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- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake rejected claims that military-run businesses and checkpoints have undermined the Northern economy, citing figures on Army-operated cafeterias, shops, tailor shops and salons and stating that any operations outside camps should be stopped or transferred to local people. He argued that a false narrative was being promoted domestically and internationally, including in Geneva, and said the NPP has a broad Tamil mandate in the North through MPs and local councillors. He urged MPs not to fear national reconciliation, criticised nationalism-based politics, tabled a 2002 Hansard extract from Nimal Siripala de Silva on arrests and remand practices, and expressed support for reconciliation while acknowledging the work of the Police and Armed Forces. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake responded to a reference to his name, criticizing the use of personal or petty comparisons involving cricketing credentials and citing Muthiah Muralitharan’s career as context. He expressed regret over an incident in the Presiding Member’s district and argued that political leaders should calm rather than inflame communal or social tensions. He accused the opposing Member’s speech of attempting to stoke tensions and warned against politics reminiscent of the violence associated with Black July. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan defended the 2026 Budget allocations for the Defence and Public Security Ministries, rejecting allegations that security forces in the North are involved in drug trafficking or excessive checkpoint deployment. He said military camps and lands in parts of the Vanni had been released under the Government, and that naval personnel in Mullaitivu assist fishermen, prevent banned fishing methods, and help curb drug entry. He highlighted Government measures including arrests of drug traffickers, a planned rehabilitation centre in Oddusuddan, appointment of Tamil-speaking police officers, procurement of vehicles for Northern and Eastern police stations with Indian assistance, and Civil Security Department support for preschools. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that the Defence Ministry remains a central source of Tamil mistrust due to wartime abuses, continued militarisation in the North and East, and alleged links between security forces and the post-war drug trade. He cited high troop-to-civilian ratios, extensive military and naval presence on private land, and alleged police refusal to record complaints, urging the Government to stop denying these issues and address them with Tamil representatives’ cooperation. He also called for accountability for serious wartime crimes, which he characterized as genocide, arguing that credible investigations are necessary both for victims and for clearing those in the armed forces not implicated. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that the Government would not retreat from fulfilling its promises to the people. He also affirmed that racism and religious bigotry would not be permitted. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana raised concern over the removal of a Buddha statue in Trincomalee by Police, arguing that religious sites should be protected in place rather than having objects removed, and warned against actions that could create communal or religious tension. He cited rising shootings and killings in 2025, including a recent murder in Meetiyagoda and the killing of a Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, and called for stronger public security for citizens and public representatives. He also urged improved welfare, facilities, sanitation, mental well-being and promotion procedures for Police officers, while questioning whether transfers of OICs and other officers were being politicized despite claims of non-interference. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Dr. Elayathamby Srinath urged the Government to ensure fair and just processes in relation to the Chemmani massacre, incidents in Trincomalee, and land release matters. He said support would be extended for Government action if it delivers justice equally to all and helps build better governance in the future. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath welcomed Public Security Ministry actions against narcotics and the underworld, but said shootings, deaths, illicit alcohol, illegal sand mining and illegal fishing remain inadequately controlled, particularly in Batticaloa. He said requests for security for people’s representatives had not been properly addressed and urged the Government to strengthen Police manpower and facilities, including more women officers in Tamil areas. He also argued that certain policing powers should be devolved through the Provincial Council system to improve local crime prevention, while noting the Navy’s role in controlling illegal fishing. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa proposed that Parliament issue a public statement advising citizens not to repay loans obtained from illegal online lenders charging exorbitant interest rates, and sought agreement from all Members on this position. He also urged the Government to address the welfare issues of disabled war veterans based on documents he had tabled. Referring to a temple-related incident in Trincomalee, he called for a national programme and a National Integration Committee to prevent similar incidents. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said a court “B” Report has been filed on the Trincomalee incident, with the Magistrate ordering verification of documents and prohibiting changes to the temporary structure until the next hearing on 26 November 2025. He stated that stakeholders had reached consensus, boundary demarcation was being handled by the District Secretary, and the Government would not allow the issue to be used to create communal or religious tensions. He also said a committee on online credit operations is finalizing work under the Online Safety Act framework, a dedicated Police cybercrime division is planned, and no war veterans’ pensions or allowances have been permanently stopped, with only temporary database-related delays being addressed. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to implement its promises on returning lands in the North only after identifying areas needed for national security, with alternative land or adequate compensation for affected owners where necessary. He said decisions should not be driven solely by election pledges and compared such sacrifices to past development projects involving displacement. He also questioned whether promises to serving and retired soldiers had been fulfilled, criticized remarks at the Ilmaha Viru Samaruma as diminishing war heroes, and raised concerns about police procurement allegations involving the IGP, including how evidence submitted to CIABOC allegedly reached the CID and the IGP. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concerns about post-war land, religious site disputes, and alleged state-backed oppression in Tamil-majority areas, citing locations including Kurundoor Malai, Vedukunari Malai, Thayiddy and Trincomalee. He called on the Government and the Minister of Justice to cooperate with an international investigation into alleged wartime abuses, address enforced disappearances, and provide justice to families protesting in the North and East. He also demanded the immediate humanitarian release of 10 Tamil political prisoners detained under the PTA, noted deaths of prisoners over the past decade, and requested a humanitarian pardon or review in the case of Selvakumar Sathiyaleela. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara responded to concerns about an incident in Trincomalee, stating that the law is being enforced equally and that there is no separate legal standard for different ethnic or religious groups. He assured citizens in all regions that the Government would not permit racism or discrimination. He also referred to plans to establish a Director of Public Prosecutions, saying it would prosecute all crimes and questioning the link made between that office and war crimes. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam criticized the Government’s handling of recent events at a viharaya site in Trincomalee, arguing that it should uphold coastal and land-use law, resist racialized pressure, and address what he described as historical State-backed demographic changes affecting Tamil-speaking communities. He called on the Ministry of Justice and National Integration to reverse past discriminatory measures and explain these injustices to the Sinhala public rather than backtracking. While supporting the proposed Office of the Independent Prosecutor as important for prosecutorial independence, he rejected its presentation as a mechanism to address alleged wartime genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. He stated that his party would support voting against the Votes of the Ministries of Justice and National Integration due to the Government’s failure to ensure justice for war-related victims. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Muneer Mulaffer emphasized national integration as essential to Sri Lanka’s recovery, linking past conflict, the Easter attacks, tourism decline, and economic hardship to the need for peace and reconciliation. He cited mechanisms such as the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, the Office on Missing Persons, and the Office for Reparations, and argued that public representatives should reduce tensions rather than exploit communal incidents. He also highlighted foreign remittances, tourism, international agreements, and new partnerships, including a recent MoU at the Saudi Chamber Summit, as part of efforts to attract investment and rebuild the economy. He urged the Opposition to use the Committee Stage debate on Votes to raise concrete shortcomings and proposals. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised concerns over recurring communal and religious tensions, including disputes over temples and Shabbat houses, and proposed a race relations body with decision-making powers to handle such issues. He questioned the use of the TID and PTA-related processes against individuals commenting on these matters on social media, linking this to the Government’s pledge in Geneva to abolish the PTA. He criticized the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s response to Israel’s attack on Qatar for not naming Israel, and alleged excessive sensitivity to criticism of Israel. He also supported establishing an Independent Public Prosecutor’s Office, citing concerns about politically motivated prosecutions and the case of Hejaaz Hizbullah. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Ramanathan Archchuna raised an urgent concern about the reported installation of a Buddha statue in a Tamil-inhabited area in Trincomalee. He objected to what he described as repeated false statements in Parliament on the issue and asked that the matter be noted. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad, during the Committee Stage debate on the expenditure Heads of the Ministries of Justice and National Integration and of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, raised concerns about plantation workers’ wages and objected to the issue being framed as an inter-ethnic matter. He called on government representatives, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to participate in a public television debate on the subject and stated that the matter should be resolved directly. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Dilith Jayaweera described the Trincomalee incident as a sensitive matter that could escalate and criticized the Deputy Minister’s response as weak. He urged that the issue be approached from a common national civilizational perspective, without ethnic or religious divisions, and resolved in a way that preserves peace rather than relying solely on court action. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera raised concern over an incident at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bauddhiraja Viharaya, linking it to what he described as Government rhetoric hostile to Sinhalese Buddhist practices and civilization. He argued that national unity, peace, and respect for Buddhist values are essential for tourism and other enterprises, and questioned why Police allegedly assaulted monks, including Kassapa Thero, in that context. He denied making a racist argument but claimed Government statements about religious practices may have influenced Police conduct and fuelled unnecessary communal tensions. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →