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 July 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran welcomed the Workers’ National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Bill and the Government’s salary increases, but said wage rises must keep pace with sharp increases in the cost of goods and services, including for plantation and private sector workers. He then raised concerns about ongoing mass grave investigations, alleging widespread massacres of Tamils in the North and East from Independence to 2009, and called for investigations to be conducted to international standards with international cooperation. He argued that domestic mechanisms had failed to earn public trust and appealed for international justice for those killed. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera SJB AI summary K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera raised concerns over the appointment of the Ayurvedic Commissioner for the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, alleging that candidates with the highest interview marks were not selected and that an unqualified person was appointed. He said a second Gazette had been issued under the same conditions despite the cost of the original interview process, and requested the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government to intervene to ensure a fair appointment process. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan supported the proposed amendment to the National Minimum Wage of Workers (Amendment) Bill to set plantation workers’ minimum wage at Rs. 1,700 per day or an equivalent monthly wage. He called for a government investigation into the July 1983 Welikada Prison massacre of Tamil political prisoners, linking it to Black July and noting that other major killings are being investigated. He also urged Ministers to visit Mannar, consult local representatives and residents, and halt ilmenite mineral sand mining and address wind power projects in Pesalai and surrounding areas, warning that continued activity without community consent could lead to conflict. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa questioned the Government’s characterization of recent shootings as clashes between organized criminal groups, asking whether affected local government members and their families were also being implied to have criminal links. He argued that repeated accusations in Parliament do not ensure justice for the public and criticized the governing party for, in his view, shifting from representing ordinary people to making policy with business elites. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa criticised the Government for blaming the Opposition over issues such as the human–elephant conflict instead of presenting solutions. He raised the Weligama shooting incident, questioning claims that such violence is only due to underworld clashes and asking whether a JVP/Malimawa member whose house was targeted was being treated as linked to organized crime. He urged the Government to investigate allegations that a government vehicle was used in an abduction connected to the incident and complained that the inquiry was proceeding slowly compared with other investigations. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe alleged that past governments tolerated or sheltered organized criminals and were linked to incidents such as the killing of Wasim Thajudeen and white-van abductions. He argued that such abuses contributed to the country’s decline and contrasted that period with the present, saying criticism of President Anura Dissanayake is now freely expressed while truths about the past are emerging. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa rejected an implication of association with organized crime, stating that political alignment or personal friendship with another member should not be construed as criminal association. He emphasized that being on the same side on some matters does not make them “organized criminals.” Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana raised concerns about the plantation sector, stating that the earlier chemical fertilizer ban, higher income tax on planters, and lack of fertilizer relief had harmed tea production, with many factories closing, and requested VAT relief or a subsidy for fertilizer. He then described the arrest and remanding of his son over a vehicle he had purchased from another MP, arguing that the vehicle had been formally registered and financed and that he should have been contacted or held responsible instead. He asked for fairness, restraint in enforcement, and caution in public statements about ongoing legal matters, while also urging continued industrial peace in the plantation sector. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi alleged that Police stopped him, took his vehicle keys, removed the vehicle, and took him and his son to a third-floor room for a breathalyzer test while his wife remained alone in the car. He stated that the test was negative, that he had not consumed alcohol, and that he was nevertheless harassed for about half an hour. Questions of Privilege: Incidents at Airport and COPE Committee Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister replied to a Standing Order 27(2) question on human-elephant conflict, stating that the 2024 elephant survey data are still under scientific analysis and that the last published nationwide figure from 2011 was at least 5,879 elephants. He outlined the status of the 2020 National Action Plan, relevant agencies, fatality figures from 2020 to 2025, compensation levels, and legal protections under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, with annexes placed in the Library. He said the Government would appoint a stakeholder committee on the Animal Welfare Bill, investigate recent elephant shootings through the CID, and address veterinary capacity constraints through recruitment, a planned wildlife hospital, and a mobile veterinary unit. SO 27(2) Question: Human-Elephant Conflict Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa raised the human-elephant conflict as an urgent matter, citing deaths, property and crop damage, and elephant fatalities amid the absence of a stable response mechanism. He requested data on recent elephant censuses, implementation of the 2020 National Action Plan for mitigation, timelines, five-year human and elephant death figures, compensation criteria and procedures, applicable legal penalties for killing elephants, and the Government’s position on the Animal Welfare Bill. He also asked about Wildlife Conservation Department staffing by region and whether international treatment and rehabilitation models, including partnerships such as Wildlife SOS, would be adopted. SO 27(2) Question: Human-Elephant Conflict Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara raised concerns about police independence and democracy, citing a reported rise in violence since the Government took office. He stated that there had been 68 shootings and 37 murders during that period, implying a need for attention to law enforcement and public security. Oral Question: Post of Sub-Inspector of Police - Recruitments (Q.7/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the matter would be considered and affirmed the Government’s support for freedom of religion. He indicated that, depending on the circumstances, the Ministry would intervene to the fullest extent possible. Oral Question: Mosque at Mahara Prison Premises Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister stated that he could address the issue concerning the five perches of land because it falls under the Ministry of Justice, while broader proposals would require a feasibility assessment. He said the Ministry could mediate, upon receiving an official request, to support community needs within its mandate of promoting inter-ethnic cooperation, but could not specify the exact intervention at that stage. Oral Question: Mosque at Mahara Prison Premises Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister replied that a mosque on Mahara Prison Department land had originally served Muslim prison officers but was later used by outsiders, creating security risks due to its location near the prison wall, staff quarters, and internal access routes. He stated that prison authorities had repeatedly refused reopening the old site to outsiders, citing risks of contraband entry and large gatherings near a prison housing high-risk inmates, and tabled related annexes. He said the old mosque cannot be reopened, but an alternative five-perch site on Prisons Department land has been identified and may be considered once mosque management submits a formal request. Oral Question: Mosque at Mahara Prison Premises Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration whether the Government is aware that the long-standing mosque within the Mahara Prison premises has not functioned since 2019. He sought reasons for its closure and asked whether permission and facilities could be provided to resume its functions. Oral Question: Mosque at Mahara Prison Premises Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara raised concerns about alleged mismanagement of the Employees’ Provident Fund, including issues previously noted by the Auditor General in relation to investments. He asked what action had been taken on those findings and called for greater transparency for EPF members on investment locations, returns, and future plans, including through online disclosure. He also sought clarification on when the 2023 amendment Bill relating to the EPF would be brought into force. Oral Question: Active Accounts in Employees' Provident Fund (Q.4/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 Mr. Speaker [The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne] AI summary The Speaker announced an awareness programme for newly elected Members and parliamentary staff, a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, and welcomed a UK House of Commons delegation. He informed the House that the Committee of Inquiry appointed under the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002 had unanimously found IGP T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon guilty of the allegations against him. He stated that, under Section 17 of the Act, the finding would be placed on the Order Paper as a Resolution for debate and vote, and that the report would be tabled as a Parliamentary Paper, circulated in official languages, and made available to the public. Opening: Awareness Programme for Newly Elected Members Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna supported the motion on youth self-employment while highlighting unemployment among graduates in the Northern Province and urging replies and action on pending appointments for indigenous medical graduates. He argued that the North and East could build economies through agriculture and marine resources, requested removal of large Indian fishing vessels from Mayiliddy harbour to create opportunities for local youth, and called for the release of Rs. 10 million in decentralized funds to Jaffna District MPs. He also referenced concerns over Thayiddi and Mayiliddy viharas and the Chemmani exhumations before being timed out. Private Members' Motion No. 4: Making Every Youth Gainfully Employed Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Supported the motion in principle but argued that implementation depends on macroeconomic stability, structural reforms, and stronger growth, noting World Bank projections of about 3.1 percent growth in 2026. He raised concerns about limited university access, youth unemployment, competition in three-wheeler livelihoods, and brain drain, calling for reforms including constitutional change, devolution, and empowered local administrative units to attract investment. He also tabled a letter from the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi to President Anura Kumara on truth-seeking, international collaboration, and justice in the Chemmani mass grave investigation, linking accountability to retaining Tamil youth and building trust. Private Members' Motion No. 4: Making Every Youth Gainfully Employed Read →