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- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported the condolence motion for former Members of Parliament P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, and W. B. Ranatunga, conveying condolences to their families. He paid particular tribute to M. H. Cegu Isadean as an Eastern Province politician, poet, teacher, lawyer, and advocate of Tamil–Muslim coexistence, noting his efforts to prevent ethnic tensions during difficult periods. He also recalled P. Dayaratna’s service to all communities in Ampara and acknowledged the public service of the other former Members. Votes of Condolence: Late Former Members of Parliament (P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, W. B. Ranatunga) Read →
- 12 September 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna paid condolences to the families of former Members Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, W.B. Ranatunga, P. Dayaratna and M.H. Sehu Iszadeen, linking their public service to periods of ethnic conflict, displacement and political change. He reflected on the history of Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese relations, arguing that majoritarian and divisive politics, including language-based discrimination and chauvinist rhetoric, damaged earlier Tamil-Muslim unity. He highlighted Sehu Iszadeen’s literary and political contributions, particularly his advocacy of Tamil-Muslim unity, and urged current politicians not to use ethnic or religious division in contemporary politics. Votes of Condolence: Late Former Members of Parliament (P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, W. B. Ranatunga) Read →
- 12 September 2025 Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe paid tribute to the late Hon. P. Dayaratna, highlighting his long parliamentary career, ministerial service, development work in Ampara and relations with all communities, and conveyed condolences on behalf of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and the people of Ampara. He also recalled the late Hon. M.H. Sehu Iszadeen as his former teacher, lawyer, poet, provincial councillor, MP and minister, emphasizing his role in advocating for Muslim security and representation during debates on devolution and the proposed merged North-Eastern Province. He noted Sehu Iszadeen’s contributions to the SLMC and to proposals for Muslim-majority administrative arrangements in the North and East, and extended condolences to the families of all former Members named in the motions. Votes of Condolence: Late Former Members of Parliament (P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, W. B. Ranatunga) Read →
- 12 September 2025 Hon. S. Sritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. S. Sritharan paid tribute to Sehu Iszadeen, describing him as a figure who worked for Tamil–Muslim unity, and conveyed condolences to his family. He urged the strengthening of unity between Tamil and Muslim peoples while reaffirming the North and East as the Tamil homeland. He also stated that the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi rejects the concept of a separate “Muslim state” while maintaining its position on Tamil unity and the homeland concept. Votes of Condolence: Late Former Members of Parliament (P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, W. B. Ranatunga) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan paid tribute to the late former Members of Parliament being commemorated, with particular reference to M.H. Cegu Isadean’s role in the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, North-East politics, and the merged North-East Provincial Council under the 13th Amendment. He used the commemoration to discuss Tamil-Muslim political relations, stating that ITAK supports Muslim self-determination within a governance structure for all peoples and reiterating its position on a Tamil homeland in the North and East. He criticised recent remarks by some Muslim leaders, referenced past peace process interactions and wartime allegations involving SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem, while also stating that Tamils bore no anger towards Muslims and acknowledging Muslims who fought alongside the LTTE. Votes of Condolence: Late Former Members of Parliament (P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, W. B. Ranatunga) Read →
- 12 September 2025 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana said co-operative powers are devolved to the Provinces under the Thirteenth Amendment, with rural banks operating through provincial co-operative societies under Provincial Co-operative Development Commissioners. He stated that the Central Government is examining the extent to which it can intervene in rural bank functions and may act on the proposal if such authority is confirmed. He added that the Central Department of Co-operative Development is working to strengthen production by establishing 1,000 production-oriented co-operative societies. Oral Question: Co-operative Development Functions (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna AI summary Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna said the Government cannot give a fixed date for Provincial Council elections because, under the current system, they cannot be held. He stated that the Government does not intend to keep Provincial Councils without elected representatives and is working to create the necessary legal framework. Once that legal space is in place, he said the elections will be held without postponement. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Asked the subject Minister to clarify the Government’s position on Provincial Council elections, noting statements by Minister Wijitha Berugoda and party Secretary Tilvin Silva that elections would be held only after the delimitation process. Requested a clear answer on how and when the elections will be conducted. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.-H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary The Minister responded to questions from Hon. Rasamanickam on public-sector graduate recruitment and Provincial Council vacancies. He said recruitment under the Government’s 35,000 graduate employment programme is being reviewed by a committee chaired by the Prime Minister’s Secretary, with appointments to island-wide, education, departmental, authority and Provincial Council posts to follow relevant procedures. He reported that about 1,000 recruitments have already been made under his Ministry, approval has been obtained for nearly another 1,000, and Provincial Councils had 61,835 vacancies out of an approved cadre of 463,369 as at 30 June 2025. He added that preliminary steps for Provincial Council recruitments have begun, the absence of elected Councils is not an impediment, and elections will be addressed in due course. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Government on its manifesto pledge to create 35,000 graduate job opportunities, including STEM and teacher appointments, asking how many have been provided and why delays continue. He cited protests by Development Officers and unfulfilled promises to groups including Dengue Prevention Assistants, railway gate watchers, Field Mosquito Control Assistants and Bachelor of Education graduates, particularly highlighting unemployment in the North and East. He also asked for vacancy figures in Provincial Council ministries and sought a definite timeline for Provincial Council elections, raising concern that delimitation may be used to delay the restoration of council powers and related recruitments. