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- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody defended the Colombo Municipal Council secret ballot process, stating it was unanimously agreed after being proposed by an Opposition member and that secret ballots protect members’ ability to vote according to conscience. He supported the Orders on recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, particularly in monetary and divorce matters, arguing they would reduce delays and difficulties for parties living in different jurisdictions and strengthen international legal cooperation. He also suggested that future legal frameworks consider certain criminal matters where offenders flee abroad, to improve accountability through domestic and international mechanisms. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda supported the Orders under the Foreign Judgments Act, while noting that they apply only to civil and commercial judgments and suggesting future consideration of criminal cooperation frameworks. He questioned the exclusion of major partner countries such as China, Russia, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, called for longer appeal or objection periods, and urged clearer criteria for ministerial discretion. He also argued that open voting is preferable to secret ballots in the CMC context and raised concerns about reported shift and overtime changes affecting Ceylon Petroleum Corporation workers, asking the Government to intervene. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The remarks supported Orders under Act No. 49 of 2024 to recognize and enforce designated foreign civil judgments in Sri Lanka, particularly monetary and divorce decrees, describing them as beneficial to Sri Lankans abroad by avoiding re-litigation. It was stated that consultation with the Foreign Minister or Attorney-General under the Act is discretionary rather than mandatory. The speech also rejected Opposition claims about the legality of a CMC secret ballot, saying the matter should be taken to court if contested, and emphasized that judicial reforms require implementation capacity, including staffing, infrastructure, digitization, and process improvements. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that the CMC mayoral election law generally requires open voting, and that any move to secret voting must be properly determined with reasons and, in his view, majority support rather than on a single member’s request. Addressing Orders under Act No. 49 of 2024 on recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, he questioned how 53 designated countries were selected and whether reciprocity, comparability of legal systems, and Foreign Affairs consultation had been verified. He asked the Minister to clarify these matters and proposed practical assistance through Sri Lankan missions for citizens facing foreign proceedings, to prevent unaffordable overseas cases leading to ex parte judgments enforceable in Sri Lanka. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne responded to Opposition criticism over local government procedures, arguing that non-binding guidelines cannot override statutory duties under the 2012 Act and citing a 14 June 2025 ministerial clarification directing Commissioners to act according to law. She then supported the Orders under the Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, No. 49 of 2024, stating that designating 53 countries would facilitate enforcement of foreign civil judgments, including divorce and monetary decrees, and assist the diaspora. She linked the measure to efforts to reduce court backlogs, noting broader work on staffing, resources, infrastructure and digitization, and welcomed the Opposition’s requested special debate. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara explained that prisoners transferred to Sri Lanka after sentencing abroad remain subject to the transfer agreement and the sentencing country’s law, so local statutory remission cannot be applied unless the foreign documentation permits it. He noted that some countries provide clear remission or time-served details, while unclear documentation can result in the full foreign sentence continuing after transfer. He said the issue lies in treaty and documentation requirements rather than the Prisons Department, and undertook to examine standardizing procedures to ensure eligible remission or time served abroad is properly credited. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa raised concerns about prisoners transferred to Sri Lanka from Kuwait and the Maldives under prisoner exchange arrangements, noting uncertainty over how their conviction periods and remission eligibility are calculated locally. He said some co-accused in the foreign jurisdictions have already been released, while the transferred prisoners in Sri Lanka continue to serve full terms, and asked the Minister to address the issue since it is not covered by the relevant Regulations. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Moved approval of Gazette Extraordinary No. 2429/51 under the Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, No. 49 of 2024, specifying 53 countries and relevant courts whose judgments may be recognized and enforced in Sri Lanka. He said the Act addresses a previous legal gap, mainly supporting civil debt recovery and matrimonial decrees while excluding taxes, fines, charges, and criminal penalties, and is intended to reduce relitigation and enforcement costs. He also clarified that electoral reform and repeal of presidential and parliamentary benefits were removed from the Justice Ministry Action Plan because they fall outside its line functions, while Cabinet has approved proposals to draft repeal legislation on presidential entitlements and parliamentary pensions. Debate: Orders under Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act No. 49 of 2024 Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody asked the Minister to identify who allowed the alleged illegal acts to continue and whether legal action would be taken against those responsible. He framed the request as reasonable and sought a direct government response. