is to protect and recover public assets and hold those responsible for corruption accountable.
- The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF
AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha urged reforms to judicial promotions, calling for reasons and due process when senior judges are overlooked, and asked that Standing Orders prevent parliamentary privilege from being used to attack judges outside established disciplinary mechanisms. He proposed legislation requiring reasons when appellate courts refuse leave or notice, reallocating some Supreme Court jurisdiction to ease its caseload, restoring appellate flow through the Court of Appeal, and creating subject-specific benches in the Supreme Court. He also called for expedited relief for prisoners whose remand periods pre-date the 2024 amendment, greater use of community service, relocation and improvement of urban prisons, continuous legal education, and skills-based rehabilitation for prisoners.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Bhagya Sri Herath argued that justice sector reform must address both court efficiency and the broader social and political conditions that affect public trust and crime. He cited the special High Court in Anuradhapura for child sexual offence cases and the reported backlog of over 1.1 million cases to show that speedy convictions alone are insufficient. He supported digitalization of the justice system, noting that better technology, investigations, and data systems are needed to reduce delays and strengthen credibility, and said the Government is committed to building a stronger political and legal culture.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB
AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman urged the Minister of Justice to intervene to withdraw what he described as politically motivated cases against Aragalaya activists and trade union leaders, noting ongoing summonses and practical consequences such as difficulty obtaining police clearance. He also called for the withdrawal or conclusion of allegedly baseless Easter Sunday-related cases, citing the detention and prosecution of figures including Hijaaz Hisbullah and Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen. While acknowledging progress in some corruption-related cases, he asked for faster action on matters such as the VFS deal and passport issuance allegations. He further raised concerns about the handling of a proposed impeachment of the President of the Court of Appeal, arguing that any action affecting judicial independence should follow proper parliamentary due process.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa addressed concerns over fuel distribution and urged the public not to panic-buy. He provided figures for diesel and petrol released on the previous day and by 5.00 p.m. that day, stating that releases were above normal daily levels. He also said distributors who had threatened action had nevertheless collected or paid for fuel loads, and assured that sufficient fuel was being supplied.
Cost of Living Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK
AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Government’s credibility on fuel availability, saying public queues showed a lack of trust in official assurances. He pressed the Minister of Justice for answers on the proposed new Constitution, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the disappeared, and reduced allocations to the Office on Missing Persons and Office for Reparations. He also demanded the Government state what action has been taken on emblematic accountability cases, including the killings of journalists and civilians, the Trinco 5, ACF aid workers, Lasantha Wickrematunge, Prageeth Eknaligoda, and cases affected by the Political Victimization Commission.
- The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra rejected Opposition claims of a fuel supply disruption, saying Government Ministers had provided distribution figures and that panic buying was caused by misinformation and some media reporting. She defended the Minister of Justice and argued that access to justice should be expanded despite fiscal constraints, including more targeted legal aid for workers and people near industrial zones. She highlighted increased 2025 allocations for alternative dispute resolution, including a 30 percent increase for the Debt Conciliation Board with two new branches, and a 118 percent increase for Mediation Boards with specialized boards in several districts. She also called for a more efficient and sensitive justice-system response to crimes against women and children, with future budgetary support.
- The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy, speaking during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministries of Justice and National Unity, said he had missed the Second Reading vote due to a parliamentary workshop in Tanzania on justice-related issues. He rejected the President’s suggestion of conspiracies against the Government and urged those in office to act as temporary custodians. He called on the Justice Minister to investigate reported allegations concerning the Law College, including claims involving an MP and the Principal’s appointment, and raised concerns about prison conditions, citing a visit to Welikada and urging reforms for inmates, women, and children.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB
AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy called for proactive measures to address drug trafficking into prisons, including surveys at Grama Niladhari Division level to identify social, economic and other causes leading people into crime, with findings reported to Parliament. He criticized the Government’s response to underworld violence and the killing inside a court premises, urging stronger security for judges, court staff and officers and an orderly plan to address criminal activity. He also proposed modern alternatives to remand imprisonment, such as GPS-linked electronic monitoring used in Italy, and called for improved court and prison infrastructure and more funding for women’s empowerment programmes to prevent women and children being drawn into crime.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister thanked Justice Ministry officials and acknowledged constructive Opposition proposals on judicial reform, while stating that constitutional reform and abolition of the Executive Presidency remain Government commitments to be implemented according to its own roadmap. He said allocations have been made for reparations, reconciliation, and missing persons mechanisms, and pledged to address Northern and Eastern concerns while protecting judicial independence and avoiding political interference. He cited justice-sector vacancies as a cause of delays, noting recruitment of 753 officers, and said investigations and indictments on corruption, money laundering, past crimes, and the Easter attacks are proceeding without improper disclosure. He also referred to the Proceeds of Crime Bill as a mechanism for recovering assets derived from crime and rejected allegations of “deals” in relation to judicial accountability.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Moved an amendment to page 16, line 19, replacing the existing wording with “Capital Rs. 16,145,600,000.” The proposal seeks to revise the stated capital allocation in the relevant provision under consideration.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- Hon. Members
AI summary Members agreed to the insertion of specified recurrent and capital expenditure allocations in the Schedule for several Heads, including Head 110, Courts Administration, the Attorney-General’s Department, the Legal Draftsman’s Department, and the Department of Debt Conciliation Board. The agreed allocations included Rs. 10,997.65 million recurrent and Rs. 4,998.7 million capital expenditure for Courts Administration, and smaller recurrent and capital provisions for the Attorney-General, Legal Draftsman, and Debt Conciliation Board. The proceedings then moved to Head 232, the Department of Prisons, with proposed allocations of Rs. 15,773 million recurrent expenditure and Rs. 4,507 million capital expenditure.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara moved an amendment to Expenditure Head 232 to revise the allocation for Programme 01, Operational Activities, to Rs. 15.773 billion in recurrent expenditure and Rs. 4.607 billion in capital expenditure. The stated effect is to increase the capital provision by Rs. 100 million to implement Budget Proposal No. 52.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Chairman procedural
- Hon. Members
AI summary Parliament agreed to insert and approve recurrent and capital expenditure allocations under several Heads in the Schedule, including Head 232 and Heads 233 to 236 and 326. The approved allocations covered the Department of Government Analyst, Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Law Commission of Sri Lanka, Department of Official Languages, and Department of Community Based Corrections, with all questions put and agreed to.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- 15 Procedural Procedural: Committee Report on Heads Considered 1 speeches
- 16 Procedural Procedural: Motion for Adjournment 1 speeches
- 17 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice 15 speeches
- 18 Procedural Procedural: Parliament Adjourned 3 speeches