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 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri questioned Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe over his earlier opposition claim that he possessed 400 files on alleged fraud, including the white onion case. He said the current proceedings appeared to rely only on a Sathosa complaint and urged Samarasinghe to disclose the names and evidence he had previously claimed to have, so that the Minister of Justice could act against those responsible. Oral Question: White Onion Fraud and Trade Ministry Investigation (Q.52/2024) Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara urged the Minister to address the situation of Sri Lankans affected by the “Russia issue,” noting that people from both the North and South had been trapped, injured, and left without compensation. He requested ministerial intervention to resolve the crisis and provide relief. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe accused the previous government of responsibility for mass killings, citing 60,000 deaths, while questioning its call for compensation to affected families. He stated that perpetrators and those who protected them should be punished, and said the current government would take action against them. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi, speaking during the Vote on Account debate, alleged electoral malpractice in Hambantota involving polling officials and local assistants, stating that he had lodged written complaints with election authorities and tabled related reports. He defended his family’s record of public service and rejected accusations against all MPs, while criticizing the JVP-led government’s conduct. He also referred to Rohana Wijeweera’s links to Tangalle and requested the Government to repair Wijeweera’s former house, assist Chithrangani Wijeweera, and pay Rs. 5 million compensation to families of people he said were killed by the JVP in Hambantota and elsewhere. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 Hon. Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary Hon. Chrishantha Abeysena thanked voters in Gampaha, particularly Wattala and Ja-Ela, and paid tribute to JVP activists, student movements, and those defending free education and social justice. He argued that successive governments had undermined free education and neglected workers, farmers, and medical students, calling for urgent action to address staffing, clinical facilities, and academic standards in new medical faculties in line with Sri Lanka Medical Council requirements. He pledged that the NPP Government would pursue justice for Easter attack victims and work for national reconciliation based on equal rights beyond ethnic or religious divisions. As Minister of Science and Technology, he said Sri Lanka had underinvested in the sector, citing very low research and technology spending compared with other countries, and stressed the need to make science and technology central to economic development. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary In his maiden speech, Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva highlighted the historic representation of persons with disabilities in Parliament and urged that derogatory language about disability be disallowed in the House. He called for action on high unemployment among persons with disabilities, implementation of the 3 per cent public sector employment reservation and disabled graduate recruitment decisions, and an increase of the disability allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000. He also proposed new domestic legislation aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, stronger institutional participation mechanisms, enforcement of accessibility standards in public infrastructure and transport, and tax concessions for assistive devices. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the Government’s IMF-related debt agreement was based on its promised Alternative Debt Sustainability Analysis or the previous administration’s framework, arguing that the proposed external debt terms restart repayments too early and impose a heavier long-term burden than alternatives such as Ghana’s restructuring. He requested that Parliament be convened before 12 December to table, debate, and vote on the ISB agreement, proposing that Sri Lanka reject the current terms and seek a better deal. He also called for an extension of the suspension of parate execution beyond 15 December and for a structured support programme for SMEs addressing non-performing loans, blacklisting, and access to working capital. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Harshana Rajakaruna called for stronger enforcement action and urged that no single individual be singled out. He demanded that all relevant names be disclosed and that the law be applied immediately. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised an urgent matter concerning Sri Lankans allegedly deceived by agents and conscripted into the Russian military. He referred to photographic evidence identifying three individuals and requested the responsible Minister to take steps to repatriate them to Sri Lanka. Papers Presented 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. 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 Hon. Namal Karunaratne - Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock JJB AI summary Hon. Namal Karunaratne emphasized that disaster management should prioritize preparedness, including convening the National Council for Disaster Management and undertaking pre-emptive rehabilitation of vulnerable irrigation infrastructure. He said the Government had decided to raise death compensation for natural disasters from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 1,000,000, while the existing Rs. 40,000 per acre crop-loss compensation rate is inadequate and should be revised. He distinguished natural disaster compensation from losses caused by policy or administrative failures, citing Udawalawa water releases, unpaid potato and onion seed purchases, unpaid crop insurance claims, and farmer pension arrears. He also proposed reforms to the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, insurance coverage for all cultivated plots, low-interest collateral-free farmer loans, and noted that fertilizer payments for the current paddy season would be made shortly. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem urged the Government to convene and operationalize the National Council for Disaster Management established under the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act, No. 13 of 2005, noting its statutory membership includes the President, relevant ministers and secretaries, and five Opposition MPs including the Leader of the Opposition. Referring to the Nintavur Arabic School incident on the Maavadipalli–Kaarthivu road in which six students died, he raised concerns over inconsistencies in procedures and compensation. He called for disaster death compensation to be increased from the current Rs. 250,000 to at least Rs. 1 million, in line with payments for human-elephant conflict deaths. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake rejected allegations that the Government intended to use the Prevention of Terrorism Act for political purposes, stating that amendments to the law would be brought soon and that existing laws would be used prudently in the interim. He outlined three main priorities: safeguarding democratic governance through fair elections and impartial state institutions, advancing social justice, and modernizing the country. He also said the Government would reduce wasteful ceremonies and privileges, respect Parliament and the people’s mandate, and implement its programme through the forthcoming Budget. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. Najith Indika, in his maiden speech, defended the new Government’s mandate and said it had taken office after years of political repression, institutional breakdown, postponed elections, and public distrust. He argued that the National People’s Power had received a clear nationwide mandate across all regions and communities, rejecting claims that its victory depended on narrow or divisive politics. He said the Government’s priority was to restore rule of law, justice, and fairness, and pledged that its 159 MPs would implement the President’s programme over the next five years. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa stated that the Government will pursue proper investigations and prosecutions into murders linked to past unrest, including the killing of Thajudeen. Responding to questions on Hans Wijayasuriya, he said earlier delays in providing data were technical, the data are now available, and Wijayasuriya is willing to support the Government’s digitalization project without focusing on salary or benefits. He urged that the matter not be politicized and said institutions would be coordinated to complete investigations and punish offenders. 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. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized the President’s Policy Statement as inconsistent with his past positions and accused his political camp of having historically fostered communal politics, opposed devolution, and undermined the rule of law during the Aragalaya period. She questioned why the President did not name those identified by the Supreme Court as responsible for the economic crisis, and said she would place a related publication in the Library to support further legal action. She also argued that the speech lacked concrete plans on cost-of-living relief, called for an end to the use of the PTA against protesters, and warned of implications for UNHRC scrutiny and the EU’s GSP+ review. Raising concerns over education in the Central Province, she cited major teacher shortages in Kandy and Matale and urged the Government to recruit qualified graduates and listen to development officers rather than suppress them. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →