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 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Vihara in Trincomalee has a documented history since 1951 and that its related Dhamma school, land allocation, fence, and temporary sales hut had received approvals or no-objection letters from relevant authorities. He tabled several documents, including registrations, Coast Conservation and other agency approvals, and later removal orders issued in 2025, noting that a writ application is pending in court. He questioned police intervention during the laying of a foundation stone for Dhamma school construction and urged that the matter be handled through proper legal and administrative procedures rather than political pressure. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna’s remarks were cut off almost immediately after he began speaking. He appeared to be introducing a point by invoking religious belief and referring to Sinhala children, but no substantive argument, proposal, or question was developed in the provided excerpt. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala responded to concerns about the Dehiwala statue, stating that its removal occurred before the current Government took office and was carried out under the Samagi Jana Balawegaya. He said the Government has allowed the statue to be returned and criticized attempts to link the Dehiwala and Trincomalee issues to religious extremism. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that the Government would not retreat from fulfilling its promises to the people. He also affirmed that racism and religious bigotry would not be permitted. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe challenged the State Minister’s statement that no case existed regarding the Trincomalee temple, citing CA Writ/1099/2025 filed by Rev. Thrikunamalaye Kalyanawansha Thissa Thero of Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Temple. He argued that a case is pending and criticized the Minister for being unaware of it, linking that lack of awareness to the dispute at the temple. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticized the Government for promoting police officers allegedly implicated in the Dr. Shafi case while claiming to oppose a “parallel criminal state,” and said Dr. Shafi’s 2024 complaint seeking redress had still not been investigated. He alleged that TID and CID were summoning individuals who speak on Palestine or raise issues about illegal Sabbath houses, questioning whether law enforcement was being influenced by a foreign mission. He also referred to the Easter Sunday attacks, stating that the Government had acknowledged possible State involvement and urging action on prior promises to investigate the alleged conspiracy. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the handling of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya issue in Trincomalee, including police removal of a Buddha statue, was consistent with national security and religious coexistence. He proposed a President-led National Integration Committee and urged that the Amarapura Maha Nikaya Mahanayake Thero and relevant stakeholders be brought together at the Presidential Secretariat to resolve such disputes through leadership rather than police action. He also raised grievances affecting disabled war heroes, ex-servicemen, widows and parents, alleging that pension revisions approved in the 2025 Budget were being denied through Pensions Circular 02/2025 and decisions by the Director General of Pensions. He demanded immediate implementation of the Budget proposal, continuation of fixed allowances after age 55 for eligible families, and fair treatment in cases involving missing personnel, deaths outside active areas, and administrative delays in Medical Board processes. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary The Member raised a point of order to clarify remarks attributed to him by Hon. Kavinda Jayawardhana regarding LGBTQ issues, stating that his comments referred to a Ministry-issued letter rather than his own initiative. He questioned the promotion of LGBTQ tourism in the context of claims that Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country and condemned the reported assault on monks in Trincomalee. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Muneer Mulaffer emphasized national integration as essential to Sri Lanka’s recovery, linking past conflict, the Easter attacks, tourism decline, and economic hardship to the need for peace and reconciliation. He cited mechanisms such as the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, the Office on Missing Persons, and the Office for Reparations, and argued that public representatives should reduce tensions rather than exploit communal incidents. He also highlighted foreign remittances, tourism, international agreements, and new partnerships, including a recent MoU at the Saudi Chamber Summit, as part of efforts to attract investment and rebuild the economy. He urged the Opposition to use the Committee Stage debate on Votes to raise concrete shortcomings and proposals. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Government for, in his view, undermining Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural traditions, particularly in relation to the treatment of monks and remarks about practices such as statue and snake veneration. He argued that such practices form part of Buddhist, Hindu and wider cultural heritage and warned that the public would oppose perceived attacks on them. He also accused the Government and leftist parties of abandoning past anti-imperialist and pro-poor positions, citing alleged agreements with the United States and the imposition of VAT on small traders. