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- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media to provide annual allocations since 2016 for implementing rights under the Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016. He also sought details on future measures and legal reforms to strengthen the Act, and requested annual figures from 2017 onward on appeals received, resolved, and still pending before the Right to Information Commission. Written Answer: Allocation for Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Q.1461/2025) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper condemned the murder of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Chikramasekara while on official duty and questioned the Government’s responsibility for the security of public representatives. He criticized the Minister of Public Security for making remarks in Parliament suggesting a motive before investigations were complete, arguing that such comments amounted to character assassination of the deceased. He said the Opposition wore black to mark sorrow over the killing and demanded an apology to the victim’s family and voters, as well as the expunging of the Minister’s remarks from Hansard. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Gayan Janaka JJB AI summary Hon. Gayan Janaka supported the proposal to eradicate drugs and organized crime through a national, collective effort, criticizing the Opposition for disrupting the debate. He cited recent seizure figures for narcotics, illicit pills, and illegal firearms to argue that the issue is a major national challenge with alleged historical political links. He said drug abuse is harming children, families, universities, professions, and religious institutions, and called for action to reduce supply and demand, rehabilitate affected youth, establish rehabilitation centres in every district, and mobilize religious leaders, civil society, and citizens under the President’s leadership. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan supported the Adjournment Motion on a national work plan to eradicate drug trafficking and organized crime, arguing that drugs and the underworld undermine democracy, the rule of law and justice. He cited the killing of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya after threats linked to a drug case as evidence of the threat posed to the judiciary, and called for action against networks operating both domestically and from abroad, including those allegedly protected by political, police and financial interests. He also briefly raised pension anomalies affecting teachers and principals, referring to past recommendations and assurances, and requested implementation of anomaly-free pensions sought by pensioners’ associations. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. Elayathamby Srinath expressed support for the Government’s national programme against drug trafficking and organized crime, while stressing that enforcement against traffickers must be accompanied by mental health support, rehabilitation and reintegration for drug users. He said post-2009 conditions in the North and East contributed to youth vulnerability and wider social harm, and urged a non-partisan, countrywide response. He raised concern over recent shootings, insisting that suspects must be dealt with through due process rather than violence, and requested the Ministry of Public Security to make special arrangements to protect citizens and public representatives facing threats. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera condemned the Minister of Public Security’s response to the murder of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, arguing that labelling the victim before due process violated the presumption of innocence and undermined the rule of law. He demanded immediate security assurances for public representatives from local bodies to Parliament and warned against trivializing attacks on elected officials. He also argued that drug seizures and arrests do not address deeper social and economic causes of crime, linking instability to poverty, weak governance, and foreign geopolitical influence. He urged the Opposition to act more decisively and unite where possible in response to what he described as a serious threat to democracy and public representatives’ safety. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir welcomed the adjournment motion on controlling drug operations and said drug trafficking and organized crime must be addressed through stronger arrests and punishments. He linked the drugs problem, particularly in the North and East, to alleged past involvement of military, naval, police personnel or deserters, arguing that it had targeted Muslim and Tamil communities and affected education. He also referred to post-2009 communal violence, the “Grease Devil” incidents, Aluthgama and Digana riots, and the Easter attacks, calling on the government to identify and disclose those behind such events and to resolve tensions between Christian and Muslim communities. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam said drug abuse was worsening educational and social conditions in the North, which he linked to a decline in the Northern Province’s education rankings after 2009. He supported government efforts to eliminate drugs but urged a shift from punitive measures against users toward a public health and human rights approach, citing a 2023 UN Human Rights Office report and prison overcrowding as evidence of policy failure. He called for harsher action against traffickers, the removal of the military from anti-drug operations—particularly in the North and East—and the issuance of a White Paper for public and expert consultation. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D.V. Chanaka rejected insinuations made in Parliament linking his murdered uncle to the underworld, stating that no police report or complaint contains such allegations and that he has filed legal action against a media outlet over similar claims. He challenged the Deputy Minister concerned to repeat the allegations outside Parliament and said continued references to the murder caused distress to his family. He also questioned the release of two containers allegedly flagged by the U.S. DEA and UNODC as containing ICE, asking whether a lawyer linked to a senior Cabinet Minister or officials helped secure their release and demanding answers on why Customs, police, and related personnel had not been arrested after six months. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar criticised the Government over public security following the killing of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, arguing that authorities should not justify the murder by labelling him an underworld figure after the fact. He questioned why the Chairman had not been arrested earlier if allegations existed and said the Government must accept responsibility for failing to protect elected representatives. He also urged the Government to investigate past high-profile killings from the Rajapaksa era while ensuring that present governance does not continue what he described as criminal-state practices. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala clarified a statement made the previous day concerning the killing of Lasantha Wickramasekara, alias “Midigama Ceo.” He stated that police records identify the deceased as an IRC-registered offender in the State crime registry, and explained that while police may provide protection to victims and witnesses under the relevant law, the Police Department has no authority to provide such protection to registered offenders. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB AI summary Hon. Chathura Galappaththi criticized the Government’s handling of public security following the assassination of Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, citing reported increases in shootings and deaths and condemning the Public Security Minister for referring to the deceased as a criminal despite no court conviction. He said Wickramasekara had requested police protection two months earlier due to threats and argued that the IGP and relevant ministers should be held responsible for the failure to act. He also questioned the release of 323 uninspected containers, the handling of alleged drug and weapons-related incidents in Midigama and Weligama, and demanded answers from the Defence and Public Security Ministers. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa argued that efforts against drugs and organized crime will fail if criminal networks receive State protection, and called for stronger intelligence, including maritime and international intelligence, and transparent action on disputed container releases and alleged drug-related incidents. He questioned Government handling of arrests, detention orders, analyst reports, and protection requests, citing alleged procedural inconsistencies involving the Navy Commander, Easter attack intelligence, court and local government killings, and the release of 323 containers. He urged a non-politicized programme to combat drugs, including expanded rehabilitation capacity, jobs, and mental health support for recovering youth, while alleging political pressure within law enforcement and selective action against rival criminal groups. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran supported the Adjournment Motion on curbing organized crime and drug trafficking, calling for stronger laws and penalties, including against any politicians linked to drugs, while pledging cooperation. He also raised broader accountability issues, urging investigations and punishment over alleged killings of surrendering Tamils in 2009, citing recent remarks attributed to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, and called for international investigations due to Tamil distrust of domestic mechanisms. He further demanded justice for the Easter Sunday attack victims, alleging failure to act against implicated military officers and politicians. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D.V. Chanaka briefly referred to a statement by the Deputy Minister that a former Minister’s father-in-law had been killed. No further substantive argument, proposal, or question is included in the provided excerpt. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa accused the Government of failing on national security and allowing underworld, drug-related and violent criminal activity to grow, citing the death of a Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman as a matter for which the Government bears responsibility. He rejected claims linking his party to criminal gangs and said the Opposition would support lawful reforms and action to defeat such groups. He also warned against using crime suppression to target the Opposition and asked what steps would be taken to protect civilians, MPs and local representatives, noting that Opposition MPs’ security had been withdrawn despite requests to the IGP and authorities. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa argued that the rise in shootings and killings in 2025 amounts to a national security crisis and accused the Government of failing to uphold the rule of law. He cited the killing of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara, noting that Wickramasekara had written to the Inspector-General of Police requesting protection and had submitted an affidavit warning of an assassination threat; Premadasa tabled those documents. He questioned why security was not provided despite the request, referred to reported figures of 101 shootings, 52 deaths and 56 injuries in 2025, and demanded that the Government accept responsibility for the failure to protect the local authority chairman. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government’s anti-drug and law-and-order campaign aims to dismantle drug supply chains and underworld networks, arguing that past political links with such groups had enabled the problem. He said investigations into incidents such as the Weligama Chairman’s killing should proceed and that arrests would be handled lawfully, while forthcoming legal amendments would allow prosecution in Sri Lanka of offenders, including foreign crews, apprehended on the high seas. He invited the Opposition and wider society to support the President’s anti-drug programme launching on the 30th, stressing both supply suppression and demand reduction through community, professional, religious, and rehabilitation efforts, with addicts treated as patients and traffickers imprisoned. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala rejected allegations made by another Member as false and malicious, stating that the Government has acted within the law and is committed to protecting lives. He said the Government is working to establish the rule of law and a just society, and pledged that all offenders would be brought before justice while also assuring security for Hon. Chamara Sampath. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →
- 23 October 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake objected to the Minister of Public Security’s characterization of the assassination of Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara as an underworld-related killing. He argued that the deceased should not be labelled before the investigation is completed and urged the Minister to focus on arresting the gunman and identifying those responsible. He said any conclusion about an underworld link should follow evidence from the investigation, not precede it. Adjournment Debate: Organized Crime, Drug Trafficking and Nation Together Programme (Ratama Ekata) Read →