Topic
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution
885 speeches · 164 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, M.P. Independent Group 17 - Jaffna | 67 |
| 2 | Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, M.P. ITAK | 51 |
| 3 | Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan, M.P. ITAK | 48 |
| 4 | Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam, M.P. ACTC | 37 |
| 5 | Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran, M.P. ITAK | 30 |
| 6 | Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 27 |
| 7 | Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe, M.P. SLMC | 25 |
| 8 | Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, M.P. SLMC | 25 |
| 9 | Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar, M.P. JJB | 24 |
| 10 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 19 |
Speeches
885 on this topic- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister explained that sanctuary declarations, including the Seruwila–Allai Sanctuary gazetted in 1970, do not change land ownership but require Wildlife Department approval for any development or alteration within the area. He acknowledged unresolved land issues in war-affected areas, including possible errors from GPS-based demarcation, and noted earlier efforts to identify lands for release. He said a Cabinet decision on 25 August 2025 led to a special inter-ministerial committee and district-level subcommittees to address these matters, and urged affected parties to present their cases through those forums. Adjournment Motion: Land Issues in Verugal DS Division, Trincomalee Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said land issues in Trincomalee stem from forest and related gazettements dating from around 1970, including later “proposed forest” classifications, and affect all 11 Divisional Secretariat divisions in the district. He stated that, following a 2024 committee report, Cabinet Paper No. 25/1560/826/020 of 25 August 2025 appointed a multi-agency sub-committee covering relevant departments, district officials, provincial land authorities and other land-related institutions to propose a permanent solution within six months. He added that no new lands had been taken under the current administration and that land releases from forest and wildlife holdings had begun in areas including Trincomalee, Kuchchaveli and Muttur. Adjournment Motion: Land Issues in Verugal DS Division, Trincomalee Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper briefly noted the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence,” stating that awareness should include male victims and online abuse. Addressing the Adjournment Motion, he raised concerns that State agencies, including Wildlife, Coast Conservation and Archaeology, had previously been used to acquire lands in the North and East in ways affecting Tamil-speaking communities. He cited land issues in Trincomalee, including Verugal, Valaimadu and Panichchankulam, and welcomed the Government’s proposed committee on North and East land issues while requesting a mechanism for MPs to submit views and receive updates. He urged that conservation objectives be pursued objectively without taking people’s paddy or residential lands, and asked that Opposition Tamil-speaking MPs from the North and East be included in the committee process. Adjournment Motion: Land Issues in Verugal DS Division, Trincomalee Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan called for all housing responsibilities, including those for the North and East, estate/Malayaga communities, the South, and persons with disabilities, to be consolidated under one Ministry through a single National Housing Policy. He urged better land-use planning by locating housing near roads and settlements, and proposed dedicated NHDA segments for different communities’ needs. Referring to Indian-supported estate housing and unmet targets for 6,000 estate houses by year-end, he asked the Government to continue implementation while integrating the estate community into national housing and administrative frameworks. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake responded to a sensitive issue raised by Hon. Srineshan, noting that similar site markings had occurred in Mannar and Jaffna and describing such places as part of national heritage. He suggested that local authorities should preserve and develop such sites for academic study and proposed convening an immediate discussion with the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Minister Ananda Wijepala to resolve any outstanding issues. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala said the boards removed in Valachchenai and Kokkaddicholai were lawful directional signs to archaeological sites, not archaeological site markers, and that local councils had no authority to remove them. He stated that around 110 such signs had been installed by the Department of Archaeology, legal action is being taken over their removal, and any concerns should be addressed through Pradeshiya or District Development Committees with archaeology officials. He emphasized readiness for discussion while rejecting nationalist or religious incitement and said the issue concerns signage, not land ownership. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan raised transport, highways, bridge, aviation and railway issues affecting Batticaloa and the wider North and East, calling for local recruitment to fill SLTB staff shortages, more buses, investigations into poor road construction, progress on several bridge projects, completion of access works and land compensation linked to Batticaloa Airport, and restoration of earlier night-train timings and sleeping berths. He also urged a transparent and consultative approach to archaeology declarations in Batticaloa, saying sudden installation of boards without informing local authorities and elected representatives was creating ethnic tension and suspicion. He welcomed the inclusion of Tamil-speaking members in the Archaeology Advisory Committee but asked that MPs, local bodies and communities be involved at sites before enforcement or court action is pursued. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister marked the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, noting this year’s focus on ending online and technology-facilitated abuse. She called on Members across party lines to avoid personal and gendered attacks, including in Parliament, and to uphold dignity, privacy, and respectful political debate. She also highlighted available support services, including Police Women and Children’s Bureau 109, the National Help Line 1938, and SLCERT 101 for cyber incidents, and urged collective action to ensure safety and equal participation for all communities. Ministerial Statements: Defence and Gender-based Violence Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof argued that education administration in Trincomalee is divided along ethnic lines, with Thambalagamuwa schools assigned to different zones by language or community. He requested the creation of a separate Thambalagamuwa education zone to bring all schools in the area under one administration, and cited an Eastern Provincial Department of Education letter proposing a separate Kuchchaveli zone, which he tabled for Hansard. He asked whether the Government would act to end ethnic division in the district’s education zoning. Oral Question: Education Zones in Trincomalee District (Q.4) Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to state the number and names of education zones in the Trincomalee District. He raised concerns that schools in Thambalagamuwa DS Division are allocated to different education zones along ethnic lines and that many Kuchchaveli schools are located over 50 km from the Trincomalee Zonal Education Office. He requested that, in future creation of education zones, separate zones be established for these areas to address geographical distance and ethnic segregation, or that reasons be given if this will not be done. Oral Question: Education Zones in Trincomalee District (Q.4) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen requested additional time and raised concerns over the stalled development of Puttalam Hospital. He stated that although a master plan has been completed, it remains with the Provincial Council and has not been forwarded to the relevant Ministry. He alleged that the Provincial Council is neglecting the hospital and obstructing development, noting that promised 4MDI funds have not been released. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that the Central Government has unlawfully taken over provincial hospitals without the required constitutional upgrades, undermining devolution in health and weakening provincial governance. He said provincial hospitals, particularly in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, are being deprived of infrastructure funding, staffing approvals, and capital allocations, creating pressure for central takeover while not guaranteeing improvement. Citing Jaffna Teaching Hospital, Trincomalee DGH, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, and Mannar, he contended that institutions serving Tamil communities face systemic underinvestment regardless of administrative control. He called attention to inadequate provincial health financing, exclusion from national and donor-funded projects, and stalled promised developments, arguing that equitable investment rather than centralization is required. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary The member urged the Minister to address the large number of annual inter-hospital referrals and long waiting times faced by patients, particularly in Mullaitivu and Mannar. While noting opposition to bringing provincial hospitals under the Central Government, he asked that Mullaitivu and Mannar hospitals be considered for central responsibility due to delayed Provincial Council funding and concerns about public confidence in healthcare services. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Urging justice for journalists killed, abducted, attacked or oppressed during the war, Ravikaran called for stronger media freedom and linked the health budget to reconciliation and psychosocial support for war-affected families, including children of long-term Tamil political prisoners. He demanded the release of political prisoners and asked what relief the 2026 Budget would provide to such families under the Government’s “Healthy Living towards a Healthy Society” theme. He highlighted health inequities in Mullaitivu and Mannar, citing high transfer rates, vehicle shortages, a lack of permanent specialists and allied health staff, and requested at least two new ambulances for Mullaitivu and permanent appointments in key disciplines. He also urged completion in 2026 of recruitment for 454 Health Service Assistants whose earlier appointments were cancelled, and called for equitable health resource allocation to the Vanni. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna criticised the Budget for, in his view, providing no meaningful allocation for the Northern Province, despite earlier announcements of Rs. 5,000 million for Northern development and allocations for roads in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu that he said remained largely unspent. He urged Ministers to visit the North, address roads, hospitals, markets, passport services and other basic needs, and ensure that new allocations, including Rs. 150 million for grounds, are actually utilised. He also said he speaks for Muslim communities in Puttalam and estate communities because their concerns are not being adequately represented, and referred to threats made against him and to past Tamil administration structures while arguing for development support for the North and East. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy clarified that he had not deliberately named another member, but had referred to similar remarks only as an example. He stated that his group had no need to act independently and would work together for the benefit of the Tamil people. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy argued that industrial revival in the Northern and Eastern Provinces is a priority of the Government, following years of stagnation, limited investment, COVID-era impacts on SMEs, and insufficient post-war development. He outlined proposed initiatives including developing Kankesanthurai as a commercial hub, restarting the Paranthan Chemical Factory, expanding Mannar salt production, creating an industrial estate in Mankulam, reviving the Oddusuddan bottle factory, and hosting a Northern Investment Summit. He identified infrastructure deficits, limited access to capital, weak market access, and skills shortages as key constraints, and said Budget allocations aim to support equitable regional development through industry and tourism. He urged political actors not to obstruct development or inflame communal tensions, calling for cooperation for the benefit of the Tamil people and the country. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha said Sri Lanka’s industrial share of GDP has grown only modestly over 75 years and argued that long-term industrial development requires an enabling environment and education reforms to produce entrepreneurs rather than only job-seekers. He outlined planned 2026 reforms introducing Entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy from Grade 6, expanding entrepreneurship studies at O-Level and A-Level, and shifting teaching and assessment toward skills such as problem-solving, creativity, collaboration and communication. He also said new technology and vocational streams would support industrial manpower needs, while newly established District and Divisional Industrial Promotion Committees would decentralize support for industrialists and entrepreneurs. Appropriation Bill, 2026 – Committee Stage Debate: Twelfth Allotted Day Read →
- 21 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna asked the Minister of Health for detailed information on the status and staffing of Puttalam Base Hospital, including its classification, any upgrade to Type A, administrative and accounting appointments, doctor shortages, and the last cadre revision. He sought clarification on the President’s stated promise to convert it into a District General Hospital, asking what additional staff would be required, how vacancies would be filled amid medical migration, and when any proper cadre revision and conversion would be implemented. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. K. Ilankumaran JJB AI summary Hon. K. Ilankumaran warned against political actors exploiting communal divisions and urged them not to reignite tensions that harm the public. He called for Tamil, Sinhala, and Muslim communities to work together for ethnic harmony and national development, contrasting such unity with divisive rhetoric. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →