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- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns during the Defence Votes debate about unresolved accountability issues, asking the President to clarify whether the Government would pursue a domestic or international process. He cited alleged killings linked to the Tripoli platoon, State Intelligence personnel, Manik Farm detainees, and the Easter attacks, questioning why key individuals had not been investigated or questioned. He also said no tangible progress had been made on a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the disappeared, or alleged killings, and noted a rise in Defence allocations for diets and uniforms from Rs. 70 billion in 2023 to Rs. 135 billion in 2025. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Thushari Jayasingha said equalizing women’s armed forces service to 22 years was a parity measure, not a punishment. She outlined plans under the allocation to improve women and child protection, including early identification of at-risk children through Police, probation and divisional officials, stronger use of the 109 hotline, and the recruitment of 2,600 women Police officers to ensure at least three per station. She also proposed dedicated Children and Women Units with separate entrances in all 604 Police stations to reduce re-victimization and improve access to complaints, while stressing crime prevention and professional law enforcement. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised concerns about the continued blocking of donated Sinhala and Tamil translations of Tafsir Qur’an, questioning their classification as “extremist literature” and requesting corrective action. He proposed further digitization of parliamentary work, including ending his hard-copy Hansard distribution, upgrading Members’ outdated laptops, installing desk-based screens and keyboards, and improving canteen and tea services through a pay-for-consumption model. He also asked that unpaid allowances for Police officers attached to Parliament be considered. On Arjuna Mahendran’s extradition, he argued that the absence of a Sri Lanka-Singapore treaty makes extradition difficult, warned that fair-treatment concerns affect such requests, and suggested proceeding with an in absentia trial under existing criminal procedure provisions. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan opposed the increased Defence allocation, arguing that the post-war North and East continue to face excessive troop presence, military occupation of civilian land, and restrictions on access to religious and agricultural sites. He cited specific locations in Vavuniya, Mannar, Mullaitivu and along the A-9, and urged the Government to implement the President’s pledge to release occupied lands and reduce troop numbers. He questioned the effectiveness and purpose of the military presence amid continued drug trafficking and criticized the use of national security and the PTA to arrest journalists and civilians, saying reconciliation requires reduced defence spending and an end to fear among Tamil communities. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana raised concerns about rising underworld violence, alleged links between organized crime and law enforcement personnel, and the need to protect intelligence officers’ identities while strengthening structures to combat organized crime. He called on the Government to disclose and prosecute any politicians linked to the underworld and to report transparently to Parliament on progress in investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, including issues raised in a letter from Catholic Church leaders and allegations involving intelligence personnel, Channel 4 disclosures, DNA testing, and the Gelanigama incident. He also questioned delays and silence over alleged frauds relating to passports and NICs, and urged expedited processing of dual citizenship applications, citing accumulated files, lost revenue, and hardship to applicants. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that there is no conflict of interest because the Secretary is not involved in investigations in that capacity, and officials are acting within their official roles. He noted that the matter will ultimately come before the courts and said any concerns submitted would be examined. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe requested the Minister to ensure that anyone with a conflict of interest is excluded from the relevant investigation. He framed the request as a measure to safeguard fairness in the probe. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala responded to points raised about the Easter Sunday attacks and the Ministry Secretary, stating that former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and the then Ministry Secretary acted diligently and honestly during their tenures. He said Ravi Seneviratne is the current Ministry Secretary and argued that accusations against officials should not be made in Parliament without basis. He assured the House that investigations into the Easter attacks are progressing and that those responsible would be revealed expeditiously. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara urged the Government to address responsibilities to Northern and Eastern voters beyond political messaging, and called for a comprehensive programme against the underworld, including using Boossa Prison for high-risk offenders, virtual court procedures, and accountability for recent security failures. He raised concerns over human–elephant conflict workers not being regularized, alleged informal funding of police station refurbishments, and a Gazette extending women soldiers’ service for retirement to 22 years. He also demanded further investigation into the Easter attacks, including questioning named individuals and witnesses, and referred to unresolved allegations surrounding Rohana Wijeweera’s killing and available witnesses. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman asked the Minister to acknowledge alleged large-scale fraud and corruption in the issuance of both previous and current blue passports. He pressed the Minister on whether legal action would be taken in response. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka raised concerns about police staffing, working conditions, recruitment, and promotions, noting around 20,000 vacancies, prolonged acting leadership, long duty hours, unclear salary increments, and the need for careful background checks for new recruits. He urged measures to restore public trust amid allegations of police links to serious crimes, including improved job satisfaction, risk allowances, fair promotion pathways, and reinstatement of departmental competitive examinations. He also proposed expanding police hospital facilities, creating a one-stop service at Police Headquarters for pension and administrative matters, allowing serving lower-rank graduate officers to attend relevant interviews, and resolving allowance disparities affecting Parliament Police officers attached to the Ministerial Security Division. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary The speech defended the Government’s approach to defence and public security expenditure, rejecting claims that underworld killings, Army ration shortages, or public opposition to the Army in the North reflected failures of national security. It pledged justice for victims of the Easter Sunday attacks, including affected Muslim communities, and said the masterminds would be prosecuted. The Member emphasized preventing a recurrence of war, honouring and depoliticizing the Tri-Forces, preserving commanders’ institutional independence, and pursuing a non-aligned foreign policy to reduce external threats and pressures. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara questioned the Government’s failure to identify or arrest those alleged to be responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks, arguing that it had used such allegations electorally but had taken no action after 158 days in power. He called for justice for Catholics and asked who was directing the current process, referring to the President, the security adviser, and Ananda Wijepala. He also raised concerns over a dispute between the National Police Commission, the President, and the Acting IGP, stressing that the Commission was established to ensure police independence and warning against politicisation or executive interference. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the Opposition and SJB would support laws and action to recover stolen assets and prosecute wrongdoing, but questioned the Government’s progress on its pledge to “catch thieves.” He asked why the Government had not negotiated with Singapore to bring back Arjuna Mahendran in relation to the Central Bank bond scam and requested an update on the special unit established for such investigations. He also raised concerns about stalled investigations into Lasantha Wickrematunge, Wasim Thajudeen, Prageeth Ekneligoda, Sivaram, Poddala Jayantha and the Easter Sunday attacks, demanding clarity on delays and justice for victims. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary The Member submitted to the Table a list of long-term detainees and a copy of a letter from the organization “Voice of the Voiceless” addressed to the President regarding their release. The documents were placed in the Library for the Minister’s attention. Questions by Private Notice - Construction Work in Mannar & Release of Tamil Political Prisoners Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan urged the Minister to give special, humane consideration to the cases of several named prisoners who have been incarcerated for periods ranging from 16 to 30 years. He requested a response on their situation, noting the lengthy duration of their imprisonment and asking that the matter receive particular attention. Questions by Private Notice - Construction Work in Mannar & Release of Tamil Political Prisoners Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Justice and National Integration regarding Tamil political prisoners detained for long periods in Sri Lankan prisons. He asked for the number of such prisoners, the prisons in which they are held, and the Government’s timeline for their release. He also requested consideration of their release on humanitarian grounds or through a Presidential pardon, citing the impact on their families and the Government’s stated themes of ethnic harmony and reform. Questions by Private Notice - Construction Work in Mannar & Release of Tamil Political Prisoners Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala – Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala defended the 2025 allocations under the President’s Head, stating that expenditure had been reduced while funding for independent commissions and oversight bodies such as CIABOC, the National Audit Office, the National Procurement Commission and the Human Rights Commission had been increased. He said the Government had reduced staff and monthly costs at the Presidential Secretariat, opened it to the public, and was ending what he described as past misuse of the President’s Fund. He argued that improved revenue collection, reduced waste and a proposed Rs. 232 billion public sector salary increase would support a more efficient, citizen-friendly public service under independent institutions. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna criticized government remarks on the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic by recalling the 1988–89 threat to the Temple of the Tooth and urged sensitivity to that history. She warned against interference with independent Commissions, questioned proposals to formalize and tax informal remittance channels, and argued that some Budget expenditure reductions appear to be accounting shifts while heritage maintenance is being undervalued. She also raised concerns about procurement accountability, delays and investigations relating to the President’s Fund, and urged officials not to be discouraged from lawful decision-making, emphasizing that the institutions under the Special Spending Unit are essential to democratic checks and balances. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Read →
- 27 February 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam criticized proposed changes to the Tax Appeals Commission process, particularly the requirement for a 25 per cent cash deposit before an appeal and the restriction on submitting new evidence or raising new issues at appeal hearings. He argued these measures would deter investors, undermine natural justice, and create risks of corruption, and asked the Government to reconsider them. He also urged the Government not to follow previous approaches toward minorities, especially Tamils in the North and East. Debate: Committee Stage of the 2025 Appropriation Bill - Special Expenditure Heads (Heads 1-25) and Amendments Read →