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 18 June 2025 The Hon. Ruwanthilaka Jayakody JJB AI summary Ruwanthilaka Jayakody questioned who permitted the alleged illegal acts to continue and asked whether legal action would be taken. Oral Questions: Questions 1–2 (School Projects, Ministers' Answers and Supplementaries) and Q.633/2025 (stood down), Q.636/2025 (Limestone Transport), Q.715/2025 (Kukuleganga Access Road), Q.724/2025 (Suwaseya Ambulance Service), Q.792/2025 (Bus Route Permits), Minuwangoda Shopping Complex, Tea Factories, and Social Media Provisions Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said investigations cannot proceed on hearsay and must follow complaints and court orders. He stated that authorities are willing to act impartially where leads are provided, noting that Mandaitivu is the only location where action has not begun because no complaint has been made, and rejected allegations of a cover-up. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Allegations were raised that the army detained, assaulted, and buried individuals, with the Member stating that sufficient evidence exists. He questioned where complaints against army actions can be lodged and called for investigations into the matter. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government cannot act on hearsay regarding the matter raised. He said action could be taken if the authors of the report make a police complaint, if there is a court order, or if the report is tabled in Parliament, in which case authorities would pursue any leads as part of their policy to investigate all matters. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan alleged that Douglas Devananda is implicated in 60 murders and urged the authorities to expedite investigations into persons taken from Allaipitty, Mandaitivu and Mankumban, as well as related mass graves. He asked what action the Government would take on these matters. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan referred to JMO findings that unclothed remains of infants, children, women and men showed signs of torture, alleging these were crimes committed under previous governments and that further remains may exist near former torture sites. Citing Mandaitivu, the area near St. Thomas’ Church, and the NESHOR report “Footprints in the Sand,” he said youths taken in 1990 from Mandaitivu, Allaipitty and Mankumban were detained and disappeared. He called for an investigation into Douglas Devananda, alleging his complicity through his then association with EPRLF/EPDP paramilitary activity. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Nanayakkara outlined ongoing court-led and forensic investigations into suspected human remains at Chemmani, Kokkuthoduvai and Thiruketheeswaram, noting allocations for excavation, preservation, expert reports and radiocarbon dating where ordered. He said the Chemmani site, discovered in February 2025 during work on an electrical cremation facility, has yielded 19 sets of remains and a second excavation phase is scheduled for 26 June 2025 with site protection in place. On Mandaitivu, he stated that the Office on Missing Persons is observing multiple sites but cannot initiate action there without a police complaint, court order or credible information. He emphasized that the Government would support impartial investigations while requiring formal and reliable evidence before proceeding. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised questions under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Justice and National Integration regarding mass graves and disappeared persons in the North and East linked to the armed conflict. He asked whether the Government acknowledges the existence of these sites and called for impartial investigations into skeletal remains found at Chemmani/Sinnaththoppu, Kokkuthoduvai, Mandaitivu, and Thiruketheeswaram. He also sought specific responses on the status of excavations and judicial action, and on appeals from families, including a mother seeking answers about two children who disappeared in Mandaitivu. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on the Government’s decision to stop admitting non-cadet local medical students to Kotelawala Defence University from 2025. He sought details on public expenditure on KDU, medical degree fees, per-student costs, the stated shortage of specialist trainers, safeguards for equal access, and the treatment of local versus foreign students. He also questioned teacher recruitment from state and non-state higher education programmes and the quality assurance of such degrees. He urged the Government to reverse the KDU admissions decision, arguing it undermines free education and equal access while forcing students to seek costlier medical education abroad. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister of Women and Child Affairs said incidents of abuse highlight the need to strengthen and, where necessary, reform laws and procedures. She emphasized that abuse affects men, women, and children in multiple contexts, and stated that the Government is committed to programmes aimed at building a more humane and caring society. Adjournment: Adjournment Motion and Questions Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera expressed condolences on behalf of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya for the deaths of former MPs Kosala Nuwan Jayawira, Mavai S. Senathirajah, Donald Dissanayake, and J. R. P. Suriyapperuma, recalling their public service and contributions. He particularly highlighted Senathirajah’s role in democratic politics, advocacy for detainees’ rights and due process, and support for the “Gamata Eliya” electrification programme in the North. He also raised concern over a presidential pardon granted on 12 May 2025 following a conviction in the Anuradhapura High Court, stating that constitutional procedures and Supreme Court standards on pardons should be observed. Debate: Votes of Condolence for Four Former MPs Read →