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- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Mahinda Jayasinghe rejected Dayasiri Jayasekara’s allegation that he had climbed over a temple wall, stating that he had only visited a disputed land site allegedly acquired under the previous Rajapaksa administration and had left when access was denied. He said he had requested a CID investigation and a Divisional Secretary’s report on the land’s ownership and acquisition, and denied any intention to interfere with Buddhist or other religious sites. He also said past governments had failed to address long-standing teachers’ salary anomalies, while the current Government would work to resolve remaining issues. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister expressed regret over a court shooting and said the main suspect, the van and driver had been arrested within hours, with investigations continuing into possible accomplices and links to recent murders. He characterized the incident as part of localized clashes among organized criminal gangs, not a breakdown of national security, and stated that public and national security remain intact. He said security for judges had not been reduced, noted that police were not permitted to carry firearms inside courts where private security handled internal security, and offered protection for media personnel subject to threat assessment. Government Response on Court Security Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concern over a killing on court premises, describing it as a serious threat to national security and public confidence in the judicial system. He urged the Government not to withdraw security provided to judges and to strengthen protection for judicial officers, journalists, civil society, the public, and Members of Parliament. He called for a special investigation and firm action, while asking the Speaker to ensure MPs’ security as their institutional guardian. Leader of Opposition Statement on Court Security Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary A committee involving the Prisons Department was appointed to examine prison overcrowding and has already met. The judiciary, prisons, police, and other relevant agencies are expected to submit a report within a month with proposals to reduce congestion, after which the Government plans to implement the recommendations. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana raised concerns about severe overcrowding in prisons, citing Mahara Prison holding 3,136 inmates against a capacity of 975 and Kalutara Prison holding 1,400 against a capacity of 800, with similar conditions at Colombo Magazine, CRP, and Welikada. He referred to government plans to demolish prison buildings and drew attention to the situation at Kalutara Prison, seeking clarification in that context. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara stated that while nationwide wartime-style checkpoints are unnecessary, court premises require stronger security measures and action will be taken. He said amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure are before Cabinet to allow testimony via video link, reducing the need to produce remand prisoners in court and assisting witnesses, including those overseas. He indicated the Government aims to bring the amendments to Parliament by March or April and enact them as a longer-term solution. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The Attorney-at-Law stated that the Government is treating a court incident involving a suspect disguised as a lawyer seriously and has appointed a committee to review security procedures. He said discussions with the IGP, prison authorities, the Judicial Service Commission, Police and the Bar Association would consider allowing armed guards in courts in special cases for high-risk inmates and strengthening court screening. He also noted that the inmate’s transfer from Boossa was handled properly, while acknowledging risks faced by prison officers due to underworld activity and the need to improve their allowances and welfare. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana highlighted staffing shortages in the Prisons Department, noting that 37 prisons hold about 30,000 inmates and remandees with 5,218 officers against an estimated cadre need of around 7,000, and referred to planned recruitment. Referring to the incident at the Hulftsdorp Courts complex and past incidents including at Kalutara Prison, he urged attention to the safety of prison officers and staff. He also asked what action would be taken to address prison officers’ pay, which he said is lower than that of police despite comparable duties, and to improve their security. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration provided figures on the prison system, stating that 5,218 officers serve across 318 institutions, with details by prison and related facilities. He identified major deficiencies including severe overcrowding, dilapidated and ageing buildings, inadequate sanitation, visitor facilities, transport, accessibility measures, infant care facilities, telephone access, and staff housing. He outlined ongoing and planned measures for 2025, including infrastructure repairs, sanitation and wastewater projects, new barracks, construction at Wataraka Open Prison Camp, proposals to reduce overcrowding and rehabilitate drug users, and plans to relocate the Colombo Prison Complex to Millewa, Horana, subject to implementation and budget allocations. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Minister of Justice and National Integration to provide prison-by-prison details on staffing levels, infrastructure deficiencies, and measures taken to improve facilities. He also sought information on rehabilitation centres for imprisoned persons, including the number of centres, the number of persons undergoing rehabilitation in each, and the rehabilitation methods used. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra JJB AI summary Complaints to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment’s Special Investigations Division are handled by summoning both parties and examining evidence of payments. Efforts are first made to secure settlements and refunds, failing which cases are filed in Magistrates’ Courts and resolved according to court orders. Oral Question: Foreign Employment and Worker Protection (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Ajith Gihan raised concerns about large-scale fraud schemes promising foreign employment and taking millions of rupees from victims. He asked how the Ministry would ensure swift legal action, justice for affected persons currently before the courts, and relief for victims. Oral Question: Foreign Employment and Worker Protection (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra JJB AI summary Hon. Arun Hemachandra stated that while the SLBFE receives about 3,000 complaints annually from migrant workers, fewer than 150 concern violence against female domestic workers. He outlined the procedures for handling such complaints under Sections 44, 65 and 66, including coordination with licensed agencies, missions and foreign employers, diplomatic intervention where needed, and referral of unregistered self-migrant cases to the Consular Affairs Division. He also said fraud cases are prosecuted under Section 64(a) for licensees and Section 64(b) for unlicensed actors, with money recovery first attempted through SLBFE-mediated settlement and then through Magistrate’s Court orders if necessary. Oral Question: Foreign Employment and Worker Protection (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister, answering for the relevant Minister, said difficulties faced by Sri Lankans in Italy over conversion of driving licences stem from the expiry of the 2011 bilateral agreement and delays in finalizing a new agreement due to clarifications on changed Sri Lankan licence formats and data exchange rules. He stated that the agreed text is ready for signature once Italy sends the final table of licence category equivalences for Sri Lankan verification. He also outlined SLBFE complaint and legal procedures for migrant worker abuse and fraud, noting that fewer than 150 of about 3,000 annual complaints involve physical, psychological or sexual violence, and that action is taken through missions, licensed agencies, the Consular Affairs Division and Magistrate’s Courts under the SLBFE Act. Oral Question: Foreign Employment and Worker Protection (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala alleged that past political killings were linked to the Rajapaksa family and its associates, and rejected criticism of the NPP Government on national security after only 90 days in office. He stated that investigations into witness killings and other political murders are being conducted independently through the CID and the Attorney-General’s Department without political interference, and said the Government intends to complete them despite the length of criminal trials. The debate was then adjourned at 6.30 p.m. until 20 February 2025. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Budget, saying public acceptance was reflected in the absence of protests and highlighting reductions in expenditure under the President’s Vote. He argued that fisheries allocations must follow practical development needs, welcomed the reopening of vehicle imports, and said passport services had improved through online and same-day, 24-hour arrangements. Responding to concerns about a court shooting, he said the suspect had been arrested and investigations were continuing, while also calling for probes into alleged contract killings and witness tampering in major past cases. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim acknowledged another Member’s apology and called on the JVP to apologize for its alleged role in bombing the Sri Dalada Maligawa. He stated that such an apology had not yet been made and was what he expected from them. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Read →
- 19 February 2025 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised concern over what he described as a serious breakdown in law and order, citing daily homicides, deaths of children, and public fear even in attending court. He called on the Government, including the Chief Government Whip, to take strong and decisive action to restore safety, discipline, and public confidence. He stated that the Opposition is prepared to support such measures, while emphasizing that responsibility and authority currently rest with the Government. Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Data on Poverty, Aswesuma Programme and Law and Order Read →
- 19 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns over a shooting inside Court No. 5 of the Aluthkade Courts Complex, where a person allegedly posing as a lawyer shot “Ganemulle Sanjeeva,” described as linked to the underworld. He questioned court security and the safety of lawyers, citing a reported rise in murders, and urged Parliament to treat the law-and-order situation as a serious matter. Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Data on Poverty, Aswesuma Programme and Law and Order Read →
- 18 February 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister said the Budget prioritizes social protection and relief for vulnerable groups by reallocating resources away from privileges and waste, including Rs. 232 billion for Aswesuma and increased allowances for kidney patients and elderly persons. He highlighted child-focused measures, including Rs. 500 million to improve care institutions, Rs. 250 million for child-friendly transport for legal proceedings, Rs. 1 billion for a Rs. 5,000 monthly allowance for children in residential care and orphans, and improved school access. He also stated that the Government would strengthen anti-corruption institutions, expand mental health and counselling support for youth and parents, and increase funding for prisoner skills development to support reintegration. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Read →