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- 17 June 2025 Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam linked the anti-doping debate to land access in the North and East, arguing that youths need released public and school grounds to develop sports facilities and participate in legitimate sport. He said successive governments had used the Forest Department to appropriate Tamil lands, particularly lands abandoned during the war and later gazetted as forest, and proposed recognizing only pre-1985 forest declarations while releasing other such lands. He reiterated the need for a political settlement with genuine devolution or federal arrangements, while also demanding immediate action on land disputes and the release of grounds under Forest Department or military control, including Gurukulamadam School playground in Batticaloa. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Read →
- 17 June 2025 Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam said the Government’s conduct had led to the NPP failing to secure leadership positions in 11 of 12 local authorities in Batticaloa, despite holding district-level authority. He criticised alleged district-level arrangements between the NPP and the party linked to Pillayan, who is imprisoned in connection with the Easter attacks and other murder allegations, saying ITAK had refused similar offers on principle. He added that his remarks focused on regional development concerns, including opportunities for local youth to participate in international tournaments. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Justice and National Integration regarding mass graves and disappeared persons in the North and East linked to the armed conflict. He asked whether the Government acknowledges the existence of these sites and called for impartial investigations into skeletal remains found at Chemmani/Sinnaththoppu, Kokkuthoduvai, Mandaitivu, and Thiruketheeswaram. He also sought specific responses on the status of excavations and judicial action, and on appeals from families, including a mother seeking answers about two children who disappeared in Mandaitivu. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said official labour force statistics understate women’s contributions by excluding unpaid care, household and voluntary work, and outlined a rights-based approach to increase women’s economic participation, particularly in rural and conflict-affected Northern Province districts. She detailed programmes for female-headed households, entrepreneurship, vocational training, market linkages, safe-house reintegration support, and coordination through Women Development Officers, Advisory Assistants, the Women’s Bureau, NGOs and other ministries. She said that from 2026 the Ministry would formally coordinate women’s empowerment funding across ministries and NGOs, and noted planned social security, pension and livelihood support measures, including prioritising female-headed households under the Praja Shakthi Programme. She also undertook to consider concessional two-wheelers for marginalized women in the North and loans for women entrepreneurs. Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy raised Adjournment Questions to the Minister of Women and Child Affairs on low female labour force participation, citing World Bank 2024 data that only 31.6 percent of Sri Lankan women participate in the workforce despite women comprising about 52 percent of the population. He asked what policies, funding, social protection, vocational training, and livelihood programmes are in place or planned, particularly for rural areas, the war-affected North and East, female-headed households, and women entrepreneurs. He also requested consideration of concessional two-wheelers, loan schemes, and part-time work opportunities to support women’s economic participation. Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan offered condolences to the families of four former MPs and focused on the late Mavai S. Senathirajah, describing his lifelong service to the people of the North and East. He highlighted Senathirajah’s role in ITAK and the TNA, his imprisonment linked to advocacy for Tamil grievances, and his work in areas such as Ampara District among marginalized communities. He called on Senathirajah’s family and colleagues to continue his political mission and uphold the ideals for which he had worked. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. G. G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G. G. Ponnambalam paid tribute to the late Mavai S. Senathirajah, recalling their work together after the formation of the Tamil National Alliance in 2001 despite earlier party rivalries. He said Senathirajah remained consistent in agreed political positions, was committed to Tamil rights and liberation politics, and helped build a principled political culture within his party. He emphasized that Senathirajah’s advocacy for Tamils was not hostility to Sri Lanka, but a call for an inclusive country based on diversity, and extended condolences to his family, colleagues, supporters, and the people who valued him. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam paid tribute to former MP Somasundaram Senathirajah, recalling his long parliamentary service, role in ITAK/TNA, and consistent advocacy for a political settlement enabling Tamil self-rule in a merged North and East. He highlighted Senathirajah’s influence on younger MPs, his work in the Eastern Province while a National List MP, and his history as a political detainee before entering Parliament. He also referred to Senathirajah’s close association with his family and said his death was a loss to the party, the Tamil community, and the country. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan paid tribute to the late Mavai Somasundaram Senathirajah, describing his lifelong role in the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi and his commitment to Tamil rights through non-violent, democratic politics. He recalled Senathirajah’s experiences amid key post-independence political developments, his efforts to maintain links across Tamil political and militant movements, and the risks and violence he faced while campaigning in the North and East. Srineshan said Senathirajah’s death was a major loss to his family, the Tamil community and Sri Lanka, and conveyed condolences to his relatives. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah paid tribute to Hon. Mavai S. Senathirajah, highlighting his early activism, education, and long involvement in Tamil political and social struggles. He recalled Senathirajah’s role in organizing youth against standardization, university admission restrictions and the “Sinhala Only” policy, noting that he was imprisoned for over seven years for such activism. He also emphasized Senathirajah’s assistance to students seeking higher education, his work with senior Tamil leaders, and his decades-long advocacy for Tamil rights inside and outside Parliament. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan paid tribute to former MP and ITAK leader Mavai S. Senathirajah, highlighting his education, early involvement in the TULF and Tamil national movement, participation in the 1961 satyagraha, periods of detention, and parliamentary service from 1989 onward. He said Senathirajah worked for Tamil rights domestically and internationally, supported post-war peace efforts, strengthened ITAK in Kilinochchi, and promoted youth and women’s participation. He also recalled attacks and assaults Senathirajah survived during the conflict period and conveyed condolences to his family and the families of the other former MPs named in the Votes of Condolence. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. K. Ilangkumaran JJB AI summary Hon. K. Ilangkumaran paid tribute to the late Hon. Mavai S. Senathirajah, highlighting his long involvement in Tamil politics from the TULF youth movement, his commitment to a non-violent political path, and his efforts toward Tamil unity and a just solution to the national question. He recalled Senathirajah’s parliamentary career, the 2001 attack during his campaign in which he was seriously injured, and his continued advocacy for power-sharing for the Tamil people. He concluded that leaders of Senathirajah’s calibre are needed again and expressed condolences. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem conveyed condolences on behalf of several parties for four former Members: Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, Donald Dissanayake, J.R.P. Suriyapperuma, and Mavai S. Senathirajah. He recalled Jayaweera’s brief but notable parliamentary and electoral contribution, Dissanayake’s service in local, provincial and parliamentary roles, and Suriyapperuma’s prominence as an orator, political thinker and public educator, suggesting his writings be collected and republished. He gave extended tribute to Senathirajah’s six decades in Tamil national politics, his imprisonment and work with TULF leaders, his engagement on Tamil-Muslim relations and national issues, and conveyed sympathies to his family. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna supported the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill but urged action on congestion and poor conditions at the old Jaffna bus stand, noting its proximity to the Teaching Hospital, alleged drug use, and the underuse of the new long-distance bus terminal. He questioned why Jaffna had not relocated services to the new terminal as Vavuniya had done, and called for integrated timetables and better regulation of SLTB and private buses to address dangerous racing and accidents. He also referred to past allegations he had made and legal consequences he was prepared to face, while calling for sincerity, unity, and truth and justice for all those who died in the conflict. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. K. Ilankumaran JJB AI summary K. Ilankumaran supported amendments to the National Transport Commission Act, stating that the Bill adds safety and quality regulation for school, three-wheeler, office and bus transport after 34 years without amendment. He highlighted recent and proposed transport improvements in Jaffna and the North, including the extension of the Jaffna-Colombo night train to Moratuwa, rehabilitation of rural roads and the Vattuvagal Bridge, freight rail to Kankesanthurai, a Northern fuel storage terminal, and possible rail-based fuel transport. He also called for restoration of the suspended 5.30 a.m. Jaffna train, improved maritime services and jetties for island communities, and better bus stand sanitation under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake briefly responded to Hon. Adaikkalanathan, stating that the concerns raised could have been addressed more easily if local authorities had been constituted promptly. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan supported the National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill, citing road accident deaths and arguing that stricter laws, higher fines, and technology-based traffic monitoring could improve road safety. He highlighted inadequate road infrastructure in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, and Mannar, noting that many projects begun under previous programmes remain incomplete after the economic crisis. While welcoming the Budget allocation of Rs. 5,000 million for rural roads and bridges in the Northern Province, he said it is insufficient and urged a special programme to complete half-finished works. He specifically requested funding for suspended or needed bridge works, including Vattuvagal, Sivapuram Kuththu, Kalingku at Thaniyankulam, and Kalladi at Erukkalampiddy. Debate: National Transport Commission (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna noted that Peradeniya Teaching Hospital receives both equipment and financial support, contrasting this with concerns in the Northern Province that central government support for hospitals there is insufficient. He said this perceived neglect has led the diaspora to provide donations to Northern hospitals. Questions by Private Notice: Coconut Industry and Northern Provincial Health Service (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Fasmin Sharif JJB AI summary Hon. Fasmin Sharif alleged that post-1978 Opposition politicians were linked to corruption and cited recent convictions in the carrom board case as evidence that the current Government will pursue accountability and not permit wrongdoing by anyone, including its own supporters. He called for justice for victims of communal violence in Kandy, Digana and Aluthgama, including a commission to investigate racist propaganda, and stated the Government supports Palestinians while rejecting terrorism. He also raised local governance issues in Gampola, urging that revenues from the Ambuluwawa area be brought under Government responsibility and that action be taken against illegal construction causing drainage and flooding problems. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof, speaking during the debate on regulations under the Anti-Corruption Act, said governments must act on anti-corruption pledges and punish those who acquired unlawful wealth. He raised concern over a shooting involving fishermen in Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee, where a 23-year-old was injured, and questioned who authorized the Navy to open fire over an alleged breach of purse seine permit conditions. He argued that restrictions on “surukku valai” fishing are applied unevenly between districts, creating grievances, and urged a proper inquiry into the incident and the enforcement policy. Debate: Anti-Corruption Act Regulations Read →