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- 20 November 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper sought clarification on the President’s reported remarks after meeting Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi MPs, asking whether references to “outdated” political solutions implied changes to devolution, the Thirteenth Amendment, or a new constitutional framework. In relation to the Energy Votes, he questioned the Government’s readiness for electric vehicle infrastructure, distinguishing between slow mobile and AC chargers and the need for public DC fast chargers. He asked how many functional DC fast chargers exist, whether regulations and expressway coverage plans are finalized, and proposed standards for connectors, uptime, locations, payments, tariffs, and an app-based availability system to support EV adoption and decarbonization goals. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Read →
- 20 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe referred to the previous day’s committee discussion on education reforms and noted that his earlier questions concerned the absence of Muslim representation in the ministerial advisory group. He thanked the Prime Minister for subsequently including an educationist named Ameer in that group. Oral Question No. 1300/2025: Committee to Look into Proposed Education Council Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary Prof. Abayarathna responded to comments by Hon. Shanakiyan regarding Provincial Council Elections and a related Private Member’s Motion, stating that the Government intends to hold the elections after resolving outstanding legal issues. He said proposals have been submitted and that views can be presented through the Parliamentary Special Committee, adding that budgetary provisions have been allocated and denying any intention to postpone the polls. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam argued that Provincial Council Elections are especially important to the North and East and accused the Government of failing to honour its manifesto commitment to hold them within a year. He rejected the Minister’s report on his Private Member’s Bill, stating that the Bill had incorporated Supreme Court requirements, repealed the 2017 amendments, and restored the previous electoral system. He demanded that the Government proceed with legislation and elections rather than appointing committees or citing legal objections to delay the process. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper requested that allowances paid to Birth, Death and Marriage Registrars, including the Rs. 75 per registration fee and the “ink allowance,” be increased after remaining unchanged for many years. He then criticized the Government’s handling of Provincial Council Elections, arguing that despite presidential assurances, the rejection of Private Members’ Bills and the proposal for a new Select Committee indicate opposition to the Provincial Council system. He questioned why the Government, with a large parliamentary majority, was asking others to make the required law and said his side would reject the report and vote against the relevant Ministry Head in protest. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath - Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister outlined Budget allocations for the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, including Rs. 24,620 million for provincial councils and local government, and said the Government is working to strengthen all 341 local authorities after local elections were held. He highlighted measures such as the “Punarudaya Purachara” Local Government Week, provision of 700 vehicles and machinery in the first phase out of a stated need for 1,067, and plans to reduce high maintenance costs of ageing local authority fleets. He also said the Government is advancing digitalization in local authorities through new software already introduced in 130 institutions, with further implementation planned. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah called for boundary disputes among local authorities and Divisional Secretariats in Batticaloa, including Kattankudy, Manmunai Pattu, Koralaipattu Central and Kiran, to be resolved through committees and gazetted, with two new corresponding Pradeshiya Sabhas established. He urged an urgent amendment to Section 2 of the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act and suspension of a Registrar General’s circular requiring foreign Muslim spouses to submit affidavits denying religious affiliation to obtain marriage clearance. He also requested the long-pending MN 3 salary/service upgrade for Management Service Officers, early Provincial Council elections now that funds have been allocated, and a mechanism to help Eastern Province local authorities meet salary obligations and continue functioning. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe supported the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government while urging measures to improve ethnic representation in Eastern Divisional Secretariats, including appointments reflecting local demographic balances. He requested action on pension anomalies affecting officers who retired between 2020 and 2024, amendments to Efficiency Bar circulars to protect retirees, and early Provincial Council elections. He also called for dialogue-based resolution of land and boundary disputes in conflict-affected areas and asked for a funding mechanism or subvention to help Eastern local authorities meet salary obligations and function effectively. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns over the re-installation of a Buddha statue in Trincomalee under police protection and alleged State-backed construction of viharas and land seizures in Tamil areas, including Kuchchaveli and Thayiddi, warning that these actions could undermine communal harmony. He criticized the Opposition Leader’s support for retaining the statue and said Tamil voters expected justice from him. He also requested administrative reforms in the North and East, including the creation of Kodikamam, Achchuveli and Akkarayankulam Divisional Secretariat divisions, and the gazetting or establishment of Urban Councils and local authorities for Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Madhu, Oddusuddan, Maruthankerny and Kandawalai. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha urged the Government to revive the stalled Provincial Council election process by appointing the statutory Review Committee, addressing delimitation issues affecting minorities and small parties, and preserving reforms such as the mixed electoral system and 25 per cent women’s quota. He called for amendments to protect minority representation, greater devolution of constitutionally assigned Police and Land powers under the 13th Amendment, and an assessment of the Provincial Council system’s effectiveness. He also proposed reforms to reduce corruption in local authorities by limiting mayors’ and chairpersons’ executive powers, digitalizing approvals, addressing stray dogs humanely through sterilization, and resolving service and salary issues affecting management and investigations officers. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Mohamed Ismail Muththu Mohamed raised concerns about politicization and delays in public administration, staff shortages in field-level services, inadequate travel allowances, and poor treatment of lower-level employees. He called for Provincial Council elections to be held without further delay, citing the 13th Amendment and the need to realize devolved minority rights. He also urged better resources, offices, vehicles, staffing, revenue plans, and allowances for local authorities, particularly in the North, and requested that public-sector interviews in Tamil-speaking areas be conducted or communicated in Tamil. He concluded by conveying condolences on the death of former Vavuniya Government Agent and Southern Province Governor Bandula Harischandra. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara argued that public administration is being weakened by officials’ fear of taking decisions, delays in Ministry approvals, and low capital expenditure, and he questioned whether Cabinet decisions and circulars are being vetted outside the Ministry. He challenged the Government’s claims on public sector salary increases and pensions, called for relief for retirees including higher deposit interest, and criticized limited allocations for housing and disaster loans for public servants. He urged equal funding and staffing for Opposition-controlled local authorities, demanded Provincial Council elections through a simple amendment restoring the previous system, and called for implementation of promised benefits for Grama Niladharis, Management Service Officers, and public officers’ vehicle permits. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi said his party supports holding Provincial Council elections under the previous electoral system and accused the JVP/NPP of opposing them, citing events from 1988-89 to argue that such opposition has had harmful consequences. He asserted that Provincial Council elections should be held promptly and said his side would demonstrate its public support. He also raised concerns over a Tangalle Municipal Council staff tour approved soon after the Chairman’s appointment, linking it to a fatal accident at Ella, and called for accountability, including a disciplinary inquiry into the Chairman and the granting of leave. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Muhammad Faizal rejected Opposition claims that the NPP misled voters in Puttalam, stating that the President had directed the Health Ministry to proceed with upgrading Puttalam Hospital in line with election promises. He said Puttalam’s multi-ethnic communities live in harmony and pledged to oppose attempts to create communal divisions while pursuing development under the Government’s policy programme. He also raised the salary and pension grievances of the Government Translators’ Service arising from Public Administration Circular 06/2006 (iv), requesting restoration of their pre-circular salary scales. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam called for corrections to administrative arrangements in the North, including a dedicated Pradeshiya Sabha for Manal Aar and separate Pradeshiya Sabhas for areas where one council covers multiple DSDs, citing service delivery problems and revenue constraints. He raised concerns over Mahaweli “L” Zone resettlement, land and irrigation disputes, the Triwaitku Lake claim, and the Kivul Oya project, requesting an inter-ethnic committee to ensure equitable benefits and protect ancestral lands. He also urged appointments to address staff shortages in local authorities, better assessment and tax collection systems, heavy machinery for war-affected resettlement areas, and full implementation of Provincial Council provisions alongside the allocated funding for elections. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Committee Stage (Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government; Ministry of Labour) Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government was prepared to make a statement on the Provincial Council electoral system, after which a proper procedure should be determined. He noted that the existing law provides for a mixed first-past-the-post and proportional representation system, with delimitation being the main technical obstacle. He stated that party and individual views would be sought following the statement, and said the process was intended to proceed democratically rather than delay elections. Procedural: Ministerial Statements and Parliamentary Business Management Read →
- 19 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka referred to the President’s Budget statement allocating funds for Provincial Council Elections and requesting Parliament to establish a mechanism, noting that the Leader of the House had indicated a ministerial update on forming a committee. He urged the Government to fulfil its promise to hold the elections within a year and said the Opposition would support a swift process under the previous mixed proportional system or any other speedy mechanism, without delays caused by delimitation or unnecessary committees. Procedural: Ministerial Statements and Parliamentary Business Management Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Vihara in Trincomalee has a documented history since 1951 and that its related Dhamma school, land allocation, fence, and temporary sales hut had received approvals or no-objection letters from relevant authorities. He tabled several documents, including registrations, Coast Conservation and other agency approvals, and later removal orders issued in 2025, noting that a writ application is pending in court. He questioned police intervention during the laying of a foundation stone for Dhamma school construction and urged that the matter be handled through proper legal and administrative procedures rather than political pressure. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the continued scale of defence allocations nearly 16 years after the war, arguing that funds should be redirected toward education, vocational training, elderly care and war-affected communities, and urging reconsideration of defence spending in the 2027 Budget. He called for further release of military-occupied private lands and camps in the North and East, citing Batticaloa locations and Valikamam North, and said recent road openings did not amount to meaningful land release. He also challenged Government claims about the limited extent of Army-run civilian businesses and criticized Government MPs for not, in his view, advocating sufficiently for Tamil land release issues. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna condemned reported remarks alleging that the LTTE leader and cadres were involved in drug trafficking, defending them as revered figures for many Tamils and criticizing Government members for using Northern votes while making such claims. He argued that Tamil militancy arose from discrimination, including past university admissions policies, and rejected accusations that Northern Tamil politicians are racist. He also raised grievances affecting Tamil-speaking communities in Puttalam and Trincomalee, including garbage dumping in Puttalam, and said he was prepared to apologize for the LTTE’s expulsion of Muslims from the North while continuing to speak for Tamil-speaking Muslims. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →