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. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan moved an adjournment motion calling for action on longstanding human rights and political issues affecting Tamils in the North, East and Malaiyagam, including power-sharing negotiations, release of political prisoners, land release, resettlement, justice for the disappeared, and protections against PTA use and military interference. He argued that successive agreements and proposals from the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact through the Indo-Lanka Accord, constitutional reform efforts and APRC proposals had not been implemented, leaving the national question unresolved for decades. He also sought specific measures for Malaiyagam estate communities on housing, land, education, livelihoods and implementation of commitments such as the Hatton Declaration. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj supported the proposed Customs Ordinance measures on vehicle imports and regulations under the Construction Industry Development Act, arguing they are part of restoring economic stability and reviving sectors affected by the previous import ban and construction downturn. He said the legal updates would align taxation for new-technology electric vehicles with earlier treatment of hybrids and provide some relief to the middle class. He also referred to the Chemmani issue, stating that the Government had promised fair investigation and accountability, and urged Northern and Eastern leaders to prioritize economic development over communal rhetoric. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concerns during debate on several fiscal and regulatory instruments, urging action on local grievances. He asked the Government to consider Mannar residents’ objections to additional wind turbines after a presidential decision to suspend the project temporarily and seek public views. He also called for full cooperation with international forensic and human rights experts in the Chemmani mass grave exhumations, citing reported findings of 147 skeletal remains, alleged witness intimidation, past inquiries, and testimony from the Krishanthy Kumaraswamy case. He demanded an independent international judicial inquiry into Chemmani, the return of related case files to Jaffna, and similar international scrutiny of the Kokkuvil/Kokkilai/Kokkuthoduvai grave. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe supported the debate on the Samurdhi and other amendment bills while urging action on long-standing service issues of Samurdhi Development Officers, including promotions, vacancies, MN-2 salary restructuring, Tamil-language departmental communications in the North and East, and faster pension and arrears payments. He also asked that newly recruited Samurdhi officers be absorbed properly into service and linked these measures to strengthening village-level economic development. On sports administration, he highlighted vacancies in the Eastern Provincial Sports Department and in Ampara District, arguing that they affect competitions, talent identification, training, and provincial performance. He requested facilities and funding for sports development, including a modern rugby ground at Palamunai, construction of the Sammanturai Sports Ground, rehabilitation of the Pottuvil–Pasarichenai ground and pavilion, and the appointment of an additional District Youth Services Officer for Tamil-majority areas. He briefly referred to the recent Hartal in the North and East and said the Government should examine its causes and respond accordingly. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel spoke during the debate on the Samurdhi and Births and Deaths Registration Amendment Bills and Sports Act regulations, focusing on the need to develop sports among youth in the Hill Country and Uva areas. She said many schools and communities lack grounds, equipment, and coaches despite producing talented athletes, and criticized past reliance on election-time token support instead of sustained development. She highlighted the absence of a fully equipped ground in her electorate and the closure of the Diathalawa Polo Ground, and urged the Government to identify, train, and support local athletes, particularly volleyball players, to reach national and international levels. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam argued that poverty-alleviation programmes such as Samurdhi/Aswesuma require clearer communication in all languages, stronger monitoring, evaluation, and reforms to ensure funds improve household livelihoods rather than being misused. He called for equal sports facilities and opportunities in the North and East, including completion of long-delayed stadium projects in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya. He also urged the Government to establish and implement a national resettlement policy for war-displaced persons and to stop arresting UNHCR-assisted returnees for alleged illegal departure decades earlier, warning that recent arrests had reportedly led UNHCR to suspend repatriation. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara defended the Government’s youth initiatives as inclusive of all ethnic and religious communities, rejecting claims of bias and linking some criticisms to electoral motives. He said over 300,000 youth are involved through structures from Grama Niladhari level to the National Council, and that a national youth action plan is being developed with the UN to implement the NPP Youth Charter from the following year. He outlined plans to connect youth representatives to local and district development processes and to establish a modernized Youth Parliament covering all 25 districts and linked to the 24 ministries. He also said the Government is reviewing issues relating to Development Officers and teacher appointments following court developments, with the aim of resolving them systematically. Adjournment Motion: Youth Engagement for Sustainable Development Goals Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised concerns about alleged discrimination and neglect affecting Tamil-speaking and minority youth, particularly in the North, East, and up-country Tamil communities, in youth programmes, appointments, promotions, and training opportunities. He questioned participation of Tamil-speaking youth in a recent Maharagama youth event and asked what plans exist for unemployed youth in the North and East, citing high youth unemployment and NEET figures alongside World Bank funding for job creation. He said India-supported projects and Budget commitments for 2024–2025 had not been implemented and urged the Government to inspect and remedy deficiencies at the dilapidated Sainthamaruthu Youth Centre. Adjournment Motion: Youth Engagement for Sustainable Development Goals Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna supported the Motion on youth but said decades of conflict had damaged the prospects of Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim youth. He opposed moves to revert or remove Development Officers who had been converted to teacher appointments after years of service, citing earlier assurances that youth livelihoods and teacher shortages would be addressed. He called for any biometric attendance system to be applied uniformly across public institutions, including Parliament and the health sector, and urged legislation if necessary. He also demanded action to enable reliable online payment systems such as PayPal and Payoneer for Sri Lankan youth engaged in exports, while cautioning against politically motivated protests and urging the Government not to break promises made to voters. Adjournment Motion: Youth Engagement for Sustainable Development Goals Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister spoke in support of the debate on regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act and Public Debt Management Act, and the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, while responding to recent political claims by the Opposition. He rejected reports of government MPs crossing over and criticized Opposition references to “mafias,” saying such networks had developed under their own past political activity. He also said the recent hartal in the North and East had failed, argued that people were rejecting divisive politics, and urged political actors not to misuse religion in local political campaigns. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam supported the regulations under the Public Debt Management Act, No. 33 of 2024, stating that they would strengthen debt discipline through the Public Debt Management Office and the Public Debt Coordinating Committee and help prevent unproductive or corrupt borrowing. He argued that public debt should be assessed for repayment capacity and directed to productive investment, citing past projects such as the Sooriyawewa International Cricket Stadium and Hambantota International Conference Hall as examples of poor returns. He also criticised the previous day’s hartal, alleging coercion by some local officials and claiming that Tamil, Muslim and other communities largely rejected it, while asserting that the Government was protecting minority rights and advancing development in the North and East. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe defended the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill as a measure to regulate existing gambling activity rather than expand it, and said the Government would consider constructive proposals. He rejected Opposition claims about public borrowing, stating that the Government would borrow only within legal, IMF and fiscal discipline frameworks for productive projects and public benefit, unlike past borrowing that he said failed to create adequate assets. He also described the North-East hartal as unsuccessful and argued that recent election results showed public rejection of divisive ethnic politics, while affirming the Government’s commitment to transparency and responsible governance. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary Identified drainage works cover 63 stretches totaling 35.11 km, with two completed and the remaining 61 in progress. The Minister stated that the Government intends to strengthen elected Provincial Councils, will not postpone elections, and will remove obstacles to holding them. Until Provincial Councils are elected, road development and maintenance works will continue as required. Oral Question: Drainage Infrastructure - Batticaloa (Q.3/185/2024) Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Government on delays in holding Provincial Council elections, linking the absence of functioning councils to a lack of transparency in PSDG allocations and difficulties in managing local infrastructure such as drains in Batticaloa. He referred to his Private Member’s Bill proposing elections under the old system and asked when elections would be held, whether they would use the old system, and when powers would be restored to Northern and Eastern representatives. Oral Question: Drainage Infrastructure - Batticaloa (Q.3/185/2024) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the Government inherited a debt-defaulting and dysfunctional economy, with impaired banking, import, construction and capital project activity, and argued that it has since restored a measure of stability. He rejected Opposition criticism, linking it to accountability efforts over past corruption and mismanagement. He highlighted the continuing poverty and underdevelopment in the North after the war and the long-term marginalization of the plantation community, stating that the Government would prioritize economic stabilization, targeted subsidies, relief, livelihood improvements and development programmes for these communities. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law — Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary In response to a Standing Order 27(2) question by Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan, the Minister provided figures on Tamil suspects and prisoners connected to LTTE activities held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, including 4 suspects and 88 prisoners with various sentence statuses. He identified the prisons where they are detained and noted that transfers may occur for court or security reasons. He outlined the legal avenues for release, including completion of sentence, bail, acquittal or discharge by court, appeal outcomes, and presidential pardon or remission under Article 34 of the Constitution. Ministry Statement: Release of Tamil Political Prisoners Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about the new “Public Security Committees” introduced by the IGP to replace or reorganize Community Police Committees. He requested that the Sinhala title be accompanied by Tamil and English names to avoid issues for Tamil and Muslim communities, and questioned the role of Divisional Development Committee Chairmen, MPs, Pradeshiya Sabha members, and “Divisional Officers” in selecting members. He alleged that in some areas political figures were preparing or collecting lists for Police, preventing some committees from being formed, and asked the Minister to clarify who is formally authorized to receive applications and constitute the committees. Adjournment: Parliamentary Adjournment and Adjournment Questions Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to remarks by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen concerning Arugam Bay and Israel, stating that the issue predated the current Government and traced it to support given under a previous UNP Government. He noted continuing concerns in the Arugam Bay area, including among doctors and other stakeholders, and urged that political debate be conducted without racism or religious extremism while upholding a Sri Lankan identity. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran raised concerns over wind power projects and ilmenite mining in Mannar, stating that current activities arise from approvals granted by previous governments and not new permissions from the present Government. He said earlier approvals lacked consultation with local communities and religious leaders, and announced a parliamentary meeting with Vanni MPs, ministers, officials, religious leaders, fisheries representatives and civil society to review the issues. He stated that the Government would consider local concerns, reassess field impacts, and make decisions aimed at protecting fishers’ livelihoods. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan urged the Government, citing its anti-racist and equality-based mandate, to provide housing assistance to the 308 affected families. While affirming acceptance of the Supreme Court judgment and respect for judicial independence, he claimed the outcome was driven by legal technicalities and racist actors, and requested that justice be ensured for those affected. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →