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 May 2025 The Hon. Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. Elayathamby Srinath argued that the Government has not yet built confidence among Tamils, particularly regarding land issues in Batticaloa where Forest Department actions are affecting residences, farmland, temples and public spaces. He questioned whether these actions are government-directed, called for mechanisms to restore ownership where wartime displacement caused loss of title documents, and warned against legal or administrative changes enabling dispossession. He also raised concerns about removal of Tamil historical content from textbooks, inadequate Tamil-language access in universities and examinations, and lack of Tamil representation in university council appointments. He further criticized the absence of Government representatives at Mullivaikkal commemorations, called for May 18 to be recognized as a genocide remembrance day, and urged protection of Tamil land, language, culture and equal rights. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar denied an allegation that he had called for a statue of Prabhakaran in the North, stating that he had never made such a remark. He said his party did not call for a special statue even for Rohana Wijeweera and that the Government’s position is to remember all victims—Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim—rather than single out individual leaders. He urged the Opposition not to spread false claims, rekindle racism, or undermine reconciliation and national rebuilding efforts. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) A.M.M.M. Rathwaththe defended the Government’s position on war remembrance, accusing sections of the Opposition of politicizing the status of “war heroes” while having previously failed to protect the dignity of military personnel. She stated that all who died in the war, from the North, South and East, should be recognized equally, and said the Government’s objective is to prevent renewed conflict and build national prosperity. Turning to the debate, she supported the regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, noting that Gazette Extraordinary No. 2428/07 appoints Bureau Veritas as an inspection agent for vehicle imports from Japan to reduce delays, demurrage and added retail costs. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order to clarify remarks attributed to him by Hon. Namal Rajapaksa regarding “war heroes.” He stated that Tamils had regarded LTTE cadres, including under Prabhakaran, as war heroes and argued that those who died for their cause should be respected, while emphasizing that the grief of parents on all sides of the war is the same. Debate: Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969 and Disposal of Property Act Resolutions Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that Sinhala-medium courses at Vavuniya College had been stopped after 2016 due to rationalization and teacher shortages in the war context. She said the Government has intervened and plans to reintroduce Sinhala-medium courses from the next intake, beginning where possible with primary teacher training. Oral Question: Teachers' Colleges Training Programme (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen thanked voters after the local authority elections and said the All Ceylon Makkal Congress had secured 140 local representatives, while urging reform of the local government electoral system, which he said prevents stable council administrations and encourages bargaining. He called on the Government to honour pledges to reopen the Mannar–Puttalam road through the Wilpattu corridor, arguing that its court-ordered closure was unequal compared with other roads through wildlife areas, and requested a review by a five-judge bench. He also asked that Decentralized Budget allocations be released to Opposition MPs as previously promised and urged the Speaker and Government to provide adequate police security for MPs in light of reported threats and wider concerns over violence. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary Minister Chrishantha Abeysena argued that commemorating war dead and “Ranaviruwo” should be consistent with reconciliation and should not be treated as racism, stressing that all Sri Lankans affected by war, including people in the North and South, deserve remembrance. He said the NPP’s politics is policy-based and multi-ethnic, rejected claims that it is a racist party, and stated that land and economic issues in the North and East should be addressed under one law with additional Budget focus. He also noted that the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation held commemorations across all 25 districts and tabled statements calling for accountability, reconciliation, non-violence, and respect for diversity. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam said he supported investigations into alleged torture sites such as Batalanda and punishment for those responsible. He argued that victims of killings, bombings and disappearances over past decades should be remembered and treated equally, without branding some communities’ expressions of grief as racist. He urged the NPP Government to show empathy and equal concern for all affected people, warning that national progress depends on such equal treatment. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam urged the Government to operationalize the completed but unused Vavuniya Economic Centre, built with 52 stalls at a cost of Rs. 263 million, to help farmers sell produce at fair prices. He argued that the North and East face a compounded economic burden from the war, with many widows, orphans, disabled persons, displaced families, and affected communities still lacking adequate development support 16 years after 2009. He called for practical measures including releasing unused lands held by the Forest Department for cultivation, improving access to finance, facilitating investors, and implementing quick programmes to help people become economically self-reliant. He also referred to India’s reported US$62 million grant for Kankesanthurai Port development and highlighted the need to improve its basic facilities. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 Hon. Jagath Manuwarna JJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Manuwarna said the Government rejects attempts to revive racist or chauvinist war-time politics and cited recent election results as a mandate to end such politics. He accused Opposition parties of seeking “impure alliances” and having historical links with organized crime figures, while stating that the National People’s Power Government would not rely on corrupt actors. He argued that the local government mandate should be used to address village-level needs such as drinking water, roads, canals and bus services, and said the Government would work with those able to serve the public. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government will respond to questions raised under Standing Order 27(2) and rejected attempts to discourage the movement of salt from the North to the South. He emphasized that goods should move freely across Sri Lanka in both directions and said divisive agitation on regional trade would not be permitted. Debate: Finance Act Order - Continued Discussion (Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna – Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government AI summary The Minister replied to Question No. 582/2025 on Southern Provincial Council cultural buildings, stating that the Central Government allocates development funds to Provincial Councils and that their accounts are audited by the Auditor General under the Provincial Councils Act and reported to Parliament under the Constitution. He said the Southern Provincial Council received Rs. 16,694.488 million from 2015 to 2019, including Rs. 1,366.13 million for the Southern Provincial Cultural Ministry, during which 28 buildings were constructed. He added that there were no buildings without a current use, though one is to be handed over to the Ministry of Justice and another is to be completed for a joint project with industrial and tourism authorities. Oral Questions - Various Tabled and Private Notice Questions Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that the Government’s stated aim of resolving land documentation problems in the North-East was inconsistent with the law being used, warning that unclaimed lands could vest in the State by 28 June unless the Gazette was revoked. He urged the Minister to withdraw the Gazette, consult Tamil Members from the North-East, and instead use a committee or commission process similar to approaches for wildlife or forest lands. He said affected communities had not been adequately informed within the three-month period and pledged cooperation to address displacement- and tsunami-related land issues if the current legal mechanism was abandoned. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Minister K.D. Lal Kantha addressed concerns that Forest and Wildlife Department demarcations in the North have included lands historically used by residents, stating that a Cabinet-appointed committee with the Environment Minister will propose measures to return verifiable lands promptly. He said a contested Gazette covering four districts and four Divisional Secretariat divisions would be reviewed, with legal and procedural decisions to be discussed on 23 May in Parliament under the Prime Minister’s leadership with the Attorney-General, North and East MPs, and officials. He emphasized that the Government has no intention of appropriating people’s lands and, if necessary, would halt the Gazette in accordance with the law. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister said land disputes, particularly in Tamil areas, remain serious and require a proper process to identify, demarcate and distinguish public and private land. Referring to the relevant Gazette and past mechanisms dating from 1931 and the 1950 Settlement Boards, he argued that the exercise is intended to resolve and regularize land issues, not to seize private lands. He urged consensus among Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim Members, while acknowledging suspicion arising from past politics and the scale of disputes in the North. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government has no intention of appropriating private land or pursuing a nationalist settlement agenda, and argued that the relevant Gazette applies to all nine provinces rather than only the North. He stated that Cabinet has agreed to a programme by the Lands and Environment Ministers to address land demarcation issues, particularly in the North where traditionally occupied and cultivated lands lack proper boundaries. A joint Cabinet Paper will propose a special committee aimed at resolving disputes and returning the maximum possible extent of land to affected people. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper disputed a Government-side claim regarding land claims under the Land Settlement Ordinance, stating that without legally established title, land may be declared State land under Section 5(1). He condemned the use of the colonial-era Ordinance in Mullaitivu, arguing that development needs should instead be addressed through existing State land, eviction of unauthorized occupants under the State Lands (Recovery of Possession) Act, or acquisition with compensation under the Land Acquisition Act. He warned that the process could extend to other areas and called for the relevant Gazette to be revoked, saying suspension was not provided for under the Ordinance. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Hon. S. Sri Bavanandarajah addressed concerns over a recent land Gazette, stating that its purpose is to identify landowners and regularize titles rather than seize land. He said owners, including those overseas through authorized attorneys, can submit evidence of ownership, residence, cultivation or use to the Land Registry. He noted that implementation has been temporarily paused and that further decisions will be taken at upcoming District Development Committee meetings with MPs and officials, including on the allocation of State lands, preferably to diaspora Tamils seeking to invest or start industries. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna urged the Government to withdraw the 28 March Gazette, which he said would vest Tamil lands in the State and risk inflaming Sinhala-Tamil tensions. He argued that Tamils are not seeking division or others’ land, but want to continue living on their own lands in the North and East. He called for consultation and dialogue with Tamil representatives before any such measures are taken, stating they are ready to support discussions after the Gazette is withdrawn. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan supported the Adjournment Motion and argued that the Gazette of 28 March would facilitate the seizure or diversion of Tamil lands in named villages across Mullaitivu, Jaffna and Kilinochchi. He said reports that the Gazette had been suspended were contradicted by the Minister’s statement, and demanded that any suspension be formally done by a new Gazette before consultations with Tamil representatives. He linked the issue to the wider ethnic conflict, military-held lands, loss of documentation among displaced families, and delays by Divisional Secretariats, calling for the Gazette’s withdrawal as the first step toward a proper resolution. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →