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 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary The Minister said the incident discovered on 23 March was reported to the CID and remains under investigation, so the Government would present details to Parliament only once adequate quantitative and verified information is available. He said questions about officer involvement, prior knowledge, and internal controls are still being examined, and there was therefore no immediate requirement for an earlier statement. Addressing public suspicion, he stated that reports indicate a suicide and cautioned against unverified claims, clarifying that the written complaint was lodged by the Director-General of the ERD. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Debt Service Payment and Central Bank Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned the Minister on an apparent contradiction about why Parliament was not informed of a serious incident discovered on 23 March, noting that Parliament sat from 7 to 10 April. He raised concerns about the Secretary to the Treasury’s non-attendance at the Committee on Public Finance and the lack of answers on repayment timelines and amounts. He also requested a clear statement from the Government and the Minister of Justice on the investigation into the incident and the death of Mr. Ranga Nishantha Rajapaksha, citing public suspicion. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Debt Service Payment and Central Bank Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha responded to eight questions raised under Standing Order 27(2) on state debt management and a suspected cyber-related diversion of external debt payments. He outlined the legal framework under the Public Financial Management Act and State Debt Management Act, explained the transfer of debt management functions from the Central Bank to the Public Debt Management Office from January 2026, and detailed the payment procedures and affected remittances. He stated that the issue was discovered on 23 March 2026, complaints were made to SLCERT, CID and the Financial Intelligence Unit, four officers have been interdicted following an internal inquiry, and investigations are continuing. He added that advisers indicated the incident is unlikely to be treated as a technical default, and said further information would be provided through Ministry Statements. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Debt Service Payment and Central Bank Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition questioned the Government on alleged erroneous debt service payments, including a reported USD 2.5 million loss, a USD 600,000 issue involving the US Postal Service, possible double payments under Aswasuma, and missing promissory notes related to a French loan. He requested a detailed account of the standard debt payment process, responsible institutions and officers, the dates and actions taken under relevant Financial Regulations and the Payment Devices Frauds Report Act, and why Parliament was not informed earlier. He also asked about verification failures in changing payment details following a fake email, the timing and details of any CID or legal complaints, the status of law enforcement proceedings, and whether the incident constitutes a technical default under the IMF programme. He further questioned whether a fair investigation is possible while the Secretary to the Treasury and other responsible officers remain in office. Questions under Standing Order 27(2): Debt Service Payment and Central Bank Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns about unregistered entities, including purported plantation schemes, collecting public deposits by promising high interest without Central Bank approval. Referring to the reported theft of USD 2.5 million from the Central Bank and unsatisfactory responses before the Committee on Public Finance, he asked who would be responsible for future safeguards and what measures the Finance Ministry would propose. He specifically sought clarification on internal audit, IT audit and risk assessment mechanisms within the Central Bank, and on government systems to identify and act against unregistered deposit-taking entities to protect the public. Oral Question Q.2 (361/2024): The Finance Company - Liquidation and Compensation to Depositors Read →
- 5 May 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha stated that the matters raised by the Member would be examined to determine any further action. He said the Rs. 950 million mobilization and subsequent permissions were undertaken within the legal and regulatory framework then in force, including in the context of requests to revive the entity after a licence cancellation notice. He added that further fund-raising was not permitted after licence cancellation and that, during liquidation, employee and depositor payments were made according to preferential payment orders. Oral Question Q.2 (361/2024): The Finance Company - Liquidation and Compensation to Depositors Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns about the collapse of The Finance Company, alleging that despite assets exceeding liabilities when the Central Bank intervened in 2008, subsequent actions led to insolvency and losses for depositors. He questioned the mobilization of nearly Rs. 950 million in new deposits before the licence cancellation in 2019, alleged possible misuse of company funds and assets, and argued that insurance payouts did not amount to full repayment of depositors’ money. He requested the Government to intervene beyond the existing liquidation process, appoint a commission or new committee, and provide relief and justice to affected depositors. Oral Question Q.2 (361/2024): The Finance Company - Liquidation and Compensation to Depositors Read →
- 5 May 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha answered on behalf of the Minister of Finance, stating that a Cabinet Memorandum on The Finance Company PLC submitted by Hon. Ajith Nivard Cabraal was later withdrawn and therefore no Cabinet decision on restructuring was taken. He said the Central Bank had provided opportunities from 2019 to identify an investor, but after those efforts failed the licence was cancelled in May 2020 and liquidation proceedings were filed in the Colombo Commercial High Court in February 2021. He detailed payments under the Sri Lanka Deposit Insurance Scheme, noting that Rs. 12.96 billion had been paid to 36,479 depositors up to 21 May 2024, with compensation limited by law to Rs. 1.1 million per eligible depositor, or Rs. 1.2 million where applicable under later provisions. Oral Question Q.2 (361/2024): The Finance Company - Liquidation and Compensation to Depositors Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam questioned the Minister of Finance on the handling of “The Finance Company” liquidation and compensation to depositors. He asked for details on Cabinet approval and investor calls for the proposed restructuring, queried the consistency of that process with the Central Bank’s Commercial High Court liquidation filing on 15 February 2021, and sought information on payments under the Sri Lanka Deposit Insurance and Liquidity Support Scheme. He also asked whether the deposit insurance fund could cover all dues, why not if insufficient, and what action would be taken regarding claims that the Central Bank allowed the company to earn over Rs. 950 million through the Special Standing Deposit Facility before cancelling its licence. Oral Question Q.2 (361/2024): The Finance Company - Liquidation and Compensation to Depositors Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera asked whether the Ministry would act to reclaim the tsunami-damaged Magistrate’s Bungalow site near Panadura beach, which he said had remained vacant and may have been leased to the private sector for 33 years. He argued that, given Panadura’s importance as a judicial hub and the reliance on rented accommodation, the site or other vacant UDA land should be used to provide official quarters for the High Court Judge and the Magistrate. Oral Question Q.1 (233/2024): Establishment of Provincial High Court for Western Province Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara responded to concerns regarding the Panadura court premises, noting discussions with the Panadura Bar about repairs and vacant official quarters. He said the Judicial Service Commission had been informed that an additional official residence would be required if another Court of Appeal division is established there, and that engineers had identified a water-level issue affecting construction on part of the premises. He stated that the matter would be discussed further with the engineering team to take necessary steps. Oral Question Q.1 (233/2024): Establishment of Provincial High Court for Western Province Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera raised concerns about the reduced status and public inconvenience at the Panadura Courts Complex and highlighted the abandoned construction of two official quarters for judges on de Silva Mawatha near the District Court. He asked whether the Minister intends to complete those residences and consider renovating the old building near the courts complex to provide facilities and space needed for the new court. Oral Question Q.1 (233/2024): Establishment of Provincial High Court for Western Province Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister answered that no Judicial Service Commission recommendation has yet been made to establish a Civil Appellate High Court in Panadura, although a 2021 judicial zoning report proposed one. He said implementation requires concurrence from the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice, gazetting of recommendations, and review in light of current circumstances. He stated that a recent proposal from the Panadura Bar Association, including infrastructure proposals, has been referred to the Judicial Service Commission, with further action dependent on its recommendations. Oral Question Q.1 (233/2024): Establishment of Provincial High Court for Western Province Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration whether the Government is aware of a recommendation to establish a Provincial High Court with civil appellate jurisdiction for the Western Province at the Panadura Courts Complex. He sought details on steps taken to implement the recommendation and asked whether action would be taken to establish the Civil Appellate High Court in Panadura promptly, or the reasons if not. Oral Question Q.1 (233/2024): Establishment of Provincial High Court for Western Province Read →
- 5 May 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva briefly explained several instruments tabled, including Port City duty-free provisions allowing multiple USD 2,000 purchases within a year, amendments to the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, Motor Traffic regulations on preferred vehicle numbers, and the Rehabilitation, Reorganization and Insolvency Bill. He noted concern that Port City employers may terminate employees without the Commissioner of Labour’s recommendation following court-directed changes to the Act. On the insolvency proposals, he welcomed the shift from liquidation to restructuring for defaulting SMEs but urged that the court-supervised negotiation period with creditors be extendable from 60 days to around 180 days. Papers: Reports and Regulations Tabled Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the entities in question were accredited, even if some measures may have been lacking. He argued that an error had occurred but rejected attempts to attribute personal responsibility to Minister Jayakody, saying there was no basis to claim the Minister’s intervention caused the issue. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake argued that a failure should not automatically be treated as a procedural lapse or personal fault, noting that external causes are recognized in sectors such as shipping and insurance. He said the Opposition was constructing a political narrative without substance and suggested that the technical issue of why accredited laboratories approved the relevant items should also be examined. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Argues that while Keheliya Rambukwella’s case may be a relevant comparison because actions were taken under a specific Act, it differs from Minister Jayakody’s case. He states that Keheliya allegedly altered or undermined procedures for the purpose of theft, whereas Jayakody neither intended wrongdoing nor changed the established process. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 An Hon. Member AI summary An Hon. Member interrupted to reject an apparent claim or explanation, stating that the plant, laboratory, and officials involved were all at fault. The remark appears to challenge the reliability of technical or administrative findings, but provides no further detail on the matter under discussion. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →
- 10 April 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper challenged the Government’s claim that a tender registration lapse was merely a “technical error,” citing a Supreme Court judgment that tenders must strictly comply with conditions at the closing time. He argued that later compliance cannot cure non-compliance at the relevant time and said the Auditor General’s report establishes the breach on its face. He further contended that under the CIABOC Act, corruption includes improperly using office to advantage another party, not only personal gain, and that responsibility follows where an act causes the relevant chain of events. Debate: No-Confidence Motion Against Minister of Energy (Hon. Kumara Jayakody) Read →