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 March 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Called for an end to alleged demographic engineering in his areas and demanded the immediate removal of the Mahaweli Authority from those areas. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran argued that the Government’s response to the global crisis and its local impacts has been reactive rather than planned, citing fuel shortages, hoarding, delayed implementation of the QR system, and questionable efficiency of the Wednesday holiday for energy savings. He raised concerns about the additional burdens faced by people in the North, especially Mullaitivu and the Vanni, including cyclone impacts, illegal fishing, staff shortages in fisheries offices, and approval of a salt pan project in Kokkilai. He urged the Government to fill fisheries vacancies, curb illegal fishing and Indian trawler incursions, and protect northern and eastern seas. He also alleged that the Mahaweli Authority was attempting to occupy ancestral Tamil lands in Mullaitivu for a salt pan project and called for its removal from the North. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is committed to securing justice and closure for families of missing persons across all regions, while acknowledging the pain related to disappearances at the end of the war in 2009. He said concerns about appointments to the Office for Reparations would be raised in appropriate forums, and noted that the CTUR Act has been referred to the Law Commission because some provisions conflict with the Office for Reparations Act and the OMP Act. He affirmed that disappearances and killings would be addressed under local criminal law, with new laws if needed, and said the Government is seeking international expertise, assistance and training to support enforcement over the coming years. Oral Question: Accountability for Disappeared Persons and UNHRC Engagement Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government recognizes that many persons remain unaccounted for after the final stages of the conflict, but noted that figures vary due to differing records and methodologies, citing 2,764 based on records since 2009 while acknowledging it is debatable. He outlined steps by the Office on Missing Persons, with ICRC support, to consolidate records, develop a comprehensive database, strengthen data collection and coordination, and build forensic capacity for mass grave investigations. On the Chemmani mass grave and other sites, he said investigations are being conducted under judicial supervision with allocated funding, trained personnel, forensic procedures and international technical support. He rejected the UN’s SLAP initiative as an external mechanism not accepted by Sri Lanka, and said the Government is strengthening the OMP after a period of insufficient political support. Oral Question: Accountability for Disappeared Persons and UNHRC Engagement Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Thurairasa Ravikaran raised the issue of NHDA houses started during the Good Governance period in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya that remain incomplete, leaving war-affected and indebted families in distress. He asked whether the Government would complete these housing projects and requested an assurance from the Deputy Minister. Oral Question: Presidential Vehicle Pool Management (Q.19/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2026 Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth welcomed education reforms but urged the Minister of Education to establish a separate Pottuvil Zonal Education Office, arguing that current arrangements split nearby Muslim, Tamil and Sinhala schools among three zones and require long travel for services. He said a Pottuvil zone would address a two-decade demand, improve supervision and support integrated education across communities without needing a new building. He also raised local concerns including staffing shortages at Panankadu Hospital, land and hospital development matters, inadequate QR fuel allocations and agricultural inputs for farmers, Forest Department restrictions on fallow lands, unresolved issues affecting Village Officers, and requests for sports and tourism facilities in Navithanveli and Pottuvil. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Read →
- 19 March 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna JJB AI summary The member explained the history of the local government ward delimitation process, noting the appointment of a National Delimitation Committee and district committees in 2012, followed by publication of ward boundaries in Gazette No. 1928/26 in 2015 and amendments in Gazette No. 2006/44 in 2017 after appeals. He said the current system resulted from a lengthy consultative process but acknowledged concerns raised and stated that Parliament should discuss and formulate an appropriate new mechanism, with Government facilitation. Oral Question: Demarcation of Local Authority Areas and Wards: Trincomalee District (Q.1558/2025) Read →
- 19 March 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary In reply to Question No. 1558/2025 on the demarcation of local authority areas and wards in the Trincomalee District, the Minister stated that the district has 13 local authorities, including the Trincomalee Municipal Council, Kinniya Urban Council and 11 Pradeshiya Sabhas. He provided figures for constituents, wards and councillors, noting a district total of 319,399 constituents, 129 wards and 230 councillors, with examples including Mutur Pradeshiya Sabha at 50,671 constituents, 13 wards and 22 councillors. Further details on the basis for demarcation and possible remedies for alleged injustices were indicated to be addressed in the full reply. Oral Question: Demarcation of Local Authority Areas and Wards: Trincomalee District (Q.1558/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna supported the Adjournment Motion, arguing that Development Officers appointed since 2016 remain without clear job descriptions, service standards, promotion schemes, or pathways to permanency. He highlighted cases where DOs and indigenous medical graduates are assigned inappropriate teaching duties, while vacancies and delayed appointments persist in areas such as library services and local government. He called for formal legal frameworks, proper probation, increments, and promotion structures for Development Officers and indigenous medical graduates, noting that some issues could be addressed through revived Provincial Councils. Adjournment Debate: Status of Development Officers and Parliament Adjournment Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar supported the extension of emergency regulations, arguing that they were introduced in response to the “Ditwah” cyclone and later needed amid regional tensions caused by conflict in the Middle East, while stating that emergency laws and the PTA should ultimately be reformed or repealed. He contrasted the current Government’s use of emergency powers with past administrations, claiming no innocent civilians had been targeted under them during the present administration, and criticized Opposition and Tamil parties for politicizing the issue. He also reported a fatal boat accident near Paalai Theevu, expressed condolences, and said the Navy and fisheries officials had responded to assist victims. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof welcomed the President’s remarks and urged the country to take a just position that promotes national unity. He called for the Government and Opposition to work without division in formulating and adopting a common action plan to address the challenges ahead. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan supported continued investigations to bring those responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks to justice, while distinguishing that from broader use of emergency and anti-terrorism powers. He condemned war in general, referred to the Gulf conflict and Sri Lanka’s own history of oppression and conflict, and rejected attempts to blame India over the reported sinking of an Iranian warship, noting India’s role as a first responder in crises. He argued that the Prevention of Terrorism Act had been misused against communities and political movements, warned against using it to suppress public protests, and demanded its repeal while accepting its use only against those genuinely connected to the Easter attacks. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran acknowledged the potential impact of Middle East instability on Sri Lanka’s fuel, foreign exchange, employment, tourism and maritime sectors, and said MPs from the North and East would support measures to protect the country from global economic shocks. However, he opposed extending emergency regulations under Gazette 2477/46, warning that extraordinary powers must not be used to restrict peaceful protests, Tamil political expression, land rights campaigns or demands relating to the disappeared, political prisoners and wartime accountability. He highlighted the families of the forcibly disappeared in Mullaitivu entering their tenth year of protest, and urged that any use of emergency powers align national security with citizens’ rights and equal protection. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir spoke on an Adjournment Motion connected to International Women’s Day, emphasizing respect for women and noting government measures such as appointing women to senior offices. He urged the Government, especially women members, to condemn attacks affecting women and children in the Middle East, including an alleged attack on a girls’ school in Iran, and questioned why Sri Lanka had not expressed solidarity given Iran’s past assistance, including the Uma Oya project. He also argued that the Government’s pledges of equality were not being reflected in its responses to international issues and in local programmes, citing the Prajashakthi project in his area where he said no women were selected, and called for household-level initiatives to create opportunities for women. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Marking International Women’s Day, the MP supported the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus proposal for a National Care Policy on unpaid care work and rejected claims of conflict between the Government and the Women’s Commission, stating that it should be independent. She highlighted the increased representation of women in the 10th Parliament, including women without political family backgrounds and the first two women MPs from the plantation Tamil community, as a significant milestone. She also cited the National People’s Power’s women representatives in local authorities and called for constructive engagement with women’s political leadership while criticizing the Opposition’s record and conduct on women’s representation. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel spoke in support of the Adjournment Motion marking International Women’s Day, emphasizing women’s achievements beyond household roles and the need for equal opportunities in all sectors. She highlighted the economic and professional contributions of plantation Tamil women and noted increased Tamil women’s representation in Parliament, local bodies, public administration, education, law, and medicine. She stated that sustainable development requires women’s participation and referred to the government’s measures, including a minimum 5% women’s participation in civic and social protection bodies. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the co-operative sector is governed through both national-level and provincial frameworks following the 13th Amendment, with some provincial interim constitutions causing difficulties for members. He stated that a Cabinet-approved committee is reviewing amendments to both central and provincial co-operative laws, particularly relating to co-operative banks and societies. Draft bills have been prepared, and the Government intends to bring the amendments this year to protect co-operative enterprises, members’ rights, and strengthen the sector. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam welcomed regulation of microfinance in principle, citing severe post-war indebtedness, especially among women in the North and East, but argued that the Bill fails to address key harms. He said it would undermine longstanding community-based credit systems by treating them as microfinance institutions, and called for such grassroots providers to be exempt and regulated separately. He also criticized the proposed expansion of CRIB coverage as worsening financial exclusion for low-income borrowers, and requested an amendment to the Civil Procedure Code so debt recovery cases are filed where borrowers reside rather than at lenders’ registered offices. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that the Government intends to strengthen the country’s sporting culture, with particular attention to the North and East. He said budget allocations have been made for district-level competitions, including planned football and softball tournaments in Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Mannar, and Kilinochchi. He added that the National Sports Festival will proceed through selections starting at Divisional Secretariat level in every district to broaden participation. Oral Question: Projects in Trincomalee District (Q.1476/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper criticised the Government and President for not condemning alleged violations of international law by the United States and Israel in relation to an ongoing war, and called on Americans to impeach President Donald Trump in the interests of global peace. He argued that Sri Lanka should not be subservient to major powers and said Muslim supporters of the Government were disappointed by the absence of a clear condemnation. He also alleged past links between Sri Lankan military intelligence and Zaharan Hashim’s extremist group from 2012, claiming such actions were part of attempts to create a new communal target after the defeat of the LTTE, and called for these matters to be exposed to dismantle what the President had described as a “deep state.” Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →