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- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan supported the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, stating that higher penalties are needed to address drug trafficking and related violence. He cited recent killings linked to drug cases, including incidents involving court premises and legal professionals, and urged stronger law-and-order measures, maximum punishment for offenders, and public cooperation. He also called for prevention through religious and ethical guidance, parental care, livelihood support, and robust national action to curb drug use and distribution. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran supported the Judicature (Amendment) Bill and the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill, arguing that court expansion, additional judges, and revised jurisdictions would reduce delays and improve access to justice, including for remote communities and investors. He said stronger drug laws are needed to address evolving narcotics trafficking, particularly maritime smuggling, and to enable action against vessels operating near or beyond Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary. He highlighted rising drug use and related crime in the Northern Province after 2009, citing increased arrests, hospital admissions, and limited rehabilitation capacity, and called for expanded rehabilitation services and support for the President’s “The Whole Nation Together” anti-drug programme. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda supported the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill, arguing that narcotics are a common social threat requiring united action, strict enforcement, and prevention efforts involving religious institutions. He criticized alleged politicization of drug issues and raised concerns about government conduct toward Buddhist clergy. He also sought explanations on the 2026 Tri-Forces dry ration tender, claiming a Rs. 180 million loss, urged permanency for casual workers at Ceylon Mineral Sands, and questioned contradictory public statements by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka regarding wartime “white flag” allegations. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over a continuing gas shortage, stating that consumers were facing long queues and hardship, including mothers, elders, and children. He urged the Government to acknowledge the shortage and take immediate action to resolve it, arguing that such deprivation affects the public’s rights. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Over 200,000 people were arrested on drug-related charges in 2024. Dr. Elayathamby Srinath called for proper psychological counselling for drug users and urged the presentation of a rehabilitation plan for them. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih - Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees JJB AI summary The Deputy Speaker supported the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and the related Judicature Act amendment, stating that they close legal gaps in prosecuting drug trafficking on the high seas and give the High Court jurisdiction over such offences. He argued that Sri Lanka’s maritime location exposes it to international drug syndicates and that the amendments align national law with international conventions and strengthen maritime enforcement. He also urged a balanced approach combining firm action against traffickers with rehabilitation, prevention, education and treatment for victims of addiction. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera briefly challenged Harshana Nanayakkara to attempt to enter certain court proceedings, implying concern or dispute over access to them. The remark was made in Parliament with an indication that he would repeat it publicly outside the House as well. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera supported the Judicature (Amendment) Bill but urged attention to practical issues affecting access to justice. He argued that courts located far from the main court complex create difficulties for lawyers, litigants, victims and accused persons, and proposed using vacated judicial buildings or relocating Commercial High Courts. He also called for legal reforms to allow courts, in appropriate maintenance, divorce or child access cases where paternity is disputed, to compel DNA testing under a proper statutory framework. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera supported the Bills and the amendments made following Sectoral Oversight Committee input, but argued that drug control efforts have not produced a practical reduction in the availability of heroin and “ice” in areas such as Kalutara and Matugama. He questioned whether seized drugs are re-entering circulation and cited failures in prison security, including non-functioning phone jammers and continued criminal activity from prisons, as evidence of systemic weaknesses. He called for a reorganization of the Police, stronger leadership and administration, and effective prosecution mechanisms, while noting that existing Trial-at-Bar courts established under Act No. 9 of 2018 have not received new cases under the current Government. He also raised concern about fair trial and open court requirements in ongoing proceedings, including the Easter Sunday attack trial. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government has intensified narcotics enforcement through the “Get Out” programme, citing increased seizures of heroin, “ice” and cannabis in 2025 compared with 2024 and over 280,000 arrests. He explained that amendments to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the Judicature Act are intended to establish Sri Lankan jurisdiction over drug offences committed on the high seas, in line with UNCLOS and UN drug conventions, and to enable prosecution of traffickers intercepted by the Navy or Coast Guard. He also stated that demand reduction must accompany supply enforcement, proposing expanded voluntary rehabilitation and a public-health approach for drug users while targeting large-scale traffickers. Debate: Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and Judicature (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration moved the Second Reading of the Judicature (Amendment) Bill and also presented the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill for Second Reading. He indicated that he would outline the background to the two Bills in the context of actions taken since the Government assumed office. Procedural: Points of Order on Standing Orders and Bill Presentation Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri introduced an Amendment Bill to the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act, stating that subsections 32(a) and 32(b) treat women differently and should be corrected. The Bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and referred under Standing Order No. 52(6) to the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government for report. Private Members' Bill: Kandyan Marriage and Divorce (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa supported the Government Chief Whip’s proposal but raised a privilege-related concern over individuals he had named in Parliament being summoned to the CID. He said he had earlier disclosed that police reports were being linked to character certificates or recommendations from Civil Defence Committee Chairpersons, and asked whether summoning Yasantha Ariyasena, Thevuni Jayawardena and Sakusha Roshani after his disclosure was appropriate. He requested the Speaker’s ruling on the matter. Oral Question: Hospital Attendants Shortage and Mahaweli Land Allocation (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Government on public security amid rising shootings, homicides and organized crime, requesting data on Police vacancies, crime trends, arrests, prosecutions and incomplete investigations over the past decade. He asked whether current Police staffing is sufficient, whether mechanisms under the Palermo Convention and UNTOC are being used, and what measures are being taken to dismantle domestic and international crime networks. He also sought updates on pledged independent investigations into long-pending high-profile killings and attacks on politicians, journalists, sportsmen and civilians, including the cases of Lasantha Wickrematunge and others, and urged action to improve Police recruitment and accountability. Oral Question: Hospital Attendants Shortage and Mahaweli Land Allocation (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary Under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 5 of 2015, the Minister stated that manufacturing, selling, prescribing, or using medicines without NMRA registration is illegal. He said complaints made to the NMRA or CID, including Hon. Mujibur Rahuman’s complaint, are being investigated through ongoing multi-agency processes, and action will be taken where offences are found. Oral Question: Drug Varieties Manufactured by SPMC (Q.) Read →
- 19 February 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concerns about shortages of medicines in hospitals, citing a recent case where a heart patient had to purchase prescribed drugs from an outside pharmacy. He also referred to complaints made to the NMRA and CID regarding the sale of unregistered and allegedly poor-quality drugs, and asked what action is being taken to address both unregistered medicines in the market and hospital drug shortages. Oral Question: Drug Varieties Manufactured by SPMC (Q.) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to provide annual figures for reported homicides and rape cases in Sri Lanka from 1970 to 2025. He requested the data be broken down separately by year, and asked for reasons if the information could not be supplied. Oral Questions: Crime Statistics, Temple Jewellery, Police Releases, and Infrastructure (1745/2026 - 1851/2026) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Thushari Jayasingha moved an Adjournment Motion calling for stronger collective action by political leadership, public officials and the public to advance the Government’s anti-corruption programme under Policy 4.3 of the “A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life” manifesto. She cited Sri Lanka’s reported 14-place improvement in the 2026 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index as evidence of progress, while arguing that ending corruption is essential for development and accountable governance. Referencing past attacks and killings of public officials linked to investigations and audits, she said the Government would not support wrongdoing or obstruction of investigations and would safeguard the public mandate given to it. Adjournment: State Free from Corruption, Bribery and Fraud Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that 207 complaints had been received regarding Gampaha Sanasa-related entities, including 203 at the Gampaha Police Station and 4 at the FCID, mostly concerning non-repayment of deposits and alleged financial irregularities from 2019 onward. He said some complaints had been mediated or referred for civil action, while several larger matters involving alleged fraud, misappropriation and deposit losses amounting to hundreds of millions of rupees had been referred to the Attorney-General or remained under investigation. He also noted that related issues are affected by Appeal Court case No. CA/WRT/59/20 and that investigations into Gampaha Development Company’s alleged failure to transfer title for shop units after collecting over Rs. 1.1 billion are continuing before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court. Oral Question: Gampaha Sanasa Development Bank Complaints (1751/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Lasith Bhashana Gamage asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to report whether police complaints had been lodged by depositors of the Gampaha Sanasa Development Bank alleging injustice, including the number and dates of such complaints and the status of investigations. He also sought information on any complaints concerning Gampaha Development Company (Pvt.) Ltd., which had obtained a loan from the bank, and the progress of related investigations. Oral Question: Gampaha Sanasa Development Bank Complaints (1751/2025) Read →