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- 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that a Supreme Court judgment requires the 500 houses to be distributed according to the national ethnic ratio, and legal advice indicates the Government cannot act contrary to it. She said a proposal for district-based distribution should therefore be considered through a Parliamentary Committee, while a separate intervention could be made regarding the 308 families if a distinct fairness issue exists. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan said Saudi-funded houses intended for tsunami-affected families should first be allocated to the 308 identified beneficiaries, in light of the court decision based on equality in the distribution of public resources. He argued that the litigation had been pursued on ethnic grounds and asked the Prime Minister to ensure justice through a Parliamentary Committee and the Attorney-General’s assistance. He proposed that any remaining houses be distributed according to district-level ethnic ratios and sought the Government’s position. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Following a question by Hon. K. Kader Masthan, it was stated that the 500-house Norochcholai Tsunami Housing Project in Ampara, built with Saudi assistance after the 2004 tsunami, remains undistributed due to a 2009 Supreme Court judgment concerning the alienation of State land and beneficiary selection. The proposed current approach is to seek Supreme Court concurrence to allocate the houses according to the Ampara District’s 2012 Census ethnic ratios, while obtaining reports on their now-uninhabitable condition and continuing consultations with the Attorney-General’s Department and relevant officials. It was also noted that no donor commitment for rehabilitation or additional houses has been communicated to the District Secretary, that a request exists to consider 308 identified tsunami-affected families, and that a Parliamentary Committee may be appointed to identify a lawful distribution method. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised questions about 500 tsunami housing units in Akkaraipattu, built with Saudi Arabian assistance, which have remained undistributed for 20 years due to litigation over ethnic-ratio-based allocation. He asked whether the Supreme Court had issued directions following the Attorney-General’s reference to the Ampara District Coordinating Committee’s allocation decision, and noted that the donor was prepared to rehabilitate the project and build 500 additional houses. He further stated that 308 tsunami-affected families had been identified for allocation and requested consideration of a Parliamentary Committee to study the matter and take steps to resolve it while supporting bilateral relations. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister explained that Koralaipattu Central and Koralaipattu South (Kiran) in Batticaloa remain ungazetted despite Cabinet approval in 2000, due to unresolved boundary disputes, objections from the public and MPs, and lack of consensus following later delimitation recommendations. He said the issue involves several neighbouring Divisional Secretariat areas and must be handled carefully to avoid ethnic tensions. He requested that District and Divisional Coordinating Committees discuss the matter and submit an agreed proposal, stating that the Government is prepared to consider a consensus solution promptly rather than initiate another delimitation process. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath questioned why the Koralaipattu administrative boundary issue in Batticaloa had been escalated to Parliament rather than resolved at district level, warning that it could provoke protests and ethnic tensions. He argued that the 18 Grama Niladhari divisions in Koralaipattu South, though not gazetted, are functioning normally and should remain unchanged, and similarly that the two contiguous divisions in Koralaipattu North–Vakarai should be maintained. He specifically opposed moving five GN divisions from Koralaipattu South to Koralaipattu West and called for the matter to be handled as an administrative issue affecting all communities. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Aboobucker Athambawa said land and boundary disputes affecting Tamil-speaking communities in the North and East should be resolved through discussion and compromise, rather than being used for ethnic politics. He argued that past governments and leaders had opportunities to address these issues through earlier committees and reports, and called for work with the relevant Ministers and the President to deliver immediate solutions. He also stated that the country should not be divided by ethnicity, religion, or language, and noted that the current administration had maintained calm and prevented ethnic unrest. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen argued that disputes over DS divisions, including Batticaloa and Kalmunai North, should not be addressed through ethnic or religious boundary-making or electoral politics. He said past administrative decisions had created injustice, but that lasting solutions require direct dialogue among Tamil and Muslim political and community leaders rather than reliance on commissions or government action alone. He urged both communities to compromise, avoid misleading the public, and jointly resolve land and administrative issues in Ampara, Batticaloa and the North. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam cautioned against framing issues in Batticaloa and the East as Tamil-Muslim social conflicts or using them for political mobilization, including protests by members of parties in government. He said ITAK was engaged in dialogue to maintain Tamil-Muslim harmony and urged Muslim political leaders not to revive divisive politics, while noting issues such as Kalmunai North must be handled through discussion. He argued that a Delimitation Committee alone would not resolve the matter and called for communities and parties to agree on a solution themselves, warning that rejected outcomes could lead to protests and inter-communal tensions. He also rejected blaming officials, including those in Batticaloa, and said political actors should act responsibly to prevent ethnic rifts. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Kanthasamy Prabu addressed the pending approval of the Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa, noting that it and Kiran (Koralaipattu South) were created in 2002 following Panambalana Commission recommendations but remain unapproved. He said the proposed Koralaipattu Central division involved 11 Grama Niladhari divisions drawn from neighbouring areas and had been discussed since 1999, including in a 2013 parliamentary committee. He urged that approvals be granted while consulting both communities and preserving ethnic harmony, warning against ethnically driven administrative decisions. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan addressed an adjournment motion concerning five GN divisions within Koralaipattu South (Kiran), stating that the affected residents should be consulted on whether they wish to remain there or join another DS division. He said the 18 GN divisions in the area have functioned together since 2002 without ethnic friction, with Tamil and Muslim communities living harmoniously and the five divisions historically linked to Koralaipattu South through community institutions. He cautioned that detaching the five GN divisions could create tensions, especially given land ownership complexities involving state authorities, and called for a transparent resolution through dialogue. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary M.L.A.M. Hizbullah moved an Adjournment Motion requesting the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government to immediately gazette the Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat with its 11 Grama Niladhari divisions, as recommended by the 1999 Panambalana Committee and subsequent Cabinet decision. He said other recommended Divisional Secretariats had been gazetted, but Koralaipattu Central and Koralaipattu South in Batticaloa had operated for 25 years without defined boundaries, causing administrative confusion and hardship for residents. He welcomed reports of a new Delimitation Committee but urged implementation of earlier accepted recommendations without further delay and called for consultations that avoid ethnic tensions among communities in Batticaloa. Adjournment Debate: Koralaipattu Central Divisional Secretariat in Batticaloa Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna objected to being interrupted and responded to remarks directed at him. He questioned why a promised leather factory for the North and East had not been established despite land allocations, DCC meetings, and completed processes, noting that carcasses from the region continue to be transported to the South. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran argued that the Government acts swiftly on investigations when there is political pressure, citing the committee report on allegations against former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, but has failed to apply similar urgency to alleged violence against Tamils, including massacres, disappearances and wartime atrocities. He questioned when investigations and justice would be delivered for these issues and called for the same transparency and immediacy shown in the IGP case. Referring to remarks by Deputy IGP Gunandavadu Nishantha de Soysa on the Weligama Sergeant Uppul murder inquiry, he argued that alleged perpetrators or their institutions should not investigate themselves and rejected state-led inquiries into alleged abuses by successive governments. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake — Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the Government is facilitating court-supervised investigations into mass graves, including Chemmanni, and has asked the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to consider accrediting a Sri Lankan laboratory for carbon dating. He argued that the present Government is moving away from communal politics and criticized the Rajapaksas, the SJB and others over past violence and the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as IGP. Referring to the motion under the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, he said Parliament had followed the required legal and Standing Order procedures, rejected claims of sub judice, and urged Members to vote against Deshabandu before the Speaker notifies the President if the motion is passed. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam said the Tamil National People’s Front supports the motion to remove IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, arguing that he functioned as a political agent and should not remain in office. He said Tennakoon’s case reflects a wider politicization of the State, but argued that successive governments have also used state institutions against Tamils, particularly through the police and military. Referring to the Chemmanni mass grave excavations, he alleged political interference by the Justice Ministry Secretary and intimidation by police presence near the site, and called for accountability through an international criminal investigation, noting Sri Lanka’s non-accession to the Rome Statute. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan stated that he would support the motion to remove IGP Deshbandu Tennakoon, linking it to concerns over police brutality, torture, judicial independence and equality before the law. He recounted his own detention and alleged torture in 1998 and criticised abuses under the PTA and by police and security authorities against Tamils. He also raised the Chemmani mass graves and the Krishanthi Kumaraswamy case, submitting related newspaper and letter material, and called for an international inquiry, including facilitating testimony by Somaratna Rajapakshe. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala criticized remarks by Hon. Namal Rajapaksa in Beruwala, alleging that past incidents such as the violence in Dharga Town and attacks on a Provincial Councillor’s farm reflected the fomenting of racism. He said the NPP would oppose falsehoods and narrow racist politics, asserting that such politics should not be allowed to derail the country. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika paid tribute to the late Hon. R. Sampanthan, noting his long parliamentary career from 1977 to 1983 and from 1997 until his death in 2024, his leadership of the TNA, and his tenure as Leader of the Opposition after 2015. He emphasized Sampanthan’s role in pursuing a democratic resolution to the national question, particularly through the TULF before the escalation of conflict, while noting the lack of sufficient support from the South. He also described Sampanthan as a principled, policy-oriented politician who separated public service from personal gain and said his contribution should be recorded with honour in Sri Lanka’s history. Condolence Debate: Late Hon. Members (R. Sampanthan, A. Pilapitiya, W. B. Ekanayake, Lucky Jayawardana, Malani Fonseka) Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan paid tribute to five former Members, focusing especially on R. Sampanthan’s long legal and parliamentary career and his efforts to secure Tamil political rights through constitutional reform and dialogue with successive national leaders. He said Sampanthan pursued equality and a political solution through moderate, bridge-building politics, including during the Constitutional Assembly process under the “Good Governance” Government, but died with that objective unfulfilled. He also offered brief condolences for Abeyratne Pilapitiya, W. B. Ekanayake and Lucky Jayawardana for their public service, and for Malani Fonseka for her distinguished contribution to cinema. Condolence Debate: Late Hon. Members (R. Sampanthan, A. Pilapitiya, W. B. Ekanayake, Lucky Jayawardana, Malani Fonseka) Read →