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- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised the suicide of a 15-year-old schoolgirl following alleged sexual abuse at school and subsequent public disclosure of the incident by a tuition teacher. He questioned delays in action, including the alleged perpetrator’s transfer months after the incident, and noted that the National Child Protection Authority had not been properly informed despite police notification from a hospital doctor. He urged the Prime Minister to establish an automatic, coordinated mechanism for preventing abuse, ensuring immediate reporting to the NCPA and law enforcement, and taking action against those who further victimise children. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed AI summary Hon. Ismail Muththu Mohamed referred to the 1990 forced expulsion of Muslims from the Northern Province and criticised recent campaign remarks that mocked displaced Muslims as having arrived with “shopping bags,” arguing that such language insulted an entire community. He stated that many expelled Muslims, including himself, endured long-term displacement and have still not received meaningful relief, and he also referenced the suffering of Tamils at Menik Farm and Sinhalese in border villages affected by the war. He requested the government to provide relief and support to war-affected Tamils and Muslims, including retired public servants who had received no assistance. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Raised concerns over the handling of a sensitive case involving a schoolgirl, urging government intervention, clarification on reported medical evidence, and action without protecting any political party organizer, while also linking the issue to broader concerns about ragging and third-party interference. He questioned the government’s response to a reported rise in shootings and murders, asking what concrete measures would be taken. He also called for a practical review of vehicle import HS code classifications and IMF-related policy implementation, saying customs issues were causing vehicles to remain in yards and sharply increasing costs. Additionally, he sought clarification on the contents and implications of the security agreement with India, particularly in the event of an India-Pakistan conflict, and said the Opposition would support measures that address public concerns and build the country. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Strongly condemning the incident and extending condolences to those affected, the Minister said her earlier remarks were based only on the B Report and JMO report and did not go beyond those documents. She stated that any assessment of facts must be through medical and legal processes, agreed to remove any inappropriate wording from Hansard if necessary, and urged that the matter not be politicized. She said the priority is justice for the victim, with a meeting arranged with the parents the following morning and further information expected within a week based on investigations. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan raised two separate incidents concerning a student who later died by suicide after jumping from a fourth floor, noting that an earlier incident at South Colombo school was already subject to a police B Report. He said the immediate alleged cause was humiliation by a tuition class proprietor/teacher in front of other students, after which the student had sought counselling for stress. He urged the authorities to examine the matter without politicising it, while noting that the proprietor was reportedly a Colombo North organizer of the governing party, though he did not attribute blame to the party. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj said her comments were based on documents submitted during a police inquiry and that she had asked to meet the girl’s parents when protesters sought a meeting. She stated that the parents were not part of the protest and that the protesters were understood to be parents of students at the school. She emphasized that justice should be pursued through legal institutions and cautioned against diverting the issue or taking the law into one’s own hands. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan criticized the Minister’s response regarding the death of a child, arguing that the bereaved parents should not be blamed for not coming forward and urging authorities to visit them directly. He defended protesters seeking justice for the family, stating that they were not rioters or terrorists and that peaceful protest does not amount to taking the law into their own hands. He also objected to any implication in Parliament that the deceased child was mentally ill. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that documents are being compiled for a full investigation into a student’s death, including records relating to an alleged sexual abuse incident in December 2024, mental health treatment, a JMO report, school performance, and statements from friends. She said the parents had been asked to file a formal complaint with the National Child Protection Authority and meet the relevant ministries, but had not yet done so, though they were expected to submit a petition shortly. She emphasized that justice should be pursued through proper legal institutions rather than social media or extrajudicial action, and called for the relevant parties to engage with the authorities to ensure due process. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Hon. Mano Ganesan raised concern over ongoing protests outside a South Colombo girls’ school following the death by suicide of a student who had allegedly suffered sexual misconduct by a teacher and later public humiliation by a private tuition proprietor. He urged the Government not to use tear gas or water cannons against the protesters and called for an immediate special investigation by police and education officials. He also requested a fair, pressure-free inquiry, noting public concern that the tuition proprietor was linked to the governing party. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam objected to the 28 March Gazette requiring owners in specified Northern Province areas to prove title within three months or have the lands declared State land. He argued the deadline is unrealistic for Tamil diaspora owners and war-displaced residents, and said existing legal protections had recognized their inability to return and defend ownership. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Gazette and warned that proceeding without agreement with Tamil representatives would undermine reconciliation and risk dispossessing Tamil-speaking communities. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns that large areas of land in the North and East remain under military occupation, leaving many Tamil residents displaced, and cited examples including Palaly, Kilinochchi and families expelled from Anuradhapura. Referring to Gazette Extraordinary No. 2430 of 28 March 2025, he asked the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation why about 5,700 acres in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Mullaitivu are being acquired and what the urgent purpose is. He further questioned how displaced people, including those who lost land documents during the war, would be able to assert ownership claims, and sought clarification on the Government’s intention behind issuing the Gazette before releasing occupied lands. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - Land Acquisition in North and East; Ministry Statements on Rice and Finance Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that he had submitted a Privilege matter three times and rejected an offer of a public apology from the Government side. He questioned what further recourse was available, including whether he should approach the Supreme Court or international forums, and asked whether a Tamil Member was being denied the right to raise a Privilege issue. Questions under Standing Order 27(2) - IMF Conditions and Privilege Matters Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa tabled an answer on war-related commemorative events, stating that 212 were held in the Northern Province and seven in the Eastern Province. The answer noted that LTTE promotion remains prohibited under Gazette Extraordinary No. 1721/2 of 2011, but memorial events for deceased persons are not prohibited unless they involve specified unlawful acts. It said about seven northern events in 2024 included activities viewed as potentially promoting the LTTE, with court reports filed, three files sent for Attorney-General’s advice, and further investigations ongoing. In the Eastern Province, police were instructed to act under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and relevant regulations if organizers disseminated separatist views or attempted to promote the LTTE. Oral Questions: Martyrs' Day Commemorations and OPD Attendance (Q.10/2024, etc.) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC, began to raise a point regarding contempt of court laws, noting that in India the maximum punishment for contempt is limited. The excerpt appears incomplete and does not include the full question, proposal, or argument. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara responded to a point raised by Hon. Musthapha regarding the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Act, stating that discussions were already underway with the Bar Association and others. He invited interested professionals, including Hon. Musthapha, to contribute and said a committee would be appointed to develop suitable legal proposals with the Bar Association’s assistance. Referring to the imprisonment of a person whose phone rang in court, he said the matter was serious and was being examined by the Judicial Service Commission, but he could not comment on a judge’s conduct. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha raised concern over a person reportedly being remanded after his phone rang in court and subsequently dying in remand custody. He urged the Speaker to take the matter up with the Judicial Service Commission, warning that misuse of the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Act in such circumstances could endanger citizens’ rights. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Minister said the Court Automation Programme, originally begun as a UNDP project and later halted, has been restarted with UNDP assistance after the Government appointed a committee chaired by Justice Obeysekere. Responding to a supplementary question, he said he cannot direct the independent Judiciary but has referred a related matter to the Judicial Service Commission for consideration. He also stated that prison authorities have been asked to investigate an incident involving a person in custody, with a provisional indication of an altercation with other inmates, pending a final report. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Chithral Fernando referred to the Minister’s undertaking on the Court Automation Programme and digitalization, noting that its implementation had been delayed. He asked what steps are being taken to address delays and the judiciary’s approach to technology, citing incidents involving mobile phones and the use of tablets or laptops by lawyers in court. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara outlined measures to reduce court delays and manage caseloads, including permanent Tourist Courts, unified and separated court structures where appropriate, new jurisdictions, additional High, District and Magistrates’ Courts, and the expansion of Model Courts. He said Small Claims and Pre-Trial Courts are being developed in several areas, while old pending cases are being targeted through separate judges where resources allow. He identified staff shortages as a major constraint, noting recruitment plans for court staff, process servers, ushers, Government Analyst’s Department officers and judicial officers. He also referred to expanding Land Mediation Boards and other mediation mechanisms as alternatives to reduce the courts’ workload. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration reported that there were 29,132 civil cases pending for 5 to 10 years and 17,271 pending for over 10 years. He stated that measures to address delays include increasing the number of courts, assigning manageable caseloads, and establishing additional courts in high-volume areas, with further details to be tabled in a written answer. Oral Question: Prevention of Delay in Ending Civil Court Cases (Q.133/2024) Read →