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- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Sujeewa Dissanayake seconded the Adjournment motion on developing tourism in the North-Western Province, highlighting its geographic accessibility, climatic diversity, historical capitals, folklore-linked sites, reservoirs, mineral and industrial attractions, and cultural heritage in Puttalam and Kurunegala Districts. He cited sites such as Yapahuwa, Panduwasnuwara, Dambadeniya, Kurunegala, Nathagane, Pomparippu, Wilbawa, and the Puttalam coast as evidence of the province’s tourism potential. He requested the Ministry of Tourism to promote and develop the province as a major destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. Adjournment Motion: Development of North-Western Province as a Tourist Destination Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary The member stated that no attempt had been made to change or interfere with the religion in question. He said the concerns raised were limited to the welfare of children and women. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna clarified that his earlier remarks reflected requests received from the public, particularly women, and were not intended as a personal position against the views of Muslim Members. He acknowledged the points made by Hon. Thahir and Hon. Hisbullah and emphasized his respect for Islam as a long-established religion. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna began his speech with the Islamic invocation “Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim,” meaning “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” No substantive policy point, proposal, or question was presented in the provided text. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir highlighted inadequate school infrastructure, including shortages of desks and chairs, poor toilet facilities affecting girls, and the lack of night watchmen and sanitation workers. He requested direct Government funding for these needs instead of indirect contributions from parents, and called for hygiene and female-friendly toilets to be prioritized in future school plans. He also raised concerns about Tamil and Muslim HNDE English teachers posted to Sinhala areas in Ampara District, urging resolution of language and transport difficulties and action on English teacher vacancies in Akkaraipattu and Sammanthurai. He further requested graduate appointments and internal placement policies for long-waiting graduates and teachers, and briefly responded to remarks by Hon. Dr. Archchuna concerning Islamic religious matters. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary The Hon. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah urged education reforms, including modernized school and university curricula aligned with global and industry needs, and requested expansion of South Eastern University with Medical, Law, and Tourism Faculties. He asked the Ministry to grant permanent status to the Pottuvil Zonal Education Office and said reforms to Muslim Marriage and Divorce Law should be handled through relevant religious and government institutions without inflaming community sentiment. He strongly supported developing the non-State higher education sector, citing unmet demand for university places, foreign exchange outflows from students studying abroad, and recommendations of the 2023 Select Committee to create a Higher Education Commission, regulate private universities, support PPPs, and allow qualified institutes to use the term “University.” Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 10 March 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem used the Budget debate to request Education Ministry action on several Eastern Province education issues, including returning former police station land to Aligar National School, starting its technical stream, upgrading facilities and staffing at Meeraikeni Makkar Makkar National School, and addressing teacher shortages in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Digamadulla. He also sought the handover of land for Ottamavadi National School’s playground, Cabinet approval for a girls’ school in Ottamavadi, and new or improved educational institutions including faculties at South Eastern University, a technical college in Pottuvil, a Sammanturai education zone, and facilities for schools in Kalmunai. He objected to remarks made in the previous day’s debate about Islamic marriage and divorce laws, and asked the Speaker to guide Members to avoid statements that could provoke communal sentiments. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Seventeenth Allotted Day – Committee Stage Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said the President of Jamiyyathul Ulama had informed him that the organization had alerted authorities in 2020 about the group referred to in the debate. He expressed appreciation for responsible actions by Muslim citizens and organizations, and stated that, although the government had only been in office for a few months, the security authorities and Public Security Ministry would take appropriate action. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj JJB AI summary Hon. Saroja Savithri Paulraj supported the proposals of Hon. Faiszer Musthapha regarding the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, emphasizing the need to protect children’s right to education. She stated that reforms to the personal law would not be introduced unilaterally and proposed appointing a multi-sectoral committee involving Members of Parliament, civil society, and religious bodies to consider decisions collectively. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 8 March 2025 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, speaking during the Women and Child Affairs Ministry Votes on International Women’s Day, highlighted Sri Lanka’s progress in women’s representation while calling for greater workforce participation through expanded day-care, including in the private sector and for children of migrant workers. He urged urgent reforms to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, including setting the minimum marriage age at 18, allowing women to sign marriage certificates, strengthening Quazi Courts with female and qualified adjudicators, and enabling direct access to Magistrates’ Courts for maintenance. He also raised concerns about judicial promotion procedures, estate workers’ wages, gender-based violence, low awareness of domestic violence remedies, workplace sexual harassment, and the need to shift from unskilled female migration to safer skilled employment opportunities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Women and Child Affairs Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake - Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Asked whether steps will be taken to recover losses incurred by the State. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Imran Maharoof SJB AI summary Hon. Imran Maharoof urged greater investment in Trincomalee’s transport, port-linked infrastructure and urban development, including extending the expressway corridor toward Dambulla or Habarana, rehabilitating the Kinniya–Kurinchakerny Bridge, restoring the Trincomalee–Colombo daytime train, and resuming domestic flights from China Bay. He raised land tenure and access concerns involving the Port Authority and Army around Karumalaiyootru Jummah Mosque and nearby long-settled areas, requesting the return or regularization of community, residential and cultivation lands. He also sought action on coastal erosion between Kinniya, Upparu and Muttur, and requested urban improvements in Kinniya, Thoppur and Pulmoddai. He condemned the alleged public assault of a moulavi by a police officer on 23 February and called on the Defence Ministry to prevent such incidents, tabling a related newspaper article for Hansard. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Heads 117, 123, 306, 307, 309-311, 332, 336) Read →
- 7 March 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 2023 Performance Report of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs and the 2023 Annual Performance Report of the Hindu Cultural Fund. He proposed that both reports be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee, and the House agreed. Papers: Ministerial Reports and Performance Reports Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister closed the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, noting contributions from 35 MPs and acknowledging proposals on health, indigenous medicine, media and postal services. He said Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital should be reviewed and reorganized, Seeduwa Vijaya Kumaratunga Hospital developed as a specialized hospital, and that the Budget provides substantial phased basic salary increases for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff over about 20 months. He rejected allegations of discrimination in changes to Muslim-language broadcasting during Ramadan, said state media institutions would be strengthened as national media models, and stated that VAT obligations and arrears are being settled. He thanked officials and staff across the Ministry’s 42 institutions, citing the Rs. 604 billion allocation and pledging political leadership to restore public confidence and improve services. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe addressed the Health allocation, welcoming the Ministry’s work while seeking action on matters raised at the Consultative Committee, including tabling the list of COVID-19 deaths, filling major staffing vacancies at Pottuvil Base Hospital, establishing an ENT unit linked to Palamunai and Akkaraipattu hospitals, and addressing shortages of the medicine “imigran” in the Eastern Province. He also urged recruitment of more than 2,500 unemployed indigenous medicine graduates and raised concerns that Unani practitioners are disadvantaged under current administrative and legal classifications. Referring to the Mass Media sector, he requested restoration of the SLBC Muslim Service Ramadan broadcast from 40 minutes to one hour. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised urgent deficiencies at Mannar District General Hospital, including the absence of permanent consultants despite an approved cadre of 24, lack of a CT scanner, no Accident and Emergency Unit, and the recent absence of a paediatrician, all of which force patient transfers to other districts. He requested that the Health Ministry or Deputy Minister visit the hospital and prioritize remedies, while acknowledging the service of doctors working under difficult conditions. On media, he called for a housing scheme for journalists, investigations into murdered journalists such as Sivaram, and effective mechanisms to address defamatory online content, including where platforms operate from abroad. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi said the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation’s historical archives, music library, and legacy equipment should be preserved and curated as a museum for children and foreign visitors. She noted that such a museum could generate income while showcasing the institution’s heritage, and said Budget allocations would support work with media professionals toward improved media governance. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Nilanthi Kottahachchi emphasized that media freedom must be exercised responsibly, balancing freedom of expression with the rights and safety of others. She warned against both unquestioning trust and total distrust of media, citing contrasting reports on a government decision as an example of responsible versus sensationalist journalism. She acknowledged the role of courageous journalists, including Lasantha Wickrematunge, and stated that the Government has a responsibility to uphold high media standards while respecting constitutional freedoms under Article 14 and the Right to Information Act. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka urged the Government to treat the Media Ministry’s role as broader than managing state media, calling for support for professional journalism, reduced taxes on inputs such as newsprint and ink, and the establishment of a chartered media training institute. He asked the Minister to review and implement the draft National Media Policy, create independent regulatory bodies including an Electronic Media Commission, transform state media into public service broadcasters, and expedite digital broadcasting switchover. He also requested stronger funding and staffing for the Right to Information Commission, reconsideration of the Online Safety Act and the proposed 15 per cent tax on online advertising, and a clear plan to expand internet access. He further called for justice in cases involving abducted and murdered journalists, continuation of national media awards, proper tendering at the Government Printer, and transparent procedures for teledrama slot allocation. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana congratulated the Health Minister and commended his engagement with health sector unions to avert strike action, while urging a lasting and fair solution for doctors, nurses, and other staff to protect patients dependent on free public healthcare. He noted the Budget allocations of Rs. 479 billion for the Ministry of Health and Rs. 604 billion for the wider health sector, and requested action to regularize dengue control workers, particularly in Kalutara, who remain on low pay. He also appealed for special attention to developing hospitals in Kalutara District, framing it as service to constituents and the national health sector beyond party lines. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →