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- 19 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that Public Administration Circular No. 19/2022, which reduced the retirement age of public officers to 60, has created shortages in critical senior executive services, including the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, the Attorney-General’s Department, specialist medical services, and technical sectors such as Railways. He contrasted this with the earlier Circular No. 02/2022 and Gazette Extraordinary No. 2263/5, which had extended retirement to 65 due to recruitment constraints, and said the reversal was counterproductive. He proposed re-employing prematurely retired experienced officers, particularly in the Foreign Service, with their prior seniority and suspension of pension payments during contract service, rather than making external diplomatic appointments. Adjournment Debate: Public Administration Circular No. 19/2022 Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns during the debate on the Ministry’s expenditure head about the legal authority of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing to award certificates and diplomas under the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (Incorporation) Act No. 41 of 1980. He argued that the Act permits such qualifications only in collaboration with recognized universities and with University Grants Commission concurrence, and asked the Minister to conduct a legal review, regularize past qualifications if necessary, and coordinate with the Education Ministry and UGC to protect affected students and graduates. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi questioned the legal basis for the matter under discussion, asking where such a provision exists in law. The intervention was a brief procedural challenge seeking clarification on the statutory authority for the action or claim being made. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Faiszer Musthapha argued that attracting FDI and developing industry require incentives such as industrial zones, particularly in the context of Sri Lanka’s FTA with India and high energy and labour costs. He said investor confidence depends on faster and more effective commercial dispute resolution, calling for amendments to the Arbitration Act to allow interim relief and to exclude low-value lease or hire-purchase disputes from mandatory arbitration. He also urged coordination with the Minister of Justice to fill more than 15 vacant High Court posts, warning that judicial delays and understaffing undermine investment promotion. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala informed Parliament of developments in the investigation into the 31 December 2023 shooting incident at the WIS tourist hotel in the Weligama Police Division, involving six suspects including SDIG Deshabandu Tennakoon. He said the CID had sought asset confiscation before the Matara Magistrate’s Court, Tennakoon had surrendered to court, and a search of his Hokandara residence had resulted in the seizure of liquor, wine, a firearm, and two Apple mobile phones. He stated that further submissions had been made to court and investigations were continuing due to public interest in the matter. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 19 March 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman urged the Ministry Secretary to intervene in unresolved issues and warned that public officials are accountable for inaction, citing judicial precedents from matters involving the Ministry under Keheliya Rambukwella. He also objected to broad allegations made by the Leader of the House against “Muslim MPs,” calling for any accusation to identify the specific Member concerned rather than generalising against all Muslim parliamentarians. Committee of Supply: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 116 and Related Heads (Trade, Commerce, Food Security) Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi JJB AI summary Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi moved an Adjournment Motion calling for stronger protection of Sri Lankan migrant workers, particularly unskilled and female workers who face exploitation when migrating without proper registration. He proposed mandatory SLBFE registration, sector-relevant pre-departure training, migration guidance, skills development, and financial literacy, alongside stronger regulation of the SLBFE and legal reforms where needed. Citing complaint statistics, safe house numbers, court cases, and incidents involving workers in Oman, Dubai, Russia, Myanmar, Kuwait, and elsewhere, he argued that regulatory failures have left many workers vulnerable to abuse, trafficking, abandonment, and death. Adjournment Motion: Protection and Support for Migrant Workers Abroad Read →
- 18 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper said suspending or ending the moratorium alone is insufficient and called for a structured system to guide small entrepreneurs on appropriate loan sources. He argued that ordinary commercial bank loans are often unsuitable for sustainable small-business development, and that development banks should provide project support, expertise, and motivation rather than only disbursing funds. Referring to his legal experience with stays of parate execution, he noted abuses by both lenders and borrowers and urged the Government to introduce practical measures acceptable to all parties. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the Government remains committed to abolishing the Executive Presidency and introducing a new Constitution, but will do so according to its five-year mandate and planned sequence rather than an Opposition timetable. He stated that the Government’s immediate priorities are economic stabilization, reducing waste and corruption, pursuing accountability for alleged fraud and corruption, and holding Local Government and then Provincial Council elections. He added that constitutional reform would resume from earlier drafting work and proceed after those steps, while inviting the Opposition to submit proposals. Adjournment Motion: Necessity of Drafting a New Constitution Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala argued that the current three-month-old Government is restoring accountability after decades in which the Executive Presidency dominated Parliament, the Cabinet and the judiciary. He cited recent Court of Appeal proceedings directing action against former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon as evidence of judicial independence without executive interference. He said the Government would fulfil its policy commitments, including reforms related to the Executive Presidency, but according to its own timetable rather than the Opposition’s demands. Adjournment Motion: Necessity of Drafting a New Constitution Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana urged the Government to ensure religious freedom and transparency while responding to media criticism of the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. He called for justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks by identifying and prosecuting the masterminds, requested heightened security during religious observances and visits to the Temple of the Tooth, and cautioned against politicizing religious events. On environmental policy, he argued that conservation should be balanced with economic needs, citing expressway delays and calling for regulated small-scale sand mining in the Kalu Ganga if technically sustainable. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary The Minister discussed the role of religion and culture in Sri Lankan society, stating that children should be able to study their chosen religion in schools and that inter-religious harmony should be promoted through an inter-religious council and comparative religious studies. He said religion and ethnicity had been used politically, referred to the Easter Sunday attacks as requiring a proper investigation, and pledged that the Government would consolidate evidence and pursue justice through the Attorney General. He noted increased allocations for Christian affairs and overall religious affairs, proposed designating Madhu Church as a centre for peace and harmony, and said constitutional reform must be accompanied by changes in attitudes in both the North and South, while the economy remains the immediate priority. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that her remarks at the UN CEDAW session had been misreported by the Daily Ceylon, emphasizing that she answered specific questions posed to Sri Lanka and did not make the statement attributed to her. She said issues on children’s rights require balancing cultural rights and human rights through consultations with diverse groups, and denied saying the Ministry would lead legal changes. She indicated that legal action would be taken over the alleged misreporting. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe raised concerns during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs about comments and proposed changes relating to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, urging prior consultation with the ACJU, religious leaders and community representatives. He asked that racist statements about the Muslim community be prevented in Parliament and called on the Government to obtain information from Ven. Gnanasara Thera regarding his claim to know those behind the Easter Sunday attacks. He also alleged political interference in the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Wakfs Board, citing the Sainthamaruthu Jumu’ah Mosque trustee appointment process and tabling related correspondence and lists. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the National Security Council noted shortages of Tamil-speaking Archaeology Department officers in the North and East, and that remaining vacancies would be filled with attention to work that does not disrupt local communities. He said an expert committee has been appointed on the Kurundi Vihara issue, with excavations suspended there pending an amicable resolution, and that issues at Wadunagala arose from actions beyond departmental recommendations. He also noted Rs. 36 million allocated for infrastructure related to the Kochchikade Hindu Kovil and explained funding through the Hindu Cultural Fund, while confirming attention to finding suitable land for the Mahara Prison mosque closed after the 2019 Easter attacks. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera referred to the Easter Sunday attacks, arguing that continued political focus on identifying a “mastermind” could harm interreligious and ethnic relations unless handled with sensitivity and agreement. He said Buddhism’s non-competitive character should be used to build an inclusive nation, while acknowledging past political mistakes. He also welcomed State patronage for Buddhist religious events and urged similar support for other communities, including proposing a large Iftar during Ramazan. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran expressed willingness to cooperate with the Government on rebuilding the country, but alleged that state agencies and extremist Buddhist monks have contributed to ethnic tension, land seizures, and disruption of religious harmony in the North and East. Citing incidents at Semmalai Pillaiyar Temple, Kokkilai, and Kurundur Malai in Mullaitivu, he claimed that court orders were disregarded, Hindu worship was obstructed, private and temple lands were taken over, and Buddhist structures or symbols were installed with state support. He called for justice, transparency in archaeological work, and an end to the use of archaeology and religious sites for demographic or territorial changes. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary Acknowledging the service and sacrifice of disabled war veterans, the Deputy Minister stated that the Government would intervene sensitively where institutions had failed to provide necessary facilitation. He said such cases would be examined and measures arranged to ensure fair treatment. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara requested the Ministry of Finance to intervene in grievances involving disabled tri-forces personnel, police, Civil Security Force members, and some public and semi-government employees regarding loan or instalment arrangements linked to SDB. He noted that legal action and protests had occurred, with concerns that consent under Form 238 of the Financial Regulations had not been obtained for extending instalments, and urged mediation to secure a fair solution. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara asked the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for details on SANASA Development Bank’s “Uththamachara” loan scheme for retired military officers, including Central Bank regulation, disbursement figures, pension-based lending criteria, and repayment periods. He also sought clarification on COVID-19-related recovery extensions, whether they led to interest payments exceeding the principal, whether such extensions were made at the Bank’s discretion, and what steps would be taken to ensure fairness for affected borrowers. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.504/2025, Q.510/2025, Q.483/2025, Q.493/2025) Read →