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- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan) SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka, on behalf of Sivagnanam Shritharan, asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for district-wise details of banks, insurance companies, microfinance institutions and other financial institutions operating in the Northern Province, along with their loan interest rates. He also sought information on whether suicides in the Northern and Eastern Provinces were linked to alleged inhumane microfinance practices, including district-wise figures, responsible parties, and whether the Government would strengthen monitoring of microfinance institutions. Oral Question: Banks and Financial Institutions in Northern and Eastern Provinces (Q.1182/2025) Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna warned that, under the Public Finance Management Act, accountability for the relevant budget proposal lies with the Director General of the Budget rather than the Secretary to the Treasury. Referring to recent legal action involving public officials, she urged that unlawful approvals not be given and cautioned against exposing Treasury and other public officers to future legal jeopardy. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 10 November 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan welcomed positive Budget indicators and allocations for Batticaloa infrastructure, while arguing that economic progress also requires resolving the national ethnic question and addressing war-related accountability, disappearances, political prisoners, land issues, and alleged wartime sexual violence through credible investigations. He urged urgent action on North and East basic needs, including clean drinking water, kidney disease prevention, staffing wildlife offices to address human-elephant conflict, and resolving grazing land restrictions. He also raised concerns over The Finance Company PLC depositors, pension anomalies, and welcomed the stated decision to withdraw the Army from Maaveerar resting places. Adjourned Debate on Budget Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna supported the adjournment motion concerning the Sabaragamuwa Governor and raised allegations of misconduct and corruption involving the Northern Province Governor, including a claimed Rs. 40 million fraud linked to Point Pedro Base Hospital during his tenure as Jaffna GA. He said reports and related documents had been submitted to the relevant Committee Chairman and to Minister Chandrasekar, and urged that the matter be formally investigated. He also questioned the suitability of certain officials chairing District Coordinating Committee meetings in the Northern Province, arguing that alleged corruption undermines governance there. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim objected to comments made by Hon. Samantha Ranasinghe, stating that the matter concerned the proper use of public funds rather than personal or political considerations. He argued that if an inquiry had been requested and a report existed, any alleged errors should be specifically identified under the applicable law, rather than dismissed with a general assertion that there were issues. Adjournment Motion: Suspension of Development Projects Approved by Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law — Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Budget as people-centred and argued that improved public finance management and restraint by rulers enabled relief for the public. He rejected Opposition criticism on the rule of law, citing arrests in the Lasantha Wickrematunge murder investigation and non-interference in police work, and said the e-visa issue is before the Supreme Court with future action to follow legal outcomes and the Auditor General’s recommendations. He also highlighted the Rs. 1,500 million allocation for the “The Whole Nation Together” anti-drug programme and requested Opposition cooperation through district, divisional and village-level structures. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan responded to a privilege allegation raised against him, stating that he was duly elected by Opposition Members to the Constitutional Council and has acted according to the Constitution and public interest. He requested a formal investigation into media-reported allegations that he unlawfully accumulated assets or was involved in liquor licence matters, saying legal action should be taken if any wrongdoing is proven. He argued the matter did not constitute a breach of privilege under Standing Order 29(2) and sought an inquiry under Article 41A(1) to establish the facts. Privilege Question: Breach of Privilege raised by Hon. Chamara Sampath Dassanayake on 23.10.2025 Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri stated that 335 Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Unions and 1,092 Samurdhi Community-Based Banks hold about LKR 400 billion, previously audited internally by the Department but now subject to National Audit Office audit following legal changes. He asked what action would be taken if poor depositors’ funds had been used for other purposes and interest due to them had not been paid, including recovery and crediting of the rightful interest. Oral Question: Financial Assistance Provided to Public During COVID Pandemic (Q.1492/2025) Read →
- 8 November 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs for provincial data since 2020 on reported mob violence or mob-lynching incidents and related prosecutions under the Penal Code, prevention of terrorism, or public security laws. He also sought details on measures to ensure uniform law enforcement, any directives issued to police and local administration, identification of high-risk districts, and preventive interventions in those areas. Oral Question: Mob Violence Incidents Since 2020 (Q.1010/2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that voting rights linked to the office referenced as “gentlemen of the country” under the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance should extend to current office-holders, including female Divisional Secretaries. He said the law should be amended to reflect administrative changes and contended that excluding women solely on gender grounds may violate Article 12 of the Constitution on equality. Adjournment Motion: Voting Rights for Female Divisional Secretaries at Diyawadana Nilame Election Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB AI summary Chathura Galappaththi moved an adjournment proposal calling for amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, No. 19 of 1931, particularly Section 40, to allow female Divisional Secretaries and relevant women officials to vote in elections for the Diyawadana Nilame and Basnayake Nilames. He argued that the exclusion is a colonial-era legal anomaly, not a Buddhist principle, and is inconsistent with constitutional equality guarantees, public service practice, and women’s historical role in Buddhist and temple-related contexts. He also proposed that future reforms consider the tenure and term limits of the Diyawadana Nilame, with the blessings of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chief Prelates. Adjournment Motion: Voting Rights for Female Divisional Secretaries at Diyawadana Nilame Election Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Raised concern over death threats against an Opposition Member and the lack of security provided to Opposition parliamentarians. He cited the case of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, who had reportedly informed the IGP and submitted affidavits about similar threats but did not receive protection, and urged attention to the security of affected Opposition Members. Security Concerns Raised by Opposition Members - Jagath Vithana Death Threat Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Police investigation teams are examining the murder of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, including telephone data, with the expectation that both the gunmen and those who planned the attack will be arrested soon. The Minister of Public Security is expected to brief Parliament on risk assessments and security arrangements for threatened people’s representatives. Investigations are also ongoing into Provincial Councillors alleged to have links with the underworld or organized criminal gangs, with disclosures to be made by the Ministry in due course. Procedural Matters: Questions under Standing Order 27(2) and Security Concerns Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the Office on Missing Persons had inherited cadre vacancies and institutional weaknesses, and that recruitment of 90 additional staff and other reforms had begun since November 2024. He stated that the Office for Reparations can make only one-off payments after a person is recognized as missing, that around 4,000 of 16,000 registered cases have received compensation, and that there is currently no legal basis to top up older payments to Rs. 200,000 without reliable historical payment data. He said the Government is collecting data, working with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office on broader support for affected families, and has Cabinet approval for Rs. 375 million to appoint 75 investigators to accelerate OMP cases. Oral Answer: Human Rights Situation in Sri Lanka and Reparations (Q. raised 08.10.2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the credibility and functioning of the Office for Reparations, noting that many Tamil mothers had rejected previous compensation offers and that Budget 2025 allocations had reportedly not been disbursed. He highlighted past allocations and payments, including Rs. 800 million spent in 2024, and asked how the Government could justify the OFR’s work when three of its five members would have military or Defence Ministry backgrounds. He also referred to local administrative concerns, including Sinhala-only signage at Batticaloa Medical Campus, and said he would submit such issues in writing while seeking to resolve victim community concerns with the Prime Minister. Oral Answer: Human Rights Situation in Sri Lanka and Reparations (Q. raised 08.10.2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Raised a further point related to reparations, indicating it was connected to the preceding issue. He requested that the Minister respond to both matters together. Oral Answer: Human Rights Situation in Sri Lanka and Reparations (Q. raised 08.10.2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya – Prime Minister AI summary The Prime Minister stated that, with most of the Government’s term remaining, it would continue pursuing its stated strategies while prioritizing the rebuilding of trust with victim communities. She said the Government was willing to listen, compromise, and adjust tactics where needed, acknowledged problems in local initiatives, and requested the Minister of Justice and National Integration to address relevant institutional matters. Oral Answer: Human Rights Situation in Sri Lanka and Reparations (Q. raised 08.10.2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam rejected the Government’s proposed domestic mechanism for reconciliation and accountability, arguing that the victim community lacks trust in State-led processes and continues to call for an international investigation 16 years after the end of the war. He questioned the capacity and effectiveness of existing institutions, citing severe staffing shortages at the Office on Missing Persons and ONUR, as well as low utilization of allocated funds. He asked how the Government intends to address these institutional deficiencies and whether justice will continue to be delayed through further domestic bodies such as the proposed TRC. Oral Answer: Human Rights Situation in Sri Lanka and Reparations (Q. raised 08.10.2025) Read →
- 24 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya – Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education AI summary The Prime Minister responded on Sri Lanka’s engagement with the UN Human Rights Council following Resolution 57/1 and the High Commissioner’s report, noting that the Government submitted observations while rejecting the resolution. She said the Government acknowledged positive references in the report but disagreed with recommendations for international action, arguing that external mechanisms could undermine domestic reconciliation and accountability efforts. She outlined planned national measures, including strengthening institutions, establishing an Independent Public Prosecutor’s Office, and initiating a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, while continuing cooperation on capacity-building and technical assistance. Oral Answer: Human Rights Situation in Sri Lanka and Reparations (Q. raised 08.10.2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister provided a written response detailing annual budget allocations for implementing the Right to Information Act from 2017 to 2025 and outlined measures to strengthen its operation, including training officials, public awareness campaigns, electronic submission of information requests, publication of guidance materials, and workshops across Provincial Councils. He stated that rules and regulations under the Act are being updated, Commission rules are awaiting approval for gazetting, and previously published regulations will be reviewed and submitted to Parliament for legal concurrence. He also tabled statistics on appeals to the Right to Information Commission from 2017 to September 2025, showing annual totals received, final orders issued, and pending appeals. Written Answer: Allocation for Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Q.1461/2025) Read →