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- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan called for a review of welfare schemes, stating that deserving families in several districts are being excluded while ineligible persons receive benefits. He supported efforts to raise plantation workers’ wages and urged government action to provide land and housing for hill-country Tamils living in line rooms. He also demanded the proper payment of resettlement and damage grants to displaced families in the North and East, citing Kilinochchi figures and asking that applications be processed through local officials. He raised concern over an alleged assault and sexual harassment incident at Periyaneelavanai Police Station and warned against actions or rhetoric affecting Tamil land and settlement issues. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar responded to remarks by Hon. V. S. Radhakrishnan, stating that constructive suggestions would be considered but rejecting allegations that the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme would ban cosmetics or impose blanket restrictions on three-wheelers. He emphasized close relations with India and said the Government’s objective is to build a “noble country,” with particular attention to upcountry communities and war-affected Tamils in the North and East as key participants in the programme. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a procedural concern about being denied speaking time as a representative of a minority community. He argued that without an opportunity to speak in Parliament, he could not convey the concerns of Tamil voters seeking justice, and questioned how cooperation with the Opposition could proceed under such circumstances. Oral Question: Death of Pigs Due to Epidemic Disease and Procedural Matters (Q.187/2024) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Mohamed Nizam Kariapper SJB AI summary Hon. Mohamed Nizam Kariapper used his maiden speech to outline the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress’s position on minority representation, thanking party and opposition leaders and recalling the late M.H.M. Ashraff. He argued that inclusive democracy and proportional representation are essential to prevent ethnic conflict and extremism, and urged the Government to preserve the current electoral system while correcting its deficiencies to ensure local-level representation. He said the SLMC has discussed proposals with the JVP/NPP and Opposition parties and called for Local Government elections to precede Provincial Council and Parliamentary polls. He also noted his intention to raise Eastern Province and Kalmunai issues in future and expressed solidarity with people suffering in Palestine. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order concerning a vihara built in Jaffna, emphasizing that most Tamils in the area are willing to accept all religions and that his own religion teaches equality among religions. His remarks appeared to address religious coexistence in the context of the vihara issue. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam argued that ethnic-based political identities arose because the idea of “Sri Lankan” had long been equated with Sinhala Buddhist majoritarianism, and that calls for a common national identity must be accompanied by concrete corrective action. He cited the disputed Tissa Viharaya at Thyiddy in Jaffna, alleging that the military illegally built it on six acres of private land under cover of a high security zone despite local objections and a Divisional Secretary’s report stating it lacked authority and permission. He tabled the 22 May 2023 report and demanded that the Government address the alleged illegal occupation and construction as a test of its commitment to equality and a genuine Sri Lankan identity. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary M.K.M. Aslam supported the proposed Rs. 6,000 grant for schoolchildren, arguing that it responds to hardships faced by families during the economic crisis, including difficulties in buying school supplies, shoes, and paying education-related costs. He rejected claims of biased distribution and said the Government would treat children equally across all regions and communities. He also criticized those responsible for the economic crisis while calling for a humane Opposition and urged Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities to unite as Sri Lankans in support of children’s future. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 102, Programme 01 (School Supplies Grant) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam asked whether the Central Government would allocate funds to provincial authorities to operate ferry services free of charge until bridges are built. He said fees are currently charged only in Batticaloa, placing a burden on poor residents and raising safety concerns, particularly where flooding at places such as Kiran Bridge forces people to use boats. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 18 December 2024 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam argued that leaving proposed bridge projects to the Provincial Council would make implementation unlikely due to inadequate funding and limited revenue capacity. Referring to earlier JICA feasibility studies, RDA estimates, and previous discussions with the President on bridges including Vattuvakkal and Kalu Bridge, he requested that the Batticaloa bridges be taken over by the Road Development Authority and included in the next Budget. Oral Questions (Questions 1–10) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran urged that sovereign debt restructuring and related policy decisions prioritize equitable resource allocation, particularly for Tamils in the North and East. He highlighted shortages in school funding, digital facilities, health and non-academic staff, sports equipment, and coaches in Vanni, Mannar and Mullaitivu, while noting recent athletic achievements by students and asking the Sports Minister to address these needs. He also called for official recognition of Tamil remembrance practices, requesting Government permission for a Mullivaikkal memorial listing those who died in May 2009, and referred to the peaceful commemorations held on 27 November 2024. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake described the forced cremation of COVID-19 victims as a communal crime justified through misused scientific claims, causing severe distress to Muslim families and forcing some to transport bodies long distances to Ottamavadi at significant cost. He said the issue went beyond administrative action and involved political decisions, and stated that the Government would consider legal and governmental measures, within the law, to hold those responsible accountable. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa referred to the previous policy of forced cremations, arguing that it lacked medical basis, violated international conventions, and targeted a specific ethnic and religious community. He urged the Minister to draw the Government’s attention to providing compensation to affected families and to initiate a formal compensation programme. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam called for a meeting with Tamil political representatives to address illegal encroachment and related violence against cattle owners, stating that over 280 cattle had been killed and that a court eviction order against encroachers had not been fully implemented. He requested compensation promised to affected cattle owners and raised concerns about unrest in Keviliyamadu, where he alleged unauthorized settlement inside an elephant-fence area. He also asked whether compensation arrangements would be made for Maha-season farmers affected by floods, noting that the registration period had been limited to 1–10 December. Oral Question: Ungazetted Livestock Grasslands in Batticaloa District (Q.64/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised the issue of grazing-land disputes in the North and East, noting that although the question referred to Mailathamadu in Batticaloa, similar problems exist in Batticaloa, Ampara, and Trincomalee. He said the matter has generated inter-ethnic tensions and argued that a durable solution is to gazette the relevant areas as grazing lands, citing previous efforts since 2010 and a prior proposal to gazette 3,000 acres, while requesting 6,000 acres for Mailathamadu. He asked whether the new Government would continue from the progress already made or restart the process. Oral Question: Ungazetted Livestock Grasslands in Batticaloa District (Q.64/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan congratulated the Speaker on behalf of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Tamil Progressive Alliance, and the Opposition. He emphasized Sri Lanka’s ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity and urged the Speaker to protect all Members equally and provide fair opportunities to both Government and Opposition. Opening: Parliament Meeting, Affirmations, and Speaker's Election Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath welcomed the new Government’s commitments to honest, non-violent and corruption-free governance, but said it must also provide a clear position on a lasting political solution for the Tamil people, including protection of language rights, land rights, and self-determination. He referred to past discrimination, the effects of the war, and the need for support for female-headed families, persons with disabilities, and those who lost livelihoods. Representing Batticaloa, he called for unbiased development, especially in Paduvankarai, and for action on resource and land issues including alleged encroachment in Mayilathamadu–Madhavanai and ilmenite exploitation in Vakarai. He stated that raising these concerns was not anti-Sinhala or anti-national, and said his party was ready to work with the Government if it gives clear assurances on rights, justice, and development. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana thanked the people of Kalutara for electing him in his maiden speech and said he was elected with support across Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities. He stated that the Opposition would support government measures that reduce public expenditure, including repurposing official residences, but said he would not join a coalition government with the JVP. He urged the Government to respond to Hon. Sajith Premadasa’s proposal to renegotiate IMF-related debt terms, arguing that the country’s bankruptcy and economic recovery should be treated as the common priority. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera used his maiden speech to congratulate the new government while cautioning that its two-thirds mandate arose mainly from public disillusionment, a weak Opposition, and campaign messaging rather than full endorsement of its manifesto. He argued that the government must present a coherent strategic framework for change and tabled his party’s proposal for an “Entrepreneurial State” aimed at building a “satisfied nation.” He urged reform of the State’s structure, including reducing excessive institutional control under the President, and called on the government not to equate nationalism with racism, advocating a unifying national identity grounded in Sri Lanka’s philosophical heritage. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam said ITAK would support progressive government measures while urging the new NPP government, with its two-thirds majority, to address the alienation felt by minorities through equal treatment and trust-building. He welcomed the absence of obstruction to recent war remembrance events, but called for former burial sites such as the Eechankulam Thuyilum Illam in Vavuniya to be recognized as cemeteries rather than kept as military camps, and for long-term political prisoners to be released. He argued that the NPP’s electoral mandate reflected public expectations for corruption-free and egalitarian governance, and said durable peace depends on goodwill measures that build mutual trust. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem requested that a fair solution be considered regarding an earlier procedural request before the House. He also raised concerns about the scheduled establishment of the Constitutional Council under Article 41A(1)(e), arguing that its composition should reflect Sri Lanka’s pluralistic character, including ethnic and social diversity. He noted uncertainty over the President’s nominee and questioned the absence of a Muslim representative after the Opposition Leader nominated a Sinhala Member, asking that the 11.00 a.m. vote be considered in that context. Procedural Matters: Sitting Hours, Legislative Standing Committee, Committee on Parliamentary Business Read →