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- 23 January 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem raised concern that COVID-19 death data was not recorded or reported by religion, suggesting this could have been determined from names. He questioned the Minister on the prolonged lockdowns of predominantly Muslim villages such as Atulugama and Akurana after reported COVID-19 cases, alleging residents faced unnecessary fear and illegal pressure, and asked whether the actions in Atulugama were unlawful and whether an inquiry would be conducted. Oral Question: Disposal of the Dead Due to COVID-19 During 2019–2022 Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake defended the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme as a mandate-driven national effort focused on integrity, public service, road safety, social dignity and institutional reform, rejecting opposition claims that it is merely a shramadana project or copied from abroad. He criticized the SJB for alleged political engagement with Ranil Wickremesinghe and association with the Rajapaksa legacy while claiming to support Clean Sri Lanka, and cited the resignation of the former Speaker over certification concerns as an example of responding to public moral expectations. He outlined transport-related measures, including action on road accident blackspots, engagement with the World Bank and private sector, and an investigation into the Ghandara bus accident. He also said Tamil-language Clean Sri Lanka materials would be tabled and made available, and acknowledged the need to improve Tamil signage in institutions. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary The Minister clarified that the release of 323 containers was handled under established Customs procedures intended to reduce congestion, with duties levied, and was not a simple Green Channel release. He said trade union concerns were discussed under the President’s leadership, clearance operations were allowed to continue, and an inquiry would be conducted if concerns remained. He also noted that similar committee-based procedures had been used previously, including the release of 584 containers on 25 July 2024, and said the relevant Customs report would be tabled. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana welcomed the “Clean Sri Lanka” concept but argued that it must go beyond cosmetic public-order measures to address corruption, stolen assets, cost-of-living issues, VAT on health and education, and support for fisheries. He called for a systemic approach to public transport safety, citing bus accident and fatality figures, and urged action on permit transfers, service quality, accessibility, and harassment of women passengers. He also demanded sustained waste-management and dengue-control systems in areas such as Negombo and Wattala, and raised concerns over the alleged rapid release of 323 Customs containers through the Green Channel without proper inspection, calling it a national security and revenue issue. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala said Clean Sri Lanka should be understood as a broad mandate-driven reform programme, not reduced to isolated enforcement actions. He reported that passport queues had been eliminated through an online appointment system and emergency fast-tracking process, pending further action after a related Court of Appeal matter. He said Police and STF operations were proceeding without political interference, citing recent seizures of drugs and illegal firearms, and argued that the Government was depoliticizing law enforcement and judicial appointments. He also stated that the PTA would be repealed through a Cabinet subcommittee process and that court-ordered removals in Kolonnawa would be handled with measures to provide affected families and traders with permanent solutions. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna criticised the initial implementation of the Clean Sri Lanka programme, saying it alienated three-wheeler drivers and private bus owners while failing to address larger issues such as the rice “mafia,” delays in solar approvals at the Ceylon Electricity Board, and passport appointment backlogs. He questioned allegations that over 300 containers had been released by Customs without proper inspection and raised concerns about possible contraband. He also urged the Government to disclose the truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks, arguing that Clean Sri Lanka should prioritise such major accountability issues over action against small transport operators. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs stated that he would look into the matter raised by the Member and report back to the House. He clarified that the matter referred to was the incident in Paranthan. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam said the Government’s mandate for ethical political change requires consistency between its pledges and actions, particularly on repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He criticised continued and alleged misuse of the PTA in the North and East, including arrests during Tamil memorialization and questioning of schoolteachers over a sports event performance, and asked for immediate corrective action. He also called on the Prime Minister, as Education Minister, to resolve the Jaffna Central College principal appointment issue that she had previously raised in Opposition. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Mano Ganesan SJB AI summary Mano Ganesan said the Opposition’s role is to seek clarification from the Government and expressed concern over the Prime Minister’s response to his question on the Clean Sri Lanka programme, while stating support for the programme as a concept that should include social and attitudinal change. He called for plantation workers’ daily wages to be raised to Rs. 2,000, particularly if public sector salaries are increased in the Budget. He also disputed claims that there are no Tamil political prisoners, urging releases through presidential pardons, withdrawal of detention orders, or withdrawal of cases, and asked the Government to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act as previously pledged. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam urged that Government programmes such as “Urumaya” include Tamil translations and called for the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to function in a manner that promotes religious harmony and equal respect for all faiths. He supported the Clean Sri Lanka programme’s social, environmental and ethical pillars, proposing practical actions on dengue control, road safety, school canteen enforcement, pharmacist availability, waste disposal, illegal construction, deforestation, grazing land issues and unsafe gravel extraction. He also raised concerns about Tamil language barriers among officials, displaced persons being prevented from accessing land, unused public vehicles and underutilized public infrastructure, arguing that anti-corruption and efficient public asset use should begin at grassroots level. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised a series of sectoral grievances, urging Government action on rising shootings and drug-related crime, passport issuance delays, alleged tax losses from coconut oil imports, port container congestion, and the restoration of a 15 per cent interest scheme for senior citizens. He also called for consultations on vehicle and safari jeep regulations, employment solutions for unemployed graduates, pathways for Development Officers into teaching, expedited recruitment to the Sri Lanka Teacher Educators’ Service, and new student nurse intake gazettes. He further requested expanded B.Ed. technology education opportunities, remedies for Grama Niladhari service issues, and implementation of the Government’s pledged one-third electricity tariff reduction, noting that the PUCSL had approved only a 20 per cent cut. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran challenged the Minister’s response regarding Kalmunai North, stating that it had been upgraded as a full Divisional Secretariat by Cabinet decision in 1993 and had functioned for decades with its own GN divisions, staff, Divisional Secretary, and buildings. He asked whether any Ministry Secretary or Government Agent had authority, or Cabinet approval, to downgrade it to a sub-Divisional Secretariat or place it under Kalmunai South, particularly while related court cases were pending. He also questioned why Kalmunai North alone was treated differently when other Divisional Secretariats operate without finalized boundaries, and sought clarification on whether the change was politically motivated or would deny residents administrative services. Oral Question: Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat Status (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi asked whether the Government has a concrete programme to address the intensifying human-elephant conflict, citing recent protests in Anuradhapura and reports of rising elephant and human deaths. He criticized past temporary measures and alleged politically influenced, ineffective spending, and called for policy decisions and official intervention to protect both people and elephants. Oral Question: Wild Elephant Detention Centre in Lunugamwehera (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara said the Clean Sri Lanka programme had a laudable concept, including environmental cleanliness and anti-corruption, but argued that its scope was unclear and too broad, causing inconsistent statements and implementation problems. He criticized what he described as performative enforcement actions affecting buses and three-wheelers, and urged the Government to proceed methodically through administrative mechanisms. He also alleged that the programme’s new task force and council structures could sideline legally established local authorities and District Coordinating Committees, and warned against using Clean Sri Lanka to build parallel political structures or consolidate party influence. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister defended the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme as a broad social, ethical, environmental, economic and political transformation, rather than a limited clean-up or road safety initiative, and said it has a plan, vision and roadmap with public participation. He argued that the Government inherited bankruptcy, social breakdown and crime, and said the Police have been depoliticized and are acting under the rule of law to address corruption, organized crime and road safety. He cited recent reductions in daily road accident deaths, the high public health burden of accidents, and arrests linked to organized crime, including members of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Security Department, as evidence of ongoing enforcement efforts. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran urged the Government to use presidential authority and legal or administrative measures to prevent the reopening of a liquor outlet in a residential area, citing harm to residents and students and public disappointment despite support given to the ruling party. He also raised the alleged forcible takeover by the Sri Lanka Army of Aalaiyadivembu Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society properties, stating that they were long-held cooperative assets used for paddy processing, rice distribution and employment. He requested that the properties be returned to the cooperative, referring to earlier Defence Ministry and Army instructions to restore them, and called for protection of farmers’ interests and lost livelihoods. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that the NPP Government has not issued any new liquor licences and said many existing licences were granted during the final months of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s administration. He explained that once issued legally, such licences cannot be cancelled by force but may be addressed through lawful administrative and social measures, which he offered to discuss separately. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary The member supported the Clean Sri Lanka initiative but raised objections to a proposed liquor outlet in Periya Neelavanai, citing a protest by more than 500 residents at the Kalmunai North Divisional Secretariat. He said the outlet had previously been closed after public opposition and that moves by 660816 Beverages Company Limited to reopen it would harm schoolchildren and daily wage earners. He urged the Government to uphold its pledge to cancel new liquor licences and take legal steps to prevent the shop from opening. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara proposed granting stronger powers to Local Authorities to require households to clean and maintain the road frontage near their homes, including issuing notices and fines where necessary. He argued that Pradeshiya Sabhas and related agencies lack manpower to maintain road reserves and suggested new legal provisions to support a national clean-up programme. He also called for improved public toilet maintenance, including within Parliament, citing poor conditions in common facilities as an issue the programme should address first. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa said that, regardless of which party is in government, Sri Lanka’s state institutions must be protected, including the Tri-Forces, Police, Police Commission and Independent Commissions. He urged the Prime Minister to issue clear guidelines, terms of reference and regulations to state institutions for the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, and to evaluate whether its objectives are being met. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →