Topic
Law & Order
1,620 speeches · 292 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. Ananda Wijepala, M.P. JJB | 137 |
| 2 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 57 |
| 3 | Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 55 |
| 4 | Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney at Law, M.P. JJB | 46 |
| 5 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 45 |
| 6 | Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney at Law, M.P. JJB | 43 |
| 7 | Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, M.P. Independent Group 17 - Jaffna | 37 |
| 8 | Hon. Mujibur Rahman, M.P. SJB | 36 |
| 9 | Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, M.P. NDF | 32 |
| 10 | Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney at Law, M.P. SLPP | 30 |
Speeches
1,620 on this topic- 18 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath welcomed Public Security Ministry actions against narcotics and the underworld, but said shootings, deaths, illicit alcohol, illegal sand mining and illegal fishing remain inadequately controlled, particularly in Batticaloa. He said requests for security for people’s representatives had not been properly addressed and urged the Government to strengthen Police manpower and facilities, including more women officers in Tamil areas. He also argued that certain policing powers should be devolved through the Provincial Council system to improve local crime prevention, while noting the Navy’s role in controlling illegal fishing. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said national and public security had been assured over the past year, with recent incidents limited to clashes among organized criminal gangs, and argued that restored law and order had supported economic stability and tourism. He outlined the Defence Budget allocation of Rs. 455 billion across 25 institutions, including major allocations for the Tri-Forces, and said the Government had removed political interference from security institutions while maintaining regular National Security Council oversight. He emphasized a strategic shift toward maritime domain awareness, protection of the Exclusive Economic Zone, and operations against illegal fishing and drug trafficking. He rejected allegations against the Tri-Forces regarding drug trafficking and excessive presence in the North and East, citing narcotics seizures and tabling a residents’ letter requesting retention of an Army camp for local security. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said a court “B” Report has been filed on the Trincomalee incident, with the Magistrate ordering verification of documents and prohibiting changes to the temporary structure until the next hearing on 26 November 2025. He stated that stakeholders had reached consensus, boundary demarcation was being handled by the District Secretary, and the Government would not allow the issue to be used to create communal or religious tensions. He also said a committee on online credit operations is finalizing work under the Online Safety Act framework, a dedicated Police cybercrime division is planned, and no war veterans’ pensions or allowances have been permanently stopped, with only temporary database-related delays being addressed. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the Ministry of Public Security’s institutions and defended its 2025 expenditure, stating that most allocations for the Ministry, Police, STF, NGO Secretariat, Police Training College and related programmes had either been spent or committed, with targets of around 80–95 per cent utilization by year-end. He said the Police had been depoliticized through the National Police Commission and thanked police personnel, while describing investments in quarters, vehicles, hospital facilities, emergency 119 capacity, training, and allowances. He also noted recent administrative changes bringing the Civil Security Department and Rehabilitation Department under the Ministry and referred to structural reforms such as establishing police criminal investigation divisions. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister defended the independence and legality of decisions by the Judicial Service Commission and Chief Justice, stating that removals or interdictions of judicial officers followed due process and could be challenged in court rather than through parliamentary allegations. He addressed operational issues in the courts, noting that photocopier hiring arrangements had been approved, requests for new courts would be referred to the JSC, and baseless fundamental rights applications should not burden the judiciary. He also explained delays in capital expenditure due to the Vote on Account, holidays, staffing gaps and procurement compliance, projecting 70–75 percent execution by year-end, and said recruitment to fill court vacancies was progressing despite constraints on new buildings. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera raised concerns about the composition of Supreme Court Benches hearing leave to proceed in fundamental rights applications and asked the Government to examine whether any pattern was affecting access to fundamental rights litigation. He urged the Minister of Justice to expand capacity, staffing, technology, and management at the Government Analyst’s Department, citing a backlog of about 30,000 samples and delays affecting criminal proceedings and detainees. He also called for urgent amendment of Section 9(a) of the Civil Procedure Code, saying its current form has concentrated money recovery and other cases in the Colombo District Court and enabled forum-related harassment. He further noted concern over unimplemented policy and law reform commitments, particularly constitutional reform and abolition of the Executive Presidency. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera supported concerns about the poor condition of the Matugama court complex and urged the Government to prioritize relocating the Magistrate’s and District Courts to available government land. He raised concerns over High Court judicial promotions, stating that around 35 District Court Judges had been superseded and calling for transparent, criteria-based selection procedures rather than subjective decision-making. He also expressed concern that many fundamental rights applications were being dismissed by the Supreme Court at the leave-to-proceed stage, emphasizing the Court’s role as the sole forum for protecting such rights. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana urged the Ministry of Justice and the Judicial Service Commission to establish a new court complex in Matugama, citing severe overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and lack of basic amenities in the High Court, Magistrate’s Court and District Court serving a large population. He also highlighted critical overcrowding and unsafe conditions at Kalutara Prison, including poor officer quarters, inadequate sanitation, delays in drug analysis reports, restrictive bail practices and prolonged remand. He called for urgent inspections and remedies, with special attention to transporting children in probationary care separately from prisoners and improving conditions for under-18 detainees. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Correcting a procedural point and recalling the violence in Parliament on 16 November 2018, the Member urged that such events not recur. He questioned reductions in capital allocations for justice infrastructure, seeking clarification on planned court complexes, and asked about legal spending and the status of cases relating to the X-Press Pearl disaster, including government-to-government engagement with Singapore. He also requested details on expenditure for police officers sent to the UK, called for disbursement or interim relief to families of the disappeared using funds allocated in the 2025 Budget, and urged expediting the process to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam criticized the Government’s handling of recent events at a viharaya site in Trincomalee, arguing that it should uphold coastal and land-use law, resist racialized pressure, and address what he described as historical State-backed demographic changes affecting Tamil-speaking communities. He called on the Ministry of Justice and National Integration to reverse past discriminatory measures and explain these injustices to the Sinhala public rather than backtracking. While supporting the proposed Office of the Independent Prosecutor as important for prosecutorial independence, he rejected its presentation as a mechanism to address alleged wartime genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. He stated that his party would support voting against the Votes of the Ministries of Justice and National Integration due to the Government’s failure to ensure justice for war-related victims. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara clarified that the proposed replacement for the PTA has been drafted and is being translated into Sinhala and Tamil before release for public consultation. He also stated that the Independent Prosecutor’s Office is a manifesto commitment rather than a response to external pressure, and that a committee headed by Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, including the Attorney-General and others, is examining it. He said objections from the Legal Officers’ Association and other public views would be considered, while the Government intends to proceed with its stated policy. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Bhagya Sri Herath said the debate on the Justice and National Integration Vote had been diverted by Opposition claims of national danger, which he characterized as politically motivated and linked to events planned for 21 November. He defended the Government’s commitment to judicial independence, equality before the law, and the rule of law, arguing that past perceptions of influence by wealth or power were being addressed. He identified systemic justice-sector problems including case delays, prison overcrowding, crime, and staffing shortages, and cited planned recruitments of 2,871 officers, including 1,315 for the justice sector and 1,086 for prisons. He also outlined measures to expand access to justice, including new and upgraded Magistrates’ Courts and District Courts in several locations. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Dilith Jayaweera described the Trincomalee incident as a sensitive matter that could escalate and criticized the Deputy Minister’s response as weak. He urged that the issue be approached from a common national civilizational perspective, without ethnic or religious divisions, and resolved in a way that preserves peace rather than relying solely on court action. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera raised concern over an incident at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bauddhiraja Viharaya, linking it to what he described as Government rhetoric hostile to Sinhalese Buddhist practices and civilization. He argued that national unity, peace, and respect for Buddhist values are essential for tourism and other enterprises, and questioned why Police allegedly assaulted monks, including Kassapa Thero, in that context. He denied making a racist argument but claimed Government statements about religious practices may have influenced Police conduct and fuelled unnecessary communal tensions. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam urged the Government to fulfil commitments in its election policy statement, particularly regarding repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He requested that the committee report on the PTA be made public and shared with Members, and questioned the Government’s position on the Online Safety Act and its plan for accountability commitments made internationally. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concern that the Government has no dedicated Minister for Buddhism and referred to constitutional provisions for protecting Buddhism. He alleged that Police removed a Buddha statue and assaulted a monk at a Trincomalee temple that he said had existed since 1951, and also cited the removal of a Buddha statue at the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council premises. He urged the Government to establish a proper programme to protect Buddhism, while stating that the rights of Tamil and Muslim communities should also be respected. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar suggested that wildlife tourism could quickly generate revenue by renovating facilities, launching an online booking platform, and listing them on commercial travel sites. He questioned the Government’s claims on rule of law and public security, citing killings and shootings, the removal of MPs’ security, and alleging that the Minister in charge of Police continues to use STF and backup security. He also criticized public displays of drug seizures, calling for transparency on the destruction of seized drugs and for enforcement to be carried out properly rather than as publicity. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa thanked the Minister for intervening but said video evidence showed police cutting a fence to remove a statue and alleged that two monks were assaulted. He requested an investigation into the incident and called for the law to be enforced. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that the Trincomalee Harbour Police removed a recently installed Buddha statue after receiving information about a security threat and concerns that night protection could not be ensured. He said police have been instructed to restore the statue with proper security, while discussions with chief incumbent monks and the District Secretary continue to resolve the matter and prevent nationalist incitement, with legal action to be taken where necessary. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa said tourism policy should support both higher arrivals and higher earnings, calling for airport expansion, operational e-gates, better use of the Tourism Development Levy for promotion and local services, and a regulatory approach to protect small tourism operators rather than demolitions. He raised concerns about alleged politicization of the judiciary, including suspensions, transfers and promotions of judges, and urged transparent criteria to preserve public confidence. He also called for prison reform, faster lab reports, court digitization, attention to foreign convicts and overcrowding, and equal enforcement of drug laws. Referring to a recent incident at a Trincomalee temple, he urged the Government to intervene and resolve the matter fairly without allowing it to become an ethnic issue. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →