Topic
Security & Defence
869 speeches · 214 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. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera, M.P. JJB | 77 |
| 2 | Hon. Ananda Wijepala, M.P. JJB | 65 |
| 3 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 39 |
| 4 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 23 |
| 5 | Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, M.P. JJB | 18 |
| 6 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 18 |
| 7 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 17 |
| 8 | Hon. Mujibur Rahman, M.P. SJB | 16 |
| 9 | Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam, M.P. ITAK | 16 |
| 10 | Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam, M.P. ACTC | 15 |
Speeches
869 on this topic- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence responded to questions on compensation following Cyclone Ditva, stating that in Trincomalee District 27,515 families and 91,087 individuals had applied and that payments were continuing under NDRSC guidelines. He clarified eligibility for Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 50,000 grants, noting that eligibility differs by type and extent of housing or household damage, and said funds had been sent for pending beneficiaries, including in Muttur. He reported payments for fully damaged houses, rental assistance, and Kandy District allocations, while stating crop damage falls under another Ministry and that no undue pressure on officials had been reported. Annexes listing beneficiaries, guidelines, and pending payments were tabled. Adjournment: Questions on Cyclone Relief and Tourism Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam raised an urgent concern with the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources regarding two fishermen, Selvarajah Rajkumar and Thangarajah Amalraj, missing at sea for six days. He stated that reported sightings and identifying evidence from Indian fishermen at Kachchativu had been provided to the Navy, Police, and the Minister, and urged the Minister to take responsibility and act on the matter. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Regulation of microfinance lending was supported, while calling for genuine relief for victims and clear mechanisms that do not conflate microfinance with pyramid schemes or digital currencies. Concerns were raised over reports of an attack on an Iranian vessel within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone, with demands for the Government and Defence authorities to explain the incident, its connection if any to recent agreements, and the adequacy of intelligence and maritime security. The speech urged the Government to brief Parliament and prepare a short-, medium- and long-term plan for possible economic and security impacts of the Middle East conflict, including effects on remittances, tourism, exports, air routes, and alternative markets. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana supported the need for the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill but emphasized that its effectiveness would depend on proper implementation. He urged the Government to state its position on attacks in the Middle East during Ramadan and to prepare for possible impacts on Sri Lankan workers in the region, including evacuation if necessary. He warned that escalation could affect fuel, gas and electricity supplies, and called for strengthened energy security through storage, pipelines and use of facilities such as Trincomalee, Hambantota Port and other infrastructure assets. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading (Continued) Read →
- 4 March 2026 Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that Sri Lanka has crude oil stocks sufficient until August, so any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is not expected to cause an immediate major impact. He said the Government is prepared with contingency plans in case global production or transport is affected, while continuing to monitor the situation. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Read →
- 4 March 2026 Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath stated that European tourist arrivals have continued, attributing this to measures taken to ensure safety and maintain confidence. He said the Government is providing humanitarian assistance where necessary, has implemented immediate required actions, and will take further steps if needed. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Read →
- 4 March 2026 Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary The Minister said Sri Lanka is urging restraint and a negotiated de-escalation of Middle East hostilities, while engaging regional leaders and foreign ministers to support peace efforts. He reported that Sri Lanka responded to the sinking of the Iranian naval vessel “IRIS Dena” outside Sri Lankan waters under its obligations under the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, rescuing injured personnel and transferring them to Karapitiya Hospital. He outlined contingency measures for about one million Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East, including a 24/7 emergency unit, embassy coordination, hotlines, and engagement with airlines and aviation authorities to maintain or restore flight operations where possible. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Read →
- 4 March 2026 Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa requested that the Government apologise for describing Sri Lanka as a “banana republic,” saying it brought the country into disrepute. Under Standing Order 27(2), he asked the Government to state its preparedness for the escalating Middle East conflict, including its policy on national security, protection and possible evacuation of Sri Lankan workers, activation of emergency units and 24-hour hotlines at missions, and assistance for stranded travellers. He also sought details on the number of Sri Lankans in Middle Eastern countries, contingency arrangements for special transport, coordination on aviation disruptions, and measures to safeguard remittances, fuel, gas, fertiliser and other critical supplies in the event of regional instability or disruption to the Strait of Hormuz. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Read →
- 4 March 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, speaking with leave during an intervention under Standing Order 27(2), asked the Government to clarify reports that an Iranian vessel had been attacked off Galle. He requested a brief response from the Chief Government Whip, stressing that incidents of this nature should not occur in Sri Lankan waters. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana supported the secondment of Civil Defence personnel to the Police and the Department of Wildlife Conservation, noting their wartime role in protecting border villages and their post-war service to communities. He said past deployments to menial or politically connected work led many to seek retirement with compensation, while also raising concerns about trained personnel losing livelihoods. He urged an orderly, voluntary secondment process with adequate incentives, clear leave and deployment policies, access to accommodation, and transparent postings, particularly for roles addressing the human-elephant conflict and police manpower shortages. Adjournment Motion: Civil Defence Personnel Secondment Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper noted the significance of Medin Full Moon Poya Day before addressing the role of Civil Defence personnel, particularly former village guards in Kalmunai and Ampara, during the conflict. He said they provided local protection against LTTE threats while remaining largely paddy farmers, and argued that transferring them en masse to Colombo as sentries would be unfair. He urged the Government to engage them in community-based agriculture and rural protection programmes, with compassion for their economic and social circumstances. Adjournment Motion: Civil Defence Personnel Secondment Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson seconded the Adjournment Motion and emphasized the wartime role of Civil Defence officers in protecting border villages. He noted the Budget proposal to second 5,000 officers to the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Police, arguing that such transfers require proper training and should, where possible, keep officers within their home districts so they can continue farming. He also raised concerns about shortages of uniforms, boots and raincoats, and urged the Public Security Minister to address the officers’ grievances and ensure fair treatment. Adjournment Motion: Civil Defence Personnel Secondment Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara moved an Adjournment Motion seeking relief for Civil Defence personnel who served during the war protecting border villages and whose employment was regularized under the Yahapalana Government. He said many are now deployed far from their home districts, receive very low salaries, and are not paid food or lodging allowances despite incurring such expenses. He proposed that qualified personnel be absorbed into the Police, or at minimum be granted allowances equivalent to police officers when serving away from their station. Adjournment Motion: Civil Defence Personnel Secondment Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera argued that Sri Lanka has made significant post-Independence development gains despite conflict, and criticized the LTTE and JVP for obstructing national progress, while also responding to concerns over fuel queues by attributing them to external tensions and public reaction rather than supply failure. He raised allegations regarding a coal procurement tender, naming Trident Chemphar Limited and its local agent Panaurora (Pvt.) Ltd., and claimed substandard coal supplies had caused major losses linked to the Norochcholai power plant. He urged the Minister in charge of Police to direct the CID to investigate the local agent and associated individuals, citing media reports as the basis for the allegations. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake warned that escalation of the Middle East conflict, including Israeli strikes on Iran, could harm vulnerable countries such as Sri Lanka, and linked this to concerns about national intelligence and the handling of Easter attack-related arrests, including Pilleyan and Azath Salley. He questioned why some former security officials were later promoted while others were detained, and argued that wartime intelligence contributors, including Muslim officers, should be assessed fairly. He also raised practical grievances on possible gas and fuel supply pressures, taxes and licensing burdens on beedi rollers, restrictions affecting small papad producers, alleged non-enforcement against an ice cream factory despite health and court concerns, procurement issues involving backhoe machines, and excessive salary deductions from police officers’ quarters in Galle. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister condemned the conflict in the Middle East, arguing that violations of sovereignty and military action cannot resolve disputes and should be replaced by dialogue and diplomacy. He said the Government is monitoring and supporting the safety of over one million Sri Lankans working in the region, whose families and remittances are important to Sri Lanka. He warned that the war could have economic and social repercussions for Sri Lanka, especially after its recovery from bankruptcy, and criticized attempts to create panic over fuel supplies or gain political advantage from the situation. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake argued that Sri Lanka’s heavy reliance on imports makes the economy highly vulnerable to rupee depreciation and interest rate increases, citing substantial cost impacts from both. He urged the country not to rely solely on IMF guidance but to undertake its own economic reassessment, improve competitiveness, and attract investment. He also cautioned against escalation of conflict, calling for prudent leadership and policies that improve living standards for Sri Lankans. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government is attaching 10,000 Civil Security Department personnel to the Police to address manpower shortages. He noted difficulties in assigning them to the Western Province or entirely within their home districts, but said efforts will be made to post them near their homes where possible and provide facilities when they serve outside their home provinces. He added that, with Cabinet approval, each CSD recruit attached to the Police will receive an additional monthly allowance of Rs. 25,200 for lodging and meals. Oral Question: Police Stations and Officers (Q.?/2025) with Supplementaries Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri referred to the announced attachment of Civil Security Department personnel to the Police and noted their current role in districts such as Polonnaruwa, including protection from the “One” threat. He asked whether, if such personnel are attached to the Police, they would be posted to fill vacancies in police stations within their own districts of residence. Oral Question: Police Stations and Officers (Q.?/2025) with Supplementaries Read →
- 3 March 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy questioned the Minister responsible for coal about reported imports of substandard coal that have reduced Norochcholai Power Plant output from 900 MW to about 600 MW, limiting electricity supply. He warned that reliance on costly generator-based power amid global oil supply disruptions and limited local fuel stocks could create a severe domestic crisis, and asked what steps the Government would take to prevent such a situation. Oral Question: Generators Facilitating Cooling at Norochcholai Power Plant (Q.68/2025) Read →