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- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka noted the assertion that Buddhism is accorded the foremost place. The remark appears to reference the constitutional or policy position on Buddhism, without presenting further argument or specific proposals in the provided excerpt. Procedural - Privilege Motion and Main Business Announcement Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concern over alleged attacks on Buddhist sacred sites, citing damage to a sacred umbrella and a statue. He questioned how such incidents could be tolerated and appealed to the Speaker to allow Members to speak on the matter. Procedural - Privilege Motion and Main Business Announcement Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister reported on an incident at Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya in Trincomalee involving alleged vandalism of a newly placed Buddha statue, which Police temporarily removed for protection and have since been instructed to reinstall within the temple premises. He said security arrangements are being implemented, Police will report matters to court, and any related land issues will be resolved through judicial process. He also noted a Coast Conservation Department complaint regarding an alleged unauthorized eatery at the site, with legal action to proceed subject to the court’s decision. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a matter under Standing Order 31, citing Article 9 of the Constitution on the State’s duty to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana while safeguarding religious freedoms. He sought to question the Minister in relation to the previous day’s Sambuddha Jayanthi observances, but the provided excerpt ends before the specific question is stated. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake responded to claims that no Tamil or Muslim experts had been appointed to the Archaeology Advisory Committee, stating that scholars from Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities are represented. He named Prof. V. Maheshwaran, Prof. B.A. Hussenmia and Mr. Ratna Chelupillai Mayuranandan among the appointees, and said the relevant Minister had indicated that two additional special expert committees are expected to be appointed. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary During a brief intervention in the month of Karthikai, Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna paid tribute to Tamil martyrs and those who died in the struggle associated with Tamil Eelam. He recited commemorative verses honouring their sacrifice, courage, and role in shaping Tamil identity and remembrance. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Raised a point of order to clarify that Muslim representatives have been appointed in relation to the Department of Archaeology, naming Prof. Hussainmiya of South Eastern University and Prof. Farzana Haniffa of the University of Colombo. He added that suitable and qualified persons would also be selected and appointed to other committees. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe used the Budget Committee Stage debate to urge the Government to address the ethnic question, fully implement the 13th Amendment as promised, and avoid repeating what he described as past failures by successive Presidents. He called for the immediate repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, citing recent arrests of two Muslim youths under the law, and requested that the President convene a special meeting to secure the release of confiscated copies of the Holy Qur’an held by Customs. He also referred to grievances faced by the Muslim community under the previous administration, including forced cremations, and tabled a letter signed by 22 Muslim MPs seeking action on the Qur’an issue. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Welcoming assurances on minority inclusion, the Member warned against establishing religious sites in areas where the relevant community does not reside, citing plans for a Buddhist worship site and vihara at Nediyakalmalai near Batticaloa border villages as a source of local suspicion and potential conflict. He alleged that related road works, Forest Department land releases, and confiscation of Tamil farmlands were undermining reconciliation. He said his side abstained on the Budget because, despite some positive measures, it did not address the national question and maintained high Defence allocations in peacetime. He urged the Government to include a just political solution and development of war-affected areas in the next Budget, noting a forthcoming meeting with the President. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep defended the Budget’s plantation wage proposal, stating that the daily wage will rise to Rs. 1,750 from January through Rs. 200 contributions each from companies and the Government, and framed it as part of the Government’s commitment to Malaiyaha workers’ dignity, land, housing and rights. He criticized Opposition figures for challenging the Government’s Rs. 200 support before the Bribery or Corruption Commission and accused past political actors of using plantation wages for trade union and electoral politics. He also noted that the Government had obtained Cabinet approval and issued a Gazette recognizing the Ayyappan pilgrimage to India as a sacred pilgrimage. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer defended the Budget, specifically the Rs. 200 attendance incentive for estate workers, and argued that opposing the Budget would signal opposition to relief for a community central to Sri Lanka’s tea industry. He said earlier Opposition warnings about economic collapse had not materialized, and maintained that the Government was rebuilding investor confidence, restarting development, and managing capital expenditure responsibly. He also responded to criticism over vehicle allocations, stating that procurement was intended to improve State and local authority services after years of underinvestment. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Second Reading of the 2026 Budget, arguing that the Government had moved the country out of a “lost decade” through fiscal stabilization, improved revenue collection, legal reforms and attention to inherited liabilities such as incomplete infrastructure contracts. He highlighted allocations for persons with disabilities under Aswesuma and for accessibility improvements in public institutions, as well as spending on education, Mahapola and bursaries, professorial units, medical facilities, the Ratnapura railway line and Rs. 21 billion for research and development. He also responded to criticisms on Hindu affairs by citing initiatives including the National Thaipongal festival in Jaffna, gazetting the Sabarimala Ayyappan pilgrimage, kovil and religious education funding, and the allocation for a National “Sri Lankan Day” festival. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Requested that increased revenue be used to raise allocations to the Ministry of Buddhasasana at the current stage of budget consideration. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa argued that the proposed allocation for Buddhasasana in 2026 falls by Rs. 1,330 million from the 2025 figure, and said such a reduction is inappropriate given the constitutional status accorded to Buddhism. He requested that the allocation be increased and urged the Government to expedite appointments for about 600 Dhamma University Higher Diploma holders and address the 14,000 who have passed the Dharmacharya Examination. He also stated that sufficient public revenue is available, citing high tax collections and revenue exceeding IMF expectations. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi outlined allocations for Buddhasasana-related programmes, stating that a project on over 25 acres of allocated land was progressing well and expected to show strong financial and physical progress by the third week of December. He said the total allocation was Rs. 2,154 million, comprising Rs. 1,620 million under the Ministry, Rs. 463.5 million under the Department of Buddhist Affairs, and Rs. 70.3 million from the Buddhasasana Fund. He detailed major allocations including religious activities, Punya Grama, development of places of worship and rural temples, and solar power facilities for temples, and stated that no heads under the Department had been reduced. He tabled annexures setting out the allocations requested by the Leader of the Opposition. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Government is acting on matters concerning monks and anti-Sasana activities in line with the guidance of the Mahanayaka Theros of the Three Nikayas, including through the establishment of a Buddhasasana Council. He said Cabinet approval has been obtained to amend Sections 41 and 42 of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, with draft amendments sent to the Attorney General for observations. He also reported that Rs. 3,484 million was allocated for 2025, with Rs. 968.82 million in financial progress by 30 September, noting that commitments including the India-funded solar power project are expected to raise financial and physical progress above 90% by December. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister responded to questions under Standing Order 27(2), stating that a seven-member Special Committee including scholar monks nominated by the Mahanayaka Theros has been appointed to draft amendments to the 45-year-old Piriven Education Act in line with wider education reforms. She said the amendments would address recruitment qualifications for Piriven teachers, the composition of the Piriven Education Board, and curriculum reforms, while preserving the distinctive role of Piriven education. She added that the Committee, working with the NIE and NEC, is preparing research toward a National Piriven Education Policy and reforms to Mulika, Maha, and Vidyayathana Piriven syllabi, with a research report due by 31 January 2026, a curriculum framework in 2026, pilot implementation in 2027, and full implementation in 2028. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa sought Government clarification on proposed amendments to the Piriven Education Act, including whether powers of Chief Incumbents would be altered, and asked for details on curriculum revisions, affected subjects, and timelines. He questioned whether the Government has plans to protect the Sangha and address monks allegedly acting against the Sasana, including possible strengthening of relevant laws and Sections 41 and 42 of the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance. He also requested information on 2025 budget allocations and progress under the Ministry of Buddhasasana, and on 2026 programmes and allocations for the development of the Sasana. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that authorities are already intervening in the matter, working with the Department of Archaeology and relevant agencies including the Kolonna Divisional Secretariat, Land Reform Commission, Department of Survey, and Ministry of National Heritage. He said a structured inquiry would be completed swiftly and reported, with the aim of safeguarding the monument and surrounding landscape under archaeological regulations and restoring it properly to the nation. Oral Question 1347/2025: Takeover of Maduwanwela Walawwa by Department of Archaeology Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi - Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister responded to concerns about a historically significant site in Ratnapura, stating that he had inspected it and obtained reports from archaeological officials. He noted issues over land excluded between two Gazette notifications, alleged sale of a nearby plot, ongoing private construction, and unresolved questions about intermediary resales. He said the inquiry and government intervention are continuing, and that he would report the final position with the aim of protecting the monument and its surrounding landscape according to its declared status. Oral Question 1347/2025: Takeover of Maduwanwela Walawwa by Department of Archaeology Read →