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera raised concern over an incident at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bauddhiraja Viharaya, linking it to what he described as Government rhetoric hostile to Sinhalese Buddhist practices and civilization. He argued that national unity, peace, and respect for Buddhist values are essential for tourism and other enterprises, and questioned why Police allegedly assaulted monks, including Kassapa Thero, in that context. He denied making a racist argument but claimed Government statements about religious practices may have influenced Police conduct and fuelled unnecessary communal tensions. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera argued that the existence of a court “B Report” does not, under past Speakers’ rulings, automatically prevent Parliament from debating a matter on sub judice grounds. He objected to limiting the debate on that basis and added that such issues arise in the context of alleged anti-Buddhist sentiment. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala said the Trincomalee incident had been reported by the Police to the Magistrate’s Court under Section 106 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and argued that Parliament should not debate a matter now before court. He warned that discussion of related incidents, including one in Dehiwala involving a Buddha statue, was being used to create racial and religious tension, and requested the Chair to intervene and stop the debate. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concern that the Government has no dedicated Minister for Buddhism and referred to constitutional provisions for protecting Buddhism. He alleged that Police removed a Buddha statue and assaulted a monk at a Trincomalee temple that he said had existed since 1951, and also cited the removal of a Buddha statue at the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council premises. He urged the Government to establish a proper programme to protect Buddhism, while stating that the rights of Tamil and Muslim communities should also be respected. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala responded to statements about the Trincomalee incident, stating that the Police had acted and reported matters to the Magistrate’s Court under Section 106 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, making it a judicial matter rather than one involving political interference. He rejected claims that the Government was acting on a religious or nationalist basis or disregarding Buddhism, and urged the Opposition not to frame the incident as a communal or religious issue. He also asserted that the Government had maintained judicial independence. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa thanked the Minister for intervening but said video evidence showed police cutting a fence to remove a statue and alleged that two monks were assaulted. He requested an investigation into the incident and called for the law to be enforced. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that the Trincomalee Harbour Police removed a recently installed Buddha statue after receiving information about a security threat and concerns that night protection could not be ensured. He said police have been instructed to restore the statue with proper security, while discussions with chief incumbent monks and the District Secretary continue to resolve the matter and prevent nationalist incitement, with legal action to be taken where necessary. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concerns over tensions in Trincomalee following reports about the removal of a Buddha statue and said the matter remained unresolved despite ministerial comments. He urged faster deployment of workers already interviewed for jobs in Israel and called for increased payments to emergency inquest officers, citing the heavy travel burden in districts such as Badulla. He questioned recent disciplinary actions and appointments in the judiciary, asking for transparency in Supreme Court appointments and warning that inconsistent treatment of judicial officers undermines public confidence. He also highlighted severe prison overcrowding, urged rapid construction of additional accommodation through transparent tenders, called for fair resolution of the former Prisons Commissioner-General’s case, and requested full issuance of promised vehicle permits for public servants. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Government and President to intervene in a dispute at the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee, arguing that police restrictions within a registered temple precinct should be resolved through consultation with the Maha Nayake Theras and in line with constitutional protections for Buddhism and other religions. He also asked that delayed fertilizer subsidy payments for the Maha season be expedited, particularly in areas such as Thalawa, Rajanganaya and Namal Oya. He called for higher allowances and better recognition for Inquirers into Sudden Deaths, proposed consideration of a Coronial Services Commission, and pressed for the absorption of Teacher Development Officers into the teaching service according to prior commitments and court settlement terms. He further urged respect for Parliament staff, criticised alleged misleading claims on teacher-related promises, and requested stronger regulation of foreign employment agencies to prevent exploitation. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe raised a point of order under Standing Order 92(a) to correct an earlier reference, clarifying that the receptionist mentioned was male and not female. He also noted that the Constitution accords Buddhism the foremost place. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Read →