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- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Wrongdoing has been identified and legal action is ongoing, but the matter must proceed through due process. The Government will not interfere in judicial proceedings and will ensure the legal process continues independently and without obstruction. Oral Question: Central Bank Bond Scam: Impact on the Government (Q.116/2024) Read →
- 26 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, responding to a question on the Central Bank bond scam, stated that indictments have been filed against Perpetual Treasuries Limited and several former officials, including former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, following CID investigations and the Presidential Commission’s recommendations. She said the full economic impact has not yet been quantified, but civil actions are pending to recover losses including about Rs. 78.1 million to Central Bank funds and Rs. 6.99 billion to the Employees’ Provident Fund. She outlined the status of related Trial-at-Bar cases, appeals, writ applications, and money laundering investigations, and noted that several public institutions have also filed recovery actions against Perpetual Treasuries Limited. Oral Question: Central Bank Bond Scam: Impact on the Government (Q.116/2024) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam referred to a court decision concerning the Archaeology Department’s installation of a nameboard, noting that the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman’s authority must be respected and that permission should be sought in writing with supporting documents and Gazette details. He said the Chairman was willing to re-install the nameboard if the proper legal process confirms the location and authority. He urged the media and other groups not to spread misinformation and requested that archaeology be appropriately included in the History syllabus. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam urged the Government to retain and strengthen History in the school curriculum, arguing that it should include the history of Tamil kingdoms, Tamil positions during constitutional reforms, and post-Independence grievances to promote equality among communities. He said recent Government actions had hurt the Tamil community and reiterated that a permanent political solution was needed. He also clarified a controversy over Archaeology Department nameboards in Batticaloa, stating that media reports were inaccurate and that, under the Pradeshiya Sabhas Act and a court order, authority for such installations lay with the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Batticaloa, including awarding marks without proper examinations, lack of regulation, malpractice, and student harassment. He noted that Prof. Yuvaraj Thangarajah had submitted a letter to the Prime Minister on the matter and requested that an inquiry be conducted. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake urged the Prime Minister and Education Ministry to address conduct within the Ministry, consult more widely on education reforms, and respond to teacher union opposition. He called for the promised absorption of 16,000 Development Officers, action on disparities between leading and marginalized schools, resolution of delayed admissions to the Ruhuna Allied Health Faculty, and investigations into alleged A/L Economics paper leaks and complaints against specific principals. He also raised unresolved salary and status issues affecting acting principals, anomalies in teachers’ and principals’ salaries, pension disparities, and the need to use education to uplift disadvantaged provinces such as Uva. Debate: Committee Stage on Appropriation Bill 2026 - Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education (Fifteenth Allotted Day) Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe raised a privilege issue regarding remarks made by Minister Ramalingam Chandraseker during the Budget 2026 debate about the Archaeological Advisory Committee appointed by Gazette on 1 November 2025. He said he had correctly noted that the 19-member committee did not include Tamil or Muslim representatives and had requested at least one Muslim appointment, but the Minister’s subsequent comments implied he had not read the Gazette and used derogatory language. He argued that the remarks damaged his reputation as an elected MP for Ampara District and requested attention to the alleged breach of privilege, playing an audio recording of the Minister’s statement in the House. Question by Private Notice: Standardization of Preschool Education and Personal Explanation Read →
- 25 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa rejected accusations that he had lied and maintained that he was stating the truth. He criticized the summoning of journalists to the CID over their reporting, describing it as unacceptable, and urged that such actions be stopped. Procedural: Privilege Matter and Standing Orders Discussion Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan ITAK AI summary Kathiravelu Shanmugam Kugathasan raised an Adjournment Motion on land-related restrictions in the Verugal Divisional Secretariat Division of Trincomalee, arguing that overlapping claims by the Wildlife and Forest Departments exceed the division’s total land area and obstruct residents, public institutions and development activities. He stated that long-established villages, schools, religious sites, public offices, pasture lands and irrigation tanks fall within these claimed areas, while approvals for leases, public facilities and cultivation projects are delayed or denied. He specifically requested intervention to release lands or regularize procedures, including approval for rehabilitating a canal at Kallaripu to cultivate about 2,000 acres and relief for cattle herders affected by restrictions on traditional grazing lands. Adjournment Motion: Land Issues in Verugal DS Division, Trincomalee Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman stated that the issue involving the “Aruna” journalist remains unresolved because the CID summons letter is still in effect. He also said he had informed the Public Security Minister that police stations in his area continue to request that letter, which is why he raised the matter. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman questioned whether the Government remains aligned with the political change expected by the public, and argued that reports of police stations requesting certificates were not merely opposition propaganda, citing public comments on a post by Uvindu Kurukulasuriya and his own complaint to the Minister. He said summoning the journalist involved to the CID risked escalating the issue and affecting media freedom. He also raised concerns under the Urban Development, Construction and Housing Heads about deteriorating housing schemes in Colombo and alleged illegal activities and conversions in some NHDA schemes, requesting ministerial intervention to reclaim, warn, or regularize affected units. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised three issues: regularising about 2,000 long-serving contract manpower employees of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board under the Budget proposal covering 9,800 employees; restoring pension, allowance and arrears entitlements for disabled war veterans, widows, parents and families of deceased or missing personnel, with a statutory framework to guarantee such benefits; and addressing concerns that Civil Defence Committee approval is being required for Police Clearance Certificates. He also objected to journalists being summoned to the CID over reporting on that issue, urged protection of media freedom, and questioned the delay in repealing the Online Safety Act. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports, Civil Aviation, Urban Development, Construction and Housing Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala said the boards removed in Valachchenai and Kokkaddicholai were lawful directional signs to archaeological sites, not archaeological site markers, and that local councils had no authority to remove them. He stated that around 110 such signs had been installed by the Department of Archaeology, legal action is being taken over their removal, and any concerns should be addressed through Pradeshiya or District Development Committees with archaeology officials. He emphasized readiness for discussion while rejecting nationalist or religious incitement and said the issue concerns signage, not land ownership. Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation - Part 1 Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella marked the UN’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, highlighting the 2025 theme on ending digital violence against women and girls and citing data on online abuse, including fake profiles, doctored images, doxxing, trolling and sextortion. She noted that one in five women in Sri Lanka face violence and referred to Section 345 of the Penal Code on sexual harassment. She also raised concern about alleged verbal and psychological abuse of a senior female journalist within Parliament and urged the Prime Minister to address incidents affecting women Members across party lines. Ministerial Statements: Defence and Gender-based Violence Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister marked the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, noting this year’s focus on ending online and technology-facilitated abuse. She called on Members across party lines to avoid personal and gendered attacks, including in Parliament, and to uphold dignity, privacy, and respectful political debate. She also highlighted available support services, including Police Women and Children’s Bureau 109, the National Help Line 1938, and SLCERT 101 for cyber incidents, and urged collective action to ensure safety and equal participation for all communities. Ministerial Statements: Defence and Gender-based Violence Read →
- 24 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister informed Parliament about complaints that several Archaeology Department name boards indicating routes to archaeological sites in the Valachchenai and Kokkadicholai Police Divisions had been removed. He detailed the complaints, named alleged persons involved in the Valachchenai incident, and stated that investigations had begun under the relevant Assistant Superintendents of Police, with facts reported to the Magistrates’ Courts in Valachchenai and Batticaloa. He said the Government has authority to install such boards across Sri Lanka, that the law applies equally in all provinces, and that Police have been instructed to act according to court orders against those responsible. Ministerial Statement and Procedural Matters on Archaeology Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman urged the Minister of Mass Media to address harms caused by media conduct and police media statements, warning that individuals and their children can face social pressure as a result. He said he had personally experienced such effects and called for reform of the prevailing media culture as part of broader political and social transformation. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman proposed raising the retirement age of specialist doctors from 63 to at least 65 as an interim response to shortages, noting that many retired specialists continue working abroad. He also urged the Government to restore reduced overtime and holiday allowances for health workers in line with Circular 10/2025, arguing that the Treasury position had improved. On mass media, he criticized Police and media practices of linking murder victims or suspects to the underworld without adequate basis, saying this stigmatizes families and can cause lasting harm. Citing the cases of a murdered cashier, his own family after the Easter attacks, and Attorney Hejaaz Hizbullah’s detention, he called for reforms to Police communications and media reporting standards to ensure fairness and responsibility. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne – Deputy Minister of Mass Media AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne outlined the Government’s mass media agenda, emphasizing accountability for past violence against journalists, noting persistent impunity and pledging to reopen files where possible despite evidentiary difficulties. She said the Government is advancing a National Media Policy based on long-standing proposals from media organizations, including defining journalists, protecting media rights, setting co-regulation principles, and replacing the outdated Sri Lanka Press Council framework with a less intrusive approach. She also referred to proposals for a National Media Commission, a Chartered Institute of Media, and public consultation on recommendations addressing ethical reporting and disinformation. On the Online Safety Act, she stated that amendments recommended after consultations are being finalized for early presentation, with attention to platform regulation, the right to information, and responsible social media use. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →
- 22 November 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised welfare concerns for journalists, including insecure incomes, lack of pensions, housing and access to loans, while paying tribute to journalists killed in the past. On the Health Ministry allocation, he urged urgent attention to war-affected Vanni, particularly Mannar and Mullaitivu hospitals, citing shortages of staff, buildings, ambulances, equipment and anesthetists, and requested ministerial visits to the area. He specifically asked that transferred anesthetists be made to report, a promised CT scanner be provided to Mannar, the difficult-area classification of Mannar Hospital be reviewed, and Indian-assisted hospital projects in Mullaitivu and Mannar be commenced without delay. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Read →