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- 4 December 2024 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam congratulated the Government on its mandate and welcomed the President’s statements on democracy and inclusion, but questioned how the pledge against ethnic-based politics would apply to Tamil parties raising issues of discrimination, land settlement and demographic change in the North and East. He argued that a generic “Sri Lankan” identity must not obscure the history of Tamil grievances and cited UN Human Rights Council concerns about the limits of purely domestic accountability. He called for the Prevention of Terrorism Act not to be used against commemorations or detainees, compared Tamil memorialization with JVP commemorations, and urged the Justice Minister to release nine Tamil political prisoners and inquire into the prison transfer of one detainee known as “Morris.” Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara urged the Government not to revive communal tensions and criticized its use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act despite previously opposing it, citing court rulings and the need to protect freedom of speech and rights. He asked that people in the North and East be allowed to commemorate their dead, and called for the CEB’s reported profits to be passed on to consumers through the promised 30 percent electricity tariff reduction. He also said the Government had changed its position on past issues but had not apologized for the damage caused. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara argued that the UNP historically promoted multi-ethnic representation and national unity, contrasting this with the JVP/NPP’s past opposition to devolution and the 13th Amendment. He questioned the Government’s current position on the 13th Amendment and called for a clear statement in Parliament, noting differing electoral outcomes in the North and East between the Presidential and General Elections. He also criticized the JVP/NPP’s past strikes and opposition to private investment and private universities, while saying the President’s policy statement now appeared to accept positions previously advocated by the UNP/SJB. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Congratulated the NPP Government on its electoral victory while stating that the President’s policy statement did not address key issues affecting Tamils in the North and East. He urged immediate action on the release of Tamil political prisoners, repeal or non-use of the PTA, accountability for enforced disappearances, and a clear Government position on a possible TRC and UNHRC-related processes. He also sought policy responses on land disputes involving the Mahaweli Authority, archaeology and forest demarcation issues, the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat, and the withdrawal of remaining military camps from civilian, school, temple, and State lands. 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 said people in the North had voted independently in the belief that the present Government would not govern along racist lines, unlike past governments. He raised concern that racist remarks were being made within Parliament and stated that he had been assaulted the previous day in the Opposition Leader’s office, though he did not intend to pursue the matter by complaint or retaliation. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to what he characterized as arbitrary police action, arguing that the matter concerned communal harmony rather than an ordinary criminal complaint. He urged that law enforcement handle such issues carefully and not in a manner that could undermine social cohesion. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara endorsed the President’s call to reject racism, stating that those who incite racism should not be excused. He also said all communities have the right to commemorate their dead, but argued that the law must be applied uniformly across the country. He questioned why cases in the South were being filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act while similar matters in the North were handled under the Penal Code, calling for consistency in legal treatment. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government’s electoral mandate reflects public demand for a new political culture, rule of law, action against corruption, and national reconciliation. He stated that the Government would prioritize social cohesion, reject racist and religious extremist politics, and protect dignified remembrance and freedom of expression while preventing incitement. He said the Prevention of Terrorism Act should be repealed and replaced with a counter-terrorism law aligned with international best practices, with existing laws used in the interim to curb racism, religious hatred, and extremism. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that recent arrests were made in response to alleged social media disinformation that used old or foreign images to falsely portray LTTE-related commemorations in Sri Lanka in 2024 and incite communal tensions. He said the Government recognizes the right to remember deceased relatives but will not permit displays of LTTE symbols, noting that Police recorded 244 Maaveerar events in the North, with legal action taken in a small number involving LTTE-related symbols. He outlined arrests in Chunnakam, Baddegama, Maradana and Boralesgamuwa, saying investigations indicated a coordinated political effort to mislead the public and create ethnic discord. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing JJB AI summary Minister Anura Karunathilaka described the 10th Parliament as carrying public expectations for political and social change across ethnic, religious, and regional lines, citing electoral outcomes in Matara as evidence of voters rejecting divisive politics. He said the Government and National People’s Power would oppose attempts to inflame ethnic or religious tensions and would not use repressive laws against democratic voices of progressive parties, professional bodies, trade unions, civil organizations, or individuals. He called for cooperation despite ideological differences and portrayed the new parliamentary group as motivated by public service rather than privileges. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. M. S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M. S. Uthumalebbe urged the Government to move beyond old political traditions and meet the high expectations of voters following the recent election. He objected to remarks made by Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa concerning Hon. Rauff Hakeem, asserting the right of his leader to engage politically in the Eastern Province and citing the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress’s role in keeping Muslim politics within the democratic process. He appealed for clarification and called for setting aside divisive issues in order to support national rebuilding. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. M. S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M. S. Uthumalebbe raised concerns about unpaid arrears of Rs. 13.8 million, stating that this prevented flood-affected people in parts of Ampara District from obtaining dry rations on credit, and requested payment of the arrears and relief for Akkaraipattu, Addalaichenai, Lahugala and Pottuvil. He also discussed national politics, arguing that past leaders failed to resolve the ethnic question despite different mandates, and urged the current Government, which came to power promising change, to act beyond old political divisions and address longstanding issues. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj said the new parliamentary mandate reflected a shift toward policy-based politics and noted the increased representation of women in Parliament. She outlined government priorities to protect and uplift women and children, including better safeguards for women workers at home and abroad, enforcement against violence, improved safe public infrastructure such as sanitary toilets, and stronger systems beyond legislation. She also highlighted concerns over substandard pediatric medicines and unsafe food, pledging action on medicine quality and food standards, and framed the election result as a rejection of communalism in favour of a shared Sri Lankan identity. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa argued that communal and religiously based politics are no longer necessary in the East, saying communities no longer need ethnocentric parties claiming to protect them. He responded to concerns about recent floods, stating that NPP members helped clean and sanitize affected schools and homes, while Government officials were convened to plan further action. He attributed delays to institutional weaknesses, rigid procedures, and resource shortages, expressed regret for public inconvenience, and said the Government is working to improve response mechanisms. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa JJB AI summary Wasantha Piyathissa argued that national prosperity depends on national unity, citing the Government’s policy theme, “National Unity, a Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.” He said opponents had spread fear during the election campaign, particularly among Muslim communities, but that subsequent electoral support for the NPP in areas such as Kalmunai and Sammanthurai showed growing trust among Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal thanked the NPP/JVP leadership and the people of Puttalam, noting that his election marked the first parliamentary representation for Puttalam through a national party in 35 years under the proportional representation system. He argued that the NPP’s electoral success, including victories across most districts and in the North, reflected public support for a national programme transcending ethnic, religious, linguistic and regional divisions. Referring to the President’s Address, he said politics based on provincial, ethnic or religious lines had fostered suspicion and chauvinism, and called for unity under a common Sri Lankan identity. He linked national disunity and past divisive politics to Sri Lanka’s post-Independence economic decline, asserting that the NPP Government has a mandate for national renewal. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer congratulated returning and newly elected Members and thanked voters, particularly in Gampaha District, noting the significance of his election as the district’s first Muslim male MP since Independence. Referring to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s policy statement, he argued that the national mandate reflected a desire for unity, reconciliation, and a prosperous country across regional, ethnic, and religious lines. He called on both Government and Opposition to reject ethnic chauvinism and extremist religious agitation, stating that such politics had caused severe human and economic damage and should not be used again to gain power. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi emphasized the Government’s policy theme of “Raising the Cultural Human Being” within “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life,” arguing that economic development must be matched by socio-cultural development to build a compassionate citizenry. He said the mandate received across the country, including the North and East, showed a rejection of religious extremism, chauvinism, and divisive politics, and called for nurturing a Sri Lankan national identity alongside global citizenship. He also urged renewed attention to education, culture, and language policy as tools to prevent sectarian conflict and promote a more inclusive civic culture. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Dr. V.S. Radhakrishnan welcomed the Government’s stated commitment to racial harmony and said constitutional reforms, including any changes related to the 13th Amendment, should address both North-East issues and the long-standing concerns of the Up-Country Tamil community while maintaining a prudent relationship with India. He urged the Government to manage economic reforms, including any IMF-related measures, in a way that protects public confidence and allows stability over its term. He requested compensation for farmers affected by recent disasters in Nuwara Eliya and other districts, proper housing for estate families currently in temporary line rooms, and action to resolve legal obstacles to recruiting 2,500 graduate teacher assistants for Up-Country schools. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said the NPP-led Government had received a mandate to change longstanding political practices and pursue reforms across government. He identified foreign affairs and foreign employment as sectors affected by past irregularities, including diplomatic appointments, consular work, and malpractice, and said reforms would be led under Minister Vijitha Herath to make them people-oriented services. He also said the Government would uphold the rule of law, reject extremism, and protect national unity and public security, while seeking public and Opposition support for broader reforms. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →