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 February 2026 The Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah commended the Transport Ministry’s response in restoring bus and train services after recent floods and Cyclone Ditwah, and requested attention to cyclone-damaged roads in Batticaloa District. He urged the Fisheries and Ports Ministers to operationalize the unused Oluvil Harbour as a fisheries harbour, noting the burden on coastal fishermen and suggesting possible support through financial institutions or private operators. He also called for urgent government action to protect the garment industry from tariff disadvantages, including negotiations with the United States or securing GSP concessions, and demanded that long-delayed Provincial Council elections be held to restore elected provincial administration under the Thirteenth Amendment. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra referred to reactions in Trincomalee against political agitation and criticized past rulers for fostering divisive politics, crime, and corruption. She praised the Tri-Forces for their rescue and restoration work during Cyclone Michaung and called for respect for all communities, national unity, and rejection of racist politics. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra rejected claims that Independence Day celebrations and the Tri-Forces should be framed through racism, arguing that all parties have a responsibility to end ethnic and religious divisive politics after the damage caused by the 30-year war. She criticized Opposition figures, including Namal Rajapaksa, for allegedly invoking Sinhala Buddhist sentiment despite past responsibility for the country’s crisis, and said the public mandate was against racism and corruption and for dignity and honesty. She also referred to controversy over education reforms and allegations against the Speaker, saying such narratives were being used to mislead the public. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel said the Hill Country community’s loss of citizenship and franchise after independence had led to decades of exclusion in education, land, housing, wages and political representation. She argued that the National People’s Power Government had begun addressing these issues since 2024, citing increased representation of Hill Country women, progress on land and housing rights, salary issues, road development, an e-library, a mini-government service centre, and planned vocational training. She said further shortcomings remain but maintained that the Government has laid the foundation for integrating the Hill Country community into the national mainstream and ensuring a dignified life. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Muhammad Faizal JJB AI summary Hon. Muhammad Faizal defended the Government’s record in Puttalam, stating that work had begun within a year to upgrade the Puttalam Base Hospital and pledging to complete the necessary arrangements and open the Puttalam–Mannar road for public travel. He accused former ministers of using the needs of displaced communities and election promises for political gain without securing services, and said legal cases by their supporters had obstructed the road opening. He also rejected allegations that the Government promoted racism, arguing that the NPP had reduced communal rhetoric and vandalism, while providing flood relief and pursuing anti-corruption, proper use of foreign funds, rule of law, and macroeconomic stability. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen opposed the Government’s position on the Mannar–Puttalam road, arguing that it is a long-established public B-class road whose closure would unfairly affect residents and travellers by adding about 100 kilometres to journeys between the North-West and the North. He said that past administrations and relevant agencies had previously supported public use of the road, but alleged that under the current Government the Forest and Wildlife authorities had effectively sided with petitioners seeking its closure, without a court order mandating such closure. He called on the Government to honour earlier commitments, including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s stated pledge to open the road, and warned that his side would oppose any move to permanently close it. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir supported the Adjournment Motion on protecting the Muthurajawela wetland but argued that conservation policies should be applied equitably across the country without ethnic discrimination. He said lands in the North and East formerly cultivated by Tamil and Muslim communities have been classified as forests, sacred lands, or wildlife areas after long periods of displacement, and called for such fallow lands to be reviewed and released for agriculture or other public needs. He also urged the Government to address unresolved Eastern Province issues, including the Saudi-funded prefabricated housing project, Vattamadu and Pottuvil land disputes, agricultural concerns, and drinking water shortages affecting about 5,000 families between Irakkakandi and Pulmoddai. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that he regards Sri Lanka as a country for all communities, including Sinhalese, Muslims, and Tamils. He criticized the low attendance in Parliament, noting that its daily sitting cost is Rs. 15 million, and questioned whether even 20 Members were present. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna referred to public questions about his political allegiance and stated that he regards God and Prabhakaran as his leaders, while challenging others to state their own leaders. He accused the Government of tolerating fraud and corruption, including by protecting an MP who he said had been reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission, and denied that similar corruption had been proven against representatives in the North. Parts of the remarks were expunged by order of the Chair amid interruptions. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna supported the Adjournment Motion on protecting the Muthurajawela wetland but argued that wetlands and forests in the Northern Province, including in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Poonakari, Parantan and Paruthithurai, also require protection. He alleged that Mahaweli-related projects, land acquisitions, Forest Department boundary demarcations, and settlements in areas such as Manal Aru/Weli Oya have adversely affected Tamil and Muslim communities and their traditional lands. He called for attention to these issues alongside Muthurajawela and also referred to a bribery complaint concerning fuel expenditure by the Speaker. Adjournment Debate: Muthurajawela Wetland Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir spoke during debate on regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act, urging action on unresolved telecommunications failures in Sainthamaruthu, including an unrepaired tower device affecting fishermen’s safety and poor service during the “Tithva” cyclone despite continued billing. He also asked the Government to provide teacher appointments for approximately 16,000 development officers serving in schools, following the President’s proposed solution. He called for Parliament to resolve the delayed Nuraicholai tsunami housing scheme for affected families and urged immediate remedial measures for severe coastal erosion linked to the Oluvil Port, citing extensive land loss and damage in several eastern coastal areas. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam JJB AI summary Hon. M.K.M. Aslam supported the regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act, arguing that they are necessary to modernize communications infrastructure, support education reforms and economic recovery, and ensure reliable services in underserved areas. He said tower-sharing regulations would reduce duplication and costs, improve competition, lower tariffs, and allow the TRC to monitor operators and service quality, noting plans for additional towers and projected TRC revenue and expenditure changes. He also criticized Opposition parties for raising unrelated and ethnic issues during the debate, and defended development activities in the North, East, and hill country as necessary to meet basic needs and promote national unity. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary The MP rejected Independence Day celebrations for Tamils, stating that the North and East would mark February 4 as a Black Day until a durable political solution to the national question is reached. He accused successive governments, including the present NPP Government, of continuing land seizures, settlement schemes, and failure to release Tamil political prisoners or repeal the PTA as promised. He specifically criticised the Kivul Oya and Mahaweli-related projects, alleging they divert land and water resources from Tamil areas to benefit majority-community farmers while obstructing rehabilitation of Tamil village tanks. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper said the Deputy Secretary-General’s approach to CIABOC should be treated as a matter for investigation and justice. He informed Parliament that he had submitted his first Private Member’s Bill, the Nurachcholai Housing Project (Special Provisions) Bill, intended to enable the Housing Minister to allocate long-stalled Saudi-funded tsunami houses in the Eastern Province to those actually affected, notwithstanding prior court outcomes. He said the project had been blocked for about 14 years following litigation over beneficiary allocation, and argued that Parliament has the legislative authority to resolve the issue. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Read →
- 3 February 2026 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Integration AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Integration is listed as meeting on 3 February 2026 with Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara as Chairman and the named Members in attendance. No substantive speech content, proposals, questions, or decisions are provided in the excerpt beyond the committee membership/attendance details. Opening and Parliamentary Announcements Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam said the President’s remarks on religious activity in the North had been misrepresented, arguing that they referred to a specific temple and organized political mobilization rather than to Sinhala Buddhists visiting Nagadipa or other temples. He praised the President for speaking against what he described as chauvinist activity in areas without Sinhala Buddhist residents, and distinguished this from Tamil worship at Kataragama, noting its longstanding religious significance. He also urged the Government to address Tamil demands on education and make sound decisions. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam criticized the Government’s handling of education reforms and university governance, comparing it to the previous Government’s failed agriculture policies. He alleged discriminatory changes to the ethnic composition of the Eastern University Council, cited a court judgment finding the premature replacement of Council members improper, and tabled the order. He also argued that national history, including minority-related political agreements and loss of citizenship rights for estate Tamils, is inadequately taught, and said ITAK would consider its position on any future No-Confidence Motion. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam said his party sought to offer constructive criticism, and urged the Prime Minister to reverse the previous Government’s ban on law practitioners serving as university lecturers, citing its impact on Dr. Kumaravadivel Guruparan. He also called for greater transparency and fairness in Vice-Chancellor selection processes and appointments to University Councils. He strongly opposed the Cabinet-approved Kivul Oya Project, alleging it continued Sinhala settlement in Tamil areas after wartime displacement and citing environmental feasibility concerns and constitutional issues. He demanded the Prime Minister’s intervention, warning that proceeding with the project would undermine Tamil confidence in the Government’s commitment to systemic change in the North and East. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan rejected allegations made by Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara and others that he misused land, received funds from the Poonakari solar power project, or held improper assets, and demanded that any such claims be substantiated with bank and transaction details. He questioned why complaints lodged with the FCID and the Bribery Commission had not been concluded, and called for transparent investigations involving relevant officials. He also linked the allegations to broader political pressures and raised concerns over land dispossession, militarisation, unreleased lands, and attacks on Tamil representatives, urging that justice be upheld through proper inquiry. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the President and relevant Ministers regarding gold jewellery pawned by Tamil people at the LTTE-run Tamil Eelam Bank during the war, which owners were unable to recover amid displacement and the final stages of the conflict. He cited wartime economic restrictions, continuing hardship and malnutrition in the North and East, and asked for data on the quantity of jewellery and number of affected persons. He requested details on any government programme or timeline for restitution, noting that the return of these items had been presented as an election pledge in 2024. Standing Order 27(2) Questions: Attorney-General Independence, Gold Jewellery Return Read →