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- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni – State response AI summary The response stated that the question concerned the Director of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, but no substantive answer could be given because a related case between Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna and the Director is pending in the Jaffna District Court under Case No. Damages/15/2024. The State Minister said the Legal Division had advised that a response should not be provided while the case is ongoing. Oral Question: Director of Jaffna Teaching Hospital Appointment (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan supported the Adjournment Motion and argued that the Gazette of 28 March would facilitate the seizure or diversion of Tamil lands in named villages across Mullaitivu, Jaffna and Kilinochchi. He said reports that the Gazette had been suspended were contradicted by the Minister’s statement, and demanded that any suspension be formally done by a new Gazette before consultations with Tamil representatives. He linked the issue to the wider ethnic conflict, military-held lands, loss of documentation among displaced families, and delays by Divisional Secretariats, calling for the Gazette’s withdrawal as the first step toward a proper resolution. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam moved an Adjournment Motion urging the Government to revoke Gazette Notification No. 2430/2025, which issued seven settlement notices covering nearly 6,000 acres in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar. He argued that the notice could convert private and communal lands, including beaches, roads, cemeteries and other traditionally used areas, into State land if title is not proved within three months, despite widespread loss of documents due to war, displacement and the tsunami. He rejected the Government’s reported “suspension” of the process as legally insufficient under the Land Settlement Ordinance and said only withdrawal of the Gazette would prevent the lands being declared State land. He further contended that the action was contrary to the Government’s election commitments on a constitutional settlement and land powers, and called for consultation with Tamil representatives and a people-centred mechanism to regularize land claims. Adjournment Motion: Land Settlement Gazette Notification 2430/2025 (Tamil Lands in North and East) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said investigations into the referenced incident would proceed without interference and noted that relevant ministries and stakeholders had established a mechanism within 24 hours to ensure swift action in similar cases. She pledged measures to protect women’s and children’s rights, including ethical changes in media practice, and said the Government would act for all communities. She also defended the Government’s mandate and its women parliamentarians against criticism, stating that they would pursue necessary laws, discipline, attitudes, and public awareness to prevent violations against women and children. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake alleged that officials, including heads of a commission, held improper meetings with a person he referred to as the “GOD” to decide who would be charged and how quickly cases would be filed. He warned others not to deny knowledge of such conduct, asserting that he knew where and when these discussions took place. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake rejected allegations and court action against him, arguing that the cases over bail and withdrawals from fixed deposits were improperly framed and should be assessed against Article 150 of the Constitution on the Consolidated Fund. He said the previous government restricted vehicle imports because foreign reserves had fallen sharply, but left the current government with USD 6 billion in reserves and had intended to resume imports from February. He supported vehicle imports for revenue purposes but demanded a clear, phased decision on the 20,000 vehicle permits already issued to public servants, including judges, administrators and doctors. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna rejected claims that Northern voters were influenced by money or liquor, arguing that such statements insult Tamil political consciousness and calling for respect for May 18/Mullivaikkal remembrance and investigations into disappearances and deaths from the conflict. He complained that his speaking time and microphone were being curtailed, urged the Government to allow independent professionals to contribute, and said the North faces practical issues such as salt shortages, saltern worker protests, narcotics, bar licences and alleged hospital corruption. He asked the Government to restrain Members making remarks about the North and to appoint more suitable representatives to relevant District Coordinating Committees. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam commemorated those killed in the final phase of the war and argued that Tamil people continue to be denied justice, calling for credible domestic or international investigations into alleged wartime crimes. He contrasted Mullivaikkal remembrance on 18 May with the Government’s Victory Day commemoration on 19 May, saying this reflected continuing national division and undermined proposals such as a “Sri Lanka Day.” He also raised current grievances including unresolved human–elephant conflict in Batticaloa and urged the Government to revoke, not merely suspend, a land-related Gazette issued under the Land Development Ordinance, warning it could enable appropriation of lands belonging to war-displaced Tamils. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised a privilege and security concern, stating that he had informed the Speaker in writing and by phone about a threat against him following an incident reported in the media. He questioned why the Minister in charge of Police had referred to other death threats but not his case, and asked how Members could trust that an impartial investigation and adequate protection would follow. He urged the Speaker, as the protector of Members of Parliament, to take special and proactive action on the matter. Points of Order and Privilege Matter: Death Threats to Hon. Rohana Bandara Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara raised a question of privilege, stating that he received an anonymous letter threatening his life if he worked to help the Samagi Jana Balawegaya gain control of the Medawachchiya and Kebithigollewa Pradeshiya Sabhas or criticized the Government. He said he had lodged a complaint with the Anuradhapura Police and argued that the threats infringed his freedom of speech, representative functions, personal security, and democratic rights. He requested that the matter be investigated, appropriate action taken, and referred to the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges. Points of Order and Privilege Matter: Death Threats to Hon. Rohana Bandara Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Raised a point of order objecting to the Deputy Minister’s remarks and asserting that Tamils in Sri Lanka had suffered what he described as a massive genocide. He referred to documentation by organizations in Canada and sought time to place this position on record amid interruptions. Points of Order and Privilege Matter: Death Threats to Hon. Rohana Bandara Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa challenged the Minister of Public Security’s claim that recent violence is not unusual, stating that 52 deaths in eight months is higher than comparable periods. He said Opposition MPs, including Hon. Rohana Bandara in relation to local body control in Kebitigollewa and Medawachchiya, face threats and political intimidation despite the matter being raised with the President and the Speaker. Raising the issue under Standing Order 27(2), he demanded a substantive Government response on public security and the right to life of all citizens. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa raised a Standing Order 27(2) question alleging that the Government’s measures to prevent shootings, killings, threats, and gang-related violence are inadequate, citing 79 shootings and 28 deaths over eight months. He asked the Government to present a specific plan to address the violence, clarify its implications for national security, tourism, and investment, and outline alternatives to current anti-crime efforts. He also sought updates on action taken over death threats and attacks involving MPs, public officials, provincial politicians, and attorneys, and called for measures by the Minister of Public Security and the Speaker to ensure the safety of citizens and elected representatives. Standing Order 27(2) Matter: Public Security and Gang Violence; Special Statement on Tamil Genocide Memorial Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister responded that the challenged decision was made by the Cabinet under President Ranil Wickremesinghe and stated that it was legally valid. He said that if the disputed 60 perches fall within the originally acquired land, the matter could be discussed separately, while noting that providing office space for lawyers is outside his Ministry’s remit. He added that if the land belongs to the Ministry, it would be willing to discuss and facilitate the matter with the Urban Development Authority. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that several plots acquired in 2006 were allocated for the Kandy Court Complex, a lawyers’ complex to be built at lawyers’ expense on lease, and parking. He stated that the 40-perch block mentioned had not been transferred to the Ministry of Justice, and that the Ministry cannot acquire separate land solely for lawyers’ chambers under its current mandate. He added that if the disputed 60 perches are within the acquired court land the matter can be discussed further, but current information indicates the CEB block is outside the allocated court area and available internal space has already been used. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne raised the issue of a 60-perch land parcel originally acquired in 1990 for a court complex and prison, later allocated to the CEB but now available for expansion of lawyers’ chambers after CEB and UDA agreement. He said the current requirement for junior lawyers to pay Rs. 62 million upfront is impractical, noting comparable lawyers’ complexes elsewhere were not subject to such charges. He asked the Minister to intervene and allow the land to be provided on a fair monthly lease based on government valuation instead of an upfront payment. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister said the Ministry is aware of the Kandy Bar Association’s request regarding lawyers’ chambers, following a discussion on 14 March 2025. He stated that the Ministry does not collect data on lawyers without chambers, but the Bar Association’s 2024 register lists 1,051 lawyers in the Kandy judicial zone. He noted that a Cabinet decision of 9 September 2024 approved transferring the relevant land portion to the Ministry of Justice, with the Kandy Bar Association to enter directly into a lease agreement with the UDA and undertake construction without government funds. The Ministry has since written to the Minister of Urban Development to facilitate the Bar Association’s access to the land. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary A question was raised to the Minister of Justice and National Integration regarding the proposed construction of new law chambers in Kandy. The request sought details on the project, including its planning, implementation, and relevant administrative arrangements. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Supreme Court of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka AI summary The Supreme Court determination concerned a petition challenging the constitutionality of the “Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment)” Bill, gazetted on 28 March 2025 and placed on Parliament’s Order Paper on 8 April 2025. After hearing submissions, the Court indicated that there was no material to conclude that any provision of the Bill violated the Constitution. The petitioner then withdrew the petition, and the Court dismissed it and terminated proceedings. Announcements: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill - Supreme Court Determination Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara thanked the Minister for the response but stressed the need for stronger intelligence-led policing, citing unresolved cases involving fugitives such as Ishara Sewwandi. He questioned whether steps had been taken to enable pre-emptive action against shootings and related crimes rather than police responding only after incidents occur. Adjournment Debate: Law and Order and Crime Prevention Read →