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
- 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
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper moved an Adjournment Motion proposing a Select Committee on the Administration of Justice, citing public concern, institutional mistrust, delays, and resource shortages affecting the Police, Attorney-General’s Department, Judiciary, Government Analyst, Prisons Department and related bodies. He proposed measures to expedite criminal cases, fast-track investigations and indictments in major public-interest crimes, improve trial efficiency using existing Criminal Procedure amendments, engage specialists, and establish provincial prosecuting offices. He also suggested temporary funding to recruit senior State Counsel and retired judges or prosecutors at provincial level, arguing that a transparent parliamentary committee could examine delays and help restore confidence in the justice system.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB
AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof supported the Adjournment Motion to establish a Select Committee on the Administration of Justice, arguing that it is timely given shortcomings in the justice sector. Citing a report that over one million cases are pending across the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, District Courts and High Courts, he urged the Government to consider the proposal and create a mechanism to expedite court proceedings.
- The Hon. Chairman procedural
- The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra supported the concerns behind the Motion to establish a Select Committee on the Administration of Justice, citing longstanding case backlogs, resource shortages, inadequate court infrastructure, and staffing gaps, including translators in districts such as Jaffna. She argued that these problems predate the current Government and said judicial independence, policing, and issues linked to past politicization are being addressed. She maintained that the Attorney-General’s Department, Police, and courts should be allowed to function under the new Government’s reforms, and concluded that establishing a Select Committee at this stage is premature and unnecessary.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law JJB
AI summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta argued that public confidence in the Police and Judiciary has improved under the NPP Government due to the absence of political interference and greater institutional independence. He referred to past politicization of police appointments, criticism of judges by former ministers, and specific court proceedings to contrast with the current situation. He noted that the Government is addressing issues in the Attorney-General’s Department, including vacancies and possible provincial prosecutorial offices, and concluded that a special Select Committee is unnecessary at this time.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara welcomed proposals to reduce court delays but argued that a Select Committee would be premature until the Attorney-General’s Department, Judiciary, Government Analyst’s Department and related institutions are given adequate staffing, resources and allowances. He emphasized the independence of the Attorney-General and Judicial Service Commission, citing major cadre shortages, heavy prosecutorial workloads, and the need to restore public trust amid political interference and unfair public attacks. He said the Government would strengthen these institutions, recruit staff, consider special treatment for salary structures, provide training, and introduce amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, including audio-visual witness testimony, to address delays caused by witness non-appearance and security concerns.
- The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Proposed the establishment of provincial-level prosecuting offices. The suggestion appears to relate to decentralizing prosecutorial functions or improving access to prosecution services at the provincial level.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said a Cabinet Paper is being submitted to appoint a committee to establish an independent Prosecutor’s Office, guided initially by Justice Yasantha Kodagoda. He stated that the policy direction is to decentralize prosecutions to the provinces, with possible new recruitments and legal amendments to be considered by experts. He also said the Government Analyst’s Department may be decentralized to reduce administrative delays, emphasizing that professional expertise should guide justice-sector reforms.
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that the Government is committed to protecting the independence of the Judiciary, the Attorney-General, and the Judicial Service Commission, and to strengthening the rule of law. He said the matters raised should first be examined through the Ministerial Consultative Committee, with further action to be considered if necessary.
- The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper briefly expressed thanks and made no substantive policy argument, proposal, question, or demand.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
- 18 Procedural Procedural: Parliament Adjourned 3 speeches