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- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva questioned whether remarks by the SLFP General Secretary reflected the SLFP or Opposition view on persons with disabilities and urged cross-party cooperation under a “leaving no one behind” policy. He said the Budget would raise the disability allowance from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000, expand beneficiaries from about 150,000 to at least 400,000, eliminate waiting lists, and enforce accessibility measures. He also announced a Rs. 1 billion allocation to build a national disability database, arguing that data-driven policy is needed to integrate persons with disabilities into social welfare, education, technology, daily life, and national development. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva responded to personal remarks made outside Parliament about his visual impairment, stating that they reflected prejudice and caused justified anger. He rejected accusations that he was sowing hatred and instead questioned whether references to MPs being “beaten” amounted to incitement against NPP or JVP members. He also highlighted long-standing failures to implement disability rights measures, including the 1996 Act, the 1988 circular reserving 3 per cent of government jobs for persons with disabilities, the 2003 disability policy and the 2014 National Action Plan. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe acknowledged gaps in import regulation, including missing HS codes and inadequate testing protocols, and said legal amendments are being prepared, particularly to strengthen consumer protection through revisions to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act. He stated that Customs testing would be improved, investigations into locally refined imported coconut oil are ongoing, and committees are working on standards, import quality, and market protection measures to be brought before Parliament. Oral Question: Substandard Coconut Oil (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri asked the Minister what measures would be taken to address the release of substandard coconut oil, particularly consignments contaminated with aflatoxin. Referring to past Opposition allegations about racketeers involved in such imports, he sought specific action beyond traditional enforcement methods to identify, punish, and end long-running frauds in the sector. Oral Question: Substandard Coconut Oil (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan opposed the proposed transfer of the Norwood Divisional Secretariat to Hatton and requested funds to construct or adapt facilities in Norwood, arguing that the service point must remain accessible to the large Norwood/Maskeliya population. He also called for improved facilities and staffing at Talawakelle DS, relocation of Valapane DS to Ragala, and stronger integration of Malaiyaha estate communities into public administration without reliance on estate management approvals. He urged action to regularize documentation and release EPF/ETF entitlements for workers in state-run and leased estates, citing missing records, unpaid benefits, and lack of compensation. He further questioned whether the Government had secured plantation company agreement to implement the promised Rs. 1,700 daily wage. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order, apologizing for his earlier conduct and asking why he was not being allowed to speak. He drew attention to an alleged incident at Trincomalee Base Hospital in which a doctor assaulted patients, stating that video evidence was circulating in the media, and requested that the matter be looked into. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri criticized the Government’s handling of media and stakeholder issues, alleging misuse of parliamentary privileges against a newspaper editor and intimidation of fuel distributors through possible CID action. He accused the Energy Minister and Government of failing to manage fuel distribution, electricity supply, and tender processes, including questioning the rejection of a main bidder in favour of Hayleys. He argued that the Government’s actions contradicted its promises on good governance and anti-corruption, and warned that public dissatisfaction over power outages and policy reversals would have electoral consequences. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Chathuranga Abeysinghe said the gem mining sector faces regulatory, legal, and land rights issues linked to past political interference and varying scales of mining activity. He noted that unpaid security deposits had required the Authority to spend Rs. 11 million in 2024 to close and rehabilitate pits. He said the Government is establishing oversight mechanisms from the District Secretary to Divisional Secretariat level and a legal support team under the Authority to strengthen enforcement and supervision. Oral Question: Gem-Mining Permits (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration stated that the Government is committed to protecting the independence of the Judiciary, the Attorney-General, and the Judicial Service Commission, and to strengthening the rule of law. He said the matters raised should first be examined through the Ministerial Consultative Committee, with further action to be considered if necessary. Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said a Cabinet Paper is being submitted to appoint a committee to establish an independent Prosecutor’s Office, guided initially by Justice Yasantha Kodagoda. He stated that the policy direction is to decentralize prosecutions to the provinces, with possible new recruitments and legal amendments to be considered by experts. He also said the Government Analyst’s Department may be decentralized to reduce administrative delays, emphasizing that professional expertise should guide justice-sector reforms. Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Proposed the establishment of provincial-level prosecuting offices. The suggestion appears to relate to decentralizing prosecutorial functions or improving access to prosecution services at the provincial level. Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara welcomed proposals to reduce court delays but argued that a Select Committee would be premature until the Attorney-General’s Department, Judiciary, Government Analyst’s Department and related institutions are given adequate staffing, resources and allowances. He emphasized the independence of the Attorney-General and Judicial Service Commission, citing major cadre shortages, heavy prosecutorial workloads, and the need to restore public trust amid political interference and unfair public attacks. He said the Government would strengthen these institutions, recruit staff, consider special treatment for salary structures, provide training, and introduce amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, including audio-visual witness testimony, to address delays caused by witness non-appearance and security concerns. Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta argued that public confidence in the Police and Judiciary has improved under the NPP Government due to the absence of political interference and greater institutional independence. He referred to past politicization of police appointments, criticism of judges by former ministers, and specific court proceedings to contrast with the current situation. He noted that the Government is addressing issues in the Attorney-General’s Department, including vacancies and possible provincial prosecutorial offices, and concluded that a special Select Committee is unnecessary at this time. Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra supported the concerns behind the Motion to establish a Select Committee on the Administration of Justice, citing longstanding case backlogs, resource shortages, inadequate court infrastructure, and staffing gaps, including translators in districts such as Jaffna. She argued that these problems predate the current Government and said judicial independence, policing, and issues linked to past politicization are being addressed. She maintained that the Attorney-General’s Department, Police, and courts should be allowed to function under the new Government’s reforms, and concluded that establishing a Select Committee at this stage is premature and unnecessary. Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof supported the Adjournment Motion to establish a Select Committee on the Administration of Justice, arguing that it is timely given shortcomings in the justice sector. Citing a report that over one million cases are pending across the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, District Courts and High Courts, he urged the Government to consider the proposal and create a mechanism to expedite court proceedings. Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper moved an Adjournment Motion proposing a Select Committee on the Administration of Justice, citing public concern, institutional mistrust, delays, and resource shortages affecting the Police, Attorney-General’s Department, Judiciary, Government Analyst, Prisons Department and related bodies. He proposed measures to expedite criminal cases, fast-track investigations and indictments in major public-interest crimes, improve trial efficiency using existing Criminal Procedure amendments, engage specialists, and establish provincial prosecuting offices. He also suggested temporary funding to recruit senior State Counsel and retired judges or prosecutors at provincial level, arguing that a transparent parliamentary committee could examine delays and help restore confidence in the justice system. Adjournment Debate: Select Committee on Administration of Justice Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister thanked Justice Ministry officials and acknowledged constructive Opposition proposals on judicial reform, while stating that constitutional reform and abolition of the Executive Presidency remain Government commitments to be implemented according to its own roadmap. He said allocations have been made for reparations, reconciliation, and missing persons mechanisms, and pledged to address Northern and Eastern concerns while protecting judicial independence and avoiding political interference. He cited justice-sector vacancies as a cause of delays, noting recruitment of 753 officers, and said investigations and indictments on corruption, money laundering, past crimes, and the Easter attacks are proceeding without improper disclosure. He also referred to the Proceeds of Crime Bill as a mechanism for recovering assets derived from crime and rejected allegations of “deals” in relation to judicial accountability. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy, speaking during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministries of Justice and National Unity, said he had missed the Second Reading vote due to a parliamentary workshop in Tanzania on justice-related issues. He rejected the President’s suggestion of conspiracies against the Government and urged those in office to act as temporary custodians. He called on the Justice Minister to investigate reported allegations concerning the Law College, including claims involving an MP and the Principal’s appointment, and raised concerns about prison conditions, citing a visit to Welikada and urging reforms for inmates, women, and children. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra rejected Opposition claims of a fuel supply disruption, saying Government Ministers had provided distribution figures and that panic buying was caused by misinformation and some media reporting. She defended the Minister of Justice and argued that access to justice should be expanded despite fiscal constraints, including more targeted legal aid for workers and people near industrial zones. She highlighted increased 2025 allocations for alternative dispute resolution, including a 30 percent increase for the Debt Conciliation Board with two new branches, and a 118 percent increase for Mediation Boards with specialized boards in several districts. She also called for a more efficient and sensitive justice-system response to crimes against women and children, with future budgetary support. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Government’s credibility on fuel availability, saying public queues showed a lack of trust in official assurances. He pressed the Minister of Justice for answers on the proposed new Constitution, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the disappeared, and reduced allocations to the Office on Missing Persons and Office for Reparations. He also demanded the Government state what action has been taken on emblematic accountability cases, including the killings of journalists and civilians, the Trinco 5, ACF aid workers, Lasantha Wickrematunge, Prageeth Eknaligoda, and cases affected by the Political Victimization Commission. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →