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 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister stated that a list relating to bar permits would be presented to Parliament that evening in response to a matter raised by Hon. Rasamanickam. He added that investigations into the issue had already commenced. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the relevant Standing Order cited by the Leader of the Opposition should be followed, but objected to a Member’s claim that police apply different laws in the North and South. He said the IGP had denied the claim and the Minister had responded responsibly, and argued that the statement was communal and should be withdrawn by the Member who made it. He urged the Leader of the Opposition to control such remarks in the House or within his party, noting that edited clips could circulate on social media and in newspapers. Debate: Government Policy Statement - Resumed Adjourned Debate Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to being called a racist, noting that the matter in question was before court and asking that the statement be withdrawn. He said his point was that police should seek advice from the Attorney-General’s Department when filing cases in both the North and South, and argued that proper legal decision-making is needed to end racism. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala raised a point of order responding to Dayasiri Jayasekara’s claim that different laws were applied to arrests in the North and South. He said he had consulted the Inspector-General of Police, who stated that the relevant matters in the North were handled under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and argued that Jayasekara’s claim was false and inflammatory. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to what he characterized as arbitrary police action, arguing that the matter concerned communal harmony rather than an ordinary criminal complaint. He urged that law enforcement handle such issues carefully and not in a manner that could undermine social cohesion. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Prosecutions are initiated by the Police, and the Minister stated that officers are being allowed to act independently without political direction. He said decisions on the applicable law in each case are made by investigators, not by the Minister. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara endorsed the President’s call to reject racism, stating that those who incite racism should not be excused. He also said all communities have the right to commemorate their dead, but argued that the law must be applied uniformly across the country. He questioned why cases in the South were being filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act while similar matters in the North were handled under the Penal Code, calling for consistency in legal treatment. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that recent arrests were made in response to alleged social media disinformation that used old or foreign images to falsely portray LTTE-related commemorations in Sri Lanka in 2024 and incite communal tensions. He said the Government recognizes the right to remember deceased relatives but will not permit displays of LTTE symbols, noting that Police recorded 244 Maaveerar events in the North, with legal action taken in a small number involving LTTE-related symbols. He outlined arrests in Chunnakam, Baddegama, Maradana and Boralesgamuwa, saying investigations indicated a coordinated political effort to mislead the public and create ethnic discord. Ministerial Statement: Arrests for Spreading False Information on Social Media Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath JJB AI summary Hon. Aravinda Senarath thanked voters for the National People’s Power’s mandate and defended the President’s Policy Statement as setting out the Government’s vision, while criticizing the Opposition for politicizing the occasion. He said current shortages, including rice shortages in parts of Hambantota and nearby districts, stem from previous governments’ economic policies and asked the public to allow the new Government time to implement relief measures. He rejected allegations of media suppression, stating the Government supports democratic expression but would enforce the law against media activity that incites racism, religious hatred or extremism. He also affirmed the Government’s commitment to development, strengthening the rural economy, and fulfilling the mandate given by voters. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna alleged that he was assaulted by a person named Sujith at the Opposition Leader’s Office when he visited to check his allotted speaking time as a new Member of Parliament. He questioned how Members could safely engage outside Parliament if such incidents occur within the parliamentary premises. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Hesha Withanage AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage thanked the Ratnapura District electorate and called for genuine change in parliamentary culture, including ending political interference in institutions and law enforcement. He urged an investigation into the police handling of protests outside Isurupaya, defended the right to protest, and asked the Government to examine an alleged assault case in Ratnapura involving a JVP local government candidate without political interference. He also pressed the Government to honour pledges on abolishing MPs’ pensions and to clarify its position on official accommodation for MPs, while requesting action to maintain decorum in Parliament, including preventing TikTok filming inside the Chamber. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake said the Government’s pledge to build a prosperous country must be backed by a clear roadmap, particularly as Sri Lanka proceeds with IMF reviews and faces debt repayments from 2027 to 2043. He urged the Government to use its strong mandate to address public problems without delay and to consider Opposition views constructively. Referring to the President’s commitment to justice for victims, he called for investigations and disclosure of the truth regarding the killings of Vijaya Kumaratunga, Rohana Wijeweera, and victims of 1989 violence in his village, including justice for their families. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. T.B. Sarath - Deputy Minister of Housing JJB AI summary Deputy Minister T.B. Sarath thanked voters in Polonnaruwa and argued that current rice and agricultural problems stem from the long-term decline of agriculture after the 1977 open economy and the weakening of institutions such as the Paddy Marketing Board. He cited unused paddy storage capacity and decayed state-supported mills in Polonnaruwa, saying the Government cannot resolve supply issues within weeks of taking office and that those now criticizing helped create the conditions for private domination of the rice sector. He also addressed a recent protest at the Education Ministry, stating that officials offered dialogue, Cabinet action was being pursued, and Police acted lawfully after violence occurred. He said the Government aims over five years to strengthen national unity, uplift the rural economy, and address these issues. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna congratulated the new Government and thanked Gampaha voters, while arguing that the JVP had long influenced past governments despite portraying the current mandate as a major break from the past. He criticized the Government’s response to recent floods, saying political direction to officials was inadequate and urging urgent compensation and relief for affected farmers. He also questioned unresolved rice shortages, continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and the failure to deliver promised reductions in fuel prices, calling on the Government to implement its election commitments. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya responded to Opposition concerns about a protest outside the Ministry of Education, stating that Cabinet had approved her proposal to address the grievances of development officers. She said she had held several discussions with their representatives and that the Government was acting to resolve problems caused by past ad hoc recruitment practices. She denied that the Police had been deployed to suppress the protest, saying they responded to developments at the site, and asserted that the Government had a plan to address both this issue and related systemic problems. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir thanked his party and constituents in Digamadulla and then focused on the deaths of eight people, including six students from Kashiful Uloom Arabic College, during floods at Mavadippalli on 26 November. He questioned the preparedness and response of officials despite prior weather warnings, noted delays in Navy rescue efforts, and called for accountability beyond the college staff currently in custody. He urged the Government to compensate the victims’ families and prioritize rehabilitation of the Mavadippalli and Kittangip bridges, citing repeated loss of life and transport risks. He also asked that Islamic religious affairs be considered in national programmes, that deserving people excluded from the Aswesuma welfare scheme be included, and that politicized police OIC appointments be addressed as part of restoring civil administration. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe thanked voters for the NPP’s electoral mandate and said the Government would enforce or introduce laws if necessary to counter racism, religious extremism, and unlawful commemorations. He called on the public service to support the Government’s reform agenda, pledging depoliticization, a National Salary Structure, and action on salary anomalies, promotions, transfers, and service issues affecting teachers, principals, teacher instructors, and school development officers. As Deputy Minister of Labour, he said wage determinations in the private, plantation, and semi-government sectors would be reviewed to ensure fair wages and better employer-employee relations. He also defended the Government’s handling of a recent protest at the Education Ministry, saying the new Cabinet needed time to engage, and highlighted initiatives on digitization, “Clean Sri Lanka,” and rural poverty eradication. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the credibility of the President’s Throne Speech, citing changes between campaign positions and subsequent government statements on fuel prices, electricity tariffs, IMF negotiations, and rice imports. He asked whether officials had misled the President on rice stocks or whether the Government’s position had changed, and raised concerns about alleged media intimidation and arrests of social media activists. He also urged the Government not to neglect law enforcement in the name of communal harmony, referring to intelligence warnings before the Easter attacks, and requested fair speaking time for his party’s Members while wishing the Government success. Debate: President's Policy Statement (Continuation with Maiden Speeches and Responses) Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs said the Government would not permit actions that incite ethno-nationalism and stated that he would make a parliamentary statement the next day on arrests raised by the Opposition Leader. Responding to Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, he said the matter would be examined and noted broader issues in police stations, including what he described as 182 politically appointed OICs under the previous Government, with decisions to be taken to improve police station effectiveness and responsiveness. Debate: President's Policy Statement Read →
- 3 December 2024 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised concerns about the response to recent floods in Ampara, where eight deaths occurred, stating that police barriers and timely rescue action could have prevented the tragedy. He alleged delays by the Disaster Management Centre and Navy response, police inaction, and subsequent inconvenience to victims lodging complaints, while noting that the madrasa principal had been remanded. He requested an independent investigation into the incident and the establishment of effective procedures to prevent similar tragedies. Debate: President's Policy Statement Read →