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- 4 March 2025 Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concern over recent sword attacks in Araiyampathy on 20 February and in Batticaloa town the previous night. He said underworld groups were causing disturbances in the Batticaloa District and referred to the President’s recent remarks that such incidents could occur. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government on its election pledge to amend the Online Safety Act and asked whether its operation would be suspended pending amendment, citing concerns over freedom of expression. He requested data on arrests, remand orders and convictions under the Act. He also sought clarification on the proposed 15 per cent income tax on foreign exchange earnings from IT services, including the number affected, expected revenue, whether the policy would proceed, and what mechanisms or studies exist to assess its impact on the digital economy and remittance channels. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Discussions are underway to coordinate relevant institutions through District Coordinating Committees, with special committees for the gem and mining sectors bringing together the CEA, GSMB and NGJA for joint responses, including the possibility of establishing such a committee in the relevant district. A dedicated NGJA unit is also being set up to process complaints, with resource requests submitted. The Deputy Minister stated that unauthorized sand stockpiling and transport are illegal and cited the fines under Circular 121/85, emphasizing the Ministry’s objective of strengthening local enforcement against violators. Oral Question 3: Gemstone mining licences in Wellawaya (Q.489/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani raised concerns that soil and gravel removed during mining are being transported without GSMB permits, contributing to large-scale gravel and sand trafficking and causing damage to riverbanks, bridges, and the environment, particularly along Kirindi Oya in Wellawaya. She asked whether the National Gem and Jewellery Authority would issue licences only after clearances from the Central Environmental Authority and the Road Development Authority, and what action would be taken to address the resulting public hardship and unrepaired damage. Oral Question 3: Gemstone mining licences in Wellawaya (Q.489/2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister stated that the National Gem and Jewellery Authority issued 7,897 gem mining licences in 2024, with 101 valid ordinary licences and 6 mechanized excavation permits in the Wellawaya DS Division as at 11 January 2025. He clarified that a Central Environmental Authority recommendation is not a statutory requirement under the National Gem and Jewellery Authority Act, No. 50 of 1993, though environmental reports may be obtained where concerns arise, identifying a gap in CEA oversight for environmentally sensitive areas. He noted that licences include environmental and operational conditions, with powers to suspend or cancel licences, police assistance against illegal activity, and confiscation of items used in offences, while acknowledging that enforcement has been weak and requires strengthening. Oral Question 3: Gemstone mining licences in Wellawaya (Q.489/2025) Read →
- 3 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that the dispute between CPC and fuel distributors stems from long-unimplemented decisions on dealer margins dating back to 2010 and 2016, later complicated by fuel price increases, court injunctions and pending litigation. He said the CPC is now attempting to implement a new circular unilaterally despite the Court of Appeal directing discussions with dealers, and warned that mishandling the matter could create fuel shortages. He rejected claims that the Opposition was trying to create queues, saying it was raising concerns based on CPC board papers and shortages, and questioned why the subject Minister did not respond in Parliament. He also alleged past and present irregularities in CPC appointments, allowances and the conduct of officials, calling for accountability. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) 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. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy called for proactive measures to address drug trafficking into prisons, including surveys at Grama Niladhari Division level to identify social, economic and other causes leading people into crime, with findings reported to Parliament. He criticized the Government’s response to underworld violence and the killing inside a court premises, urging stronger security for judges, court staff and officers and an orderly plan to address criminal activity. He also proposed modern alternatives to remand imprisonment, such as GPS-linked electronic monitoring used in Italy, and called for improved court and prison infrastructure and more funding for women’s empowerment programmes to prevent women and children being drawn into crime. 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. 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 →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman urged the Minister of Justice to intervene to withdraw what he described as politically motivated cases against Aragalaya activists and trade union leaders, noting ongoing summonses and practical consequences such as difficulty obtaining police clearance. He also called for the withdrawal or conclusion of allegedly baseless Easter Sunday-related cases, citing the detention and prosecution of figures including Hijaaz Hisbullah and Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen. While acknowledging progress in some corruption-related cases, he asked for faster action on matters such as the VFS deal and passport issuance allegations. He further raised concerns about the handling of a proposed impeachment of the President of the Court of Appeal, arguing that any action affecting judicial independence should follow proper parliamentary due process. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha urged reforms to judicial promotions, calling for reasons and due process when senior judges are overlooked, and asked that Standing Orders prevent parliamentary privilege from being used to attack judges outside established disciplinary mechanisms. He proposed legislation requiring reasons when appellate courts refuse leave or notice, reallocating some Supreme Court jurisdiction to ease its caseload, restoring appellate flow through the Court of Appeal, and creating subject-specific benches in the Supreme Court. He also called for expedited relief for prisoners whose remand periods pre-date the 2024 amendment, greater use of community service, relocation and improvement of urban prisons, continuous legal education, and skills-based rehabilitation for prisoners. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe urged attention to staff retention in the Attorney General’s Department amid high taxes and living difficulties, linking the issue to prosecutorial capacity and deficiencies in police investigations. He called for urgent digitalization of court processes to reduce litigation costs and improve access to fundamental rights remedies, and supported reforms to reduce case delays to about 18 months. He also requested prison and sentencing reforms, including remission for long-term prisoners based on good conduct, deduction of remand time from final sentences, retrospective implementation of Cabinet-approved measures, and relief for inmates imprisoned for minor drug offences or inability to pay fines, citing overcrowding and rehabilitation considerations. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Dr. S. Sri Bavanandarajah supported the Ministry of Justice and National Integration’s role in advancing equality, reconciliation and minority rights, urging remedies for those affected by past abuses, including under the PTA, and answers for families of the missing. He called for expedited trials or amnesty for long-remanded political prisoners, action on missing commission reports, and priority investigations into mass graves. He also requested practical justice-sector measures, including filling Jaffna Prison vacancies, appointing pharmacists, adding a Magistrate at Mallakam, recruiting court interpreters, appointing more inquirers and Justices of the Peace, and reducing the national case backlog. He further urged a rehabilitation centre in Jaffna, stronger action against drugs and gang violence, curbing police bias, and returning military-occupied private lands and reopening closed roads in areas such as Palaly, Myliddy and Kattuvan. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam welcomed the idea of an Independent Prosecutor’s Office but argued it must be genuinely independent, adequately resourced, and empowered to direct investigations and prosecute, particularly where the Attorney-General’s Department faces conflicts of interest in cases involving State actors. He cited habeas corpus cases, alleged mass graves at Kokkuthoduvai, Mannar and Chemmani, and contested antiquity/religious site disputes as examples where evidence preservation, credible procedures and institutional independence are needed. He also raised concerns about the predominance of former Attorney-General’s Department officers in apex court appointments, arguing that it affects perceptions of judicial credibility and disadvantages career judges. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala defended the Government’s record on judicial independence, prison administration, and criminal accountability, stating that courts now function independently and prison institutions have been opened to public scrutiny. He said Singapore had informed Sri Lanka in December 2021 that Arjuna Mahendran could not be extradited under its law, but that proceedings would continue through available legal routes, including trial and enforcement of judgment if extradition fails. He urged that the Attorney-General’s Department and Police be allowed to act independently in complex cases, noted that major public finance suspects are before court, and challenged the Opposition to prove any misuse of public funds by Government members. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Votes of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration and said shortcomings in court facilities, record-keeping and photocopying services should be addressed after the allocations are passed. He proposed reconsidering judicial retirement ages, particularly for the High Court and Court of Appeal, to retain experienced judges. He rejected Opposition allegations regarding files and political conduct, stating that files had been referred for lawful investigation, and argued that the Government was safeguarding judicial independence through proper appointments and non-interference. He also cited past incidents involving the judiciary and prisons, including the impeachment of Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake and the alleged actions of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, as context for reforms to make these institutions independent and accountable. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi supported prioritising a new court in Panadura and argued that rebuilding confidence in the rule of law requires an exemplary judiciary, impartial judges, and effective justice institutions. She highlighted the Legal Aid Commission’s role under the Legal Aid Law, No. 27 of 1978, noting its 77 offices, staffing vacancies, inadequate facilities, and proposed expansion to additional court areas. She linked crime and social problems to poverty and inequality, citing the Budget’s public sector pay increase as part of addressing root causes, and clarified that the President’s remarks about lawyers abetting crime were not directed at the legal profession as a whole. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →