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 July 2025 The Hon. Jeevan Thondaman UNP AI summary Hon. Jeevan Thondaman suggested that the Minister withdraw a specific Gazette that is subject to a court case due to a wording issue and issue a fresh Gazette to resolve the matter. He stated that this approach had been indicated by the Attorney-General’s Department. Adjournment Debate: Proposed Educational Reforms (continued) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna withdrew a remark made the previous day that may have been disrespectful to the Speaker’s Chair. She raised a privilege matter under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, alleging that the Leader of the House’s statement linking Matale mass graves and “daughters of murderers” directly targeted her, endangered her security, and impeded her duties as an MP. She requested referral to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, withdrawal and expunging of the remarks from Hansard, a formal investigation into the alleged mass graves, and appointment of a Special Committee under Standing Order 91(c). Procedural: Member's personal statement and Privilege matter Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Environment regarding alleged arbitrary land gazettes and demarcations by the Departments of Wildlife Conservation and Forests in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu since 2009. He sought detailed information on gazetted protected areas, affected private lands and families, demarcations made without gazettes, consultations or surveys conducted, and action taken following a 2025 Vanni coordination meeting that recommended releasing specific extents of land. He urged the Government to expedite the release and gazetting of lands to address impacts on displaced persons, farming, livestock and fishing livelihoods. Question by Private Notice: Land Issues in Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya (Q. Private Notice 1) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Kumara Jayakody JJB AI summary The Hon. Kumara Jayakody stated that a tender awarded before the current administration took control authorized the clearing of all visible items on the land, including buildings, based on a committee recommendation. He said underground tanks were not included in that authorization, but the contractor unearthed and removed one during the work. He informed Parliament that all further removals under the tender have been suspended until the police investigation is concluded. Oral Question: Petroleum Storage Tanks in Cities (Q.9) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath JJB AI summary Cases related to the matter are pending before the Supreme Court, and action will be taken in accordance with the Court’s decision. The statement also notes an intention to proceed in a way that avoids causing injustice to others. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy asked why graduates with foreign degrees who received appointment letters during the good governance period, and in some cases assumed duties at Divisional Secretariats, were later rejected from graduate appointments. He noted that over 4,000 such graduates had served during COVID with official identity cards and submitted required documents, and questioned whether it was unjust to deny them appointments while foreign-trained medical graduates can enter government service. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government about the revocation of Development Officer appointments granted to foreign university graduates under the previous Government. He sought the reasons for the revocations, remedies for affected graduates, assurances on non-discriminatory future public sector recruitment, and a solution for those now over the age limit despite being eligible at the time of recruitment in 2020. Oral Question: Foreign Graduate Appointments (Q.7) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara stated that Government Analyst reports are essential in drug cases to establish the substance, quantity, and scientific composition required to prove offences beyond reasonable doubt, while field tests are only preliminary. He acknowledged problems in the current process and said steps would be taken to address them. He added that recent arrests increasingly involve large quantities of drugs, while persons found with under one gram are generally granted bail quickly by courts. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri raised concerns about suspects arrested for alleged possession or use of drugs being remanded until the Government Analyst confirms the substance, noting that they may later be found not to have possessed an illicit drug but have already faced detention and stigma. He argued that this exposes a legal or procedural gap, particularly affecting drug users rather than large-scale traffickers, and warned that harsher provisions may sometimes be used to keep suspects in remand. He asked the Minister to consider a legal or procedural relief mechanism to address delays and unfair consequences pending the Government Analyst’s report. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Minister said delays in Government Analyst reports are creating difficulties in narcotics cases, including determining the proper court forum after an amendment to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance requiring cases involving over 10 grams to go to the Court of Appeal. He noted that Cabinet approval has been sought to recruit 32 contract officers to expedite reports, following increased workload from about 6,000 recent narcotics arrests. He also referenced a COVID-period policy to reduce prison overcrowding, including decisions on cases involving smaller quantities of heroin, which depended on Government Analyst reports. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised concerns that staff vacancies and infrastructure shortcomings in the Government Analyst’s Department are delaying reports to courts, causing suspects to remain in remand for extended periods because bail is often withheld pending those reports. He asked whether interim measures could be taken, particularly to allow bail for suspects whose reports have been delayed for several months, while vacancies are being addressed. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Minister acknowledged delays in the analysis of case exhibits, noting over 29,432 pending exhibits, including about 17,248 in the Narcotics Division, which receives 200–250 exhibits daily. He said the delays are linked to 322 vacancies in the Sri Lanka Scientific Service and 89 support-service vacancies, with existing officers working beyond normal hours. Measures outlined included urgent recruitment through the Public Service Commission, seeking Cabinet approval to hire science graduates on contract, increasing the approved cadre, filling related technical and support posts, and using new technology to provide analytical evidence in court. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government Analyst’s Department is Sri Lanka’s only State forensic laboratory, providing forensic and food science services to courts, law enforcement and other State institutions, while also handling training, procurement evaluations, expert testimony and crime scene work. He said the Department had 125 vacancies as at 30 June 2025 and acknowledged that many court cases are delayed due to late Analyst’s reports. Measures identified to reduce delays include workflow prioritization, recruitment, equipment and laboratory upgrades, training, and improved inter-agency coordination. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration to state the functions of the Government Analyst’s Department and the number of current vacancies there. He also sought confirmation on whether delays in receiving Analyst’s reports contribute to court case delays, and asked what measures would be taken to ensure timely issuance of such reports. Oral Question: Government Analyst's Department Vacancies and Case Backlogs (Q.6) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. Anton Jayakody JJB AI summary Anton Jayakody stated that large volumes of waste wash ashore between Colombo and Negombo, including debris from ships and other countries, and said continuous beach-cleaning is being carried out under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. He noted that compensation already paid to fishers affected by the X-Press Pearl disaster was insufficient, while two ongoing cases seek further compensation to be distributed depending on the outcomes and available funds. He also said pollution from a recent accident in India has affected the coast from Negombo to Jaffna, and that the Coast Conservation Department and MEPA are conducting cleanup operations. Oral Question: Mount Lavinia Coastal Belt Project (Q.3) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development about the governance and operations of the Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka under its enabling Act. He questioned why CRIB does not provide direct access to cooperative societies, Samurdhi Banks and rural banks, and what steps are being taken to correct inaccurate or outdated credit records, including cases involving inactive or cancelled finance companies. He also sought explanations on CRIB’s financial and institutional oversight, including the absence of regular Auditor General audits, its treatment as a private-like entity despite state oversight, and why it is not subject to COPE scrutiny. Adjournment: Questions at Time of Adjournment Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana linked the Companies (Amendment) Bill to the need to protect investment, exports and GSP+ access, while urging vigilance against terrorism financing and illicit business proceeds, citing the Easter attacks. He raised concerns over public security after a shooting in Marawila, and questioned delays by the NMRA in registering locally produced pharmaceuticals for export, arguing that export earnings are needed for future debt servicing. He also called for renewed accountability over the Easter attacks, referred to alleged intelligence failures and disclosures made in the House, and said the Deputy Minister of Defence should resign or be removed if relevant allegations are substantiated. He rejected claims that the Catholic Church requested leave for named investigators, warning against attributing false positions to the Church. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu supported the amendments to the Companies Act, No. 07 of 2007, stating that they would address gaps on beneficial ownership information and strengthen anti-corruption, anti-money-laundering, and counter-terrorism financing compliance. He linked the need for reform to past economic mismanagement and corruption, including the Central Bank bond scam, and said the current administration was pursuing investigations and institutional independence. He also emphasized the need to protect and formalize companies, particularly in the North and East, and said the Government would fund and conduct a fair investigation into the Chemmani mass graves. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath supported the amendments to the Companies Act, No. 07 of 2007, stating that they implement FATF Recommendation 24 on beneficial ownership by requiring companies to disclose their true share owners. He argued that the measure is necessary to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and corruption, and said it would improve Sri Lanka’s legal credibility and investment climate by assuring transparency for lawful investors. He noted that concerns about applicability to foreign companies had been raised before the Supreme Court and said the amendments followed discussion and consensus without evidence of adverse impact on investors. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary During debate on the Companies (Amendment) Bill, Imran Maharoof raised the situation in Muthunagar, Trincomalee, where he said long-standing farming families have been affected by land being allocated to private companies, including for solar-related works. He said over 350 residents and more than 1,000 family members had cultivated the area for decades and cited local institutions as evidence of long-term settlement. He urged the Government to stop attributing the issue to previous administrations and to provide a remedy, proposing compensation, alternative land, or allocation of remaining land for affected cultivators. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →