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- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda argued that current economic improvements are not sufficiently visible at village level and credited growth and infrastructure foundations to the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration, citing per capita income, GDP, growth rates, and projects such as expressways, ports, Norochcholai, Port City and Uma Oya. He said the opposition would support genuine economic strengthening, but raised concern over Victory Day commemorations in the North, alleging separatist symbols and rhetoric and urging government action against such activities. He also requested that Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd. workers who had served unpaid be absorbed into the approved 102 vacancies, rather than being displaced through open recruitment, citing a prior ministerial assurance. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy reflected on May remembrance events in the North and East, recalling civilian suffering and disappearances during the final stages of the war and welcoming the absence of obstruction to commemorations on 18 May. He said the Government and President had committed to preventing another war and to pursuing truth and justice for victims, including Tamil communities. Supporting the Adjournment Motion on the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review for 2025, he argued that Sri Lanka had moved from the 2022 economic collapse toward stability through structural reforms, citing improved reserves, single-digit inflation, GDP exceeding USD 100 billion, and per capita income above USD 5,000, while noting continuing external risks and the need to unlock regional economic potential. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan warned that continued neglect of education in the Vanni could lead to unrest. He urged attention to the region’s educational needs before concluding his remarks. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan recalled the suffering of civilians during the final phase of the war at Mullivaikkal and said affected families continue to seek justice without adequate relief. He urged the Government to prioritize establishing university campuses in Mullaitivu and Mannar, citing stalled plans for a Jaffna University campus in Mullaitivu and the need to improve education in war-affected Vanni areas. He also raised environmental and public health concerns in Mannar villages, calling for a ban on the use of poultry offal as fertilizer and action against a canned fish factory allegedly contaminating water sources. He warned that continued neglect of teacher shortages in the Vanni, particularly in science and mathematics, could lead to public agitation unless the Northern Provincial Education Department and Government intervene. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana marked the anniversary of the end of the war by calling for rejection of ethnic chauvinist politics and for remembrance of all who died, arguing that national unity must be protected to prevent a recurrence of conflict. He criticised media narratives he said were inflaming communal divisions and stated that the National People’s Power Government was formed by uniting people across regions against such politics. He also addressed economic conditions, citing external supply shocks, higher fuel import costs, increased remittances and state revenue, and expected foreign inflows, arguing that Sri Lanka can manage pressures while maintaining internal stability. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Thilina Samarakoon JJB AI summary Hon. Thilina Samarakoon supported the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, stating that it seeks to strengthen tax administration, widen the tax net, reduce evasion, and improve revenue collection following past weaknesses and corruption. He highlighted proposed measures including mandatory TIN registration, relief for senior citizens on withholding tax, tax relief for donations to higher education institutions, rules on advance installments, reduced cash transactions, and exemptions for certain insurance and vehicle-related benefits. He also referred to the anniversary of the end of the war, paid tribute to security forces, rejected claims that the Government was neglecting the military, and said land issues affecting veterans at Rana Jaya Pura were being reviewed for resolution. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary Lt. Cdr. (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga argued that the Government was conducting a genuine War Heroes’ Remembrance Day commemoration and contrasted this with what he described as past misuse of military personnel for political or personal purposes. He rejected claims of genocide, stating that the Tri-Forces conducted a humane war against the LTTE and supported civilians, while attributing the prolongation of the conflict to political agendas and citing casualty figures among security forces. He said the best tribute to fallen and disabled service personnel is national unity beyond ethnic and religious divisions, and extended remembrance and wishes to fallen and living war heroes. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister noted that the debate concerned amendments to the Inland Revenue Act, while also referring to forthcoming import and export control regulations, including on rice imports. He outlined Government action on paddy procurement and rice market supply, stating that the Paddy Marketing Board holds about 135,000 MT, with stocks being milled through CWE and released via Sathosa, cooperatives and private channels, and further Cabinet approval sought to mill an additional 45,000 MT before the next harvest in key regions. He also referred to war commemoration events, housing allocations for war-displaced people in the North and East, and said the Government is pursuing anti-corruption measures and improved tax compliance, claiming revenue rose significantly by end-2025 without new taxes. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna urged Members not to incite communal tensions or provoke conflict among innocent people. He referred to a personal willingness to resolve matters directly, though part of the statement was expunged by order of the Chair, and concluded with an appeal to avoid making the public fight. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna marked May 18 by paying tribute to Tamils killed in 2009, describing the events as genocide and criticizing the Sri Lankan State and Tamil political figures whom he accused of undermining Tamil interests. He thanked Tamil Nadu leaders, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, for their support and said Tamil Nadu remained a refuge and political ally for Tamils in Sri Lanka. He called for Tamil MPs to speak openly about the Tamil Eelam cause, referred to memorialization and land-related grievances, and urged Sinhala and Tamil people not to clash but to resolve issues through discussion, including with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, by 2029. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa paid tribute to war veterans, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sarath Fonseka, the tri-forces, Police and Civil Security forces on the anniversary of the war victory, while calling for reconciliation among affected communities to prevent any recurrence of conflict and protect national unity and sovereignty. He criticised proposed tax administration measures that would criminalize tax lapses, arguing that international practice applies tiered penalties and reserves criminal liability for intentional non-compliance. He said economic hardship and rising costs made the measures burdensome for businesses and citizens, and called for Inland Revenue Department strengthening, digitization, reasonable deadlines, leniency for voluntary disclosure, and acceptance of amendments to be moved by Sujeewa Senasinghe. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam said he would call a Division and vote against extending the Emergency, arguing that the Government had not shown a present necessity and that ordinary disaster or foreign-crisis management did not justify emergency powers. He warned that emergency rule risks abuse in the North and East without security sector reform, and cited the detention of books by Theepachelvan Piratheepan through Customs and Defence Ministry involvement as an example of improper censorship requiring rectification. He also demanded the release of military-held private lands in Valikamam North and written guarantees on land returns, including Thayiddi, while raising concerns over garbage dumping near the Chinnathottam Hindu cremation ground in Kinniya and asking for intervention. Division Vote and Adjournment: Public Security Ordinance Resolution Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam argued that national security depends not only on immigration controls but also on resolving minority political aspirations and improving economic conditions in the North and East. He called for streamlined investment approvals, development of Kankesanthurai harbour using the Indian grant, and progress on Trincomalee oil tank arrangements to support jobs and economic revival. He opposed the use of Emergency powers and the PTA, stating Tamil representatives were prepared to vote against Emergency. He also sought clarification on enforcement where operators hold over 20 per cent of inter-provincial route permits and requested that the Vavuniya bus stand be transferred to Northern provincial or municipal authorities. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe supported discussion on the Emergency by raising land and security-related concerns in the North and East, urging implementation of the President’s direction to release private lands occupied for wartime security purposes or provide compensation. He requested permanent police station facilities on properly allocated state land in the Eastern Province, including action on the Eravur Urban Council’s allocation, and called for implementation of local authority arrangements for Kalmunai–Sainthamaruthu following a Supreme Court judgment. He also urged a special security and tourism plan for Pottuvil–Arugam Bay, citing multiple roadblocks, recent arrests of visiting youths, and the need to reduce disruption to residents, fishers, farmers, and tourists while maintaining security. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah supported the extension of the Emergency for narcotics control and accelerated post-“Ditwah” reconstruction, while urging the authorities to prevent unnecessary arrests and apply emergency powers only where needed. He welcomed the Supreme Court ruling enabling Kalmunai Municipal Council and Sainthamaruthu Urban Council to function separately, and requested restoration of previous Kalmunai boundary delineations to avoid ethnic tensions. He also asked that land occupied by the Eravur Police Station be transferred to Aligarh National School, with the police relocated to land already allocated by the Eravur Urban Council. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar said recent estate-related incidents in Ragala, Maskeliya and Ratnapura had been addressed through police action, trade union involvement or official discussions, and alleged that some political groups were exaggerating them during the Emergency and public safety debate. He argued that estate workers’ long-standing problems in education, health, transport, wages and land rights were being addressed by the Government, citing the Rs. 1,750 wage arrangement with a Rs. 200 state contribution. He rejected racist and sectarian politics, referred to past ethnic violence against estate workers, and said the Government was pursuing housing, road repairs, local industry support and anti-narcotics measures in the North while encouraging diaspora investment. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir raised concerns about public access to police stations, saying complainants are sometimes treated like offenders and calling for changes to improve public safety. He requested the Government to facilitate Muslim Qurbani practices during Eid al-Adha, noting its proximity to Vesak and asking that arrangements be made for the 10th to 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah to prevent communal tensions. He also questioned what legal action would be taken against individuals and groups allegedly spreading rumours or provoking anti-Muslim sentiment, citing claims about extremists targeting Buddhist sites and the use of the ICCPR Act in other cases. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Shantha Padmakumara Subasingha AI summary The Hon. Shantha Padmakumara Subasingha supported the extension of the emergency, citing the recent landslide risk in the Opatha DS Division of Ratnapura where 30 families were evacuated and 11 high-risk families were sheltered with relief. He defended the Government’s disaster relief and estate-sector measures, including a proposed Rs. 5,000 billion relief package and a Rs. 400 estate wage increase, while accusing the Opposition of politicizing incidents in Kahawatta, Nuwara Eliya and the hill country. He said the Government had acted promptly over the Neelagama estate assault by arresting suspects, warning the estate company, and working to provide land and housing to affected families. He also referred to past ethnic violence and disaster resettlement failures under previous governments, and urged the Opposition to present evidence before the appointed commission and act responsibly. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 2 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman questioned the Government’s response to repeated attacks on hill-country people, particularly youth, saying that arrests and bail releases do not constitute a lasting solution. He criticized Government Members representing the hill country for failing to raise the matter with the leadership and urged the Minister to address the long-standing grievances of the community. Debate and Approval: Public Security Ordinance Extension (Emergency) - Part 1 Read →
- 7 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concern that plantation communities in Maskeliya Mocha Estate and Nuwara Eliya Delmar Estate are facing serious oppression. He brought the matter to Parliament for attention, indicating the need for action or inquiry into the conditions affecting those communities. Procedural Matters: Points of Order, Privilege, and Parliamentary Business Read →