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe addressed the Supplementary Estimates and urged action on the long-abandoned Saudi-funded 500-house Nuraicholai tsunami housing scheme in Akkaraipattu, completed in 2009 but not handed over to beneficiaries. He called on the President, Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, and relevant ministries to convene special meetings and allocate the houses to tsunami-affected families, while arguing that any court-ordered ethnic allocation principle should apply consistently to housing schemes nationwide. He also responded to a claim about Kalmunai District Coordinating Committee meetings, citing a 2024 District Secretary’s letter directing joint meetings for Kalmunai DS Division and Kalmunai North Sub-office at a common venue. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan thanked India for funding the Mannar General Hospital and welcomed India’s positions on human rights and meaningful devolution through Provincial Councils. He urged the Government to review the Mannar wind power project in light of a prolonged local protest, and called for internationally monitored investigations into human rights violations, including mass graves at Chemmani, rejecting purely domestic processes. He also supported anti-corruption action but demanded that it extend beyond Colombo to local authorities, citing alleged irregularities in Mannar Municipality projects such as the Panangkattukottu stadium and Pallimunai ground, and called for investigations and punishment of those responsible. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns over the Mannar District Solid Waste Management Project, stating that a Rs. 77 million ADB- and municipal-funded project has been obstructed by a public institution and affected by objections from the Forest and Wildlife Departments, with further details to be tabled later. He urged the Government to give priority to nutrition, health and livelihood support for female-headed and war-affected households in the North and East, including pregnant mothers and communities facing gaps in Thriposha delivery. He also argued that domestic mechanisms and commission recommendations on wartime disappearances and killings have failed, citing ongoing protests by families of the disappeared and recent allegations by a former EPDP cadre, and called for an impartial international investigation to ensure justice and reconciliation. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 11 September 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised the unresolved displacement of Tamil families from Mullikulam in Mannar District, stating that despite earlier resettlement in 2002, they were forced out again in 2007 and remain unable to return to their lands. He said over 1,500 acres of private lands, irrigation tanks, houses and fishing areas are occupied by the Navy, Forest Department and other authorities, while many families live in nearby villages or refugee camps in India. He urged the House to take immediate action to release the occupied lands and resettle the Mullikulam people without delay. National Audit (Amendment) Bill Second Reading and Supplementary Estimates Debate Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna said Northern voters had supported the Government because they believed it opposed repression, and argued that Tamil commemorations of Prabhakaran should be understood alongside Sinhala regard for Rohana Wijeweera. He alleged corruption in the North, including in Jaffna, and claimed the Government had failed to prosecute major fraud while filing 25 police cases against him after he exposed wrongdoing. He also criticized MPs who call for dissolving Parliament while enjoying parliamentary benefits, and demanded accountability for alleged misuse of state resources and politically motivated legal action. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna began by stating that he would shorten his allotted time and chose to speak in Sinhala, noting his Tamil identity. He challenged Members to indicate whether they considered Prabhakaran a terrorist, observing that no one raised a hand, and said he posed the question for a reason. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 Hon. Chamal Sampath Dissanayake AI summary Hon. Chamal Sampath Dissanayake urged the Government to act prudently when implementing popular election promises, warning that decisions taken out of hostility could provoke adverse public reactions. He argued that despite the rejection of Mahinda Rajapaksa electorally, many Sinhala Buddhists still retain respect for him, and said the Government should consider such political sensitivities. He also cautioned that political alignments and voter blocs could shift before the next election, and referred to events in Nepal to stress that governments must anticipate the consequences of their actions while rejecting political violence. Debate: Presidents' Entitlements (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns that, 16 years after the war and one year into the Government’s term, displaced people in Valikamam North are still unable to return to their lands. He said access to the opened Palaly Road remains restricted in practice and requested the release of unused temples and other areas without military presence as a goodwill measure to enable resettlement. He asked why resettlement in Valikamam North continues to be prevented. Oral Questions: Jaffna Massacre (Q. 2-117/2024) and Displaced Persons in Valikamam North (Q. 3-1253/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Asked under Standing Order 27(2) why residents of 13 GN Divisions in Valikamam North, Jaffna, displaced since 1990 due to the Palaly camp, military presence and shelling, remain unable to return 15 years after the war. He said over 2,700 acres in areas including Vasavilan, Kattuvan, Myliddy and Palaly remain inaccessible, with families still living in camps or with relatives. He requested from the President and Minister of Defence figures on displaced families and land held as High Security Zones, reasons for continued non-release, actions taken during the past year, and a clear timeline or explanation regarding resettlement. Oral Questions: Jaffna Massacre (Q. 2-117/2024) and Displaced Persons in Valikamam North (Q. 3-1253/2025) Read →
- 10 September 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed that an expert team is accessing the mass grave site under OMP coordination following Court leave sought on 26 August 2025, with an interim report to precede any Magistrate-ordered excavation and exhumation. He stated that adequate funding will be approved, investigative methods will follow expert opinion and international protocols, and international assistance will be sought if needed. He also outlined Court-led inter-agency coordination involving relevant institutions and said dignified last rites would follow scientific identification processes and consultation with families, religious leaders and civil society, with the process expected to commence by October subject to weather. Oral Questions: Jaffna Massacre (Q. 2-117/2024) and Displaced Persons in Valikamam North (Q. 3-1253/2025) Read →