Topic
Justice & Human Rights
2,079 speeches · 258 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. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney at Law, M.P. JJB | 162 |
| 2 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 96 |
| 3 | Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, M.P. Independent Group 17 - Jaffna | 84 |
| 4 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 79 |
| 5 | Hon. Ajith P. Perera, M.P. SJB | 71 |
| 6 | Hon. Ananda Wijepala, M.P. JJB | 67 |
| 7 | Hon. Mujibur Rahman, M.P. SJB | 60 |
| 8 | Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, M.P. JJB | 52 |
| 9 | Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, M.P. ITAK | 48 |
| 10 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 47 |
Speeches
2,079 on this topic- 17 December 2024 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees AI summary Education is presented as central to social progress, civic conduct, and moral development, with concern raised that economic hardship is causing school dropouts and undermining children’s learning. The speech supports the proposed Rs. 6,000 supplementary allocation for the new school term as a short-term relief measure, while calling for a long-term education system that builds soft skills, social responsibility, and equal opportunity regardless of parental wealth. It also criticizes the alleged misuse of educational and professional titles, specifically questioning the use of the “Attorney-at-Law” title by an Opposition MP. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the basis for providing equal security protection to former Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa. He asked whether their assessed threat levels were the same, framing the issue as one of security assessment rather than politics. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Supplementary Estimate for educational relief and said the Government had stabilized the economy, maintained investor confidence, and remained committed to transparency, accountability, and a “cleaner Parliament.” He addressed public debate over MPs’ qualifications, arguing that scrutiny of credentials reflects a changed political culture, while criticizing politically motivated allegations. He explained that the “Dr.” title appearing before his name on the Parliament website was an error he had not submitted, said he lodged a CID complaint to determine whether it was accidental or deliberate, and requested the Secretary-General’s office to temporarily take down and fully verify the Parliament website to prevent further erroneous information. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha said he had stated, based on information received, that certain arrests were made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He declined to withdraw the statement solely on the Minister’s assurance, saying he would verify the matter with lawyers and withdraw it the following day if investigations showed it was incorrect. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake challenged a statement by Nalin Bandara Jayamaha that certain detainees were apprehended under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, noting that the Minister of Public Security had contradicted it. He requested that the remark be withdrawn, arguing that references to PTA arrests carry international implications for Sri Lanka. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake responded to concerns about compensation for families of COVID-19 victims who were forcibly cremated, noting the Minister had cited legal constraints and would seek the Attorney General’s advice. He said monetary compensation may not adequately address the pain caused, but that any committee recommendation on compensation could be considered comprehensively. He then proposed moving to the next item of business due to time constraints and prior discussion. 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 Sajith Premadasa argued that officials such as Directors General and Secretaries should not merely accept committee recommendations but independently assess their accuracy. Referring to concerns raised about violations of religious and cultural practices, he requested basic aggregate statistics on affected persons and maintained that the process had targeted a community using false data. He called on the Government to initiate and lead a compensation programme for the families who suffered. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) 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. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya criticized the previous Government’s pandemic-era decision affecting funeral and religious practices, stating it was insensitive, cruel, and lacked scientific basis. She said the current Government would not permit decisions that disrespect any community’s traditions or protect officials who act unscientifically or oppressively. She added that the affected community deserves redress and that the Government is prepared to discuss appropriate measures without causing further trauma or politicizing the issue. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Acknowledged that the previous Government’s act was egregious and said the Ministry would consult the Attorney General to provide as much information as legally permissible. He stated that there was no intention to suppress information, but that disclosure must remain within the existing legal framework. 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. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem questioned the Government’s refusal to disclose details of persons who died and were cremated during the previous administration, asking for the names and addresses of the deceased and their next of kin. He challenged the Minister’s claim that medical ethics prevent such disclosure and requested that any specific ethical prohibition be identified, noting that the previous Government’s forced cremation policy had been acknowledged as a mistake. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa addressed the controversy over COVID-19 burial and cremation decisions, stating that the former Government’s approach was unscientific and politically driven. He said patient information is protected under medical ethics and the RTI Act, but broader information should not be concealed. He emphasized that such decisions should be based on science and pledged that similar wrongs would not be allowed in future. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem raised concern over the non-disclosure of statistics relating to Muslims who died during the COVID-19 pandemic, describing the matter as highly sensitive. He argued that such information should be available and publicly released in line with WHO norms, and said relying on the RTI Act to withhold it undermines the credibility of the Ministry of Health. He requested the Government to provide accurate statistics on the issue. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa responded to a question on COVID-19-related cremations, stating that 13,183 bodies were cremated following COVID-19 infection. He said personal details could not be provided under the Right to Information Act and medical ethics, and that related registration information falls under the Department of the Registrar General rather than the Ministry of Health. Oral Question: Cremation of COVID-19 Victims (Q.9/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha questioned the Government on recent arrests under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, including individuals linked to incidents in Theldeniya and an Army Intelligence officer suspected of stabbing police officers. He asked whether it was fair to arrest Development Officers under the PTA, noting that many had not been absorbed into the teaching service for years. He sought clarification on what action the Government would take to address and conclude the issue of Development Officers’ appointments. Oral Question: Wayamba University Faculties Details (Q.106/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe stated that alleged fraud should be addressed through the country’s legal process rather than extrajudicial action. He assured Parliament that a fair investigation would be conducted and that criminals, thieves, and fraudsters would be punished according to law. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary The CID has completed investigations and a case is before court with charges filed and accused persons named. Wasantha Samarasinghe said there appear to be political links to the accused and stated that, if the investigation is not properly conducted, steps will be taken to ensure it is, while emphasizing that punishment is a matter for the courts. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri questioned the Minister’s position on alleged irregularities involving a Ministry and the BOG, arguing that accusations of fraud, bribery and political involvement had been made by the current government while in Opposition. He asked whether action would now depend only on a court finding and challenged the Minister to accept or deny the earlier allegations, noting the apparent shift from promises of prosecutions to saying there was no political connection. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe said a case related to the matter is before the Welisara Court, with accused persons named and a report annexed to the official answer. He stated that further legal action would be taken on the advice of the Attorney General, and that investigations would proceed if the filings indicate political involvement. He also noted that the incident occurred in 2021, before the National People’s Power government. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →