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 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam moved an Adjournment Motion urging the Government to revoke Gazette Notification No. 2430/2025, which issued seven settlement notices covering nearly 6,000 acres in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar. He argued that the notice could convert private and communal lands, including beaches, roads, cemeteries and other traditionally used areas, into State land if title is not proved within three months, despite widespread loss of documents due to war, displacement and the tsunami. He rejected the Government’s reported “suspension” of the process as legally insufficient under the Land Settlement Ordinance and said only withdrawal of the Gazette would prevent the lands being declared State land. He further contended that the action was contrary to the Government’s election commitments on a constitutional settlement and land powers, and called for consultation with Tamil representatives and a people-centred mechanism to regularize land claims. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister of Women and Child Affairs called for vigilance against groups she characterized as seeking to undermine the Government, national unity, and public interests through opportunistic or conspiratorial actions. She urged that such forces be defeated, framing the issue as a duty to protect the country and its unity. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rejected claims that Northern voters were influenced by money or liquor, arguing that such statements insult Tamil political consciousness and calling for respect for May 18/Mullivaikkal remembrance and investigations into disappearances and deaths from the conflict. He complained that his speaking time and microphone were being curtailed, urged the Government to allow independent professionals to contribute, and said the North faces practical issues such as salt shortages, saltern worker protests, narcotics, bar licences and alleged hospital corruption. He asked the Government to restrain Members making remarks about the North and to appoint more suitable representatives to relevant District Coordinating Committees. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister responded to debate on regulations under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act by linking recent political developments in the North to the Government’s mandate and rejecting criticism of the National People’s Power’s local government election performance. He argued that Tamil areas remain affected by long-term underdevelopment, population decline, unemployment, migration, and drugs, and criticized other Tamil parties for relying on communal campaigning, cash, and liquor rather than development plans. He outlined Government initiatives for the Northern Province, including an industrial estate in Kankesanthurai, expansion of Palaly Airport and harbour and ferry links, improved rail services, sports facilities, bridge and road rehabilitation, irrigation tank restoration, and palmyrah-based industries, with the stated aim of creating over 40,000 jobs within three years. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB AI summary Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne said Sri Lanka’s post-war reconciliation efforts had been inadequate and called for a credible transitional justice process covering truth, justice, reparations, non-recurrence, economic justice, remembrance rights, constitutional reform, and action against extremist ideologies and hate crimes. Addressing the Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act and Gazette No. 2421/42, she proposed revising excise duty bands for electric vehicles while keeping them below comparable petrol, diesel, and hybrid rates. She said the policy aims to raise transparent public revenue, support social justice, encourage domestic EV production, reduce foreign exchange outflows, promote environmental benefits, and be complemented by stronger public transport investment. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam commemorated those killed in the final phase of the war and argued that Tamil people continue to be denied justice, calling for credible domestic or international investigations into alleged wartime crimes. He contrasted Mullivaikkal remembrance on 18 May with the Government’s Victory Day commemoration on 19 May, saying this reflected continuing national division and undermined proposals such as a “Sri Lanka Day.” He also raised current grievances including unresolved human–elephant conflict in Batticaloa and urged the Government to revoke, not merely suspend, a land-related Gazette issued under the Land Development Ordinance, warning it could enable appropriation of lands belonging to war-displaced Tamils. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that Sri Lanka has consistently objected to the “Tamil Genocide Memorial” unveiled in Brampton, Canada, and outlined the project’s development since 2021 despite protests by Sri Lankan diplomatic missions. He said the Foreign Minister summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to reject genocide allegations as unsubstantiated and to protest related Canadian proclamations, while noting Canada’s position that the memorial was a municipal and privately funded initiative. He argued that such initiatives could undermine Sri Lanka’s reconciliation efforts and said the Government would continue diplomatic action to challenge these narratives and prevent similar measures. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. K.D. Lal Kantha - Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary K.D. Lal Kantha stated that the Government’s land process in the North and East is intended to regularize and return unresolved lands from the war period, not to acquire them, and assured that no land would be acquired. He said claimants could prove ownership through documents or attestations, while noting that settlement completion in the North and East lags behind the rest of the country. He proposed a discussion in Parliament with the Prime Minister, Attorney-General and officials to clarify concerns, adding that the Gazette could be paused if necessary but that doing so would delay land regularization for affected constituents. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about the 28 March Gazette affecting landowners in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, and Mullaitivu, particularly displaced persons whose land records may be missing due to the war. He asked the Minister whether the Gazette, which could result in such lands being deemed State property if title is not proven within the specified timeframe, would be withdrawn. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna supported the Motion and referred to the former Government’s construction of a “Presidential Palace” in Jaffna on land acquired from displaced or deceased residents. He said the current President and Minister Bimal Rathnayake had promised to convert it for public use, but no action had followed after seven months. He urged the Government to be transparent about whether funds are available and questioned whether it genuinely wants proposals or assistance from local representatives. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Supported the Private Member’s Motion on public transport while recording that the Northern (Nagalingam) Omnibus Company, founded in 1938 by his father with 160 buses, preceded the establishment of the CTB in 1958 and was later acquired into it. He urged the Transport Minister to repair buses in the North and East and criticized the Government for not delivering material improvements there despite electoral support, asking it to be transparent about available funds and implementation capacity. Private Members' Motion (P.37/2025): Public Transport Standards and Bus Specifications Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan rejected a statement attributed to Hon. Bimal Rathnayake alleging that ITAK won local elections by distributing liquor and money. He said ITAK has historically opposed such practices and stood for the identity, existence and dignity of the Tamil people, while urging responsible conduct in matters affecting inter-ethnic harmony. Private Members' Motion (P.2/2024): Curtailing Privileges of MPs and Former Heads of State Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Funds have been allocated in 2025 to develop sports facilities in underserved districts of the North and East, particularly Batticaloa and Trincomalee. The Minister stated that Rs. 400 million has been set aside for targeted programmes, including constructing new playing fields and upgrading basic facilities such as volleyball courts into larger sports complexes, to address the lack of infrastructure and support local sporting talent. Oral Question: National-Level Stadiums in Northern and Eastern Provinces (Q.1/2024) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran questioned Gazette No. 2430 of 28.03.2025, which he said seeks to acquire 5,941 acres in the Northern Province as state land, and demanded its withdrawal, arguing that displaced people are being asked to produce documents under unfair circumstances. He also urged the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister to establish dedicated tourism units and appoint officers at district and divisional secretariats in the Northern Province to support tourism development linked to Palaly Airport, the Nagapattinam ferry, and local cultural and natural assets. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer rejected claims that the NPP had demeaned war-displaced people, saying the disputed “shopping bag” remark referred to politicians who profited from politics, not to those expelled from Mannar or other affected communities. He said the NPP’s recent local government victory, including support from Muslim voters, came despite slander, fearmongering, and attempts to incite communal divisions, and noted that the election and its aftermath remained peaceful. He urged Opposition members to work together to advance national harmony, peace, and trust, while cautioning against exploiting issues such as the Palestine–Israel conflict or ethnic grievances for political gain. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed referred to the 1990 forced expulsion of Muslims from the Northern Province and criticised recent campaign remarks that mocked displaced Muslims as having arrived with “shopping bags,” arguing that such language insulted an entire community. He stated that many expelled Muslims, including himself, endured long-term displacement and have still not received meaningful relief, and he also referenced the suffering of Tamils at Menik Farm and Sinhalese in border villages affected by the war. He requested the government to provide relief and support to war-affected Tamils and Muslims, including retired public servants who had received no assistance. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam objected to the 28 March Gazette requiring owners in specified Northern Province areas to prove title within three months or have the lands declared State land. He argued the deadline is unrealistic for Tamil diaspora owners and war-displaced residents, and said existing legal protections had recognized their inability to return and defend ownership. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Gazette and warned that proceeding without agreement with Tamil representatives would undermine reconciliation and risk dispossessing Tamil-speaking communities. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary During the debate on a Resolution under the Customs Ordinance, Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about National Colleges of Education trainees selected on district and divisional quotas in the North and East being appointed to distant districts despite local subject vacancies. He argued that postings to areas such as Kalutara, Kegalle and Ratnapura cause severe financial and family hardship, especially when appointees were recruited to meet identified local needs. He urged the Government to post such teachers to their home-district vacancies or, where out-of-district service is necessary, include a guarantee of transfer back within two or three years instead of imposing the current eight-year transfer bar. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns that large areas of land in the North and East remain under military occupation, leaving many Tamil residents displaced, and cited examples including Palaly, Kilinochchi and families expelled from Anuradhapura. Referring to Gazette Extraordinary No. 2430 of 28 March 2025, he asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation why about 5,700 acres in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Mullaitivu are being acquired and what the urgent purpose is. He further questioned how displaced people, including those who lost land documents during the war, would be able to assert ownership claims, and sought clarification on the Government’s intention behind issuing the Gazette before releasing occupied lands. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance Read →
- 10 April 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 had allocated two days to debate the Batalanda Commission Report and framed the issue as part of a broader need for justice, reconciliation, and accountability for violence from 1971, 1987–90, and the Northern war. He criticized previous political leaderships for failing to properly conclude the Batalanda process, while stating that the current Government’s approach is reconciliation rather than revenge and that the JVP’s armed phase arose after prolonged repression and failed democratic avenues. He said the Government’s immediate priorities had been economic stabilization and restoring electoral democracy, with a later phase focused on coexistence, addressing disappearances, and healing wounds across communities. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →