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- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the Dharmacharya examination process, noting delays from the 2019 written examination to the 2024 release of results, and called for appointments to be made based on the 2019 results before conducting new examinations. He urged implementation of a court settlement to absorb 16,600 Development Officers who served in schools into the teacher service, and asked why reported teacher vacancies could not be filled by them and unemployed graduates. He also called for urgent action on alleged curriculum irregularities and infrastructure deficiencies at GWUIM, including lecture halls, laboratories and residential facilities. Ministerial Statement: Teacher Vacancies and Development Officers Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan noted that pensioners are facing practical difficulties with the current online pension system and are still required to travel long distances to the Department. He requested urgent action to address these shortcomings and asked that legal amendments be considered to allow pensions for those who joined service after age 45, citing expectations of fairness and reform. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Department of Pensions Services Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about widespread shortages of medicines, consumables, surgical sutures, imaging services and cardiac surgery capacity in public hospitals, citing Kalutara Hospital and major national hospitals, and tabled a document on shortages. He urged the Government to include strong financial penalties in tender agreements when suppliers provide incorrect dialysis needles, and questioned the Consumer Affairs Authority’s response to sharp retail price increases, calling for raids and public identification of profiteers. He described the matter as a national issue affecting the hospital system and requested urgent remedial action. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa raised a Private Notice Question on several issues in the health sector, citing the Government’s policy commitments on health services and patient safety. He questioned the reported renaming and possible recolouring of the 1990 “Suwa Seriya” ambulance service, asked whether its objectives or regulations under the Suwa Seriya Foundation Act had changed, and requested data and measures relating to the migration of doctors, specialists, nurses and other health professionals. He also sought urgent action on shortages affecting haemodialysis patients, resource and staffing deficiencies at Kebithigollewa Hospital, and implementation of its development plan, including dialysis, medical and surgical facilities and staff quarters. He further asked why the contracts of 301 Field Mosquito Control Assistants had not been extended in 2025, and whether the Government would ensure continuity of their public health functions, job security, or permanent absorption. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna) SJB AI summary The Member asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide faculty-wise student numbers at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He also asked whether the Minister is aware of severe ragging at the university and, if so, what measures are being taken to control it. Oral Question 11: University Faculty Enrolment (Answer Tabled) Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that prisons are holding remand and convicted inmates beyond their designed capacity, creating health and environmental concerns. He said the Government is constructing new buildings and relocating some facilities, and undertook to examine the situation at Wariyapola specifically. He requested further details from Members and said action would be taken to ensure the safety of inmates and nearby residents. Oral Question 9: First Prison in Sri Lanka and Prison Conditions Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake raised concerns about overcrowding at Wariyapola Prison, noting that inmate numbers exceed its normal capacity and are causing environmental impacts on a nearby village tank and the Deduru Oya-adjacent water purification plant. He asked whether the Government would prioritize Budget allocations to construct additional buildings and provide necessary facilities within the existing 25-acre prison premises. Oral Question 9: First Prison in Sri Lanka and Prison Conditions Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration responded to concerns about public safety near long-established remand prisons, stating that villagers’ fears or requests for clarification should be addressed. He said the matter could be discussed, including the possible establishment of a police post, and asked the Member to submit the issue in writing so he could intervene through the Ministry of Public Security if necessary. Oral Question 9: First Prison in Sri Lanka and Prison Conditions Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration provided answers to a parliamentary question on prison facilities and inmate accommodation. He stated that Welikada Prison was established in 1844, tabled annexes containing requested data, and cited accommodation standards for cells and wards. He also identified Wariyapola Prison as relevant to the question, with a capacity of 1,188 and an average inmate population of 1,636 in August 2025. Oral Question 9: First Prison in Sri Lanka and Prison Conditions Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration for detailed information on Sri Lanka’s prison system, including the first prison established, its initial inmate population, the current number and names of prisons, inmate numbers by gender in each prison, and the cell space allocated per inmate. He also requested specific details on the largest prison in the North-western Province, including its capacity and the average daily inmate population in August 2025, and asked for reasons if the information could not be provided. Oral Question 9: First Prison in Sri Lanka and Prison Conditions Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about an alleged assault on trade union representatives during a discussion chaired by the relevant Minister, involving members of the United National Free Employees’ Union. He asked for an impartial investigation into the alleged assault on Secretary Saminda Gamage and the confinement of President Priyantha Madukumar, including the alleged seizure of his phone and deletion of data. He framed the issue in the context of protecting the rights of around 23,000 CEB employees and said such treatment of trade union leaders was unjust and illegal. Oral Question 5: Ceylon Electricity Board Regional Offices Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah raised concerns that Muslims, who comprise 30 percent of the relevant Divisional Secretariat Division, have not received titles or permits for long-occupied State lands and are being neglected. He alleged that eviction cases and other actions by the Secretariat are being pursued selectively against Muslims, and requested the Ministry to appoint a team to investigate and take appropriate action. Oral Question 4: Occupants of State Lands in Manmunai Pattu DS Division Read →
- 10 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya responded to an Opposition motion concerning Independent Commissions, arguing that the Government had treated the debate seriously while many Opposition Members who requested it were absent. She maintained that no constitutional violation had occurred in relation to the National Police Commission, noting that it may lawfully delegate certain transfer-related authority to the IGP subject to Commission guidelines. She said affected officers retain appeal options through the Police Commission, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, or Fundamental Rights applications, and rejected claims that legal rights or Commission powers had been weakened. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 Hon. [Name not clearly identified in OCR] AI summary The member questioned the transfer of disabled police officers who had long been permitted to serve near their homes, arguing that officers disabled in service or for health reasons should not lose that accommodation. He alleged political influence over police and Civil Security Committee appointments, warned that police powers in drug cases could be misused for retaliation, and accused the Government of seeking to protect its public standing through control of the police. He also raised concerns about claimed independence in law enforcement and independent commissions, citing public commentary around the arrest and bail of Ranil Wickremesinghe, and urged officials in independent commissions to act independently. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara argued that the Government was using measures such as a Cabinet reshuffle and a delayed Gazette to avoid accountability over issues including the 323 missing containers and to bypass the National Police Commission. He warned that undermining Independent Commissions would politicize the Police and return it to practices seen before the Commissions were strengthened, citing alleged incidents in Kalutara and Monaragala as examples of political pressure. He urged the Government not to threaten Commissioners, defended the role of the 19th Amendment in strengthening democratic safeguards, criticized the 20th Amendment, and called for disabled police officers to receive suitable postings without arbitrary transfers. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. U.P. Abeywickrama argued that constitutional safeguards and independent commissions depend on political leadership and institutional respect, not merely legal provisions. He cited the 17th Amendment in 2001 as a progressive reform establishing independent commissions, contrasted with later amendments that weakened or restored them, and criticized past governments for politicizing appointments. He maintained that under the current Government the commissions, including the National Police Commission, are exercising their constitutional powers freely. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara alleged that the National Police Commission was being pressured over police transfers, particularly OIC appointments, and cited media reports, presidential remarks, and an NPC media release explaining its retained powers under Article 155G. He argued that recent transfers of 34 officers and wider OIC transfer processes lacked transparency, proper inquiries, and merit-based criteria, with performance reports allegedly manipulated to favour certain officers. He demanded that transfers be conducted through due process, asked that disabled police officers be assigned suitable light duties, and called for review of prison overcrowding and recent SI promotions. He warned that if the Government would not allow the NPC to function independently, it should formally move to abolish it rather than undermine it. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika argued that the National Police Commission’s delegation of powers to the IGP regarding OIC transfers is constitutionally permitted under Article 155G(1) and does not amount to a reduction of Commission powers. He said the delegation is revocable, subject to criteria and limits, and supported by the Attorney General’s clarification that SI, IP, and CI officers may serve as OICs without it constituting a promotion or demotion. He linked the need for swift operational decisions to current action against organized crime and drug networks, while rejecting allegations of political pressure on the NPC. He also criticized the Opposition for requesting the debate under Standing Order 19 as urgent while many of the Members who supported it were absent. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala argued that the debate concerned transfers of Officers-in-Charge in the Police, not appointments, and said such transfers are lawful when powers are delegated by the National Police Commission under the Constitution. He cited previous Gazette notifications as precedents and stated that the President or Minister does not acquire these powers, while the IGP must follow Commission-set criteria and affected officers may appeal to the Commission. He rejected claims of politicization, contrasted current procedures with alleged past political influence in OIC appointments, and said the Government is strengthening police independence, discipline, promotions, resources, and rule-of-law enforcement. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala rejected claims that the Government was seeking to abolish or reclaim the powers of Independent Commissions, arguing that the NPP/JVP had consistently supported their independence while others had supported earlier rollbacks. He said the Constitution, particularly Articles 155A and 155G, permits the National Police Commission to delegate specified powers to the IGP or other authorities by Gazette, while retaining overall authority and setting conditions. He cited previous Gazettes from 2011, 2016 and 2020 as precedents and tabled two of them, stating that current concerns relate to transfers of Officers-in-Charge rather than new appointments. He also alleged that past OIC appointments had been politically influenced and maintained that any present delegation must follow NPC criteria such as performance records and pending disciplinary or legal matters. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →