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- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the government remains committed to reconciliation, including a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and strengthened domestic mechanisms, noting that the JVP had proposed such measures shortly after the war ended in 2009. He said accountability institutions such as the OMP and ONUR, now under the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, would be strengthened with Budget allocations, alongside initiatives such as restoring the Jaffna Public Library and promoting cultural harmony. He argued that judicial independence, rule of law and domestic accountability reduce the need for external intervention and have improved international and diaspora confidence. He also outlined foreign employment measures, including proposed social security MoUs with Cyprus and India and discussions with the Maldives to improve formal remittance channels. Papers: Annual Reports - Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake stated that his side was not taking a partisan position, noting that both their supporters and Sri Lanka Freedom Party members were affected by past violence. He said that while justice is pursued regarding Batalanda, they would also raise the murders of SLFP organizers, members, and former Ministers, and present the Presidential Commission Report on the assassination of Vijaya Kumaratunga. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concerns about a Foreign Ministry-linked official now serving as Minister Vijitha Herath’s Private Secretary, alleging past complaints were suppressed and asking the Minister to investigate. He also urged the Tourism Ministry to issue licences to trained driver-tour guides, and called for fairness in selecting workers for Korean employment schemes. Referring to the tabling of the Batalanda Commission Report, he requested that other commission reports, including on the assassination of Vijaya Kumaratunga and killings of SLFP members in 1989, also be tabled, while alleging electoral irregularities in the 1989 Presidential Election in Monaragala District. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar called for a more coordinated tourism strategy focused on increasing arrivals and per-capita spending, including better use of the Tourism Development Levy, centralized promotion through missions and tourism agencies, commercial use of Ratmalana Airport, development of the Negombo–Kalpitiya–Wilpattu tourism corridor, and upgraded wildlife tourism facilities and visitor services. He argued that Sri Lanka should monetize cultural, wildlife and geographic attractions through improved infrastructure, trained guides, taxi networks and marketing, rather than relying on nightlife-related tourism. Referring to the Batalanda Commission Report, he supported action against alleged torturers but urged that accountability be applied comprehensively to all political violence and victims, without selectivity. He also objected to unsupported religious criticism in Parliament and said reforms such as those concerning the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act should be handled through proper expert and religious processes. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam criticized successive governments’ use of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to counter international scrutiny over alleged violations during the ethnic conflict and argued that the current Government has not changed this approach. Citing the 2015 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ recommendation for a hybrid special court, he said any credible accountability process must include international judges, prosecutors, investigators and witness protection, and that a purely domestic mechanism or truth commission without prosecutorial powers would lack victims’ confidence. He also asked the Minister to question the Chinese Ambassador over political comments made in Jaffna and raised concern about reported Chinese proposals for a cultural centre in Jaffna following a visit by China’s National Ethnic Affairs Commission. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem commended former MP M.S.M. Nazeer’s service and urged party members to win local-level mandates as a route back to Parliament. He asked the Foreign Affairs Minister to urgently operationalize visa-free entry for listed countries, citing the UAE, and to resolve difficulties faced by Iranian diplomats in opening bank accounts and obtaining credit cards in Sri Lanka. He called for a clearer, modern and balanced foreign policy, especially in the Indian Ocean, with better alignment between security, development and sustainable use of marine resources. He welcomed constructive engagement at the UNHRC but sought substantive action on reconciliation and accountability, including strengthening domestic mechanisms, avoiding surveillance of civil society, and addressing omissions such as the PTA, a Public Prosecutor’s Office, the 13th Amendment and Easter Sunday justice. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned whether the Government was adhering to its policy commitment to appoint professional and ethical career diplomats, citing several recalled and replacement heads of mission whom he characterized as political appointments and raising concerns about alleged misconduct affecting female Foreign Service officers. He urged the Government to review diplomatic appointments and prioritize qualified career officers. He also called for legislation to establish a comprehensive Truth-Seeking Commission covering disappearances and violence from 1971, 1983, 1988-89, the war period, and later “white van” abductions, arguing that such a process is needed for accountability, reconciliation, and to allow accused security officials to testify and clear their names. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary The member cited Human Rights Watch and witness accounts alleging shelling of hospitals, including Putumattalan, during the final stages of the war despite visible Red Cross markings, and criticised former and current governments for defending the State internationally. He rejected reliance on domestic accountability mechanisms, arguing that past commissions such as Paranagama and Udalagama had not led to action, and questioned whether the Government would pursue justice for Tamil victims after tabling the Batalanda Commission Report. He also referred to a JDS report alleging 219 wartime torture sites and demanded investigations into more recent alleged torture and atrocities, not only the Batalanda-era cases. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam criticized the Government’s approach to accountability for gross human rights violations, arguing that proposed domestic mechanisms have been inadequate and that the State tends to protect itself. Referring to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Al Jazeera interview on wartime conduct, he questioned the defence of previous government actions and cited reports on aid blockages and hospital bombings. He tabled Human Rights Watch material documenting repeated shelling of hospitals in 2008-2009 and said he would place an aid worker’s account of the Valayanmadam Hospital attack in the Library. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne addressed migrant worker issues during the debate on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, citing COPE revelations on underage domestic workers, fraudulent certification, untrained placements, and institutional malpractice involving recruitment networks. She said the Government would strengthen Missions, implement the National Policy on Migration for Employment, amend the SLBFE Act, address trafficking, and establish migration policy and resource mechanisms. She outlined plans to increase skilled migration, support returnees through social protection and enterprise assistance, and use SLBFE allocations for training, loans, scholarships, housing support, and export-oriented businesses. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj condemned the sexual violence incident involving a female doctor at Anuradhapura Hospital and said the Government and women Members of Parliament stand with the victim and will pursue justice. She criticized media reporting that disclosed identifying details or reenacted evidence, arguing that such coverage retraumatizes victims and undermines confidence in justice. She called for swift punishment of perpetrators, stronger victim support mechanisms, enforcement of media-related laws and ethical standards, and an inquiry into how confidential police or court statements reached the media. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana urged the Government not to permit any expansion of oil palm beyond the already completed 2,000 hectares, citing environmental concerns, worker safety issues, alleged violation of a banning circular, and legal cases he faces after opposing plantation expansion in Kalutara. He raised concerns about substandard tea plants being sold to small growers and asked why funds from the Tea Promotion Levy could not be used to support proper planting material and assist factory owners. He tabled photographs and documents relating to tea and rubber factories in Kalutara District destroyed during the conflict period, asking that they be assessed, repaired, and used for development with investors. He also criticized past distribution of LRC lands to businessmen and called for state land to be allocated in smaller plots to ordinary people for productive use. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Allegations against an individual are referenced, with a dossier placed in the Library for parliamentary record. The speech also accuses unnamed actors of attempting to regain power by deceiving people and promoting racism, stating that the speaker’s community would respond appropriately in the future. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about public security during the Committee Stage, arguing that the Police and Judiciary are under serious threat following incidents including a murder inside court premises and the killing of a retired prison officer. He questioned what assurances the Government could provide to prevent further attacks on courts and judges, noting that a suspect alleged to have planned the courthouse killing remained at large. He also criticized the situation in which the IGP was reportedly evading a court order and could not be located by the Police. Appropriation Bill 2025: Committee Stage - Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure (Heads 135, 293, 337) Read →
- 14 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister presented the Cabinet position on the Batalanda Commission report, detailing the historical context of alleged unlawful detention, torture, and state violence during the late 1970s and 1980s. He said the 1998 report had not been acted upon or sent to the Attorney-General, despite being printed as sessional papers, and criticized past governments for using it politically rather than pursuing accountability. He formally laid the 208-page report before Parliament, stating that the current Government has a duty to make it public and respond to long-standing demands for truth and justice. Ministerial Statements Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayatissa informed Parliament about the sexual assault of a lady doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital hostel, stating that the suspect had been arrested within 36 hours and that investigations were continuing. He said the Government and Health Ministry had intervened to strengthen security, assess administrative and security lapses at the hospital, and provide better official housing and protection for health staff. He also requested responsible media conduct to protect the victim’s identity. The Minister urged health-sector trade unions to call off the 24-hour island-wide strike, arguing that patient services should resume while the Government continued discussions and remedial action. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim said that while the project may benefit the Kelani Basin, it should not proceed in a way that harms residents of Kegalle District. He stated that the taking of people’s lands without providing them proper places to live would be opposed, and called for justice and safeguards for affected communities. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on the Prevention of Terrorism Act, noting its history, previous amendments, and attempts to replace it, including the 2023 Bill challenged before the Supreme Court. He said Cabinet had approved the appointment of an expert committee chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice to study the Bill and recommend whether to repeal the PTA and introduce new legislation or take other action. He tabled CTID figures showing 4,327 arrests under the PTA, 1,418 charges filed, 2,909 not charged, 1,734 referred for rehabilitation, and 144 acquitted. He added that the 2022 amendment limited pre-process detention to 72 hours and that the Government intends to restrict the PTA and present a new Bill based on the committee’s recommendations. Ministerial Statements Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka’s prisons have capacity for about 10,700 inmates but currently hold around 30,000, including approximately 19,000 remand prisoners, creating overcrowding problems in Polonnaruwa, Colombo, and elsewhere. He said funds have been allocated this year to address sewerage issues, including in Polonnaruwa, after no allocations in the previous two years, but emphasized that infrastructure measures alone are insufficient. He added that a committee appointed three months earlier is working to reduce the remand population and that the Ministry intends to act expeditiously. Oral Question: Prison Guard Vacancies (Q.125/2024) Read →
- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Hon. Kins Nelson highlighted severe overcrowding in prisons, citing Polonnaruwa Prison holding 405 inmates against a capacity of 149 and Welikada holding 3,579 against about 1,400. He raised concerns about inadequate sanitation at Polonnaruwa New Town Prison, including sewage entering a public canal used for bathing, drinking and irrigation, and asked what steps would be taken to reduce congestion and address issues affecting both prison officers and inmates. Oral Question: Prison Guard Vacancies (Q.125/2024) Read →