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- 12 March 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration to provide details on the Prisons Department’s approved cadre of prison guards, the number currently serving, and existing vacancies. He also sought information on measures to fill those vacancies and address professional issues faced by prison guards, asking for reasons if the information could not be provided. Oral Question: Prison Guard Vacancies (Q.125/2024) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna supported the motion and called for the release of lands in the North and East that remain under military control, specifically mentioning Palaly, Vasavilan junction and Keppapulavu. He argued that unresolved land, language and equality issues continue to affect Tamil communities after the conflict, and criticized past and current political actors for failing to secure accountability and decisive action. He urged the Government to take measures, including constitutional changes, to promote ethnic harmony and enable Tamils and Sinhalese to live with equal rights. Adjournment Debate: Batticaloa Airport Land Acquisition and Release Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan moved an Adjournment Motion regarding families displaced by the 1985 expansion of Batticaloa Airport, stating that residents from five villages lost homes, fields, roads, schools and other properties. He said around 250 families received alternative lands but, after nearly 30 years, still have no formal deeds and are being asked to pay large lease charges before deeds are issued. He requested that unconditional deeds be granted for the replacement lands and that the former public road, or at least a path along the airport fence, be opened to reduce local hardships. Adjournment Debate: Batticaloa Airport Land Acquisition and Release Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Eranga Weeraratne - Deputy Minister of Digital Economy JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Digital ID programme during the debate on the Ministry of Digital Economy Votes, rejecting allegations that biometric data would be misused, sold, or transferred to India. He said biometric information would be stored as non-reversible hashed templates, with security support from Sri Lanka CERT, and announced that a Cyber Security Bill would introduce mandatory standards across government agencies. He stated that the programme would move from physical cards to a durable and eventually fully digital ID accessible through a DigiLocker app, while existing NICs remain valid during the transition. He argued that digitalization, led under the President’s portfolio, is central to improving public administration, reducing corruption and costs, and supporting economic growth. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna objected that his speaking time had been curtailed and said he had complained to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights about not receiving due time in Parliament. He argued that paedophilia, defined as sexual conduct involving minors, is a disease and defended his opposition to it, questioning criticism of his stance. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna condemned child marriage and argued that past and recent ethnic violence, including the 2009 war and attacks attributed to Saharan, should be referred to international courts. He rejected claims that international investigations are unnecessary, criticized past political alignments for failing to secure justice for Tamils, and cited alleged shelling of hospitals, disappearances in his family, and UNHRC references to wartime casualties and individuals such as Gen. Shavendra Silva. He also complained that he had been denied opportunities to speak in Parliament, drew parallels between Gaza and Sri Lanka’s wartime “safe zones,” and called for decorum while stating that Tamils were not opposed to any ethnicity. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Condemning an alleged sexual harassment incident involving a doctor at Anuradhapura Hospital, he raised concerns about Kilinochchi market traders being affected by Karachchi Pradeshiya Sabha decisions on newly built shops and requested ministerial attention. He also cited complaints about inaction in the Land and ICT divisions of the Chavakachcheri Divisional Secretariat and alleged misuse of online platforms in Ramanathapuram, Kilinochchi, calling for attention from the Defence, Police, and Public Security authorities, including over alleged threats against him by a YouTuber. Responding to remarks by Hon. Hisbullah, he said his criticism concerned child marriage at ages eight or nine irrespective of religion, and argued that separate legal standards on such matters should not apply within one country. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman stated that the matter under discussion concerned the passport issue, not cases from 2015. He called for an inquiry, arguing that many serious issues had occurred under the previous government. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that all cases filed in 2015 remain ongoing. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman questioned the procedure used to award a biometric data project, noting that a previous tender involving Madras Security Printers had been cancelled and asking whether a fresh tender was called. He raised concerns about reports that the project would be given to an Indian company with Indian grant funding, arguing that this created transparency and data-protection issues and asking what role and locations the company would cover. He also asked how any Sri Lankan company handling data entry was selected and whether it followed a tender process. He criticised reliance on assurances about officials or advisers, citing concerns about past handling of telecommunications data in a criminal investigation. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman supported the shift to a digital economy, particularly in finance and revenue administration, to reduce fraud, corruption, and cash-based transactions. While accepting the digitization of the National Identity Card and basic biodata, he raised concerns over the collection of biometric data such as fingerprints and facial features, warning of risks of leakage, misuse, sale of data, and AI-enabled abuse. He called attention to the need for clarity on how and when such sensitive data would be used. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Dr. Najith Indika condemned the assault on a young doctor at Anuradhapura Hospital and called for swift investigations, justice, and stronger preventive security at hospital premises, especially for women working night shifts. He urged the Ministry of Health to expedite renovation and protection of dilapidated staff quarters and on-call rooms, noting Budget allocations for this purpose. Responding to criticism of the Budget, he said the Government inherited an IMF programme and constrained fiscal conditions, but had prioritized education, health, transport, women, children, digitalization, and negotiated tax changes. He also rejected claims about the Digital ID project transferring data to India, citing a recent cross-party briefing with officials and experts to address such concerns. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala responded to concerns raised about recent CID searches, stating that a Matara house was searched on confidential information, with officers identifying themselves and obtaining consent, and that facts will be reported to the relevant Magistrate in future. He also addressed the alleged sexual assault of a lady doctor at Anuradhapura Hospital, saying police investigations are underway, the suspect has been identified as an army deserter, five police teams have been deployed, and authorities expect a swift arrest and prosecution. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Hon. Namal Rajapaksa said the Government’s digital economy targets could be undermined by a proposed 15 percent tax, arguing that investment in the sector depends on competitive tax incentives and living conditions. He urged implementation of the SL-UDI programme alongside a Data Protection Agency and legal safeguards, while calling for digitization of public services, e-Courts, e-Procurement, reverse bidding, mandatory acceptance of digital signatures, and a single-window government payment gateway. He also emphasized that legal and administrative frameworks must be updated so digitalization delivers practical benefits and improves transparency. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva expressed support for building Sri Lanka’s digital public infrastructure, including a biometric-backed digital identity system based on the open-source MOSIP model, and welcomed the involvement of experts such as Dr. Hans Wijesuriya. He argued that a secure unique digital identity could improve authentication, reduce public finance leakages, and better target services and subsidies, rejecting concerns that such systems would transfer biometric data to India by citing the experience of the 1990 Suwa Seriya service. He questioned the parallel effort to issue a new digital version of the existing physical National Identity Card, saying it may be unnecessary and a waste of money if a foundational biometric digital ID system is being developed. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged greater emphasis on STEM education, including coding, artificial intelligence, and robotics, to prepare students for future employment. He noted that while about 176,000 students pass the Advanced Level Examination, only around 55,000 enter government universities, and called for private universities to expand higher education opportunities. He also requested the introduction of data protection laws and linked legal reform to the issue of roughly one million pending court cases. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera argued that delays in implementing a Unique Digital ID have weakened tax collection and the repatriation of export proceeds, and urged the Government to prioritize it immediately rather than over a five-year period under “Clean Sri Lanka” allocations. He criticized taxation of digital entrepreneurs, proposing temporary tax exemptions for selected dollar-earning start-ups to encourage growth. He also objected to remarks allegedly threatening professional institutions involved in construction claims, calling for clarification and an apology while defending the sector’s contribution to foreign earnings. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Read →
- 11 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that any specific allegations could be investigated if supporting documents are provided after being tabled. He said the matter would be looked into once those documents are received. Oral Question: Construction of Liyangastota Bridge (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna raised allegations of academic misconduct and irregular appointments, tabling documents concerning alleged fake or manipulated publications linked to a promotion and PhD, and questioning the handling of a lecturer’s teaching-hour shortfall and related charge sheet. She also warned that reducing spirit strength and selling alcohol in 180 ml packs could encourage alcohol use among children, citing increased alcohol consumption among schoolgirls and referring to Article 27 of the Constitution. She urged the Minister to address unresolved issues affecting employees across the education sector. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Rohini Kumari Wijerathna urged the Minister to respond with practical solutions to issues in education, particularly the reported shortage of about 40,000 teachers despite an approved cadre of 235,924 and improved teacher-student ratios. She cautioned against using Development Officers to cover teacher vacancies and called for National Colleges of Education and Teacher Training Colleges to be modernized and elevated to university level. She also challenged claims that there is no two-thirds teacher pay anomaly, referencing the 2/97 Circular, the B.C. Perera Commission, her earlier parliamentary intervention in 2020, and the death of teacher Waruni Asanka during the related struggle. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →