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- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera said measures have been proposed to address earlier issues affecting officer course trainees, including free uniforms, training equipment, and a maximum Rs. 1,000 camp allowance for those not in active service. He added that incentives such as foreign tours, advanced leadership training, periodic uniform provision, and improved camp infrastructure are being considered, with budgetary allocations arranged. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera thanked the Deputy Minister of Defence for the response and noted the National Cadet Corps’ approximately 144-year history. He emphasized its role in developing school youth to better face future challenges. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Defence, the Deputy Minister outlined provisions of the National Service and Reserve Forces Act, No. 40 of 1985, and provided current figures for the National Cadet Corps, including 3,092 Cadet Officers, 148 officers released by the Ministry of Education for active service, 2,256 participating schools, and 4,599 active cadet units. He stated that modernization measures have begun, including proposed amendments to the Act, revised training and assessment methods, expanded use of Rantembe and Mullaitivu camps, reduced cadet expenses, greater involvement of school teachers, resumption of the National Cadet Sports Tournament, and integration of technology into the curriculum. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CADET CORPS: OBJECTIVES AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera asked the Minister of Defence for details on the National Cadet Corps, including the establishing Act, its objectives, current numbers of cadet officers and Ministry of Education-released officers, and the number of participating schools and cadet units. He also requested information on whether and how the Corps’ activities are being modernized to meet current needs, and if not, the reasons for the lack of modernization. Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concern over a letter stating that recommended security measures would be “subject to Cabinet approval.” He questioned whether individuals facing confirmed intelligence threats, with the IGP’s concurrence, must arrange their own security until Cabinet approval is obtained, and requested urgent attention and a response from the Speaker. Oral Questions: Prime Minister Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said emergency regulations introduced after Cyclone Dicha were necessary to deliver urgent relief, support prompt decision-making, and restore essential services during the disaster response. He stated that the regulations, made under the Public Security Ordinance, now require parliamentary approval for extension, and indicated that concerns raised about them would be addressed. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir AI summary The member asked the Deputy Minister of Defence to investigate the impact of Air Force bombing exercises in Kalpitiya, citing alleged miscarriages, injuries, deaths, and damage to farming and fishing communities, and requested a safe operating framework. He also called for justice for residents of Ismail Puram and Vattakandal in the Vanathavilluwa Police Division who were arrested after a picket. He urged the Government to expedite pending post-cyclone assistance with clear timelines, noting hardship faced by daily wage earners repeatedly visiting local offices for aid. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper questioned the scope of the emergency regulations gazetted under the Public Security Ordinance following the Dicha cyclone, arguing that provisions on taking possession of property and vehicles, entry, search, arrest, offences and penalties lacked a clear connection to disaster relief. He asked the Government to clarify whether it intended to use property and vehicle requisition powers and, if not, to remove those provisions. He suggested the Gazette appeared to have copied earlier public security regulations rather than being tailored to the cyclone response, urged the Government to correct it, and indicated that a vote would be called next time. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister supported the proclamation of emergency law following a recent national calamity, stating that the powers are intended for rapid recovery and public welfare, not for suppressing dissent. He contrasted this with past uses of emergency powers and the PTA, which he said were associated with killings, disappearances, abductions, and attacks on media. Responding to Tamil MPs, he rejected allegations of current police brutality against Tamils, said the Thayiddy–Tissa Vihara issue is being addressed fairly, and accused opposition figures in the North of raising such claims to divert attention from inquiries into alleged fraud, liquor permits, and sand mining. He assured that no Tamil citizen had been harmed under the current emergency and said the Government would protect people in the North and East. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra supported parliamentary approval of the emergency proclaimed on 28 December 2025 under the Public Security Ordinance, arguing it is needed to manage cyclone-related displacement, damaged housing, relief delivery and essential services. She said emergency powers have not been used against the Opposition or social media criticism, and that democratic activity has continued despite allegations of misuse. She stated that the appointment of the Commissioner General of Essential Services and related regulations require the emergency framework until permanent legislation or the immediate need is no longer present. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara questioned the extension of emergency regulations after the Defence Secretary had stated that the disaster situation had ended, arguing that emergency powers were historically used for suppression and were unnecessary for ongoing relief work. He alleged the extension could be intended to curb protests over education reforms or media criticism, and raised concerns about disaster mismanagement, including ignored cyclone warnings, inadequate shelter for displaced people, limited compensation, and insufficient support for affected farmers. He urged the Government to withdraw the emergency and said the Opposition would support genuine relief measures for disaster-affected communities. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala said the Dicha cyclone had ended, as stated by the Defence Secretary, but post-disaster operations were continuing. He argued that the current emergency regulations are proportionate to the disaster situation and asked the Opposition to identify any misuse of them, while distinguishing the present regulations from past abuses of emergency powers. Citing casualty and displacement figures as of 1 December 2025, he called for a short extension of the regulations and rejected claims that the Government was creating a police state or interfering with police operations. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Faiszer Musthapha, PC NDF AI summary Hon. Faiszer Musthapha argued that the emergency regulations issued under the Public Security Ordinance are framed like national security measures used after the Easter attacks and during the Aragalaya, rather than being tailored to disaster management. He urged the Government not to extend or approve them in their present form, citing provisions on requisitioning property and restrictions affecting freedom of expression as lacking a clear nexus to disaster relief. He proposed that Parliament instead develop targeted emergency regulations to strengthen disaster response and the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” mechanism, and tabled related Defence Ministry correspondence, prior emergency gazettes, and a Supreme Court judgment finding similar regulations ultra vires. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera sought parliamentary approval to extend the state of emergency declared after the Dicha cyclone, citing severe damage across 22 districts, major displacement, housing losses, and disruption to essential services. He said relief and service coordination are being handled through the Commissioner General of Essential Services, District and Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis, the Tri-Forces and Police, with a committee overseeing foreign aid transparency. He outlined ongoing repairs to roads, bridges, railways, irrigation works and other infrastructure, and argued that continued emergency powers are needed to coordinate recovery, maintain public services, and support affected communities. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition argued that the Government should have declared a disaster situation under the Disaster Management Act during “Dicha” and used its provisions for relief, rather than relying on emergency regulations under the Public Security Ordinance. He said the current regulations resemble those used for counter-terrorism or public disorder situations and are disproportionate to disaster-response needs, despite promised compensation and relief payments. He asked the Prime Minister to clarify the legal basis for extending the emergency after a notice stated that the declared disaster situation had ended on 15 December 2025, and called for properly tailored disaster-relief provisions to be operationalized. Debate: Public Security Ordinance Resolution and Delimitation Motion Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage said the Government had introduced a new fishers’ pension scheme and the “Sayura” emergency insurance programme in its first year, describing them as measures to provide security and professional recognition to the fisheries sector. He outlined the pension contribution options and benefit tiers, invited Opposition proposals to improve the scheme, and said future policy would include formal training to attract educated youth into fisheries. He also reported on Cyclone “Dicha” warnings, damage assessments and compensation measures, including repairs, grants for fishing gear and concessional loans for affected aquaculture sectors. He further stated that the Ministry was assisting Sri Lankan fishers detained in Seychelles and that repairs to damaged radio equipment had been funded. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised a series of concerns outside the fisheries item, criticizing the Government’s handling of the Venezuela-related incident, the education “module” issue, police conduct, alleged threats to media institutions, and treatment of military, police, railway and Civil Security Department personnel. He argued that political responsibility should apply consistently, called for the Prime Minister to face consequences or resign over the module issue, and said the IGP should resign over failures in policing. He urged the Government not to interfere with media houses, not to remove Army officers before pension eligibility, not to evict long-serving police officers from quarters without alternatives, and not to make arbitrary transfers or dismissals of Civil Security personnel. He also called for proper procedures in public fund disbursement and criticized publicity-driven responses to railway and disaster-related issues. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Fishermen across Sri Lanka were affected by Cyclone “Boo” and related severe weather, with particular concern for heavily affected districts such as Mannar. The Minister stated that Divisional Secretaries in the relevant areas had been instructed to provide necessary assistance and relief to affected fishermen. Oral Question: Fishermen in Pottuvil DS Division - Provision of Facilities (Q.1397/2025) Read →
- 6 January 2026 Mr. Speaker - The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne AI summary Parliament was informed of a message from the President regarding a proclamation issued on 28 December 2025 under Section 2 of the Public Security Ordinance. The proclamation brings Part II of the Ordinance into operation throughout Sri Lanka from that date, citing the cyclonic storm disaster situation, protection of public order, and maintenance of essential supplies and services under Article 155(4) of the Constitution. Opening of Parliament and Official Business Read →
- 19 December 2025 The Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi expressed condolences to those affected by Cyclone “Ditva” and the floods, including those killed or missing. He commended fishing communities from the South for using their own resources, including boats and equipment, to assist in rescue and relief efforts. He attributed the disaster to failures in righteous governance and neglect of the Buddha Sasana, proposing that the Maha Sangha be convened before the Sri Maha Bodhi to seek forgiveness and guide governance. Debate: Supplementary Estimate – Head 240 – Programme 02 – Cyclone Disaster Relief (Rs. 500 Billion) Read →