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- 18 March 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa urged the Sports Ministry to inspect the athletes’ hostel near the Ministry, particularly meal times, nutrition, and living conditions, and to provide necessary facilities. He also asked the Minister to review issues concerning dual-citizenship and third-generation Sri Lankan athletes in sports such as football and rugby, arguing that their participation could strengthen high-performance national teams where player shortages exist. He said earlier recruitment of Sri Lankan-origin rugby players from Fiji had been politicised and requested that the matter be examined on accurate information. Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-third Allotted Day - Committee Stage: Heads 149, 303, 194 and 219 (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Youth Affairs and Sports) Read →
- 17 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi concluded the Committee Stage debate on his Ministry’s Budget Heads by outlining plans to establish institutions including a National Film Conservation Archive, a Cinema School, an International Theatre School, and an International Visual Arts Centre. He thanked Members, parliamentary officials, and Ministry staff for their contributions and stated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the Government’s broader aspirations for national prosperity and improved living standards. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister outlined the broad remit of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and highlighted Budget provision for artist and media professional housing, including 108 units within the Chinese-assisted Kottawa housing project. He cited the distribution of donated Saudi dates to 2,700 mosques, the National Maha Shivaratri event in Ratnapura, and Hajj arrangements, including efforts to reduce the Rs. 2.1 million recommended fee and improve pilgrim services. He emphasized religious and ethnic harmony, rejected abusive conduct in Parliament, and said the Ministry is planning further 2025 initiatives such as an International Performing Arts Centre, Artists’ Academy, multicultural centre network, and an institute for spiritual and philosophical studies. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara criticized the Government for calling Provincial Council elections during the Budget Committee Stage, arguing that it disrupted MPs’ ability to participate fully in debates and undermined calls for substantive scrutiny. He urged greater state attention to under-resourced rural temples while supporting dignity for all religious observances, and opposed creating a separate “Sri Lankan Day,” saying Independence Day should remain the main unifying national event. On environmental matters, he questioned appointments to mineral resource institutions, alleged revenue losses and corruption, and demanded implementation of producer responsibility requirements for plastic recycling. He also raised concerns about imported waste, container releases, damage to ecosystems and endemic fish, and called for stronger waste management after the local elections. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Jagath Manuwarna JJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Manuwarna rejected allegations linking the JVP to violence during the 1983 July riots, arguing that false claims were being used to undermine the Government’s mandate and recalling the riots’ damaging impact on Sri Lankan cinema. He said many cinemas and cultural venues, including in Kandy and rural electorates such as Hewaheta, have closed, limiting public access to film, theatre and music. He proposed reviving cinema through discussions on a cinema academy, possible Indian assistance for an internationally reputed theatre, islandwide tours for selected drama festival productions, and development of village cultural centres to secure cultural rights. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka concluded his remarks by expressing support for the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, noting the Minister’s connection to the Giniduma region. He urged the Minister to work towards a religious revival in response to what he described as moral decline in the country, and thanked the Chair for the opportunity to speak. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka said the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has a major responsibility to protect the Buddha Sasana, promote moral and spiritual values, and uphold religious freedom, particularly amid concerns about declining discipline and ethical conduct. He highlighted challenges facing temples, including shortages of monks, disused temples, economic pressures on devotees, and the need to strengthen pirivena education and provide young monks with opportunities to study English and other international languages for global Dhamma propagation. He also drew attention to the scale of Buddhist Dhamma schools and the difficulties faced by monks and teachers in sustaining them. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer spoke during the debate on the votes of the Ministries of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, and Environment, emphasizing that these subjects are sensitive and central to building humane, responsible citizens who respect others and the environment. He noted that allegations had been raised in the debate and referred to recent controversy over Opposition comments on Muslim law, saying public and social media criticism had questioned the silence of Muslim representatives. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana urged the Government to ensure religious freedom and transparency while responding to media criticism of the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs. He called for justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks by identifying and prosecuting the masterminds, requested heightened security during religious observances and visits to the Temple of the Tooth, and cautioned against politicizing religious events. On environmental policy, he argued that conservation should be balanced with economic needs, citing expressway delays and calling for regulated small-scale sand mining in the Kalu Ganga if technically sustainable. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 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 said the Government’s electoral mandate reflected public support for coexistence across ethnic and religious communities, and rejected allegations that it sought to change Muslim personal laws without consultation. He defended Minister Saroja Paulraj against what he described as unfair attacks, stating that any legal reforms affecting religious communities would be undertaken only after discussion with relevant stakeholders. He urged Muslim scholars and leaders to help address misinformation, and called for protection of all religious and cultural rights, greater institutional diversity, and inclusive recognition of Islamic, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist and other heritage. He also proposed broader scholarly oversight of archaeological work and education reforms that present Sri Lanka’s history in a way that affirms the belonging and contributions of all communities. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. Hizbullah thanked the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs for assistance to the Muslim community, including duty relief on dates, and urged action on longstanding administrative issues affecting Muslim religious institutions. He requested expedited registration of Arabic colleges, implementation of the approved common national syllabus and examination system, and establishment of a training centre for imams, muezzins and teachers. He also called for the Batticaloa regional office of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs to be properly staffed, for restrictions on Qur’ans and Arabic books to be eased, and for a detained consignment of Qur’ans with Tamil translations to be released. On Hajj arrangements, he urged allowing lower-cost categories C and D, arguing that current high-cost packages exclude less affluent pilgrims. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary The Minister discussed the role of religion and culture in Sri Lankan society, stating that children should be able to study their chosen religion in schools and that inter-religious harmony should be promoted through an inter-religious council and comparative religious studies. He said religion and ethnicity had been used politically, referred to the Easter Sunday attacks as requiring a proper investigation, and pledged that the Government would consolidate evidence and pursue justice through the Attorney General. He noted increased allocations for Christian affairs and overall religious affairs, proposed designating Madhu Church as a centre for peace and harmony, and said constitutional reform must be accompanied by changes in attitudes in both the North and South, while the economy remains the immediate priority. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that her remarks at the UN CEDAW session had been misreported by the Daily Ceylon, emphasizing that she answered specific questions posed to Sri Lanka and did not make the statement attributed to her. She said issues on children’s rights require balancing cultural rights and human rights through consultations with diverse groups, and denied saying the Ministry would lead legal changes. She indicated that legal action would be taken over the alleged misreporting. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe questioned reports that the Government had assured the UN it would amend the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act in relation to child marriage, arguing that such matters should be discussed domestically with bodies such as the ACJU. He said child marriage rates were not highest among Muslims and asked why the Muslim community was being singled out in this context. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister responded to allegations that she was pursuing legal or religious law reforms, clarifying that her portfolio is Women and Child Affairs and not Justice. She stated that her position concerns children’s and women’s rights, particularly ensuring 13 years of compulsory education for all children up to age 18, in line with national policy and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. She said she had discussed these matters transparently with ACJU leaders and urged MPs and community leaders to counter misinformation and avoid framing the issue in racial or religious terms. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe requested the relevant Minister to appoint a special committee through the Ministry to resolve the Sainthamaruthu mosque administration issue. He warned that, if left unresolved, political influence could spread into mosque administrations across the country. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe raised concerns during the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs about comments and proposed changes relating to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, urging prior consultation with the ACJU, religious leaders and community representatives. He asked that racist statements about the Muslim community be prevented in Parliament and called on the Government to obtain information from Ven. Gnanasara Thera regarding his claim to know those behind the Easter Sunday attacks. He also alleged political interference in the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Wakfs Board, citing the Sainthamaruthu Jumu’ah Mosque trustee appointment process and tabling related correspondence and lists. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the National Security Council noted shortages of Tamil-speaking Archaeology Department officers in the North and East, and that remaining vacancies would be filled with attention to work that does not disrupt local communities. He said an expert committee has been appointed on the Kurundi Vihara issue, with excavations suspended there pending an amicable resolution, and that issues at Wadunagala arose from actions beyond departmental recommendations. He also noted Rs. 36 million allocated for infrastructure related to the Kochchikade Hindu Kovil and explained funding through the Hindu Cultural Fund, while confirming attention to finding suitable land for the Mahara Prison mosque closed after the 2019 Easter attacks. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi responded to Opposition concerns about religious and archaeological interventions in the North, including Buddha statues, Tissa Viharaya in Jaffna, land issues, and resettlement. He said the current Government has not initiated the cited interventions, many of which occurred earlier, and clarified that the Ministry of Buddhasasana has no authority to alienate land. He stated that issues such as land regularization in Thondamanaru/Thayiddy should be examined and resolved with harmony and patience, while rejecting claims that the Government is fostering hostility towards minorities and noting Budget emphasis on Northern development and inter-community harmony. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake - Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the 2025 Budget provides increased allocations for the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, enabling expanded practical programmes across religious and cultural sectors. He highlighted plans to develop rural places of worship, implement the Puja Bhoomi Development Programme, support the Sangha, strengthen Dhamma schools and Shasanarakshaka Mandalas, and introduce initiatives such as “Punya Gramme” to promote village-level social cohesion. He also outlined support for Hindu, Islamic and Christian religious affairs, including cultural activities and places of worship, and said the Central Cultural Fund and related institutions would continue projects to conserve archaeological sites and national heritage. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →