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 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna welcomed the proposed contributory pension and social protection scheme for overseas workers, noting her related Private Member’s Bill, and urged implementation of stalled World Bank-assisted plans to develop the Knuckles conservation tourism zone in Matale. She clarified her absence from the Budget Second Reading vote and stated that her remarks on estate worker benefits were personal, while calling for any allowance or wage increase to be designed lawfully under the Public Financial Management Act. She tabled correspondence and an article relating to the Attorney-General’s view on the supremacy of the PFMA, and asked oversight institutions to verify whether proposed payments to estate workers comply with the law. She argued that the benefit should be broadened to Rs. 2,000 and extended beyond selected plantation companies and 25-day workers to include all estate workers and small and medium estate holders where legally possible. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that Supreme Court cases concerning Development Officers’ teacher appointments had been dismissed, said coroner allowances are being reviewed with supervision mechanisms, and outlined justice-sector priorities under the Budget. He cited improvements in several World Justice Project Rule of Law Index indicators and said Rs. 58.5 billion is proposed for the sector, including recruitment approvals for courts and prisons. He highlighted ongoing law reform work, including a Counter-Terrorism Bill to replace the PTA, organized crime legislation, an Office of the State Prosecutor, criminal proceeds recovery, audio-visual court testimony, audit reforms, and changes ending certain privileges for former Presidents. He also emphasized non-interference with the judiciary, Judicial Service Commission disciplinary and backlog-clearance measures, and continued court digitalization. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Government and President to intervene in a dispute at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee, arguing that police restrictions within a registered temple precinct should be resolved through consultation with the Maha Nayake Theras and in line with constitutional protections for Buddhism and other religions. He also asked that delayed fertilizer subsidy payments for the Maha season be expedited, particularly in areas such as Thalawa, Rajanganaya and Namal Oya. He called for higher allowances and better recognition for Inquirers into Sudden Deaths, proposed consideration of a Coronial Services Commission, and pressed for the absorption of Teacher Development Officers into the teaching service according to prior commitments and court settlement terms. He further urged respect for Parliament staff, criticised alleged misleading claims on teacher-related promises, and requested stronger regulation of foreign employment agencies to prevent exploitation. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister tabled an answer on implementation of the Proceeds of Crime Act, No. 5 of 2025, stating that the Police Proceeds of Crime Investigations Division and CIABOC are the recognized national institutions for stolen asset recovery. He reported that, since the Act had been in force for about one month, neither institution had yet recovered stolen assets or proceeds of crime under it. The answer set out current staffing in the Police division and CIABOC, noted that new CIABOC appointments await parliamentary approval of cadre and remuneration, and stated that no separate allocation had been made for a Public Assets Recovery Agency in the 2025 appropriations. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Ajith P. Perera) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration whether the Public Assets Recovery Agency promised in the policy statement “A Thriving Nation - A Beautiful Life” had been established. He sought details on any stolen assets recovered by the agency, its current staffing, and the 2025 allocation from the Appropriation Bill or Vote on Account, and requested reasons if it had not been established. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake said concerns about alleged injustice to parliamentary staff predated the current process and included representations made in 2022 regarding the removal of the Chief Officer post from the executive level. He questioned the propriety of an earlier one-person restructuring committee led by an officer who had himself raised grievances and was linked to related litigation, noting that about Rs. 2 million had been paid for that work. He stated that the Staff Advisory Committee instead appointed a three-member panel of senior public administrators on 27 February 2025, with broad participation including the Opposition, to review the staff structure in line with government circulars. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof called for provincial-level offices for the Bribery Commission, proper follow-up on corruption complaints, stronger implementation of Human Rights Commission recommendations, broader service representation in the Public Service Commission, and measures to reduce court delays. He urged reform of the local government electoral system and said any new delimitation for Provincial Council elections should include minority representation, particularly Muslims from the Eastern Province, to ensure locally informed boundaries. Citing disparities in ward and member allocations in Trincomalee local authorities, he argued for a fairer system and stated the Opposition would support necessary reforms. He also alleged improper political involvement in Kachcheri and Divisional Secretariat administration in Trincomalee and called for corrective action. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about continued police and intelligence actions against Tamil representatives and activists, citing a Kilinochchi court case over commemorative activities and an alleged intimidation incident in Ampara where police reportedly refused to record complaints. He argued that people should be able to remember deceased relatives under transitional justice principles and said the security environment remains unsafe for youth. He also referred to letters sent to the President seeking the release of military-held land, particularly the Theraavai Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam and Kilinochchi Maha Vidyalayam land, and stated that he had received no response. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah welcomed the inclusion of Muslim and Tamil intellectuals in public processes and said solutions should involve all communities. Referring to the President’s statement that Treasury funds had allegedly been provided to extremist groups, including groups using Muslim names, he called for an immediate investigation and a special commission to identify those responsible and take action. He argued that such groups had harmed the Muslim community economically, socially and personally, and said continuing issues such as restrictions on Quran translations and Muslim women’s attire should be addressed to remove the stigma placed on Muslims. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna said he voted against the Budget’s Second Reading because the Government had failed to fulfil pledges on releasing political prisoners and repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He raised grievances relating to the Northern Province, including unemployed graduates, fishermen’s difficulties, Provincial Council politics, halted excavations, and the non-release of civilian lands in Palaly despite airport expansion plans. He also criticised the proposed Rs. 200 wage increase for estate workers as inadequate in light of living costs, and said Hill Country workers had long been neglected by their representatives. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister said inquiries are ongoing into cases where persons in power allegedly used security personnel, relatives, or domestic staff to act on their behalf, including in the North. He noted that identifying the political principals takes time and urged Members to provide any relevant information to support the investigations rather than expect immediate admissions from offenders. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman criticised the Government’s claims of good governance, alleging that individuals associated with previous administrations and controversial decisions have been retained as advisers or senior officials. He questioned delays in CIABOC action, the failure to establish a promised Select Committee on the release of 309 Customs containers, and the extension granted to the former Customs Director General despite findings in a presidential committee report. He also challenged refusals of RTI requests by the Presidential Media Division on national security grounds and cited the Government’s earlier allegations over bar permits, noting that the Treasury Secretary had informed the Supreme Court the permits were lawful. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar defended the Government’s allocations and appointments, saying Muslim representation is being included in relevant institutions, including the Archaeology Advisory Committee, and rejecting allegations concerning retired Judge Ilanchezian. He argued that the Government has a mandate to change political culture, end discrimination and ethnic or religious division, and build unity after decades of conflict and communal politics. He cited continuing post-war hardships in the Northern Province, including widows, orphaned children, housing shortages, debt and poverty, and said increased allocations to Jaffna aim to support recovery and national unity. He also announced plans to celebrate “Sri Lankans’ Day” in December as a national unity initiative across communities, religions, arts and culture. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary M.S. Uthumalebbe challenged the Deputy Minister’s statement that the judge had not notified the authorities, citing Justice Ilanchezian’s public claim that he personally sent four registered letters to the President without receiving a response. The intervention sought clarification on the discrepancy regarding communication between the judge and the President. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala clarified that the Government had not acted improperly regarding former High Court Judge Ilanchezian’s service extension. He stated that extensions require recommendations from the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice, and that no such recommendations had been received when the judge reached retirement age. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe used the Budget Committee Stage debate to urge the Government to address the ethnic question, fully implement the 13th Amendment as promised, and avoid repeating what he described as past failures by successive Presidents. He called for the immediate repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, citing recent arrests of two Muslim youths under the law, and requested that the President convene a special meeting to secure the release of confiscated copies of the Holy Qur’an held by Customs. He also referred to grievances faced by the Muslim community under the previous administration, including forced cremations, and tabled a letter signed by 22 Muslim MPs seeking action on the Qur’an issue. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala responded to Hon. Ajith P. Perera’s comments on the Ombudsman and the Human Rights Commission, noting that these bodies do not exercise judicial power and that the Government supports making them more efficient. He rejected any implication that the implementation of Ombudsman recommendations weakened after the current Government took office, while accepting the broader need for institutional improvement. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera argued that Parliament should protect the independence of Independent Commissions and exercise its oversight powers under Standing Orders 126(1)-(3) rather than relying on public criticism of their performance. He focused on the Ombudsman established under Article 156 of the Constitution, stating that low public use, delays, and non-compliance with recommendations have weakened the office, and called for public awareness, adequate facilities, and stronger effect for its determinations. He also began to raise concerns regarding the Human Rights Commission, noting its statutory independence and the current role of the Supreme Court in fundamental rights jurisdiction. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera argued that Parliament has underperformed in its core lawmaking role, noting that none of the 11 Bills proposed in the previous Budget had been passed and urging a renewed focus on legislation and constitutional reform with expert support. He defended the role of Independent Commissions as safeguards against excessive executive power while acknowledging that they must operate within constitutional and statutory limits. He called on the Committee on Parliamentary Business, under Standing Order 126, to examine the annual reports of Article 41B Commissions, assess their performance and legality, summon officials where necessary, and inform the public if reports have not been submitted. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister rejected claims that the Government is undermining Independent Commissions, stating that the Judicial Service Commission operates independently under Article 111C(1) of the Constitution and that interference with its decisions is a criminal offence. He criticized allegations about unfair disciplinary action against judges and judicial officers, listing recent interdictions, retirements, dismissals, resignations and other measures which he said followed lawful inquiries. He linked the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to broader institutional discipline, anti-drug efforts and curbing illicit liquor, while stressing that the Government does not interfere with the JSC. On the Budget, he argued that the Government’s focus is fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability, citing World Bank comments, improved sovereign ratings and recent growth figures as evidence of economic stabilization and restored investor confidence. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →