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- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged the Government to complete stalled projects regardless of their association with the previous administration, citing a Qatar Government offer of Rs. 600 million for a building project that he said had not progressed due to official inaction. He asked Ministers to investigate officials who refuse available grants and warned that such conduct harms the Government and the country. He also called for fair action on disappearances and crimes by security personnel, stating that the law should apply equally to all institutions and political actors. He further raised concerns about Muslim representation in public administration and policymaking, including the absence of Muslim District Secretaries and Muslim academics on the Education Reforms Committee. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen argued that Sri Lanka belongs to all communities and criticized the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi hartal slogan of a “Tamil homeland” and the demand to remove the military from the North and East, saying such actions should have been preceded by wider consultation among affected communities. He condemned past abuses against Muslims and Tamils, including massacres, Chemmani, forced COVID-19 cremations, arrests under the PTA, and obstruction of Muslim resettlement, while calling for accountability for all perpetrators. He urged the Government and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to protect the trust placed in them by Muslim voters and to address specific grievances, including the closure of the Mahara Mosque, the Supreme Court-ordered closure of the Mannar-Puttalam road, and halted schools and cultural projects. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam argued that the Government had misrepresented the OHCHR report, citing its criticisms on the PTA, transitional justice, poverty, corruption, militarization, land issues, custodial deaths, and stalled accountability cases. He raised specific allegations regarding NMRA-related corruption and deaths linked to a reintroduced product, intimidation of Tamil journalists, demolition of churches in Palaly–Myliddy, and continued military occupation and land acquisition in the North and East. He also criticized the Government’s unfulfilled promises on plantation wages, Forest Conservation land releases in Batticaloa, and broader reforms, while rejecting claims that demands for Tamil political rights are racist. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam questioned the Government’s position on federalism in the context of its commitment to a unitary state. He argued that the term “federal” has long been portrayed among the Sinhala public as racist or separatist, and urged the Minister to state clearly that federalism is not equivalent to racism or separatism so it can be discussed openly with the public. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised a point of order challenging objections to federalism and stating that Tamil Arasu Katchi’s policy supports federal power-sharing, which he described as a recognized model comparable to systems in Switzerland, the United States and India. He urged the Government to explain federalism to the public, reciprocate respect in debate, and not subsume Tamil rights under development arguments. He also questioned opposition to an international inquiry into wartime allegations, arguing that if no crimes or injustices were committed there should be willingness to establish the truth. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake responded to the Adjournment Motion on human rights by citing the 12 August UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report as evidence of a shift toward a more inclusive national identity and of early government action on economic and social rights. He highlighted the inherited economic crisis, including food insecurity and child malnutrition, and pointed to measures such as tax threshold increases, VAT removals on some foods, higher health and education allocations, increased Aswesuma funding, and meeting the IMF social safety net target. He also cited the Proceeds of Crime Act, the National Anti-Corruption Plan, and recent corruption convictions and investigations as signs of action against corruption, arguing that human rights concerns must be considered alongside economic recovery and accountability efforts. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the Government is committed to protecting all citizens equally and to building a culture of respect for human rights, beyond formal laws and treaties. She argued that Sri Lanka inherited institutions and norms shaped by corruption, impunity, abuse of power and divisive narratives, which must be reformed or dismantled. She said the Government has sought to avoid hateful narratives, promote unity and accountability, restore respect for the rule of law, and correct shortcomings in matters such as mass graves and detentions where necessary. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan said the imposition of wind power projects in Mannar against local opposition, mass graves in Mannar and Mullaitivu, repression of activists, and disappearances of journalists reflected continuing human rights concerns affecting Tamils. He called for international investigations into wartime violations and urged the Government to demonstrate goodwill by repealing the PTA, pursuing constitutional reforms, and releasing long-detained political prisoners. He said action on these issues was needed to address ethnic grievances and build trust among Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB AI summary Kitnan Selvaraj supported the Adjournment Motion, framing it as part of addressing Sri Lanka’s long-standing ethnic question and its effects on harmony, human rights, and development. He emphasized the rights of Hill Country Tamils, citing the NPP’s Hatton Declaration, proposals to recognize “Malaiyaha Tamils” as Sri Lankan citizens, provide legal land rights, and improve education through targeted reforms and funding. He also urged that future measures include support and recognition for former LTTE combatants, particularly disabled and destitute individuals. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam welcomed the Motion but criticised the omission of explicit commitments to federalism and international accountability, arguing that these were part of ITAK’s electoral mandate. He questioned the Government’s assurances of impartiality in light of continued PTA use and recent incidents involving a journalist and the military, and argued that Tamils require constitutional guarantees rather than reliance on the intentions of any current government. He called for recognition of Tamils as an indigenous people with a homeland and the right to manage their affairs, and urged the Government at least to state that federalism is not secession and permit a genuine debate on it. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Minister Dammika Patabendi said the Government views human rights as linked to economic stability, equitable regional development, and environmental protection, including a commitment to increase forest cover to 32 per cent by 2030 through the “Vanaspathi” programme. He stated that GPS-based reserve demarcations after the war had wrongly included private lands and public buildings in the North and East, and announced plans for a Cabinet paper to appoint a special committee to verify and recommend land releases, with over 100,000 acres already identified in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya. He also referred to resolving forest and wildlife management issues, improving drinking water access through schemes including Pali Aru, and bringing legislation to recognize and protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran supported the Adjournment Motion on human rights ahead of the UNHRC session, alleging a long history of violations against Tamils, including disenfranchisement, pogroms, disappearances, mass graves, and failures to investigate sites in the North and East. He argued that domestic accountability mechanisms have lacked credibility and called for international justice through the ICC and ICJ, while also questioning action on claims about the Easter attacks. He demanded repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, equal respect for all religions and languages, inclusion of Tamil perspectives in education reforms, and stressed that development projects cannot replace the protection of rights. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna welcomed the Minister’s remarks but challenged the Government to act on them. He demanded the release of Ananda Sudhagar, the return of lands in Mayiliddy and Palaly, and resolution of the Thayiddi Viharaya issue, stating that support from his side would depend on such actions being taken. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister welcomed the Adjournment Motion on human rights and said the decline of the Tamil population in the North, displacement, disappearances, emigration and land loss have weakened Tamil political and social presence, particularly in Jaffna. He argued that protecting Tamil existence requires both justice measures and accelerated development, citing planned industrial zones in Kankesanthurai, Paranthan and Mankulam, expansion of Palaly airport, KKS rail and harbour services, Mayiliddi harbour, and the Kurikattuwan bridge. He said the Government has not forgotten commitments to release lands, address disappearances, resolve the Thayiddi Viharaya issue amicably within one or two months, and improve local services including a passport office in Jaffna from the following month. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan supported the adjournment motion on human rights issues affecting Tamils in the North, East and Malaiyaha region, linking longstanding minority grievances, disappearances, PTA-related abuses, torture allegations and lack of accountability to the need for urgent government action. He called for swift repeal of the PTA, release of lands held or gazetted by the military and state departments in the Vanni, relaxation of restrictions on NGO activity, and improvements to women’s rights, equal pay, education and health infrastructure. He also urged the Government to allow the importation of 16,000 Tamil translations of the Holy Qur’an and hold responsible those who blocked them. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary Vijitha Herath said the Government inherited a severe economic crisis and has prioritized IMF engagement, debt restructuring, poverty reduction, welfare support, and economic stabilization while linking recovery to national unity and reconciliation. He stated that the Government would hold Provincial Council elections after resolving legal obstacles, and would pursue a new Constitution through public and parliamentary input followed by a referendum. He rejected external pressure in constitutional matters, said the Government is committed to protecting human rights and addressing isolated incidents, and emphasized that economic justice is central to reconciliation and national rebuilding. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan supported the adjournment motion and urged the Government to take credible steps on Tamil grievances, including holding long-delayed Provincial Council elections, beginning constitutional reform talks, and implementing key LLRC recommendations. He argued for an inclusive Sri Lankan identity recognizing all communities, languages, and religions, while noting that responsibility now lies with the current Government despite many issues originating under previous administrations. He also called for land and housing rights and stronger local governance for plantation communities, citing measures taken during 2015–2019, and demanded affirmative action for estate schools and other marginalized groups. He reminded the Government of its 2023 Hatton Declaration commitments on plantation people’s rights and urged implementation. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan requested additional speaking time and addressed the NPP Government’s past stance, arguing that measures toward resolving the ethnic question had previously been weakened or dismantled. He emphasized that his comments were not hostile and called for cooperation as equal partners to develop the country. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan criticised the Government for rejecting the hybrid accountability mechanism with international participation accepted at the UN Human Rights Council in 2015, arguing that victims cannot receive justice if alleged perpetrators control investigations. He raised concerns over mass graves and skeletal remains found in Ariyalai and Chemmany-Sindupathy, tabled letters to the President on military involvement in civil matters and mass graves, and condemned the alleged military killing of a young man in Muthaiyankaddu. He urged the Government to address the long-standing Tamil political question through dialogue, mutual recognition, and a clear plan, noting its past opposition to the Indo-Lanka Accord and the North-East merger. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan stated that Tamil representatives remain willing to negotiate a political solution within Sri Lanka, citing previous talks from S.J.V. Chelvanayakam’s era through R. Sampanthan’s leadership. Referring to the upcoming UN Human Rights Council session, he raised the unresolved question posed by the late Bishop Rayappu Joseph to the LLRC about 146,679 people unaccounted for after the 2009 conflict. He noted that several UN officials and panels had investigated related issues and that the matter remains before the UNHRC. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →