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- 6 February 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika defended the continuation of the emergency declared after Cyclone “Ditva,” arguing it remains necessary to coordinate disaster relief, essential services, housing assistance, and support for displaced persons across the affected districts. He said the Government had not used emergency powers to suppress protests, dissent, or criticism, contrasting its conduct with alleged past abuses under earlier administrations. He rejected allegations of acting above the law and urged any complaints of theft, fraud, or unequal legal treatment to be raised through proper channels. He also criticized repeated obscene language directed at parliamentary leaders and suggested the Opposition address such conduct internally. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha opposed extending the emergency, arguing that disaster-related regulations and compensation are already in place and that the measure is being used to suppress public dissent rather than address post-disaster needs. He criticised delays in restoring flood- and landslide-damaged railway and infrastructure links, questioned the Government’s capacity to manage reconstruction, and suggested seeking capable foreign assistance where necessary. He also alleged economic stagnation, pressure on SMEs, weak post-Cyclone Ditva recovery measures, and low public-sector morale, while calling for the dignity and independence of Parliament’s offices and staff to be protected. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir questioned the necessity of extending the emergency, arguing that the Government’s stated restoration of calm did not justify continued extraordinary powers and citing past impacts on the Muslim community, including the detention of Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen under the PTA after the Easter attacks. He alleged that emergency-related authority and programmes such as “Prajashakthi” were being used to consolidate political control without proper legal process. He also requested action on coastal erosion, effective paddy procurement at the declared floor price, and administrative improvements in local hospitals, including appointments and reversal of ad hoc transfers. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep - Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Hon. Sundaralingam Pradeep supported the extension of the Emergency Regulations, arguing that the current emergency was declared for humanitarian response to Cyclone Ditva rather than for political suppression. He said the regulations enabled faster rescue and relief in hill country areas by allowing cross-boundary assistance, removal of dangerous trees, land allocation, and delivery of essential services. He rejected Opposition claims of abuse of emergency powers, asked for specific examples, and raised related concerns including communal divisiveness, respect for women MPs, ongoing hill country housing projects, wage increases, and a call for estate-owning politicians to provide land to affected people. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Deepthi Wasalage JJB AI summary Hon. Deepthi Wasalage supported extending the national emergency declared after the 27–28 November disaster, arguing that it had been used for recovery rather than to restrict democratic processes. She described severe damage in Matale, including 29 deaths, blocked roads, power and communication failures, and disrupted Water Board projects, and said government MPs and local representatives worked across ethnic and religious lines to restore normalcy. She identified remaining recovery needs, including the Alkaduwa–Ukuwela road, Bambarakiri Ella water project, and relocation of Gammaduwa Hindu National School, and called for state officials to be protected in taking necessary land acquisition and development decisions. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan questioned the need to extend Emergency Regulations for disaster relief, arguing that relief and rehabilitation should not require emergency powers and noting public fear due to past use of the Emergency and PTA against youths. He raised concerns about cybercrime, particularly online defamation and image manipulation targeting women, and urged the Government to strengthen police capacity to investigate such offences, including those involving perpetrators abroad. He also asked that any prohibition on fishing methods such as shore-seine operations in Mannar be implemented with a transition period of at least six months to protect affected workers and investors. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam opposed the extension of the Emergency and said he would call for a Division, arguing that emergency powers and the PTA are being used to suppress political activity and protests in the North and East, including over the Thayyiddi vihara issue. He rejected the Government’s justification that the Emergency was needed for cyclone relief, citing past unaddressed cyclone damage in the North and asking why relief had not been provided without emergency powers. He also criticized the Government’s handling of Indian trawler incursions, questioned the low number of seizures and prosecutions, and asked whether affected Northern fishers would be compensated. He further raised concern over the cremation of a Buddhist monk at McHeyzer Ground in Trincomalee and appealed to the Government to stop action against Rajkumar Rajeevkanth over a Facebook post expressing Tamil cultural concerns. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned the Government’s use of Emergency powers, warning that they should not be used to intimidate individuals, social media users, or MPs, while urging proper action on national issues. He criticized the Government’s handling of war heroes, Independence Day commemorations, and the reported rebuilding of Prabhakaran’s house, contrasting this with alleged inadequate support for cyclone victims. He also demanded a stronger response to incidents involving Indian Navy action against Sri Lankan fishermen and raised concerns about unresolved questions in the Easter Sunday attacks investigation. Additionally, he referred to a leaked private audio clip involving an MP and called on the President to investigate its source while protecting the Government’s claimed clean reputation. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Thushari Jayasingha supported the extension of Emergency Regulations in the context of relief and recovery after the “Ditva” cyclone, arguing that the Government is providing compensation, resettlement land, housing assistance and development projects in affected areas of Kandy District. She rejected Opposition criticism on environmental and disaster issues, saying some harmful quarrying, tank construction and land acquisition decisions predated the current Government and contributed to later damage. She cited specific recovery measures including the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme, housing support in Kundasale, and the Mahaiyawa tunnel road project costing Rs. 699.6 million. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Aravinda Senarath - Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Aravinda Senarath supported extending the emergency, arguing it is necessary to coordinate state institutions and accelerate disaster management and recovery after the “Ditva” cyclone. He said the Government is using emergency powers only for relief, compensation, restoration of housing, fields, tanks and bunds, and institutional coordination, contrasting this with alleged past misuse of emergency powers by previous administrations. He rejected Opposition criticism as politically motivated, defended the Government’s record on media freedom, and urged a unified national approach to disaster recovery. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala defended the extension of Emergency Regulations as a limited, disaster-related measure following the “Ditva” cyclone, asking the Opposition to identify any misuse beyond relief and essential services coordination. He also cited the Supreme Court determination on the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill as confirming the Government’s electoral mandate to repeal the 1977 pensions law by simple majority. He rejected claims that the Government had acted against Buddhism or other religions, and challenged Namal Rajapaksa to pursue a threatened defamation case over alleged underworld links so the matter could be tested in court. He further stated that criticism of the proposed Resident Protection Bill was inconsistent because a similar Bill had been introduced by the previous Government in 2024. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri JJB AI summary Sunil Rathnasiri supported extending the Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, arguing that they are intended to empower essential services during disaster relief and not to curtail democratic rights. He criticized Opposition actions and allegations, including claims about arrests and disaster assistance, while saying historical abuses of emergency powers explain public suspicion. He also defended the Government’s 2026 education reforms, citing major budget allocations, teacher training, administrative recruitment, and action taken over an error in one curriculum module, including inquiries by education authorities and referral to the CID. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. R.G. Wijerathna JJB AI summary Hon. R.G. Wijerathna supported extending the Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, citing severe damage from “Ditwah” in Nuwara Eliya, including destroyed canals, anicuts, tanks, agricultural roads and RDA roads. He reported relief payments made locally and island-wide agricultural compensation, while arguing that recovery remains incomplete and requires coordinated technical, engineering, NBRO, RDA and Tri-Forces support under the Essential Services Commissioner General. He urged Parliament to continue the cross-party cooperation shown during the initial emergency declaration and approve a further extension to stabilize conditions and complete restoration. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Dr. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam questioned the need to extend Emergency regulations under the Public Security Ordinance and Essential Public Services Act during the post-Cyclone “Ditwah” recovery phase, citing past misuse of emergency powers and the PTA against minority communities. He argued that new security legislation risks broader rights violations if “terrorism” is not clearly defined, while affirming that all persons, including clergy, should be subject to ordinary legal processes when laws are breached. He urged the Government to approach legislation and development projects in ways that support reconciliation, specifically calling for consultation on Mahaweli “L” and Kivul Oya-related settlements affecting local communities. He also requested immediate Paddy Marketing Board procurement at the guaranteed Rs. 120 price, noting that farmers in his district had been forced to sell paddy at Rs. 80 after cyclone-related losses. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Anton Jayakody - Deputy Minister of Environment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody supported extending Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, stating that they were being used solely to coordinate relief and recovery after Cyclone “Ditwah,” not for political suppression. He described widespread damage across 22 districts, including heavy rainfall, flooding, more than 1,250 landslide sites, around 650 deaths, 173 missing persons, and extensive housing destruction. He said the Emergency enabled rapid inter-agency action through the Essential Services Commissioner General, including mobilizing technical personnel for NBRO assessments, and urged the Opposition to support the extension. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition argued that emergency regulations are unnecessary for disaster relief payments and said the Government should instead use and amend the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act, establish a dedicated Disaster Management Ministry, and strengthen relevant technical agencies. He called for IMF programme renegotiation, an international pledging conference, and a fuller assessment of disaster damage, citing future external debt servicing pressures and the World Bank GRADE report. He also criticized the use of emergency powers in relation to arrests of monks, raised questions on the Easter attack investigations, and challenged alleged inconsistencies in education reform explanations, including a disputed Grade 6 English module link and the absence of early ICT education. He concluded that extending emergency law reflects a repressive approach and urged repeal or replacement of the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill with a national security law consistent with human rights standards. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 6 February 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported extending the Emergency Regulations issued after Cyclone “Ditwah,” stating that they are needed to coordinate relief, maintain essential services, and restore infrastructure across the 22 districts declared disaster-affected. He said the regulations enable an Essential Services Commissioner General to coordinate state, private, local, district, national, and international actors in resettlement, compensation, reconstruction, and service restoration. He emphasized accountable use of public funds and international assistance, including support from 32 countries, the World Bank, JICA, and bridges from India, with allocations based on district-level requests and audits. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa criticized the Government over the alleged release of 323 red-labelled containers without proper investigation, including two reportedly flagged internationally for narcotics, and accused it of pursuing politically motivated investigations. He said Independence Day commemorations failed to adequately honour the armed forces’ role in defeating the LTTE, while also alleging disrespect towards religious leaders by Government ministers. He raised concerns about attacks on Sri Lankan fishermen within national waters, questioned the Government’s ability to ensure maritime security, and asked whether promised relief for cyclone-affected people had been properly funded, citing reports of bounced compensation cheques. Debate: Institute of Real Estate Professionals, Container Depot Operators Licensing, and Shipping Agents Licensing Bills (Second Reading) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara asked the Speaker to clarify whether he would be provided security and, if so, when it would be arranged. Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson raised a point in Parliament concerning an alleged threat to life. The intervention appears to have sought the Speaker’s attention on the matter, but no further details or specific request are provided in the excerpt. Petitions: Citizens' Petitions Presented Read →