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- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Hon. Sunil Watagala challenged another member’s implication regarding the Batalanda issue by asking whether they considered Batalanda to have been acceptable. His intervention appears to question or criticize the stance being taken in the debate on that matter. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna accused the JVP of past anti-democratic violence, citing killings of clergy, politicians, public servants, security personnel and UNP supporters, as well as destruction of buses and depots during its opposition to the Provincial Council system. He said President J.R. Jayewardene had attempted to bring the JVP into democratic politics by releasing Rohana Wijeweera, and welcomed the party’s current participation in the democratic framework. He called for any inquiry into the Batalanda torture camp to be accompanied by a separate inquiry into the causes of the violence of that period, with redress for affected families, and defended Ranil Wickremesinghe against what he described as intimidation. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna argued that camps such as Batalanda were established as security measures in response to JVP violence during the 1987-89 period, particularly after attacks linked to protests against the Indo-Lanka Accord. He cited and tabled documents listing alleged JVP attacks on army and police camps, looting of weapons, destruction of paddy stores, and killings of civilians and monks. He also accused the JVP of past attacks on Parliament, the Temple of the Tooth, the Kataragama Perahera and Katunayake Airport, questioning its present criticism of state actions during that period. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Nihal Galappaththi JJB AI summary Hon. Nihal Galappaththi criticized Ranil Wickremesinghe in relation to the Batalanda Commission Report, citing passages alleging unlawful meetings, torture, abductions, killings, and questions over Wickremesinghe’s role despite not holding a Defence portfolio. He referred in detail to the arrest, torture, and killing of human rights lawyer Vijaya D. Liyanarachchi and argued that such events must remain part of the historical record. He also linked these issues to the public mandate received by his party and rejected a claim by Hon. S.M. Marikkar that the JVP had not sought an inquiry into Rohana Wijeweera’s killing. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna argued that the 1985-1991 JVP insurrection was a national tragedy that successive governments failed to conclusively address, while later political cooperation with the JVP/NPP was pursued in the interest of moving the country forward. She referred to the Youth Unrest Commission, subsequent political alliances, and the Batalanda Commission, asserting that counter-insurgency measures were presented as necessary to maintain order during the period. She cited figures on killings and deaths, disputed higher casualty estimates, and stated that she would table lists of victims and attacks, including losses suffered by political parties and families not represented in Parliament. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary The Minister, speaking during debate on the Batalanda Commission Report, accused the UNP leadership of responsibility for anti-democratic actions, torture, disappearances and killings during 1977-1990, particularly under J.R. Jayewardene, R. Premadasa and Ranil Wickremesinghe. He cited events including the 1980 general strike dismissals, burning of the Jaffna Library, the 1982 referendum, Black July, party bans, suppression of student unions, and alleged torture centres such as Batalanda. Referring to an Amnesty International report and the ICCPR right to life, he argued that JVP, SLFP, LSSP and even UNP members were detained, tortured, disappeared or killed, and linked these abuses to state security forces and associated groups operating at the time. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara said the 1988-89 insurgency caused major loss of life, destruction of public and economic assets, and long-term harm to Sri Lanka’s development, while arguing that responsibility should be examined without protecting any political or security figures linked to Batalanda. He condemned both LTTE and JVP-related violence, describing the difficulty security forces faced in identifying guerrilla actors embedded among civilians and linking such conditions to abusive interrogation practices. He also accused current political leaders associated with that period of having incited youth and schoolchildren through slogans and agitation, and called attention to the burning of tea factories, Agrarian Service Centres, local government buildings and railway property. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said the Batalanda debate should contribute to documenting torture camps and killings during 1987-1989, and called for those responsible to be identified and punished. He linked those events to wider patterns of repression, including Black July, the burning of the Jaffna Library, violence against Hill Country communities, and disappearances in both the North and South. He alleged responsibility by past UNP leaders for these incidents and demanded investigations and justice for victims across all affected communities. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne said the Batalanda Commission Report should be addressed through legal institutions if the objective is justice for victims, rather than used for political advantage decades later. He argued that any inquiry should also examine the broader governance failures, misuse of power and context of the 1987-1988 violence, and questioned the Government’s purpose in debating the report in Parliament instead of pursuing legal action. He also called on NPP and JVP MPs to state their positions on the events and warned against repeatedly reopening past conflicts for political mobilization. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna JJB AI summary Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna argued that the Batalanda Commission material and related records should be made public and used to pursue justice, not revenge, for abuses and killings during 1971 and 1988-89. He alleged that state-linked groups and political actors were responsible for torture centres, killings, and the Sapugaskanda Police Station attack, citing the report as contradicting Ranil Wickremesinghe’s claim that the JVP carried it out. He also criticized the use of presidential pardons and political power to protect criminals, referring to Gonawala Sunil and comparing such actions to later instances of abuse of power. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna, speaking during the debate on the Batalanda Commission Report, characterized the abuses examined by the Commission as state terrorism involving torture, killings and death squad activity against youth and professionals. He linked the Batalanda site to the former urea factory and alleged responsibility of political leaders of the period, including Ranil Wickremesinghe, while naming several district-level figures he said were associated with similar camps and squads. He called for the truth recorded in the report to be translated into justice and for safeguards to prevent such structures from re-emerging. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam said the Batalanda Commission Report records serious abuses during 1988–1990, including abductions, extrajudicial killings, vigilante activity with state involvement, obstruction of investigations, and protection of alleged perpetrators. He linked these findings to other periods of violence, including the southern insurrection and the war in the North and East, arguing that many commission reports on grave abuses have remained unimplemented. He urged the Government to investigate those named, prosecute where warranted, and implement the recommendations of this and other commissions to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe argued that the Batalanda Report should be understood within the wider context of unlawful detention, torture, abductions and disappearances during the 1988-89 period, which he attributed to the policies and actions of the then UNP Government. He referred to the JVP’s participation in democratic politics before its 1983 ban, evidence in the Report disputing its responsibility for the July 1983 violence, and the escalation of repression after the Indo-Lanka Accord. He stated that the current Government, in office for four months, would take lawful measures to investigate crimes committed across the country and hold perpetrators accountable, also recounting his own alleged near-abduction in October 1989. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman referred to the Batalanda Commission Report and questioned why the JVP/NPP had not pursued the issue earlier despite past opportunities and political alliances, arguing that any renewed accountability process should examine all actors and periods even-handedly. He asked whether the Government would investigate individuals now aligned with it who were allegedly involved in operations against the JVP during 1988-89, as well as other past incidents including those linked to Matale. He also raised current concerns about the use of counter-terror laws, citing the detention of a youth over a sticker critical of Israel, and urged proportional policing, respect for expression and assembly, and due process. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala seconded the Motion and cited findings of the Batalanda Commission, arguing that its report implicated Ranil Wickremesinghe in abuse of power, unlawful interference with police functions, and indirect responsibility for unlawful detention and torture chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme between 1988 and 1990. He referred to specific report passages identifying houses allegedly used for detention and torture, including premises linked to Wickremesinghe and police officers, and said the report also recorded that Wickremesinghe accepted there was no proof connecting the JVP or NSSP to the July 1983 riots. He framed the debate as an opportunity to seek justice for those killed or tortured during the period, including political activists and Attorney-at-Law Wijedasa Liyanarachchi. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake moved that Parliament consider the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the establishment and maintenance of unlawful detention sites and torture chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme. The report had been tabled in Parliament on 14 March 2025, and the motion formally initiated parliamentary consideration of it. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna on behalf of the Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala AI summary Asked the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government whether the Government is aware that public sector retirees before 31 December 2015 are excluded from Agrahara Insurance coverage while those retiring after 1 January 2016 are included, and whether steps will be taken to address this. Also asked whether the Government recognizes that the 1997 B.C. Perera Salary Commission recommendations have been implemented only for a limited group of teachers and principals, and whether action will be taken to extend them to the majority; if not, reasons were requested. Second Round of Oral Questions and Standing Order 27(2) Questions (Tabled) Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary An audit inquiry is underway regarding the matter raised. The member stated that discussions are also being held with officials on appointing an additional inquiry panel to recommend further action, and that steps will be taken accordingly. Oral Questions: Primary Health Care and School Infrastructure Projects Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj JJB AI summary At a Ministry Advisory Committee, the Ministry agreed with the Police Children and Women Bureau to record child victims’ video testimony at the earliest stage so they need not give evidence repeatedly. Measures are being pursued to speed up court processes and enable children in remand or probation homes to testify securely by remote means, reducing transport, exposure and risks to victim identity. She said further details on judicial procedure could be obtained by inviting the Minister of Justice to respond. Oral Question 579/2025: Sexual Crimes Against Women Serving in Government Institutions Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna raised concerns about delays in child-related cases that remain pending for years. She asked whether existing courts could allocate a specific day each week to hear and conclude such cases more quickly, instead of relying only on establishing new courts or recruiting additional officials. She sought clarification on whether a systematic mechanism exists to expedite these hearings. Oral Question 579/2025: Sexual Crimes Against Women Serving in Government Institutions Read →