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- 17 March 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake supported the motion to strengthen the Bribery or Corruption Commission through staffing and pension measures, but urged that it act independently and apply the law equally, citing differences in how cases are handled. He raised operational concerns about the QR fuel system, LPG shortages linked to supplier changes, petroleum procurement amid global disruptions, and delays in Army pensions, while also calling for action on senior citizens’ interest benefits, allowances, transfers of disabled police and intelligence officers, and other administrative issues. He asked the Government to address shortages of fuel, gas, food and essentials, and to respond practically to matters raised in Parliament. Debate: Approval of Remuneration and Service Conditions of CIABOC Officers and Employees Read →
- 17 March 2026 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Officers of the Civil Defence Force are recruited on the undertaking that they may serve anywhere in the country. However, transfers are subject to an appeals process for officers with genuine personal or humanitarian concerns, and such issues are addressed through that mechanism. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam stated that his party would call for a Division and vote against extending the emergency regulations, arguing that the cyclone no longer justified emergency powers and that the extension was being used to restrict democratic activity. He said emergency rule had historically enabled abuses against Tamils, with continued militarization and lack of accountability in the North and East, citing the Allaipiddy killing as evidence of ongoing impunity. He also requested the Fisheries Minister to intervene with Indian authorities to secure the repatriation of two Jaffna fishermen rescued near Kachchativu and the return of their boat and property without legal action. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra said Sri Lanka’s actions regarding Iranian vessels were governed by its non-aligned foreign policy, neutrality, and obligations under international law. She argued that Sri Lanka could not admit vessels of a party to a conflict for war purposes, but was legally and humanely obliged to rescue mariners in distress after a reported attack outside Sri Lankan waters. She stated that the Navy rescued 32 persons from IRIS Dena and 208 from IRIS Bushehr, took the vessel into custody at Trincomalee, and acted to protect lives while maintaining neutrality. She criticised Opposition claims about delays and casualties, saying they misrepresented the legal basis and humanitarian nature of the Government’s response. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government JJB AI summary The Minister rejected Opposition claims that the extension of emergency regulations was intended to suppress trade union action, stating that issues involving Grama Niladharis and Disaster Management officials had been addressed through dialogue. He defended the Government’s handling of the “IRIS DANA” incident, arguing that Sri Lanka was legally obliged under UNCLOS, the SAR Convention and the Geneva Conventions to assist persons in distress at sea. He also said Sri Lanka would maintain a non-aligned position, act humanely in line with international law, and manage possible economic and security consequences of the regional conflict. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Faiszer Musthapha questioned the continued need for emergency regulations five months after Cyclone “Ditwah,” arguing that ordinary legal protections are displaced without a clear justification. He criticised the broad Gazette declaration of essential public services, saying it effectively covers much of the State apparatus and could expose workers to imprisonment, property confiscation, and loss of professional registration for non-compliance. He urged the Government to improve administrative efficiency through ordinary means and not extend emergency powers unless a specific threat justifies them. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe defended the state of emergency as a necessary framework for disaster response following Cyclone Ditwah, arguing that it is being used to coordinate institutions, resettle displaced people, and provide infrastructure rather than suppress dissent. He cited figures from Kegalle District, stating that 3,756 people require resettlement by 31 December 2026, and referred to ongoing work to address both current cyclone-affected families and unresolved displacement from the 2016 Aranayake landslide. He contrasted this with past uses of emergency powers, including during 1971, 1983, 2000-2009 and 2022, and said no recent protests had been repressed under the current emergency. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a procedural objection that the Emergency Gazette should have been presented with its applicable regulations and said the House should not permit repeated lapses. He argued that due process was being applied unevenly, contrasting the bribery proceedings against Ranil Wickremesinghe with those against Minister Kumara Jayakody, and cited High Court case HCB 481/2026 and Bribery Commission file 1059/2015. He also alleged misuse of the PTA in Mr. Saleh’s case, noting uncertainty over his suspect status despite detention, and called for equal application of the law and an end to such practices. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna defended the extension of Emergency Regulations as necessary for continuing disaster relief and reconstruction after the November disaster, citing displaced families in relief centres and the need to expedite land acquisition and rebuilding. He rejected Opposition claims that Emergency was being used to enable corruption or suppress dissent, pointing to improvements in Sri Lanka’s corruption ranking and saying protests had been addressed through dialogue. He also highlighted government measures to purchase paddy at guaranteed prices and linked the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme to restoring homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer defended the post-“Ditwah” Emergency as a measure to restore normalcy after cyclone damage, such as disrupted rail services, rather than to suppress the Opposition. He urged political unity amid global conflict risks, welcomed the President’s statement of Sri Lanka’s neutral and humane position following the attack on an Iranian vessel, and said no country should violate another’s sovereignty or attack civilians. He criticised attempts to politicize the Iranian incident, noting the importance of protecting Sri Lanka’s interests given the large number of Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi supported the time-bound extension of Emergency Regulations, arguing that they are necessary under the Public Security Ordinance to maintain essential services and manage recovery after the recent natural disaster. She said the powers are being used for disaster management, rebuilding, procurement, land acquisition where needed, and uninterrupted service delivery, not to suppress expression, media freedom, assembly or protests. She rejected the Opposition’s claim that the Disaster Management Act is sufficient, citing limited meetings of its National Council since 2005 as evidence of practical shortcomings. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne defended the Government’s extension of the emergency, arguing it was necessary to coordinate relief, restore infrastructure, and support communities affected by the “Dittu” disaster while the country was recovering from bankruptcy. She said the Government had acted neutrally and in accordance with international law in relation to the Middle East conflict, citing rescue and recovery operations involving sailors and bodies from vessels. She outlined the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” mechanism and its subcommittees, reported Disaster Management Centre figures on affected families and persons in safety centres, and called for psychosocial support for victims. She rejected Opposition allegations of misuse of emergency powers and asked for evidence rather than general claims. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary The Minister moved approval for a Gazette resolution under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance declaring specified essential services, arguing that the measure is limited to sectors such as energy, health, transport, water, food supply, banking, local authority services, irrigation, telecommunications and agriculture to ensure continuity of public services. He said the powers had facilitated relief operations after the “Dittu” cyclone by allowing resources and personnel to be redirected despite administrative constraints, and rejected Opposition claims that the regulations were intended for repression. He also defended the Government’s foreign policy amid Iran–US tensions, stating Sri Lanka remains neutral, supports peace, and will not allow its territory, airspace or waters to be used to harm others, while disputing Opposition and social media claims about a vessel and alleged intelligence-sharing. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala opposed the motion to extend the emergency, arguing that the Government had not presented concrete reasons and that normal laws and administrative mechanisms were sufficient for public security, disaster relief, and service delivery. He alleged that the extension was intended to suppress public demands, trade union action, and democratic dissent, including concerns raised by village-level officials following the “Dittu” cyclone, and tabled a related letter. He also urged the Government to address substantive issues such as alleged substandard coal imports affecting the Norochcholai power plant and the risk of a wider power crisis. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence supported extending the state of emergency and continuing essential public services, citing ongoing recovery needs after the November “Dittu” cyclone and potential disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East, including pressures on fuel supply, maritime operations, and air operations. He said emergency powers and the Commissioner-General of Essential Services were being used to coordinate relief, maintain essential goods and services, and support displaced persons, with officials, the tri-forces, and police working across districts. He rejected Opposition claims of misuse of emergency powers, stating they were being applied for public welfare, security, livelihood restoration, and continuity of services while upholding the rule of law. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question by Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam regarding a 2014 incident in the Padaviya Police Division, stating that three persons died after soldiers returned fire during a search operation in Kambili Wewa. He outlined the police complaint, court case, forensic investigations, productions recovered, and the Magistrate’s Court conclusion that the deaths resulted from return fire in self-defence, after which the case file was closed. He added that the second part of the question falls under the Ministry of Defence and said further details would be submitted to Parliament once received, noting that related inquiries are ongoing. Ministry Statements Read →
- 6 March 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The answer tabled provided overtime provision, expenditure and balances for the prison system from 2020 to 2025, showing expenditure rising from Rs. 785.1 million in 2020 to Rs. 1.91 billion in 2025. It attributed the increase to 24-hour operations across a nationwide prison network, severe overcrowding of about 40,000 inmates against capacity of about 11,000, staff shortages against the approved cadre, increased court-related duties, and higher overtime rates following salary increases. It stated that overtime should be properly managed and outlined measures including recruitment, virtual court appearances, expanded rehabilitation, expedited forensic reports, and greater use of community corrections to reduce congestion. Oral Questions: Various Tabled Answers (Health, Justice, Education) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam sought information on investigations into alleged wartime and post-war abuses, including matters raised in Channel 4 broadcasts and the 2014 Nedunkerni killings of Selvanayagam Kajeeban, Sundaralingam Kajeeban and Navaratnam Navaneethan. He asked which authorities are investigating those deaths, what findings have been made, and whether alleged State-linked groups such as the “Islamic Centre” and “Tripoli Platoon” were supplied with arms by the Government. He further requested that official records on weapons issued, recovered or returned be tabled, linking the questions to the detention of Suresh Sallay and to recent weapons recoveries in Batticaloa District. Oral Question (Standing Order 27(2)): Justice and Accountability for State-Connected Violations - Deferred Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe said the co-operative sector is governed through both national-level and provincial frameworks following the 13th Amendment, with some provincial interim constitutions causing difficulties for members. He stated that a Cabinet-approved committee is reviewing amendments to both central and provincial co-operative laws, particularly relating to co-operative banks and societies. Draft bills have been prepared, and the Government intends to bring the amendments this year to protect co-operative enterprises, members’ rights, and strengthen the sector. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Read →
- 5 March 2026 The Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Lasith Bhashana Gamage asked the Minister about reported obstacles faced by the Department of Co-operative Development in acting on issues involving SANASA societies and related bodies, citing gaps and powers under the Co-operative Societies Act. He requested an update on the status of proposed amendments to the Act, previously discussed in Parliament. Oral Question: Injustice to Gampaha SANASA Depositors (Q.8) Read →