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- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof thanked voters in Trincomalee and emphasized his commitment to non-communal politics, urging the new government to move beyond criticism of past administrations and demonstrate the political culture change promised to the public. He called for clarity on government promises, including the claim that major changes would occur within 24 hours of taking office, and specifically requested transparent disclosure of who received liquor bar permits in Trincomalee. He also argued that raising concerns about Muslim representation in Cabinet or Tamil-speaking communities’ access to appropriate administrative appointments is not communalism, but a request for fair and qualified representation. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj JJB AI summary Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj thanked voters in Badulla District for electing NPP representatives and said the up-country Tamil community, historically deprived of citizenship, land, housing, and labour rights, had strongly supported the NPP. He rejected demands for a separate North–East state, stating that the NPP supports national unity while addressing the welfare and livelihoods of all communities. He called for land and home ownership for estate workers, reform of the daily-wage system, and restructuring of the plantation sector, citing closed tea factories, the 1992 estate leases, and the long history of line-room housing and labour struggles. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Arkam Ilyas JJB AI summary Hon. Arkam Ilyas, in his maiden speech, thanked voters in the Matara District and said the National People’s Power’s election victories reflected a shift beyond ethnic and communal political divisions, including in the North, East and Hill Country. He argued that national unity is now a practical basis for development and that reduced internal conflict would enable progress over the coming decade. He urged planned economic expansion, particularly through tourism and foreign exchange generation, citing Sri Lanka’s coastal, climatic, biodiversity, gemstone and cultural assets. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra defended the JJB Government’s decision to continue engagement with the IMF and complete debt restructuring, arguing that it had been stated in the party’s manifesto and was necessary to avoid further economic damage. She said the previous Government was responsible for the debt crisis and that delays in restructuring had cost an additional USD 1.7 billion in interest. She also stated that the President’s expenditure head had reduced personal staff allocations by 64 percent and that the Government’s mandate was to restore economic inclusion for affected workers and SMEs. She further pledged a new Constitution to ensure equality and dignity for all communities and inclusive participation in the State. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 5 December 2024 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported the President’s policy commitment to reject ethnic and religious extremism and strengthen the rule of law, while arguing that past governments wasted major mandates without resolving national issues, especially the ethnic question. He called for accountability for assassinations, disappearances, journalist killings, and the Easter attacks, including consideration of Asad Moulana’s testimony, and urged enforcement of court orders against illegal settlements in Mayilathamadu and Maathavanai. He welcomed the President’s recognition of the right to memorialize the dead, but expressed concern that the policy statement was silent on a political solution to the national question and did not propose a common ministry to treat all religions equally. Debate on Vote on Account for 2025 (continued) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna thanked the Government for emergency allocations for dry rations and cooked food in Jaffna and Kilinochchi following heavy rains, citing information from the respective Government Agents and his visits to affected areas. He urged greater recognition of the Tamil diaspora’s role in supporting households in the North and said diaspora members were willing to return and invest in Sri Lanka. He pledged cooperation with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Government on national measures, while criticizing the previous chemical fertilizer policy and those now proposing agricultural compensation. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Thurairasa Ravikaran thanked voters in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya and highlighted severe recent disaster impacts in the North and East, including flooding, deaths, crop losses, livestock losses and damage to fishing livelihoods. He requested relief for affected farmers, livestock rearers and fisherfolk based on official statistics, while acknowledging district-level assessments and emergency work by officials and MPs. He also called for a new project in the next Budget to replace the damaged Vattuvakal Bridge in Mullivaikkal East, noting its wartime damage, monsoon risks and use by around 40,000 people. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Upali Samarasingha - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB AI summary Hon. Upali Samarasingha expressed condolences for disaster victims and described the recent flooding impact in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and especially Mannar, arguing that recurring floods had been worsened by past construction in drainage paths, railway embankment issues and lack of advance preparedness. He said NPP representatives coordinated security forces, district officials and ministers to assist displaced people, including securing Rs. 37 million for immediate food and essentials and mobilizing civil society and local businesses. He called for people-centred cooperation across parties and communities to develop stronger pre-disaster mechanisms and disaster-response policy, while criticizing political point-scoring during the Adjournment debate. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Kader Masthan AI summary Hon. Kader Masthan thanked voters in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu for re-electing him and said his mandate reflected confidence in his corruption-free public service. He alleged that election malpractice, including vote-buying with cash, liquor and food parcels, occurred in the final days of campaigning and urged the Government and President to reform election laws, potentially through constitutional or legal changes, to prevent such practices. He stated that his party would support Government initiatives on anti-corruption, religious and national harmony, and development if implemented promptly. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the NPP’s electoral gains in Jaffna, the North and East, and among hill-country Tamils reflected public trust across ethnic communities and rejection of racism, fear campaigns, and traditional political leadership. He framed the Government’s approach as ending entrenched ethnic chauvinism rather than making symbolic constitutional promises, while referencing the 13th Amendment debate and past events including emergency laws, the burning of the Jaffna Public Library, and the 1983 pogrom. He stated that the Government’s policy programme would address estate workers’ land rights, housing, wages, health, and education, and said issues of Tamil political prisoners and the disappeared would be handled with special care. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Chithral Fernando SJB AI summary Hon. Chithral Fernando thanked voters in Puttalam and those who supported his entry into Parliament, highlighting increased youth participation. He criticized the President’s Throne Speech and Government speakers for focusing on political attacks and references to a “76-year curse” rather than presenting a clear policy direction. He argued that the Government’s broad characterization of opponents as corrupt contradicted its stated commitment to democracy and freedom, while affirming the Opposition’s support for efforts to defeat ethnic and religious extremism. He urged the Government, given its large mandate, to avoid arrogance and work collaboratively for the country’s betterment. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Vidyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the National People’s Power was elected with support across ethnic and regional lines and argued that the Government has a mandate to pursue inclusive national development. He emphasized the need to address plantation community issues and strengthen infrastructure and services for historically underserved communities. He framed these priorities within the new Government’s broader commitment to unity, equality, and accountable governance. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra urged Parliament to use the new mandate as an opportunity to advance national unity and prevent a return to racist or religious politics, citing Dr. N.M. Perera’s 1955 call for both Sinhala and Tamil to be State languages and the President’s recent policy pledge against racism. She linked the failure to heed such warnings to the consequences of the Sinhala Only policy, the war, social harm and national bankruptcy. She rejected Opposition claims that the Government was targeting “social media activists,” arguing that those spreading false or current-looking hate content should not be protected as free expression. She called on both Government and Opposition Members to respect the people’s mandate and ensure equality, dignity, and freedom from violence and discrimination for all communities. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Palani Thigambaram SJB AI summary Hon. Palani Thigambaram welcomed the Government’s stated commitments to anti-corruption, poverty alleviation, national unity, efficient public service, and economic development, saying the Opposition would support people-oriented measures while opposing harmful actions. He urged the Government to ensure equal rights for all communities, avoid relying only on the 13th Amendment without deeper reform, and revive or strengthen Hill Country initiatives begun under the Yahapalana Government, including the Plantation Development Plan and Hill Country Development Authority. He specifically requested better facilities for expanded local authorities in Nuwara Eliya, land title reforms, a return to single-house housing for estate communities, expedited Indian-funded housing, and action for over 6,000 high-risk households in disaster-prone areas. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Riyas Farook JJB AI summary Hon. Riyas Farook thanked the voters of Kandy District and expressed gratitude for being elected to the Tenth Parliament on behalf of the National People’s Power. He emphasized that the Government had received support across ethnic and religious communities and called for unity among Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims after past conflict and division. He urged Members to work together beyond party, ethnicity and region to build a corruption-free, non-racist Sri Lanka, eradicate rural poverty and advance national digitization. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran congratulated the new Government and welcomed the President’s commitment to a country free of racism and extremism, but expressed concern that the President’s address did not set out a solution to the ethnic issue affecting Tamil people. He requested full powers for the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat, including permanent administrative appointments, and proposed new Divisional Secretariats centred on Komari and Malwatte to improve access to public services. He also called for a new Education Zone for Tamil schools around Kalmunai and urged the Government to immediately halt ilmenite sand mining activity in Thirukkovil, citing risks to local communities, resources and ancestral lands. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman welcomed the new Government’s mandate and urged it to use that mandate to build a unified Sri Lankan identity while respecting diversity and rejecting racism and religious extremism, noting that past failures to do so contributed to conflict and economic setbacks. He said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and much of the Opposition would cooperate with any programme aimed at unity within diversity. He also called for the Government to uphold the Rule of Law, raising concerns about the stalled Wasim Thajudeen case, the appointment of officials linked to alleged non-cooperation or corruption as advisers, and a reported incident involving an alleged Military Intelligence officer at a protest. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna called for greater engagement with the Sri Lankan diaspora by securing their investments and easing dual citizenship procedures, arguing this would support economic rebuilding and reduce reliance on women seeking vulnerable overseas employment. He urged the dignified return of people displaced by the ethnic conflict and living in camps in Tamil Nadu, and requested that political prisoners linked to the conflict be released or their court cases expedited. He also referred to recent electoral support for change and called for unity and reconciliation across all communities affected by the internal conflict. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna paid tribute to those who died in Sri Lanka’s conflicts and referred to his family’s experiences during the war, including his father’s service and alleged enforced disappearance in 2009. He stated that his political mandate was not for division but for unity, peace, and development across ethnic and religious lines. He also described overcoming alleged discrimination to enter medical school and raised concerns about inequities and corruption in the health system, particularly in the North and East, citing his experience as Director of Chavakachcheri Base Hospital. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara responded to concerns raised by Hon. Ponnambalam regarding longstanding issues affecting the North, noting that the current Government had been in office for less than a month. He stated that genuine grievances, including the issue of political prisoners, would be addressed after proper legal assessment, and invited the Member to refer such matters to his Ministry for review. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →