Topic
Religion & Culture
430 speeches · 124 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. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, M.P. JJB | 60 |
| 2 | Hon. Muneer Mulaffer, M.P. JJB | 17 |
| 3 | Hon. K. Kader Masthan, M.P. SLLP | 14 |
| 4 | Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 14 |
| 5 | Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe, M.P. SLMC | 13 |
| 6 | Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, M.P. SLMC | 13 |
| 7 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 12 |
| 8 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 10 |
| 9 | Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake, M.P. JJB | 10 |
| 10 | Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, M.P. SJB | 9 |
Speeches
430 on this topic- 22 August 2025 Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake - Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said construction of the Cultural Centre had stopped by the end of 2019 after Rs. 1,432.26 million had been spent through the Ministry responsible for Cultural Affairs. He provided annual water and electricity maintenance costs from 2020 to July 2025 and stated that security is handled by the Ministry of Defence through a six-soldier team. He said Cabinet had approved in principle a proposal to transfer the buildings and land to the University of Ruhuna, but the process is stalled pending the University Council’s formal letter of consent. Oral Questions and Answers (Q.846/2025, Q.1024/2025, Q.1068/2025, Q.1070/2025, Q.1073/2025, Q.1076/2025, Q.1092/2025) Read →
- 22 August 2025 Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama JJB AI summary Hon. (Prof.) L.M. Abeywickrama asked the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs for details on the halted and unused SAARC Cultural Centre in Navimana, Matara. He requested the total construction expenditure, the institutions that funded it, the annual maintenance and security costs, and any current plan for utilizing the building complex. Oral Questions and Answers (Q.846/2025, Q.1024/2025, Q.1068/2025, Q.1070/2025, Q.1073/2025, Q.1076/2025, Q.1092/2025) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. Riyas Farook JJB AI summary Hon. Riyas Farook spoke in support of the customs and excise-related measures, explaining the phased lifting of vehicle import restrictions from 2024 to 2025 and the associated duty and HS code arrangements for various vehicle categories. He said disputes over documentation, undervaluation, cross-border letters of credit, and classification of electric and new-technology vehicles had led to re-exports and court cases, including issues concerning BYD vehicles. He rejected claims about Hambantota Port congestion and increased fees, attributing uncleared vehicles there to earlier duty changes and legal constraints. He also responded to criticism of Muslim government MPs, stating they participate without making communal speeches and support the government’s anti-communal stance. Debate: Customs Ordinance, Excise Regulation, Finance Act Order, and Construction Industry Development Act (Continued) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media AI summary The Minister stated that the Government supports promoting Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and traditional medicine in connection with tourism. He noted that this area is a concurrent subject involving Provincial Councils and said opportunities would be pursued in regions such as Jaffna and other areas. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.971/2025 and others) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs presented the 2024 Annual Performance Report of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and the motion was agreed to. Papers: Reports and Agreements Tabled Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana alleged that land leased in 2014 for a learning centre for novice monks has instead been misused for commercial purposes, including parking for a supermarket and storage for a construction company, generating private income. He argued that this was contrary to the lease purpose and cited provisions under the Land Alienation Act and the UDA’s authority to re-enter and recover the land if the intended purpose is not fulfilled. He asked the Deputy Minister whether the Ministry is prepared to reclaim the land and prevent further misuse of public property. Adjournment Debate: NMRA Medicine Supply and State Land Leasing Read →
- 20 August 2025 Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised a point of Order requesting that the mosque inside the Mahara Prison compound be reopened. He added that, if reopening is not possible, a separate place should be allocated for worship and said they were prepared to build it. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →
- 20 August 2025 Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof, during debate on the Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, urged the Government to reschedule the 2025 GCE Ordinary Level Examination because its announced start date falls on the first day of Ramadan in 2026. He also requested permanency for long-serving civilian contract workers in Army establishments, citing unresolved applications and age limits, and called for intervention over reports that Muslim nurses and midwives in Trincomalee are being barred from wearing cultural attire at work. He further criticised the Government for not implementing promised reforms and for engaging in public ceremonial practices it had previously opposed. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary K. Kader Masthan urged the Minister to ensure the prompt release of Qur’an copies that had been detained in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks. He said the Muslim community, also affected by those attacks, expects a transparent and fair approach, setting aside past pretexts used to withhold the copies. Question Under Standing Order 27(2): Tamil Qur'an Translations Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) regarding Tamil translations of the Holy Qur’an detained by Sri Lanka Customs since 16 May 2024. He asked for details on the number of copies imported, released and still held, and the reasons for the reported National Security Council decision to return them to the King Fahd Qur’an Printing Complex for amendments with explanatory footnotes. He also requested information on any government committee reviewing the texts or Islamic publications, including its membership, legal basis, payments, recommendations, and whether similar review processes apply to other religions’ holy texts. He urged the Government to take urgent steps to release the detained copies. Question Under Standing Order 27(2): Tamil Qur'an Translations Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister spoke in support of the debate on regulations under the Foreign Exchange Act and Public Debt Management Act, and the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, while responding to recent political claims by the Opposition. He rejected reports of government MPs crossing over and criticized Opposition references to “mafias,” saying such networks had developed under their own past political activity. He also said the recent hartal in the North and East had failed, argued that people were rejecting divisive politics, and urged political actors not to misuse religion in local political campaigns. Debate: Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, Public Debt Management Act Regulations, and Foreign Exchange Act Regulations Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth raised concerns about inadequate electricity, limited drinking water supply, poor roads, and unresolved land documentation in tourism areas including Arugam Bay, Sarvodaya Puram, Pottuvil, and Whisky Point. He requested a permanent CEB office building in Pottuvil, local bill-payment facilities, expedited electricity connections, rehabilitation of access roads, removal of obstructing electricity poles, and prompt land ownership documents to enable hotel registration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. He also called for regulation and closure of an unapproved “Chabad House” linked to increased Israeli tourist activity, citing the need to maintain order, ethnic harmony, and tourism revenue. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi acknowledged the land-related hardships arising from ancient sannasas and large extents of land, including the 832 acres referred to, noting similar issues elsewhere. He said amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance and antiquities laws should be considered, alongside better coordination between parties and proper court action to expedite cases. He undertook to intervene and seek urgent Government attention for a policy decision covering Humbuluwa and comparable situations. Oral Question: Land Issue in Humbuluwa Village, Alawwa, Dambadeni (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said the Humbuluwa land dispute reflects wider issues in Ratnapura District requiring detailed study and policy decisions, while noting that related matters are before court. He outlined the complexity of the 832-acre dispute, citing long-term occupation, permanent buildings, cultivation, tax payments, Janma Bhoomi grants, National Housing Authority sales, private and public auctions, temple lands, and historical sannasas. He stated that both villagers’ grievances and temple claims contain evidence, and said the Ministry and Department of Buddhist Affairs seek a fair outcome through expedited court proceedings and mediation. Oral Question: Land Issue in Humbuluwa Village, Alawwa, Dambadeni (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister responded to a question on land ownership relating to Humbuluwa village and Humbuluwa Raja Maha Viharaya, stating that historical records, including an 18th-century sannasa registered in 1893, identify the village as temple property covering about 832 acres. He said legal proceedings are ongoing, including appeals against a judgment declaring certain lands as belonging to the temple, and that ownership disputes have arisen among villagers as a result. He added that a ministry-appointed committee inspected the copper sannasa and obtained an Archaeology Department report confirming its archaeological value, but further administrative action will await the establishment of rights by court. Oral Question: Land Issue in Humbuluwa Village, Alawwa, Dambadeni (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Ashoka Gunasena JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to clarify a land dispute in Humbuluwa village, Alawwa, including the status of the 1911 Village Plan No. 455, recognition of hereditary private lands, and registration details of grant No. 2621. He sought information on when Humbuluwa Temple came under Section 4(1) of the Buddhist Temporalities (Amendment) Act, No. 34 of 2013, and why villagers were allegedly deprived after 2017 of claims to traditionally held freehold lands without notice. He also asked whether this situation violated constitutional people’s sovereignty and what remedial measures the Ministry would take. Oral Question: Land Issue in Humbuluwa Village, Alawwa, Dambadeni (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to remarks by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen concerning Arugam Bay and Israel, stating that the issue predated the current Government and traced it to support given under a previous UNP Government. He noted continuing concerns in the Arugam Bay area, including among doctors and other stakeholders, and urged that political debate be conducted without racism or religious extremism while upholding a Sri Lankan identity. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake objected to references made to JVP founder Rohana Wijeweera, stating that Wijeweera’s scholarship was funded by the Soviet Communist Party through the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, not by Sri Lankan public funds. He rejected attempts to draw Wijeweera into the exchange and urged members to give their own answers without invoking his party’s founder. Personal Explanations and Committee Resignations Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary An advisory committee including Supreme Sangha Nayaka Theras and subject experts is considering amendments to the 1979 Act, with recommendations to follow. A technical subcommittee is also involved, and several discussions on syllabus revisions have already been held, with the process expected to continue without obstruction. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna stated that Pirivenas teaching school subjects will undergo curriculum reforms in the coming year, including IT, computer science and internet connectivity, aligned with global standards. He added that revising the syllabi of other Pirivenas requires amendments to the 1979 Piriven Education Act, and that an advisory committee has been appointed for this purpose. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →