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- 21 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment JJB AI summary The Minister of Environment responded to questions on forest cover, elephant habitat and human-elephant conflict, citing the 2020 Forest Inventory and the 2011 elephant survey estimate of at least 5,879 wild elephants. He provided conflict figures for 2020–2024, showing annual human and elephant deaths, and stated that no national study has established whether Sri Lanka’s elephant population exceeds ecosystem carrying capacity. He outlined current mitigation measures, including electric fencing, deployment of Civil Security Department personnel, elephant drives, compensation payments, GPS-collar research, removal of problem elephants, securing elephant corridors, community awareness programmes, habitat enrichment, and trials of deterrent technologies. Oral Question: Compensation for Natural Disaster Damages (Q. First Round) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma - Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to an Adjournment Motion on excise licences, citing Section 28A(1) of the Excise Ordinance and stating that a retail liquor licence for Kegalle Beverages (Pvt) Ltd. in Periyaneelavanai, Ampara, had been approved under the previous government. He said no excise licence approvals had been granted since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed duties as Minister of Finance and Planning, and that licences issued under the previous government are under investigation. He added that the government’s policy for developing Ampara and the Eastern Province is not based on issuing bar permits, but on planned investment in health, education, roads and tourism zones through the Budget. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary Eranga Gunasekara stated that the government is investigating alleged political bribery connected to liquor/bar permits and will disclose in Parliament the names of politicians involved once inquiries are completed. Responding to an Adjournment Motion by Hon. Rasamanickam, he rejected claims that the government was hiding or delaying the matter and said the administration is seeking to change the previous political culture around permit issuance. He cited alleged examples involving former Kurunegala politicians and said the government recognizes lawful alcohol consumption while committing to proper investigations and disclosure. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Susantha Dodawatta, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Dodawatta said liquor bar licences had historically been issued through political patronage, including as inducements for MPs, and alleged that the previous government granted many licences shortly before an election for political advantage. He said licences should be assessed against local need, economic conditions, and social and cultural factors, and that the current government is investigating whether recent licences met required recommendations and regulations. He stated that the National People’s Power government would not issue licences as bribes or favours and would pursue legal action or cancellation where investigations find breaches. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran seconded the motion and urged the Government to cancel liquor shop permits, particularly the bar established in Periya Nilavanai, where residents are protesting. He argued that the President has the executive authority to revoke newly issued permits through Gazette notices and said liquor outlets should not be located in poor residential areas, citing social, family, and student-related harms. He called for all unnecessarily granted liquor shop permits in both Tamil and Sinhala areas to be cancelled, noting the Government’s parliamentary majority. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam moved an Adjournment Motion calling for the cancellation of liquor shop permits in Periya Nilavanai, Ampara, citing public protests and the President’s earlier claim that such permits were issued as political bribes under the previous Government. He argued that issuing liquor licences does not promote tourism in areas lacking transport and visitor infrastructure, and said increased outlets worsen social and economic conditions, especially in the North and East. He demanded that the Government disclose who recommended the permits, refer allegedly bribery-based licences to the Bribery Commission, cancel them, and take action beyond merely publishing lists of beneficiaries. Adjournment: Liquor Shop Permits and Licensing Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri defended the NPP Budget, arguing that it provides the maximum relief possible for professionals and public servants within the constraints created by past mismanagement. He rejected Opposition claims that the Budget is defined by the IMF or former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, stating that its results should be judged over the Government’s five-year mandate. He also said the Budget reflects an inclusive national mandate across race, religion and region, and criticized past governments since 1977 for corruption, failed leadership and responsibility for crises including the Central Bank bond scam and Easter attacks. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Jagath Manuwarna JJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Manuwarna defended the Government’s Appropriation Bill, arguing that national security should be assessed not only by defence allocations but also by investments in policing, justice, identification systems, social integration, women and children, prisons, and culture. Referring to the Aluthkade court shooting, he said similar incidents had occurred in the past, accused previous political cultures of enabling crime, and noted that the alleged gunman was arrested within hours. He also supported the proposed digital ID system as a measure to prevent misuse of identity in secure places, and highlighted cultural funding, including renovation of the John de Silva Memorial Theatre, as part of building a safer and more humane society. Budget Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government’s first Budget as a departure from the JVP’s earlier anti-IMF and anti-neoliberal positions, arguing that it continues policies associated with the previous administration, including tax-based stabilization and market-oriented reforms. He questioned shifts in Government policy on India, the CEB, underutilized lands, free trade zones and investment boards, and alleged that the public had been misled about these changes. He also raised national security concerns following shootings and a killing inside a courthouse, calling for investigations into possible internal complicity and for stronger protection for judges and MPs. He further questioned the reduction of earlier promises to employ 35,000 graduates, including in teaching, IT and state services, to a 30,000-person youth employment scheme. 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 a second supplementary question concerning overcrowding in prisons, citing Mahara Prison as an example. The intervention appears to seek clarification on conditions and possible measures to address prison congestion. Oral Question: Prison Officer Staffing and Overcrowding (Q.2/2025) Read →
- 20 February 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana requested the line Minister to consider aligning the salary scales of the Police and Prisons Departments. He argued that both departments perform similar services and should therefore receive comparable pay. 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 →
- 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 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is acting firmly against underworld activities, including requiring the surrender of issued weapons through the Defence Ministry and pursuing ongoing investigations. He noted that some suspects had been brought back from India and Dubai to face legal action, and said the Government would continue enforcing the law strictly while not disclosing all operational details. Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Data on Poverty, Aswesuma Programme and Law and Order 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 →