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- 10 October 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka seconded the Motion supporting the independence of the National Police Commission, arguing that the powers granted under the 19th Amendment over police appointments, promotions, transfers, discipline, and dismissal should remain with the Commission. He requested government intervention to ensure Special Task Force officers receive fair promotion parity with other police ranks. He also cited allegations of politicized transfers and intimidation of officers, warning that shifting NPC powers to the IGP could worsen abuse and undermine police independence. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe moved an adjournment motion urging Parliament to intervene over reported plans to transfer powers over OIC transfers from the National Police Commission to the IGP by Gazette. He argued that such a move would undermine the constitutional independence of the NPC, as strengthened under the 19th and 21st Amendments, and said he had written to the Speaker as Chair of the Constitutional Council seeking urgent action. He linked the issue to concerns over politicization of investigative institutions and rising organized crime, citing figures for serious incidents and murders in 2024 and early 2025, and requested the Prime Minister to act to preserve the Commission’s independence. Adjournment: Motion on Independence of National Police Commission (SO 19(2)) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana moved a resolution calling for a programme to restore and modernize the National Medicines Quality Assurance Laboratory, arguing that the 35-year-old facility is outdated, not internationally accredited, and unable to adequately test imported and locally manufactured medicines. He said the NMRA, established under Act No. 5 of 2015, has a statutory duty to ensure safe, efficacious, good-quality medicines at affordable prices, and proposed establishing a fully equipped laboratory at an estimated cost of Rs. 5 billion. He cited past incidents involving alleged substandard prednisolone, anaesthetics, and human immunoglobulin, demanded action against those responsible and recovery of losses, and urged compensation for affected patients who had not yet received it. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister stated that legal education is already included within Civic Education, citing the Grade 6 Term 3 module and its objectives on legal awareness, responsible use of legal documents, law-abiding citizenship, and national development. She said similar modules are proposed for Grades 7 and 8, and that the Government would consider renaming the subject and introducing Law as an optional subject at O/L and A/L within ongoing education reforms. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB AI summary Ruwan Mapalagama supported expanding Civic Education into “Law and Civic Education” to give students early awareness of lawful conduct, rights, and responsibilities. He argued that legal education could help children recognize and report abuse, and said it would reinforce the Government’s policy of equal application of the law. He also endorsed the proposal to offer Law as an optional subject at O/L and A/L. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government supports improving citizens’ practical legal knowledge, including civil and everyday law, and is considering the inclusion of Law in the school curriculum. She noted that advisory discussions had identified gaps in current legal content, while the specific scope, grade levels, and implementation details were still being finalized. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera criticized the absence of the subject Minister during discussion of a significant matter and said the Government’s position should normally be presented by the responsible Minister. He argued that legal education should be given greater priority in the school curriculum despite concerns about curriculum overload, as basic legal knowledge is necessary across professions and sectors. He noted that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka had formally submitted proposals to the relevant Ministers and called for a clear Government response. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani supported the proposal to strengthen legal education, arguing that citizens need practical knowledge of the law to build an ethical, disciplined, and law-abiding society. She stated that the 2026 education reforms will include Law within Civic Education from Grade 6, following earlier parliamentary discussions and requests by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. She outlined a grade-wise module structure from “Law for Life” in Grade 6 to “Government and the Law-abiding Citizen” in Grade 11, with compulsory modules for Grades 6-9 and optional preference-based modules for Grades 10-11, aimed at addressing issues such as child protection, violence, drugs, corruption, fraud, and environmental harm. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Priyantha Wijerathna seconded the Motion and argued that public legal awareness is essential to strengthening the rule of law, noting that citizens cannot rely on ignorance of the law as a defence. He supported introducing or expanding legal education through the school curriculum, building on existing Civic Education content for Grades 10–11. He proposed that specialists determine the appropriate scope, including possible areas such as criminal law, environmental law and anti-corruption, while ensuring it does not overburden students. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Mapalagama moved a resolution urging the Government to integrate basic legal education into the Civic Education syllabus from Grades 6 to 11, arguing that citizens are expected to know the law despite the absence of structured legal instruction in schools. He proposed renaming Civic Education as “Law and Civic Education” under the 2026 Grade 6 reforms and strengthening legal modules without adding a separate new subject. He cited international examples and noted support from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka for including law in the school curriculum to promote legally aware and responsible citizens. Private Members' Motion P.43/2025: Integrating Law and Ethics to School Curriculum Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa said he opposes political parties formed on the basis of religion, ethnicity, caste or class, but argued that such parties emerge when mainstream parties fail to address community grievances fairly. Referring to post-Easter attack communal tensions and examples from India, he said these political formations cannot be curtailed until just solutions are provided and the fundamental rights of non-Sinhala communities are protected. Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha responded to concerns about illegal microfinance and finance schemes, noting that many operate through legal corporate registration while conducting unregulated financial activities, sometimes with political or influential backing. He said the Government, with the Central Bank and Financial Intelligence Unit, is strengthening supervision under the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework ahead of the March 2026 evaluation, and will use new legislation to regulate the thousands of unregistered village-level microfinance operators. He also highlighted online financial fraud and pyramid-style schemes, stressing the need for legal action and improved financial literacy to prevent people being misled by unrealistically high returns. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about illegal financial institutions, online loan schemes, and vehicle seizure groups, citing major depositor losses at the Eastern Hewagamkorala Cooperative Society and alleged harassment of borrowers through social media and workplaces. He asked the Minister what action would be taken to protect the public from illegal micro and small loan rackets, online lending operations charging excessive interest, and unlawful vehicle seizures. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said some entities presenting themselves as microfinance institutions operate outside the Microfinance Act, often under the Companies Act, limiting Central Bank supervision and requiring action under general criminal law where fraud is involved. He stated that the Government is examining these regulatory gaps and intends to introduce a new Bill on the microfinance sector. Regarding Privelth Global (Pvt.) Limited, he said action to recover depositors’ money depends on evidence that deposits were accepted, and requested affected persons to submit such evidence so authorities can proceed. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns about unregulated financial entities such as Privelth Global and questioned whether depositors would be able to recover their funds through legal action. He asked the Government to investigate alleged unfair treatment and selective repayment of depositors in the liquidation of The Finance Company, and to ensure affected depositors are paid. He also urged action against entities registered only at Divisional Secretariat level that allegedly lend at interest rates of 200–300 percent, calling for such institutions to be brought under Central Bank oversight. He additionally referred to reports of Hon. Bimal Ratnayake’s removal from certain portfolios and linked it to public confidence in any investigation into the container case. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary On behalf of the Finance Minister, Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that the Central Bank investigated Privelth Global (Pvt.) Limited after complaints in 2020 and found reports that it operated in several Eastern Province locations, collected about Rs. 1,356 million from 1,150 individuals, and had claimed repayments of around Rs. 800 million. He said the company was not licensed by the Central Bank to conduct banking, finance, microfinance, or leasing business, and that its directors had been arrested after attempting to flee to India. He added that the matter had been referred to the Attorney-General under the Finance Business Act for possible High Court proceedings, where any mechanism for settling liabilities to depositors and other parties would be determined. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam asked the Minister of Finance about Privelth Global (Pvt.) Ltd., a financial institution operating in several Eastern Province areas, and alleged that its directors had defrauded 1,400 people of over Rs. 1,700 million. He sought details on action against the directors, who were reportedly deported from India and are now missing, measures to recover and return the funds, and steps to improve monitoring and credibility of such institutions. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government had achieved economic stabilization and cited the IMF staff-level agreement on the Fifth Review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility, with expected access to about USD 347 million subject to Executive Board approval. He criticized the Opposition for using parliamentary privilege to make allegations rather than engaging substantively on legislation, while asserting that the Government was restoring the rule of law through investigations, judicial reforms, court digitization, and action on complaints of delay or misconduct. He outlined plans to operationalize additional special courts for bribery, corruption and fraud cases, stated that over 60 Bills were at committee stage, and said reforms including anti-terrorism and online safety laws were being aligned with international standards. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Final Speeches Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath stated that the Government had overseen peaceful presidential, parliamentary, and local elections and that no ethnic or religious clashes had occurred during the past year. He rejected claims that Sri Lanka’s foreign relations would be limited to a few countries, citing engagement with major global partners and grants, investments, and agreements from Japan, China, and others, including discussions on direct flights from Belarus. He said the recent UNHRC resolution only extended the reporting period to September 2027 and maintained that Sri Lanka would address human rights and national harmony through domestic measures while acting on corruption. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Final Speeches Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam criticised the Government over the involvement of the TID in inquiries about a school sports meet decoration in Kilinochchi, arguing that such action contradicts promises to repeal the PTA and allow war commemorations. He said commitments on the Palaly Airport upgrade and the release of military-held private lands in the North had not been fulfilled, contrasting this with faster progress on Ratmalana Airport. He also raised concerns about alleged illegal military-backed construction on private land near Palaly and the Thayyiddy Vihara issue, urging the Government to act early on North-East commitments if it is to retain trust. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Read →