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- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara responded to concerns raised by Hon. Ponnambalam regarding longstanding issues affecting the North, noting that the current Government had been in office for less than a month. He stated that genuine grievances, including the issue of political prisoners, would be addressed after proper legal assessment, and invited the Member to refer such matters to his Ministry for review. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 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. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara stated that the Government is examining corruption and fraud allegations and is taking steps, in consultation with legal authorities, regarding political prisoners and detainees held on remand without evidence. He said investigations into corruption and the Easter Sunday attacks are ongoing, but cautioned that cases require proper evidence and cannot be rushed. He asked for two more months, arguing that corrective action is underway after longstanding failures. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara JJB AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara clarified that the Government’s policy statement includes a commitment to release political prisoners. He added that the Government had been in office for less than a month, implying that time is needed to act on the pledge. 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. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to being called a racist, noting that the matter in question was before court and asking that the statement be withdrawn. He said his point was that police should seek advice from the Attorney-General’s Department when filing cases in both the North and South, and argued that proper legal decision-making is needed to end racism. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara rejected an allegation by Minister Ananda Wijepala that he had engaged in racist politics, stating that he had never stood on a racist platform. He also referred to Wijepala’s remarks on non-interference with police duties and noted that actions taken by Wijepala as Secretary to the former Anti-Corruption Committee under Anura Dissanayake are currently before the courts. 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 Only a limited number of cases are referred by the Police to the Attorney-General for advice, typically when necessary or where uncertainty exists. The Minister stated that he cannot direct the Police or the Attorney-General on what advice should be sought, and noted that if Police make errors, available remedies include human rights and other legal mechanisms rather than ministerial intervention. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the selective use of legal provisions, asking why the Penal Code is applied in the North while the Prevention of Terrorism Act is used in the South. He urged the Minister to obtain proper legal advice before filing cases, noting the presence of lawyer Harshana Nanayakkara. 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 Prosecutions are initiated by the Police, and the Minister stated that officers are being allowed to act independently without political direction. He said decisions on the applicable law in each case are made by investigators, not by the Minister. 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 The Minister of Justice and National Integration presented the 2023 Annual Performance Report of the Legal Aid Commission Department. He moved that the report be referred to the relevant Consultative Committee, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Annual Performance Report of Legal Aid Commission Department 2023 Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said the Government’s pledge to build a prosperous country must be backed by a clear roadmap, particularly as Sri Lanka proceeds with IMF reviews and faces debt repayments from 2027 to 2043. He urged the Government to use its strong mandate to address public problems without delay and to consider Opposition views constructively. Referring to the President’s commitment to justice for victims, he called for investigations and disclosure of the truth regarding the killings of Vijaya Kumaratunga, Rohana Wijeweera, and victims of 1989 violence in his village, including justice for their families. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama thanked voters in Gampaha for the National People’s Power mandate and framed the 2024 presidential and parliamentary results as a peaceful democratic rejection of corrupt and hereditary politics. He argued that the mandate requires delivering justice for victims of past killings and implementing the NPP programme “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life,” defining prosperity as social, cultural, intellectual, and moral development as well as economic improvement. He criticized previous administrations for failures such as examination delays, paper shortages, electricity bill printing issues, and temporary identity card measures, and pledged that NPP MPs would not betray the public mandate. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir thanked his party and constituents in Digamadulla and then focused on the deaths of eight people, including six students from Kashiful Uloom Arabic College, during floods at Mavadippalli on 26 November. He questioned the preparedness and response of officials despite prior weather warnings, noted delays in Navy rescue efforts, and called for accountability beyond the college staff currently in custody. He urged the Government to compensate the victims’ families and prioritize rehabilitation of the Mavadippalli and Kittangip bridges, citing repeated loss of life and transport risks. He also asked that Islamic religious affairs be considered in national programmes, that deserving people excluded from the Aswesuma welfare scheme be included, and that politicized police OIC appointments be addressed as part of restoring civil administration. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan welcomed the NPP’s democratic mandate and expressed willingness to cooperate on change, while drawing parallels between the JVP’s history of struggle and the Tamil people’s long struggle for rights. He criticized the President’s Throne Speech for omitting the national question and argued that the war and related borrowing contributed significantly to Sri Lanka’s debt crisis. He urged the Government, with its large parliamentary majority, to address the Tamil political question by learning from past failed or unimplemented agreements, including the Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact, Dudley–Chelvanayakam Pact, Indo–Lanka Accord, and previous peace talks. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised concerns about the response to recent floods in Ampara, where eight deaths occurred, stating that police barriers and timely rescue action could have prevented the tragedy. He alleged delays by the Disaster Management Centre and Navy response, police inaction, and subsequent inconvenience to victims lodging complaints, while noting that the madrasa principal had been remanded. He requested an independent investigation into the incident and the establishment of effective procedures to prevent similar tragedies. Debate: President's Policy Statement Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition would support beneficial public programmes while opposing harmful measures, and urged the Government to stop using the Prevention of Terrorism Act against civil liberties and social media activists, in line with its pledge to repeal it. He called for urgent action on MSME debt restructuring before the parate moratorium lapses, disaster relief and early warning systems, health-sector shortages, fertilizer subsidy payments, Development Officers’ grievances, rice supply stabilization, and promised fuel price reductions. He also questioned whether the Government’s commitments on revising the IMF programme, debt sustainability agreement, tax thresholds and VAT had been included in the recent Staff-Level Agreement, and demanded that it be tabled for transparency. Debate: President's Policy Statement Read →