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- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera expressed regret only if his response to the Speaker caused offence, noting that he spoke because the Speaker intervened. He maintained that concerns over judicial appointments remain unresolved despite being raised before the Constitutional Council and other forums, and said Parliament is the remaining venue to voice the issue. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera raised a supplementary question on delays in the administration of civil and criminal justice caused by five vacancies in the Supreme Court and three in the Court of Appeal. He asked whether the Minister would engage the President to expedite nominations, noting that the Constitutional Council cannot act until the President submits names for the eight vacancies. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Powers relating to criminal prosecution have long been vested in the Attorney-General’s Department and the Code of Criminal Procedure, so establishing a Director of Public Prosecutions is not a simple structural change. The Member stated that improving the Attorney-General’s Department and creating a DPP are separate matters, and that the Government has appointed a committee, led by Justice Yasantha, while seeking observations from the Bar Association and the Law Commission before proceeding. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera said there is bipartisan agreement on establishing an independent Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to improve the efficiency and independence of the Attorney-General’s Department and reduce political influence over prosecutions. He criticized the delay of more than a year since a committee was appointed and questioned why a pledged reform with consensus had not yet been implemented. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 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 the Government has taken steps, with Cabinet approval, to appoint a committee chaired by a Supreme Court judge to recommend the establishment of an independent Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions outside the Attorney-General’s Department. He said decisions on a national DPP and possible provincial offices will be made by Cabinet after the committee reports, and that no final decision has yet been taken. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration whether the Government’s manifesto pledged to establish Provincial Directorates of Public Prosecution, outside the Attorney-General’s Department, to handle prosecutions on behalf of the Government. He sought confirmation that the policy is accepted and asked why such directorates have not yet been established in each province, or the reasons if the pledge is not acknowledged. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha criticized the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, arguing that proposed criminal sanctions for administrative tax lapses such as late filing, non-registration, or failure to appear before tax authorities are excessive and would disproportionately affect ordinary taxpayers. He referred to the Supreme Court’s determination on Clause 31, saying it showed the Government’s intent to give the Commissioner broad powers even where appeals were pending, and urged the Government to avoid treating inadvertent non-compliance as criminal conduct. He also objected to the reduction of the monthly VAT threshold from Rs. 5 million to Rs. 3 million, noting that VAT applies to turnover and, with SSCL, creates an effective burden of 20.5%, and requested that the threshold decision be reviewed. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said war remembrance should continue, but raised concerns about alleged links between public figures and diaspora networks, and criticized the Government’s handling of vehicle import restrictions and fuel price announcements. He questioned practices at CIABOC, urged resolution of recruitment issues affecting Kotelawala Defence University medical graduates, and called for action on matters including the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course, student accommodation at South Eastern University, unused railway quarters, and illegal structures in Kotmale/Nuwara Eliya. He also demanded urgent support for SLTB depots facing shortages of tyres, diesel and funds, and appealed for measures to protect Buddhism and avoid inquiries or actions he said could undermine Buddhist institutions. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna paid tribute to war heroes and criticized perceived restrictions or objections to the use of the term “Ranaviru” and to acts of commemoration. Speaking on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, he argued that while intentional tax evasion and fraud should remain criminal offences, the Bill risks criminalizing administrative or technical lapses such as delayed registration or clerical errors. He called for equal enforcement of the law, citing uncollected taxes, alleged frauds including the coal issue and missing tax revenue, and warned against using criminal provisions to target the Opposition or government critics. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB AI summary Dr. Sandaruwan Madarasinghe supported amendments to the Inland Revenue Act, arguing that tax administration must be simplified while strengthening compliance, preventing evasion, and rebuilding public trust in revenue collection and spending. He said politically connected tax losses and arrears, including those linked to the sugar tax reduction and distillery licences, should be recovered, and noted that the Bill provides a six-month opportunity for taxpayers to settle arrears with penalties and interest waived. He also said the amendments clarify taxation of life insurance proceeds, including death benefits, surrender values and maturities. Referencing National War Heroes’ Day, he criticized the political use of military personnel for private or partisan purposes and said respect for war heroes should be shown through proper systems rather than rhetoric. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekera paid tribute to Sri Lanka’s armed forces, Police, Civil Security Department, wounded and fallen personnel, and their families, noting commemorative activities including visits to Ranaviru Sevana and Mihindu Seth Medura and district-level appreciation events. He outlined Government welfare measures, including upgrades to military and police medical facilities, a planned 1,000-strong UN peacekeeping contingent to Haiti, and a proposed regulatory authority for the private security sector employing retired personnel. He also referred to a Cabinet-approved amendment to the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension scheme to extend benefits for dependants of medically boarded-out personnel, and programmes to connect veterans with industry, entrepreneurship and overseas maritime employment opportunities. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim argued that the Government has failed to recover large VAT and tax arrears, citing Rs. 309 billion allegedly paid by consumers to private companies and Auditor General findings on missing files related to court cases. He criticized Clause 34 introducing Section 185A as a draconian criminal-law approach to tax compliance that would intimidate small businesses and entrepreneurs, especially amid IMF revenue pressures. He also questioned the consistency of launching an SME strategy while introducing measures he said would deter businesses, and urged the Government to amend the clause. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim, speaking for the Opposition on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, argued that effective taxation depends on public trust, fairness and a social compact, citing earlier periods of higher revenue used for social programmes and warning that its erosion contributed to fiscal collapse. He welcomed the reported withdrawal of several clauses after Supreme Court petitions, but urged amendments to Clause 31(4), saying provisions allowing tax default certificates to be treated as criminal fines and limiting judicial scrutiny had been found constitutionally problematic. He also opposed Clause 34, which criminalizes failure to file returns and delays in TIN registration, arguing that it is disproportionate and could affect young people and small online earners. He called on the Government to revise punitive provisions to protect trust in the tax system and consider broader social and economic consequences beyond narrow constitutional compliance. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 Mr. Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne] AI summary The Speaker informed Parliament that the Supreme Court had delivered its determination on the Financial Transactions Reporting (Amendment) Bill, following challenges under Article 121(1) of the Constitution. The Court held that the Bill may be passed by a simple majority, except Clauses 22 and 39, which require a special majority unless amended as proposed by the Court, in which case they too may be passed by a simple majority. The Speaker ordered that the determination be printed in the Official Report of the day’s proceedings. Opening and Announcements Read →
- 19 May 2026 Mr. Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne] AI summary The Speaker informed Parliament that the Supreme Court had determined the “Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing (Amendment)” Bill, challenged under Article 121(1) of the Constitution, to be not inconsistent with the Constitution. He noted that the Court rejected challenges to several clauses, including provisions on terrorist financing offences, freezing orders, High Court oversight, essential transactions, and investigative techniques. The Speaker ordered the Supreme Court’s determination to be printed in the Official Report of the day’s proceedings. Opening and Announcements Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath highlighted suicide prevention as a sensitive national issue, identifying causes such as examination pressure, family conflict, social acceptance pressures, online harassment, mental health conditions, trauma, economic hardship, imitation, and harmful media content. He urged legal action against publicizing or glamorizing suicide methods, closer attention to online games and digital risks, and consideration of these issues in new legislation. He proposed a 24-hour national rapid response unit or emergency hotline, with a task force to intervene when at-risk individuals are reported, and called for reducing stigma around mental healthcare. He also supported including character development in education reforms, potentially as a compulsory subject, to strengthen resilience among children and students. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.60/2025 - Preventing Suicide Among Young Children Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy supported the motion to establish a legally empowered unit to address problems faced by migrant workers, highlighting their major contribution to remittances and the economy. He called for stronger laws and enforcement against exploitative foreign employment agents, trafficking networks, and illegal agencies, noting increased complaints in 2024 and reports of abuse in Oman and the UAE. He proposed linking a special investigative unit with the CID or Police to handle cases involving torture, sexual violence, fraud, and insurance-related exploitation, and urged bilateral legal agreements to better protect Sri Lankan workers abroad. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah supported the Private Member’s Motion on protecting Sri Lankan migrant workers, noting their importance to the economy and the prevalence of fraud, non-payment, job substitution, and exploitation, particularly in Middle Eastern employment. He alleged that some employment agents and overseas collaborators misuse housemaid placements for exploitative purposes, damaging Sri Lanka’s reputation and employment prospects. He urged the Government to strengthen legal safeguards, ensure proper job recognition and salary payments, conduct inquiries into abuses, and increase embassy staffing in countries with large Sri Lankan worker populations. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to implement a USD 350 monthly minimum wage for outbound workers, recalling that he introduced it as Finance Minister in 2016 and noting partial progress after inquiries with the relevant Ministry. He highlighted abuses faced by migrant workers, including trafficking, passport confiscation, wage nonpayment, sexual abuse, forced labour, fraud, illegal detention, and coercion into cybercrime, and called for preventive action and stronger enforcement. He proposed a dedicated, accountable, technology-enabled unit with sections for emergency protection, international coordination, missing persons and death inquiries, recruitment fraud monitoring, women and child protection, workers’ protection, and economic protection. He framed migrant worker protection as both a human rights obligation and an economic strategy, citing remittances of USD 8.4 billion and the potential to increase them to USD 10 billion. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara closed debate on his Private Member’s Motion by thanking members who contributed and noting government assurances about oversight. He argued that titles such as “Attorney-at-Law,” “Doctor,” “Professor,” and other honorifics are being misused or purchased to mislead the public, including in contexts such as pyramid schemes. He proposed a supervisory system requiring public notification before special titles are conferred, with time for objections, similar to procedures for name changes or certain legislation. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.43/2025 - Preventing Misuse of Positions of Professors and Doctors Read →