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- 22 August 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam welcomed the Motion but criticised the omission of explicit commitments to federalism and international accountability, arguing that these were part of ITAK’s electoral mandate. He questioned the Government’s assurances of impartiality in light of continued PTA use and recent incidents involving a journalist and the military, and argued that Tamils require constitutional guarantees rather than reliance on the intentions of any current government. He called for recognition of Tamils as an indigenous people with a homeland and the right to manage their affairs, and urged the Government at least to state that federalism is not secession and permit a genuine debate on it. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan argued that the Prevention of Terrorism Act, introduced as a temporary measure in 1979, has been used for decades to undermine democracy and facilitate abuses including torture, disappearances, wrongful convictions and mass graves, particularly affecting Tamil and Muslim youth. He called for the unconditional repeal of the PTA, the release of long-detained political prisoners, and accountability for killings of journalists including Ayathurai Nadesan, Sivaram, Sugirdharajan, Lasantha Wickrematunge and Prageeth Eknaligoda. He also raised employment as a human rights issue, requesting progressive appointments for around 2,700 locally qualified traditional medicine graduates awaiting state opportunities. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government had stabilized key economic indicators while re-establishing rule of law, citing revived investigations into the Lasantha Wickrematunge, Keith Noyahr, Eknaligoda and Easter Sunday cases and stressing that officials and politicians are subject to the law. He said commemorations of war dead would be permitted without banned symbols or glorification of terrorism, and that measures were being prepared to facilitate the return of Sri Lankan refugees from Tamil Nadu. He announced plans to repeal the PTA by September and replace it with legislation meeting international standards, amend the Online Safety Act after consultations, and review NGO legislation with civil society input. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran supported the Adjournment Motion on human rights ahead of the UNHRC session, alleging a long history of violations against Tamils, including disenfranchisement, pogroms, disappearances, mass graves, and failures to investigate sites in the North and East. He argued that domestic accountability mechanisms have lacked credibility and called for international justice through the ICC and ICJ, while also questioning action on claims about the Easter attacks. He demanded repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, equal respect for all religions and languages, inclusion of Tamil perspectives in education reforms, and stressed that development projects cannot replace the protection of rights. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna welcomed the Minister’s remarks but challenged the Government to act on them. He demanded the release of Ananda Sudhagar, the return of lands in Mayiliddy and Palaly, and resolution of the Thayiddi Viharaya issue, stating that support from his side would depend on such actions being taken. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister welcomed the Adjournment Motion on human rights and said the decline of the Tamil population in the North, displacement, disappearances, emigration and land loss have weakened Tamil political and social presence, particularly in Jaffna. He argued that protecting Tamil existence requires both justice measures and accelerated development, citing planned industrial zones in Kankesanthurai, Paranthan and Mankulam, expansion of Palaly airport, KKS rail and harbour services, Mayiliddi harbour, and the Kurikattuwan bridge. He said the Government has not forgotten commitments to release lands, address disappearances, resolve the Thayiddi Viharaya issue amicably within one or two months, and improve local services including a passport office in Jaffna from the following month. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concerns about disputes and protests at Tissa Viharaya in Kankesanthurai, arguing that law, religion, peace, and historical heritage should be treated equally across all regions. He also called for Government action to protect Uva potato farmers by restricting or managing imports during the local harvest season and ensuring better market prices. He questioned the influence of social media on legal processes, citing commentary before court decisions, and urged that courts and police act independently and properly. He further said public servants who supported the Government now face unresolved service issues, including permits, transfers, appointments, and school staffing changes, and urged the Government to address them fairly rather than through pressure or intimidation. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan supported the adjournment motion on human rights issues affecting Tamils in the North, East and Malaiyaha region, linking longstanding minority grievances, disappearances, PTA-related abuses, torture allegations and lack of accountability to the need for urgent government action. He called for swift repeal of the PTA, release of lands held or gazetted by the military and state departments in the Vanni, relaxation of restrictions on NGO activity, and improvements to women’s rights, equal pay, education and health infrastructure. He also urged the Government to allow the importation of 16,000 Tamil translations of the Holy Qur’an and hold responsible those who blocked them. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan criticised the Government for rejecting the hybrid accountability mechanism with international participation accepted at the UN Human Rights Council in 2015, arguing that victims cannot receive justice if alleged perpetrators control investigations. He raised concerns over mass graves and skeletal remains found in Ariyalai and Chemmany-Sindupathy, tabled letters to the President on military involvement in civil matters and mass graves, and condemned the alleged military killing of a young man in Muthaiyankaddu. He urged the Government to address the long-standing Tamil political question through dialogue, mutual recognition, and a clear plan, noting its past opposition to the Indo-Lanka Accord and the North-East merger. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan stated that Tamil representatives remain willing to negotiate a political solution within Sri Lanka, citing previous talks from S.J.V. Chelvanayakam’s era through R. Sampanthan’s leadership. Referring to the upcoming UN Human Rights Council session, he raised the unresolved question posed by the late Bishop Rayappu Joseph to the LLRC about 146,679 people unaccounted for after the 2009 conflict. He noted that several UN officials and panels had investigated related issues and that the matter remains before the UNHRC. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan moved an adjournment motion calling for action on longstanding human rights and political issues affecting Tamils in the North, East and Malaiyagam, including power-sharing negotiations, release of political prisoners, land release, resettlement, justice for the disappeared, and protections against PTA use and military interference. He argued that successive agreements and proposals from the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact through the Indo-Lanka Accord, constitutional reform efforts and APRC proposals had not been implemented, leaving the national question unresolved for decades. He also sought specific measures for Malaiyagam estate communities on housing, land, education, livelihoods and implementation of commitments such as the Hatton Declaration. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara responded to remarks made in his absence, denying that he had spread inaccurate or fear-inducing claims about the health sector and stating that his concerns related to NMRA decisions on human immunoglobulin. He questioned why the drug was reintroduced after reported complications and deaths, why testing was not obtained from a laboratory outside India, and why reliance was placed on a privately held sample tested at an Indian zonal lab. He said he had corrected a prior error publicly and maintained that he had not misled Parliament. Procedural Matters and Sittings of Parliament Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns about finance companies repossessing assets from borrowers who have paid most instalments but fall behind near the end of repayment periods. He urged the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to review repossession rules, timelines, and practices to ensure a more humane approach, particularly where a large portion of the facility has already been paid. Ministerial Statement: Reviewal of Policies in the Leasing Sector Read →
- 22 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister responded on behalf of the Finance Ministry to a question on leasing-sector borrower protections, stating that the Central Bank has not issued separate directions for involuntary defaulters but applies existing financial consumer protection regulations. He said repossession is governed mainly by lease agreements and the Finance Leasing Act, No. 56 of 2000, with institutions generally expected to negotiate and use repossession as a last resort. He noted that past relief measures, including moratoria during the Easter attacks, COVID-19 and the economic crisis, were provided for borrower hardship, and that borrowers may seek redress through Mediation Boards, the Financial Ombudsman, the Central Bank or courts. He added that the Central Bank may consider further policy refinements if systemic issues arise, while balancing borrower and depositor interests. Ministerial Statement: Reviewal of Policies in the Leasing Sector Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper supported the motion on digitalization and the digital economy, citing examples from airport procedures, COVID-era court operations, and current judicial digitization to argue that citizens and institutions can adapt when digital systems become necessary. He proposed prioritizing practical digitization in local authorities, courts, land registries, and Parliament, including wider use of GovPay for fines, stamp duties, and local authority payments, and better digital facilities for Members to participate in committee work. He also urged the revival and expansion of digital court proceedings and transport e-ticketing using existing resources, stressing that such measures would save time, money, fuel, and administrative effort. Adjournment Motion: Government's Initiative towards an Inclusive Digital Economy Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that high vehicle taxes have made imported vehicles unaffordable, despite the Government allowing imports. He alleged serious irregularities and corruption in the coal procurement process, including violations of procurement guidelines, tender conditions tailored to a specific company, and a resignation by the Coal Company Chairman over the issue. He also raised concerns over Litro Gas and the reintroduction of a failed immunoglobulin product, citing reported deaths and demanding accountability from the NMRA and the Government. He further questioned the handling of legal proceedings involving Ranil Wickremesinghe and warned that public threats, magistrate transfers, and alleged pressure on judicial officers undermine the rule of law. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Arguing during debate on Finance Ministry orders and vehicle taxation, J.C. Alawathuwala said recent Customs revenue increases are largely driven by high vehicle and consumption taxes after years of import restrictions, making vehicles unaffordable for most Sri Lankans. He criticized taxes on essentials, higher electricity tariffs, forthcoming VAT on digital services, and increased stamp duty, citing UN data on food insecurity, poverty and malnutrition to argue that indirect taxation is burdening low-income households. He urged the Government to correct vehicle import and EV regulatory issues through consultation rather than re-exporting imported vehicles, and also called for clarity on allegedly unchecked container releases and equal enforcement of court orders and anti-corruption investigations involving ministers. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concerns during debate on several fiscal and regulatory instruments, urging action on local grievances. He asked the Government to consider Mannar residents’ objections to additional wind turbines after a presidential decision to suspend the project temporarily and seek public views. He also called for full cooperation with international forensic and human rights experts in the Chemmani mass grave exhumations, citing reported findings of 147 skeletal remains, alleged witness intimidation, past inquiries, and testimony from the Krishanthy Kumaraswamy case. He demanded an independent international judicial inquiry into Chemmani, the return of related case files to Jaffna, and similar international scrutiny of the Kokkuvil/Kokkilai/Kokkuthoduvai grave. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha stated that a dispute over whether certain vehicle motors are rated at 150 kW or limited to 100 kW by software led Customs to withhold release due to risk concerns. He said court-facilitated discussions allowed some vehicles to be released conditionally, with bank guarantees and further action depending on test results. He also noted cross-border transaction compliance issues and said re-exportation remains an option, but the matter will be resolved through the ongoing court process. Debate: Customs Ordinance Resolution and Related Regulations Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media (for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) AI summary The Minister, responding on behalf of the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister, said the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment regulates foreign employment and prohibits sending persons under 18 abroad for work. He reported that a female who travelled to Oman in 2022 without SLBFE registration and under another passport identity was later identified as a minor, and the matter has been referred to the CID’s Human Trafficking, Smuggling and Maritime Crimes Division. He added that SLBFE applies minimum age limits for registration and has instructed airport officers to conduct strict scrutiny to prevent minors being deployed for foreign employment. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.971/2025 and others) Read →