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- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan condemned the torture documented in relation to the Batalanda Housing Scheme and argued that accountability must apply equally to abuses committed in the North, East and South against all communities. He detailed the alleged 1990 Sathurukondan massacre in Batticaloa, stating that 186 civilians were killed after a cordon-and-search operation and calling for prosecutions after decades without justice. He also welcomed recent arrests in connection with killings in the East, including the murder of Professor Ravindranath, and requested that pending Road Development Authority appointments, including Eastern Province posts, be completed through proper administration. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe used the debate on the alleged Batalanda torture camp to recall wider post-Independence restrictions on freedoms, the impact of the three-decade war, and the losses suffered by all communities. He argued that the 1987 Indo–Lanka Accord and Provincial Councils provided an important political and development mechanism for Tamil-speaking communities and helped promote ethnic harmony in the Eastern Province despite conflict conditions. He urged the Government to restore provincial powers and hold long-delayed Provincial Council elections, criticizing governance through Governors and noting inconsistent statements on whether elections would be held or the system abolished. He also briefly referred to Sri Lanka’s position on continuing violence against Palestinians. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe argued that the Batalanda Commission Report showed serious unlawful actions and politicization of the Police under former UNP administrations, and criticized Opposition members for allegedly avoiding the Report’s findings while focusing on JVP violence. He cited specific references from the Report, including illegal promotions and disappearances, and stressed that any state response must comply with the rule of law. He said those responsible for Batalanda should be punished through empowered legal institutions, while the NPP Government would pursue reconciliation across political, ethnic, and regional divides rather than retaliation. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala stated that while he could not direct the Police or CID on questioning methods, any alleged shortcomings could be examined. He clarified that the Moulavi in question had not been arrested but that his house had been searched, and said he would avoid further details given the 22-year-old youth’s future. He warned against the re-emergence of communal nationalism and stressed the need to ensure the safety of Muslims, Tamils and Sinhalese. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the Batalanda debate should contribute to documenting torture camps and killings during 1987-1989, and called for those responsible to be identified and punished. He linked those events to wider patterns of repression, including Black July, the burning of the Jaffna Library, violence against Hill Country communities, and disappearances in both the North and South. He alleged responsibility by past UNP leaders for these incidents and demanded investigations and justice for victims across all affected communities. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan welcomed the tabling of the Battalanda torture camp report but urged that accountability follow, with those responsible identified and punished. He drew parallels with past violence against Tamils, including the 1983 pogrom, the Welikada Prison killings and disappearances, and called for a formal inquiry into the 1983 killings and related accountability measures. He also questioned the Government’s position on the appointment of Justice Ilancheliyian to the Court of Appeal, arguing that he had been eligible during the relevant period and warning against discrimination on the basis of ethnicity. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj supported the Bill, describing VAT reform and effective tax collection as necessary for economic stability, national production, and the welfare of workers, farmers, consumers, and traders. He argued that previous tax systems allowed politically connected persons to evade obligations while ordinary citizens bore the burden, and linked the reform agenda to broader accountability measures and the Government’s response to international economic pressures, including U.S. tariff policy. He also criticised some Tamil representatives for rhetoric rather than development proposals, referred to Pillayan’s arrest and past disappearances in the East, and urged Eastern Province MPs to bring substantive plans for post-war rebuilding and regional development. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Afternoon Session and Reported Business) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised concerns over the Department of Forest Conservation placing boundary stones in Kanesapuram, Vavuniya, despite prior District Coordinating Committee decisions. He requested the Minister to issue immediate instructions to halt the activity until the DCC discusses and decides on the matter. Debate: Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading (Morning Session) Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government intends to introduce a new Constitution, but will first prioritize holding long-delayed Provincial Council Elections, particularly to restore representation in the North and East. She explained that no Budget allocation has been made for the constitutional process this year because it will begin only after those elections. She also objected to the language used by another Member and requested the Chair to address unparliamentary remarks and maintain civility in parliamentary proceedings. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Prime Minister on the lack of funding for the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations, and urged the Government to act on investigations into violence, release of eligible political prisoners, and alleged ongoing State-backed land appropriations in the North and East. He also challenged the Government’s position on a new Constitution and Provincial Council Elections, asking whether urgent funds would be allocated for constitutional reform despite no Budget provision. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya said the Government would investigate specific complaints and emblematic cases, including the Easter Sunday attacks and attacks on media personnel, while noting the difficulty of evidence gathering 16 years after the war. She stated that mechanisms such as the Office on Missing Persons would be strengthened to address enforced disappearances, and requested details on any persons allegedly held for political beliefs so their cases could be reviewed. She reiterated the Government’s commitment to repeal the PTA, said a Cabinet-approved committee would prepare a White Paper on repeal and replacement national security legislation, and noted ongoing identification of military-held land for release without altering ethnic composition. She also said the Government’s initial focus was economic stabilization and elections, with a consultative process for a new Constitution to begin after pending elections, including Provincial Council Elections, are addressed. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Prime Minister on post-war reconciliation, stating that Sri Lanka has not addressed root causes of conflict or ensured truth and justice 16 years after the war. He asked what action the Government is taking on emblematic massacre cases, enforced disappearances, political prisoners, use and repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, land seizures by State actors and others, and the timeline for a new Constitution. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that he had not made remarks against Muslims as a community and described Tamils and Muslims as closely linked Tamil-speaking communities of different faiths. He said his earlier comments related to a letter sent by a Muslim woman, which he would submit to the Speaker for review if disputed. He also accepted a proposed debate subject to live broadcast and apologized for any inappropriate Facebook post made in anger. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran supported the Proceeds of Crime Bill, including the vesting of illegally acquired assets in the State and the creation of an authority to manage them, and welcomed the proposed removal of Deshabandu Tennakoon as IGP. He argued that accountability mechanisms should also address alleged crimes against Tamils, citing incidents from 1956 through Black July, other massacres, disappearances, and Mullivaikkal, and called for parliamentary action and international investigations due to mistrust in domestic processes. He questioned what action had been taken against figures such as Pillaiyan and urged the Government to investigate alleged atrocities against Tamils in the same manner as proposed inquiries into 1987–89 torture camps. He also raised concerns that protesters opposing ilmenite mining were being summoned and harassed by police and security forces, and asked the Government to protect their democratic rights. Debate: Proceeds of Crime Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Advisory Committee on Justice and National Integration AI summary The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Justice and National Integration met on 8 April 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara. The attendance list included Members from multiple parties, including Hon. Muneer Moulafar, Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam and others, indicating a committee-level discussion related to the Ministry’s justice and national integration portfolio. No specific speech content, proposals, questions or decisions were provided in the supplied text. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar rejected Opposition allegations against Government members and argued that past violence, including ethnic riots, the PTA, the burning of the Jaffna Library, and the 1983 prison killings, was linked to former UNP governments. He said the Government would prioritize North and East development after decades of war, in line with the President’s call to channel financing to villages. He listed planned or ongoing projects including rehabilitation of Kurikattuwan and Vattuvagal bridges, revival of the Paranthan Chemical Factory, reopening the Ottuchuddan rice mill and Anaikoddai salt pan, rehabilitation of Kurinjattivu salt pan, a modern industrial zone in KKS, new investment in Mullaitivu, and rebuilding the Periyapandivirichchan coastal area. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam raised concerns about depositors of The Finance Company, particularly in the North and East, arguing that many war-affected and retired persons relied on such deposits for income and have received little or nothing following the company’s 2019 liquidation. He questioned the collection of nearly Rs. 1 billion shortly before closure, criticized the sale of assets at low values, and urged the Finance Ministry to ensure repayment of capital with interest and provide justice to affected investors. He also highlighted the case of 14 Samurdhi Development Officers in Jaffna whose Grade I promotions were delayed from 2006 to 2012 due to missing interview records, requesting corrective action for the administrative error. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan said his party would vote against the Government’s maiden Budget, arguing that it contains expenditure without clear revenue and gives insufficient new provision for hill country Tamils, with much of the allocation tied to Indian-supported projects. He urged the Government to expand Tamil-medium classes in Colombo national schools, continue earlier hill country initiatives, permit reputed foreign universities to operate in Sri Lanka, and adopt pragmatic engagement on projects such as the Hambantota refinery and Trincomalee oil tanks. He also demanded that Minister Bimal Rathnayake table the alleged list of bar licences given as political bribes, while arguing that MPs require proper facilities and vehicles to perform their duties and that such facilities should not be demonized. He rejected suggestions that the Opposition’s absence during the Batalanda debate indicated support for former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, saying any wrongdoing should be pursued through legal action. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan paid tribute to deceased Tamil media figures Rajanayagam Bharathi, Ananthi Suriapragasam and S.P. Sami, noting their contributions to journalism, broadcasting and support for war-affected Tamil communities. He addressed the Speaker’s sanctions on MP Ramanan Arjunan, saying his party accepts the Speaker’s authority but rejects hateful remarks against women or Muslims and apologizes to the Muslim community for any offence caused. He cautioned against the precedent of restricting an MP’s parliamentary broadcasts, linking it to past repression under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and wider concerns about reconciliation and minority political representation. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath thanked the Minister for the response and expressed hope that the Government would address issues affecting people in the North and East. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →