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- 24 September 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir welcomed the child protection amendments but questioned whether they were motivated by genuine protection or political considerations, arguing that legal changes are insufficient without action on issues affecting children. He called for the Government to disclose the masterminds of the Easter Sunday attacks and “ice” drug trafficking, raise Sri Lanka’s voice against child deaths in Palestine, and address concerns about increasing Israeli presence and Chabad houses in areas such as Arugam Bay, Colombo and Weligama. He also thanked the Government for initiating preliminary steps toward a bridge in the Karaitivu–Mavadippalli area after the deaths of eight children during floods. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Athula Welandagoda JJB AI summary Athula Welandagoda supported the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill presented by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, arguing that legal reform should accompany efforts to build a society based on human dignity, ethics, and balanced social relations. He said laws alone cannot create good citizens and linked the Bill to the Government’s “A Prosperous Country — A Beautiful Life” policy vision and a broader change in political and social culture. Referring to violent incidents in Middeniya, including threats at a meeting and deaths connected to underworld and narcotics activity, he said the Government is working to curb drugs and criminal networks while using legislation to advance a more humane society. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that his side had no intention of having anyone arrested and noted that they were not in government at the relevant time. He emphasized that the issue being raised was the Magistrate’s repeated orders to conclude investigations and to arrest and produce the suspects, which he said were contained in the document under discussion. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe requested a copy of a document allegedly tabled regarding a 2024 court order, stating that he and others had not received any such order at the time. He said that in 2025 he, Ranjan Jayalal and then Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe were summoned by police to record statements around 20 August, and that they complied with that order. He disputed the reference to a 2024 order and asked that the relevant document be provided to him. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara tabled the B 29984/24 case report from the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, citing orders dated 6 September 2024 and 26 November 2024 directing police to immediately arrest and produce the suspects. He alleged that, despite these orders, the suspects were not arrested or produced and continued to avoid giving statements while police merely engaged with them. He urged that Parliament not be misled and invited Members to verify the tabled “B” report. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary No substantive speech content is provided beyond the salutation to the Presiding Member. There are no arguments, proposals, questions, or references to legislation or policy to summarize. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna criticised the proposed Bill to remove corporal punishment, arguing that some form of corporal punishment should be retained and even suggesting an amendment allowing Government MPs to administer it. He linked this argument to concerns over alleged drug trafficking through port containers, questioning why authorities and media focus on cases against him while, in his view, not adequately investigating who is responsible for containers allegedly carrying “ice.” He also referred to statements by other MPs and said cases against him arose from his public comments on alleged hospital frauds. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna alleged selective and politically influenced action by the police and State institutions, citing delays in recording statements in a case he filed in Jaffna and contrasting this with police action taken against him. He referred to his interdiction and salary payments, claiming he returned the money to the Ministry on advice from Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa, while alleging the Attorney-General had misrepresented the matter in court. He also raised concerns about medical record-keeping and patient care, and claimed that transfers and appointments in the North were being used against him because of his criticisms. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the opposing member had made allegations insulting the judiciary and the Judicial Service Commission. He challenged the member to substantiate those claims. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa challenged another member to state explicitly whether a Magistrate had been transferred for the reason previously alleged. He argued that the member was retreating from an earlier position and questioned why they would not repeat the claim if they were not afraid. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that he would not withdraw his earlier remarks alleging misconduct in the judicial sector, including claims about case-fixing and lawyers intervening in cases. He maintained that these issues had already been raised and stood by his position. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa challenged a claim recorded in Hansard that a Magistrate was transferred because of an order to arrest Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe. He demanded that the person concerned immediately clarify on the microphone if that was not the position. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Asked the Presiding Member to confirm whether he had stated that a Magistrate was transferred because she ordered the arrest of Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe. The intervention sought clarification on the stated reason for the judicial transfer in the context of the parliamentary exchange. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara said he would table, either that day or by Friday, the order or directive he claimed related to the arrest of Mahinda Jayasinghe and others. He also questioned the transfer of a Magistrate who, he said, had not requested a transfer and had no stated reason for it, arguing that such transfers raise concerns of injustice and possible improper motives. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa argued that an allegation linking a Judicial Service Commission transfer to a specific incident should not remain in public circulation without proof. He urged the Member who made the claim either to substantiate it immediately or withdraw it until evidence is presented, stressing the need for responsibility because the matter concerns the judiciary. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa challenged claims about a Magistrate’s transfer, stating that judicial transfers are handled by the Judicial Service Commission and not by the Government. He requested that the relevant arrest order be tabled or that the allegation be withdrawn, arguing that otherwise it amounts to an accusation of Government interference with the judiciary. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa rejected a claim that the Mount Lavinia Magistrate had been transferred because of an order to arrest Wasantha Samarasinghe and others. He stated that no such Magistrate’s Court order existed and demanded that the order be produced or the claim withdrawn. He emphasized that judicial transfers are handled by the Judicial Service Commission and that the Government does not interfere in the judicial process. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe raised a point of order denying claims circulated on YouTube and attributed to Dayasiri Jayasekara that the Mount Lavinia Court had ordered the arrest of Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and Mayor Ranjan Jayalal. He stated that the court had only required them to record statements before 22 August, which they had done, and challenged anyone alleging otherwise to table the court order. He also referred to Labour Department letters which, he said, confirmed that a trade union faction had been fraudulently registered through misuse of political power by former Minister John Seneviratne, and demanded withdrawal of the alleged false statement. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran JJB AI summary Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran supported the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, arguing that physical and psychological punishment of children has long-term effects on their development and can contribute to later harmful behaviour. He highlighted risks faced by children without parental care, children in homes, schools, daycare centres and labour settings, and those affected by social, caste or religious bias. He urged Parliament to support the amendment unanimously and emphasized adults’ responsibility to protect children at every stage of childhood. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 24 September 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara denied having alleged that the Chief Justice engages in bench-fixing or fixes benches. He stated that a fellow Member had misunderstood or misrepresented his earlier remarks. Debate: Penal Code (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading Read →