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- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary Muneer Mulaffer said the post-2009 governments failed to promote reconciliation after the war and instead allowed communal suspicion to grow, citing incidents in Digana, Ampara, Gintota, Minuwangoda and Kuliyapitiya. He argued that investigations into the Easter attacks should punish all planners and perpetrators, while also examining media outlets and political actors that spread communal hatred through false narratives. He stated that the wider Muslim community had no motive for the Easter bombings, acknowledged Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’s role in preventing further violence, and called for measures to ensure such communal unrest does not recur. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka JJB AI summary Hon. Anura Karunathilaka stated that the objective is to complete the work and hand it over to the Ja-Ela Pradeshiya Sabha. He said the proposals made would be discussed with the Pradeshiya Sabha and implemented within its management framework. Oral Question: Ragama–Peralanda Tank Development (Q.6511/2025) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna supported the motion on persons with disabilities and requested that the term “differently abled people” be used in Hansard. He highlighted the high prevalence of disability in the North and East due to the war, cited districts and institutions affected, and called for a strong policy and programme, including employment opportunities for unemployed youth and persons with disabilities. He also asked that the suffering of affected persons not be politicized, affirmed service within a united country, and corrected what he described as a media misrepresentation of his remarks on the Chemmani mass graves. Adjournment Debate: Employment for Persons with Disabilities Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy supported Sugath Wasantha de Silva’s adjournment motion on persons with disabilities and called for Parliament to model inclusion. He urged respect, priority in employment, relief, housing, and educational support for persons with disabilities, particularly those affected by the war in the North and East, including Tamil, Sinhalese, and other communities. He said the Government should build a society where persons with disabilities can live on equal terms. Adjournment Debate: Employment for Persons with Disabilities Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan argued that Sri Lanka must address its trade and budget deficits through better planning and management, noting high import expenditure, declining tea exports, risks to apparel exports from possible US tariffs, and the need for prudent control of vehicle and food imports. He called for support to local production, including agriculture, fisheries and salt, while raising concerns about the cost of living, the unmet Rs. 1,700 wage pledge for plantation workers, and the impact of 18% VAT on digital services. He also urged proper investigation and facilities for excavations at the Chemmani mass graves and requested that the Central Provincial Education Department avoid replacing the Tamil Zonal Director in the majority-Tamil Hatton Education Zone in a way that could heighten ethnic tensions. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna – Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary The Minister said District and Divisional Coordinating Committees currently operate under Circular 02/2021 and are intended to oversee budgetary allocations and improve public service delivery, not to provide political advantage to the Government. He rejected claims that they violate the 13th Amendment, stating that Government and Opposition Members and local authority heads can participate and raise proposals or criticisms. He said his Ministry and the Presidential Secretariat are revising the circular, with Cabinet policy approval, to address concerns raised in the debate and strengthen the legal framework where necessary. Adjournment Motion: District Coordinating Committees - Effectiveness, Accountability and Legal Clarity of Decisions Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper warned that District Coordinating Committees have historically been used as politicized instruments by central governments to retain control in areas where they lacked local or provincial authority, thereby undermining devolved power. While acknowledging positive aspects of the Motion, he called for clear rules on who chairs DCCs and their composition, including Provincial Council members, Chief Ministers, Governors and local authority chairpersons. He also alleged past misuse of DCC and Divisional Coordinating Committee chairmanships by successive governments to influence or attract MPs, and urged caution before strengthening the mechanism. Adjournment Motion: District Coordinating Committees - Effectiveness, Accountability and Legal Clarity of Decisions Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe supported the revenue measures under the Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act but urged the Government to direct increased customs and vehicle import revenue towards development in the war-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces, particularly the East. He called for clearer details on Indian-funded development, pre-harvest Treasury allocations for paddy procurement, guaranteed prices, storage facilities, and paddy-drying machines for farming areas in Ampara District. He also criticised ruling-party Muslim MPs for disparaging past Muslim leaders, defended prior collective action against racism during the Gotabaya Rajapaksa period, and said the Opposition would support good governance while raising concerns affecting Muslim and Tamil communities. Debate: Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act Order and Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported the objectives of the Stamp Duty Order and import/export regulations but questioned whether increased stamp duty revenue would be sufficient for local authorities to progressively bear staff salary costs, and urged that other revenue streams be restored to local bodies. He criticized the Government’s conduct in forming local authority administrations and argued that public confidence, particularly among Muslims, had declined despite earlier support for the NPP. He also condemned Israel’s actions against Iran, recalled Iran’s assistance to Sri Lanka, and urged the Government to express support for Iran and pay greater attention to issues affecting the Muslim community, including representation and past arrests under the PTA. Debate: Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act Order and Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Read →
- 20 June 2025 The Hon. Manjula Sugath Rathnayaka JJB AI summary Hon. Manjula Sugath Rathnayaka supported the import and export control regulations allowing imports of used clothing, vehicle assembly parts, electric motorcycles, and sports equipment, arguing they would benefit consumers, local businesses, vehicle assembly, tourism, and related markets. He also backed the Stamp Duty Order increasing duty on immovable property from Rs. 10 to Rs. 20 per Rs. 1,000, stating the additional revenue would support local authorities through Provincial Councils and reduce burdens on central government expenditure. He criticized past misuse of public funds and tax evasion, and concluded by referring to the Poson celebration in Digamadulla as an example of inter-communal unity under the NPP Government. Debate: Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act Order and Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa called for COPE to expose past corruption, including alleged fraud linked to dairy cow imports and local government bodies, and urged punishment and confiscation of illicit assets. He argued that Sri Lanka should have improved local dairy breeds using available technologies and fodder rather than pursuing imports that failed to increase milk production as expected. He rejected Opposition allegations of deals to form local councils, saying members from other parties had voluntarily joined the ruling side, and said voters in the East were moving away from communal politics toward a new political culture. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said he had previously requested the Security Forces Commander in Jaffna to carry out a site inspection with villagers and the District Secretary. He asked the Deputy Minister to send a delegation for a joint site visit, noting that while strategic security needs should be considered, there is significant local demand that also requires attention. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Pallimunai Land and Military Camp Issues Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. T.B. Sarath JJB AI summary Hon. T.B. Sarath stated that the UDA had consulted Pradeshiya Sabha chairmen, members, and officials when the relevant gazette was issued, and that underdeveloped Grama Niladhari divisions should have been identified for exclusion at that stage. He said that, in light of the issue now being raised, discussions could be held with newly elected local authorities and the Ministry to consider suitable revisions. Oral Question: Community-Based Water Projects in Monaragala District (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi supported the regulations under the Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, stating that Sri Lanka must align with international legal norms given its global connections and citizens living abroad. He linked the debate to broader claims that the current administration has improved public life, cultural participation, and inter-communal harmony. Referring to Colombo Municipal Council election results, he argued that voters had rejected divisive politics and endorsed the National People’s Power, while noting that local election voting patterns can be influenced by neighbourhood-level candidate preferences. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister linked the debate on regulations under the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement, Registration and Execution) Act, No. 49 of 2024, to broader themes of legal reform, justice and social inclusion. She argued that recognition of foreign judgments, particularly in debt and matrimonial matters such as divorce, maintenance and property division, would benefit citizens, including women, while urging reciprocal recognition of Sri Lankan judgments abroad. She also called for faster legal and administrative processes relating to family law, foreign marriages, citizenship and spouses separated by overseas employment, and referred to recent government measures on political privileges, pensions and illicit assets. She additionally noted the National People’s Power’s control of the Colombo and Nuwara Eliya councils and described the election of Vrai Kelly Balthazar as Mayoress of Colombo as significant for reconciliation and women’s political leadership. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary M.K.M. Aslam supported the regulations under the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement, Registration and Execution) Act, No. 49 of 2024, noting that they would allow certain foreign judgments, such as divorce decrees and contractual dispute decisions, to be recognized and enforced in Sri Lanka without re-litigation. He rejected allegations about injustices faced by Muslims, criticized Dayasiri Jayasekara’s conduct, and disputed opposition claims about local government voting arrangements and alleged dealings with the SLPP. He also warned that the Gaza conflict and Iran-Israel tensions could harm Sri Lanka through wider economic effects, particularly given reliance on Middle Eastern remittances, oil supplies, and regional-funded projects, while calling for opposition to wars and cooperation to protect economic stability. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar – Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources AI summary The Minister supported the regulations under the Anti-Doping Convention, emphasizing the need to prevent stimulant and illegal drug use in sport while strengthening youth participation and national representation. He said the Government is giving particular attention to sports development in the North and East, citing athletes from Jaffna and Mullaitivu and plans for an international cricket ground, an indoor arena, and a training centre in Jaffna. He also stated that the Government intends to host an international sports event in Jaffna within its term and framed these initiatives as part of a people-centred approach beyond ethnic or sectarian politics. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage argued that sports, alongside education and the arts, should be used to build national unity, ethical leadership, discipline, and better physical and mental health. Referring to doping regulations, he said athletes may use banned substances knowingly or unknowingly through pharmacies, gym instructors, or others, and called for broader public awareness starting in schools. He proposed strengthening the school curriculum beyond the current brief Grade 10 health text reference, including the legal, health, and social consequences of doping, while promoting school, youth, adult, and community sports. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan welcomed the regulations under the Convention against Doping in Sport Act and urged merit-based, non-political sports governance with greater opportunities and facilities for youth in the North and East, particularly in Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and surrounding areas. He called for immediate action on long-delayed sports grounds and complexes, including Mullaitivu, Naruvilikulam, Pallimunai and Emilnagar, requested an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Emilnagar ground project, and asked the Minister to address inactive football league administration and court-ignored federation issues. He also raised concern over the renewed Chemmani mass grave excavations, citing earlier findings and the Krishanthi Kumaraswamy case, and demanded proper excavation and investigation to establish the truth. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Read →
- 17 June 2025 Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam objected to the limited speaking time given to the remaining Opposition Members after the main Opposition’s walkout, noting that only six Opposition MPs were present, including ITAK members. He argued that issues such as Army control of the Gurukulamadam ground were directly relevant to the debate because they affected sports development in the North and East. He urged the Chair to allow Tamil party representatives adequate time to raise concerns affecting their communities, including difficulties in forming local council administrations. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Read →