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- 6 August 2025 The Hon. K. Ilankumaran JJB AI summary Hon. K. Ilankumaran supported the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it protects CEB employees’ jobs, salaries and allowances while enabling private investment and strengthening the electricity sector to deliver lower tariffs. He said past mismanagement had burdened consumers and stated that the Government would pursue scientifically assessed renewable energy projects, including clarifying concerns over Mannar wind power with Vanni District MPs and the Minister. He also rejected allegations about the Minister’s Mannar visit and about the Justice Minister’s remarks on mass graves, saying the Government had funded excavations and would act through proper legal channels. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, raising a matter under Standing Order 27(2), called for urgent reform of the leasing industry, arguing that current recovery practices by licensed finance companies are overly institution-focused and insufficiently accountable to borrowers facing genuine hardship. He questioned the basis for permitting asset seizure after 90–150 days of arrears without assessing intent or circumstances, and sought data on repossessions, borrower protections, legal remedies, and Central Bank interventions. He proposed a more humane tiered framework, including mandatory restructuring, grace periods, mediation before seizure, and measures to address market dominance or regulatory asymmetry in the leasing sector. Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Review of Policies in the Leasing Sector Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera questioned why the proposed amendments do not strengthen consumer rights, citizen protection, or safeguards for the national electricity system despite a presidential election pledge to empower the PUCSL to reduce system losses. He said consumers had suffered losses from a prior electricity-related incident and warned they could do so again. He asked why proposals submitted at the Sectoral Oversight Committee were omitted, reportedly due to Attorney General objections, and sought the Government’s policy on PUCSL powers and consumer protection. Oral Question: Ceylon Electricity Board Power Cut Decision (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The member said aggregate case figures are generally around 15,000 to 20,000, but requested that the question be framed more specifically. He proposed asking how many criminal cases were filed during the relevant period, stating that he could then provide the requested information. Oral Question: Cases Filed by Attorney-General's Department (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 6 August 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 the requested data on cases involving politicians and public officials cannot be provided because the Attorney-General’s Department does not record information by an accused person’s social status, profession, or rank. He explained that records are maintained using codes such as region or offence category, and not in a form that would allow categorization of cases by politicians or public officials accused of fraud, corruption, or homicide. Oral Question: Cases Filed by Attorney-General's Department (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration to provide details on Attorney-General’s Department cases filed from 2020 to 2024 against politicians and public officials concerning alleged fraud, corruption, and homicides from 2015 to 2019. He sought the number of such cases, how many had concluded, which cases they were, and how many had been withdrawn by the Attorney-General, including their identities. Oral Question: Cases Filed by Attorney-General's Department (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan urged the Government, citing its anti-racist and equality-based mandate, to provide housing assistance to the 308 affected families. While affirming acceptance of the Supreme Court judgment and respect for judicial independence, he claimed the outcome was driven by legal technicalities and racist actors, and requested that justice be ensured for those affected. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that a Supreme Court judgment requires the 500 houses to be distributed according to the national ethnic ratio, and legal advice indicates the Government cannot act contrary to it. She said a proposal for district-based distribution should therefore be considered through a Parliamentary Committee, while a separate intervention could be made regarding the 308 families if a distinct fairness issue exists. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan said Saudi-funded houses intended for tsunami-affected families should first be allocated to the 308 identified beneficiaries, in light of the court decision based on equality in the distribution of public resources. He argued that the litigation had been pursued on ethnic grounds and asked the Prime Minister to ensure justice through a Parliamentary Committee and the Attorney-General’s assistance. He proposed that any remaining houses be distributed according to district-level ethnic ratios and sought the Government’s position. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Following a question by Hon. K. Kader Masthan, it was stated that the 500-house Norochcholai Tsunami Housing Project in Ampara, built with Saudi assistance after the 2004 tsunami, remains undistributed due to a 2009 Supreme Court judgment concerning the alienation of State land and beneficiary selection. The proposed current approach is to seek Supreme Court concurrence to allocate the houses according to the Ampara District’s 2012 Census ethnic ratios, while obtaining reports on their now-uninhabitable condition and continuing consultations with the Attorney-General’s Department and relevant officials. It was also noted that no donor commitment for rehabilitation or additional houses has been communicated to the District Secretary, that a request exists to consider 308 identified tsunami-affected families, and that a Parliamentary Committee may be appointed to identify a lawful distribution method. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana referred to arrests and allegations involving misuse of public funds, counterfeit medicines, substandard eye drops, fertilizer procurement losses, and illicit assets linked to political figures. He argued that these incidents reflect a harmful political culture and asked what urgent measures would be taken to reform political conduct and accountability. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya stated that the Government is allowing the law to operate without interference in relation to corruption and misuse of authority. She said there is no intention to act vindictively against public officials, but officials who authorized improper transactions using their names and signatures will be subject to legal action. She framed continued enforcement as part of the public mandate to stop theft and corruption. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana asked the Prime Minister about ongoing anti-corruption investigations following the Government’s strengthening of CIABOC, the CID and the Attorney General’s Department. He referred to recent arrests and inquiries into politicians and officials accused of large-scale misuse of public funds, and questioned how the Government views claims of political victimization by those who had previously demanded such investigations. Oral Question: Poverty Eradication Programmes (Q.59/2025) Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister stated that suspects with mental illness may be dealt with under Section 376 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, while briefly responding to remarks made by other Members. He then presented and sought approval for Rules under the Community Mediation Boards (Appointment, Suspension, Cancellation and Code of Conduct) Act, No. 3 of 2023, noting that the details had been tabled. The motion was put to the House and agreed to. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna called for an international investigation into the Chemmani mass grave, citing the reported recovery of around 150 skeletal remains, and urged action on long-term detainees held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He criticized the Government’s approach to education reforms, arguing that major changes should be evidence-based and preceded by pilot studies, and asked that developments relating to Nallur temple land be brought before the District Coordinating Committee. He also said he was being targeted through CID inquiries and multiple legal cases, criticized what he described as political cycles of arrests after changes of government, and questioned Government positions on official privileges, pensions, and the dignity of public offices. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sagarika Athauda outlined the historical role of Justices of the Peace and argued that political influence and lack of clear appointment criteria had undermined the office’s public standing. She referred to the Minister’s regulatory powers under Section 45 of the Judicature Act, No. 2 of 1978, and cited Gazette Extraordinary No. 2439/34 of 04.06.2025 as introducing new standards on appointments, suspensions and cancellations. She said the regulations, including age limits, educational requirements, English certification criteria and medical fitness certification, are intended to restore integrity, efficiency and respect for the JP system, and expressed support for them. Debate: Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Regulations Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister described the 206-page report and related debate as historic, arguing that it documents the politicization of the Police and the consequences faced by officers who followed unlawful orders. He cited testimony from police and military personnel and said the report clarifies the legality of actions taken, including political influence over OIC appointments in most police stations. He maintained that the Government’s process complied with the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, and rejected opposition attempts to challenge or halt the debate. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC, objected to the manner in which his intervention was being handled and said he would not spend time arguing on that point. He raised the issue of how officials exercise vested powers in ways that may affect future criminal liability, referring to an observation by Justice Malalgoda of the Supreme Court and to a judgment connected with the X-Press Pearl case. He indicated that there were three matters to consider when exercising such powers to avoid evading future criminal liability, but the extract ends before those points are stated. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper stated that the resolution to remove IGP T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon was widely supported in Parliament and across the country, with multiple charges found proved against him. He questioned claims that the day was “historic,” arguing that the removal itself was not historic, and indicated that another important matter required emphasis despite limited speaking time. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran argued that the Government acts swiftly on investigations when there is political pressure, citing the committee report on allegations against former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, but has failed to apply similar urgency to alleged violence against Tamils, including massacres, disappearances and wartime atrocities. He questioned when investigations and justice would be delivered for these issues and called for the same transparency and immediacy shown in the IGP case. Referring to remarks by Deputy IGP Gunandavadu Nishantha de Soysa on the Weligama Sergeant Uppul murder inquiry, he argued that alleged perpetrators or their institutions should not investigate themselves and rejected state-led inquiries into alleged abuses by successive governments. Debate: Resolution to Remove Inspector-General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon Read →