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 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency Bill as a modernization of Sri Lanka’s outdated insolvency framework and a measure to shift from punitive action to restructuring and rescue. He highlighted the proposed Insolvency Regulatory Authority, protections for small borrowers and essential assets, temporary stays on creditor action, and penalties for fraud. He argued that the Bill would support MSMEs, protect livelihoods, improve investor confidence, and address financial distress in the North and East, including issues linked to predatory microfinance, non-bank finance institutions, and post-war industrial decline. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Chithral Fernando linked the insolvency debate to broader concerns about alleged mismanagement of public funds, citing the SJB’s Supreme Court fundamental rights case and the recent USD 2.5 million cross-border payment incident. He questioned why Parliament was not promptly informed despite reported Central Bank warnings and conflicting official explanations, arguing that Parliament’s control over public finance and COPF’s mandate over public debt and debt service required disclosure. He also raised concerns about the impact on public confidence in digital banking and called on the Government to acknowledge any mistakes and provide transparent information. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Bhagya Sri Herath supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill, describing it as a necessary reform that replaces outdated insolvency approaches with court-supervised restructuring, administrators, and business reorganization options to preserve viable firms and jobs. He noted that the Opposition had not objected to the Bill, while criticizing Opposition claims about political interference in the public service and raising past employment practices. He also defended the Government’s housing policy, stating that priority is being given to completing unfinished housing units, resolving land and title issues, and building 50,000 houses in the year. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi welcomed the new insolvency legislation as a comprehensive reform of an outdated framework, noting its creation of an Independent Insolvency Regulatory Authority and new procedures for personal bankruptcy and MSMEs, while acknowledging contributions by current and former ministers. He urged the Justice Minister to proceed with delayed criminal and civil law reforms. He also raised concerns about stalled annual transfers in the public service, naming several officials and citing a specific case of non-compliance, and requested that they be summoned before the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan congratulated the Tamil Nadu Victory Forum on its election success while raising concern over alleged assaults on Malaiyaha estate workers by private security personnel at Neelagama Estate and a similar incident in Matara. He urged the Government and the Minister in charge of Police to ensure estate residents are treated as Sri Lankan citizens protected by the Sri Lanka Police, and proposed banning plantation companies from maintaining paramilitary-style private forces. He also demanded implementation of government commitments, including the NPP Hatton Declaration, to provide land, housing, roads and livelihoods for Malaiyaha communities, warning that the TPA would mobilize if estate lands are distributed to others while their community’s needs are ignored. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Sarath Kumara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sarath Kumara supported the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill at its Second Reading, arguing that existing insolvency laws are inadequate in light of the sharp rise in non-performing loans and the impact of the economic crisis. He said the Bill would shift the legal framework from creditor-focused enforcement toward business rescue, restructuring, orderly liquidation, job protection, and improved creditor recoveries. He highlighted standstill provisions and relief from pressures such as parate enforcement as measures to help debtors and entrepreneurs re-enter economic activity, while linking the reform to restoring investor confidence and economic recovery. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Although the debate concerned the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill, Najith Indika responded to Opposition allegations about a Treasury-related transaction and the death of a Treasury officer. He said the police, due to the sensitivity of the case, requested the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate to order a panel post-mortem, after which the Director General of Health Services appointed four consultant judicial medical officers. He rejected claims that the reference to “suspicious circumstances” proved a complaint by the deceased’s wife, stating it was standard procedural wording, and urged Members to await the post-mortem report before making political allegations. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concerns over the Sports Ministry preventing Sri Lanka’s junior volleyball teams from attending the CAVA championship, delays in restoring upcountry railway services, and alleged government statements undermining the judiciary. He called for implementation of the Budget promise to make eligible casual workers permanent, changes to women police recruitment age and qualification criteria, and reconsideration of the digital ID project involving an Indian company. He also demanded investigations into land permit renewal delays and alleged corruption, publication of beneficiary lists for government loan and housing claims, and urged that Neville Fernando Hospital remain under Health Ministry oversight rather than be transferred to the Air Force. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary USD 2.5 million had been lost through alleged fraud and administrative failures, and politicized public-sector appointments had weakened oversight and sidelined competent officials. The Opposition Leader called for an end to cadre-based appointments under programmes such as “Clean Sri Lanka,” protection for public officers acting according to procedure, and safeguards for freedom of expression, citing the remand of a social media activist who criticized such appointments. He also urged humane treatment and land-based empowerment for the Malaiyaha Tamil community, proposing small tea plots or micro-holdings for landless people and unemployed youth instead of evictions and short-term job quotas. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara disputed claims that a woman had lodged a police complaint alleging her husband’s death was suspicious. He challenged the opposing Member to provide the relevant police station and date, and asserted that the allegations made were baseless. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman tabled a letter from the Ministry of Health and Media, also tabled previously by Hon. Ajith P. Perera, concerning Case No. B 88575/2026. The letter, signed by Dr. Asela Gunawardena, refers to an order to appoint a medical board and conduct a post-mortem examination following a report that Abeysinghe Mudiyanselage Ranga Nishshanka Rajapaksha died under suspicious circumstances on 30.04.2026. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara denied allegations attributed to Hon. Mujibur Rahuman, stating that the deceased’s wife had not made any police complaint regarding the matter. He rejected claims involving “Asela, the Secretary” as false and challenged Hon. Rahuman to table the relevant letter and specify the police station and date of any alleged complaint. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman raised concerns during debate on the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill about the alleged disappearance of about USD 2.5 million from the Treasury and questioned why the Opposition was denied adequate time to debate it. He demanded that the President, as Minister of Finance, make a statement to Parliament, and questioned the delay in referring the matter to the CID, the interdiction of junior officers, and the role of the Finance Ministry Secretary. He also alleged inconsistencies surrounding the death of Ranga Rajapaksha, criticized premature statements describing it as suicide, and said the Justice Minister had misled Parliament regarding whether the family had lodged a complaint. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 6 May 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister moved the Second Reading of a new insolvency and rescue Bill, describing it as a comprehensive reform to replace Sri Lanka’s outdated Insolvency Ordinance and amend related provisions in the Companies Act and Inland Revenue Act. He argued that the current liquidation-focused framework lacks effective restructuring options for companies, partnerships and individuals, contributing to disorderly recoveries, non-performing loans and loss of business value. The Bill would introduce rescue and insolvency procedures, creditor participation, moratoria, regulated insolvency professionals, a Regulatory Authority, and special mechanisms for MSMEs and “no assets, no income” debtors. He urged Parliament to support the Bill, citing international models and technical assistance, including from the IMF and World Bank. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said the Government had acted responsibly by not disclosing details while CID and internal investigations were ongoing into a matter involving the Treasury Secretary and an alleged USD 2.5 million loss. He criticized the circulation of fake social media posts, including falsely attributed statements and misuse of a news logo, saying they caused distress to the family of a public officer who had died, and called for those responsible to be investigated. He stated that any officials found involved would be punished while innocent officials would be protected, and said the Government’s priorities were recovering the funds, seeking international assistance including from the FBI, and strengthening state institutional systems and cyber security. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa argued that freedom of expression does not extend to making false claims, referring to recent statements that he said may lead to complaints by affected relatives. He challenged those alleging wrongdoing by the Secretary to the Treasury to prove that he held foreign or dual citizenship while serving as Secretary, Deputy Minister, or MP, and accused critics of making claims and then withdrawing or qualifying them. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe referred to freedom of expression, indicating it as the subject of his intervention. No further substantive arguments, proposals, or questions were provided in the excerpt. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa — Minister of Health and Mass Media, and Chief Government Whip AI summary The Minister said the Government permitted the debate despite procedural discretion to refuse it, and accused the Opposition of raising the Treasury fund loss without adequate facts or sensitivity regarding the deceased official’s family. He stated that after a verbal report on 23 March, the External Resources Department Director-General complained to the CID on 24 March, an internal Finance Ministry technical inquiry committee was appointed the same day, its report was received on 10 April, four officers were transferred and later interdicted, and investigations by the CID, SLCERT and others were ongoing with efforts to recover the funds and strengthen cybersecurity. He also referred to a separate Postal Department payment issue involving USD 0.6 million and said investigations were underway to determine whether the lapse was due to complicity, error, or technical weaknesses. On the death of the Assistant Director, he said the Director-General of Health Services had arranged a panel of consultant judicial medical officers to conduct the inquest under normal procedure. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera criticized members of the Government for failing to show the courage to defend or honour a political comrade, framing it as a failure of partisanship. He began to address judges, public servants, and administrators, indicating he intended to make a broader warning or observation about the Government’s conduct, though the provided extract ends before the point is completed. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera criticized the Minister of Justice for not responding in Parliament to a serious death linked to public administration issues, and said Parliament must use its control over public finance to ensure accountability. He alleged that an inexperienced official was placed in a difficult position by the Power Ministry Secretary following a power sector fraud, leading to pressure and interdiction, and called for a special multidisciplinary panel, similar to the Shaffter case, to determine whether the death was suicide or murder. He also questioned why senior NPP/JVP leaders and Ministers had not attended the funeral or publicly supported the deceased, whom he described as a long-time party worker and honest public servant. Adjournment Debate: Failure to Report Foreign Debt Repayment Diversion to Parliament Read →