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- 18 December 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Condemning the destruction caused by Cyclone “Titli,” Sajith Premadasa expressed condolences to victims and gratitude to state agencies, security forces, volunteers, and international partners involved in relief efforts. He called for major reforms to Sri Lanka’s disaster-management system, including amendments to the Disaster Management Act, a dedicated Cabinet ministry, stronger technical agencies, Doppler radar capacity, improved data systems, and a Rapid Deployment Force possibly drawing on unemployed graduates. While pledging Opposition support for the Rs. 500 billion supplementary estimate and relief under Circular 08/2025, he demanded swift, transparent and non-politicized implementation, questioning the inclusion of a politically linked committee recommendation in the Badulla District relief application process. Adjournment Debate: Current Situation of the Country After Disaster Caused by Cyclone Ditwah Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake - President, Minister of Defence, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Minister of Digital Economy AI summary The President said the Budget Committee Stage also included Ministry of Finance estimates, supplementary allocations, and a Public Security Ordinance resolution, but that national attention must focus on the widespread flood disaster and its loss of life, missing persons, and displacement. He expressed the Government’s condolences and said the State has a responsibility to rebuild in a more humane and resilient manner to prevent such tragedies recurring. He praised public solidarity, overseas Sri Lankan support, blood donations, and community relief work, and rejected criticism of such civic mobilisation. He also commended the armed forces and police, citing a difficult Navy and Air Force rescue of passengers stranded near Kala Wewa as an example of their commitment and capability. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Continued Budget Debate and Amendments Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. S. M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar argued that the cyclone warnings had been issued well in advance by the Meteorology Department and reported by media, and tabled related alerts, reports and Disaster Relief Services Circular 03/2025 to rebut claims that the Opposition was misleading the public. He criticized the Government’s disaster preparedness and coordination, alleging that the Disaster Management Council had not met as required, that key meetings were delayed or dismissed, and that warnings about Kelani River flooding and relief needs were not acted upon. He urged the Government to acknowledge deficiencies, stop political attacks, jointly assess damages with the Opposition, prepare an accurate damage presentation, convene an international donor conference, seek aid and further debt relief, and address the estimated Rs. 900 billion infrastructure loss. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan commended Kilinochchi district officials and village-level officers for their flood response, while condemning the alleged assault on Grama Niladhari Thiyagarasa Kalairupan by a Member of Parliament at Parantan Hindu Maha Vidyalaya and calling for a proper inquiry. He described severe flood impacts across Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Vavuniya, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and other Northern and Eastern areas, including displacement, isolation of villages and prolonged power outages. He said the disaster should not be politicized or blamed on the Government, but questioned why Sri Lanka remained insufficiently prepared despite past experience with the tsunami and earlier discussions on disaster detection systems. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe criticised the Government’s disaster preparedness and response to the cyclone and floods, arguing that credible warnings from the Meteorology Department and international media were available but were not acted upon in time, and that the Emergency and state mobilisation were delayed. He called for a unified, cross-party and expert-led coordination mechanism to manage relief, recovery, agriculture, business losses, and resettlement, including parliamentary sanction for land allocation and immediate support for survivors. He also urged international assistance and debt relief, while stating that Emergency powers should be used to protect people rather than intimidate the public, Opposition, or media. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Minister K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna described the recent disaster as an unprecedented national calamity, with severe loss of life and infrastructure damage in plantation areas and across Badulla, and argued that mountainous terrain makes recovery especially difficult and costly. He outlined relief and restoration efforts, stating that daily district disaster management meetings were held, most water and electricity services had been restored, many key roads reopened, and repairs to provincial roads, bridges, communications towers, and hospitals were progressing with support from state agencies, the military, volunteers, and utility workers. He criticized the Opposition for allegedly failing to participate in local disaster coordination meetings, questioned claims that they had warned of the disaster earlier, and linked some damage to past debt-funded development that he said had environmental consequences. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Urban Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara rejected Opposition allegations that officials failed to act or that the Government ignored prior information, calling for any such information to be produced. He said the disaster affected 21 districts, with over 80,000 families affected in Colombo District and over 50,000 in Kolonnawa, and described Government efforts to convene divisional and GN-level disaster committees with officials, security forces, police and MPs. He emphasized the role of public servants and volunteers, including the National Youth Services Council, and urged all parties to cooperate in relief and rebuilding efforts. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy criticized the failure of telecommunications during the disaster and urged the Government to establish relief coordination centres with dedicated communication systems. He called for stronger disaster detection and preparedness mechanisms, including links with international experts, specialized tools, and attention to potential post-disaster health risks and medicine shortages. He urged the Government to involve the private sector and civil society, and requested greater authority for Sectoral Oversight Committees to coordinate with global institutions and support recovery efforts. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne expressed condolences for those killed and displaced by the disaster in Nuwara Eliya District, particularly in the eastern division of Kotmale, Hanguranketha and Nuwara Eliya electorates. She noted the scale of loss in Rambodagama, where around 28 people died and about 22 remain missing, and commended the Police, Tri-Forces, state institutions, hospitals, road authorities and Divisional Secretariat staff for rescue, relief and restoration work. She urged the public and media not to politicize the tragedy or distress affected communities, and called for support including rebuilding, restoration of infrastructure and psychosocial assistance for survivors. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna expressed condolences for disaster victims and said severe damage in Gampaha could have been reduced through better preparedness, citing prior warnings from meteorological authorities and international sources. He accused the Government of delayed and inadequate disaster management, including failing to declare and use emergency measures promptly, and urged officials and MPs to be present on the ground. He proposed establishing a permanent Disaster Management Fund, ensuring women’s representation in its management, using insurance mechanisms to support SMEs and households, and providing basic equipment to frontline officers such as Grama Niladharis. He also acknowledged assistance from foreign countries, the private sector, media, security forces, public officers, and community volunteers. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Ajith Agalakada JJB AI summary Ajith Agalakada said the Third Reading of the Second Appropriation Bill was taking place amid a major natural disaster, and commended officials, security forces, local authorities, and service agencies for limiting damage in Monaragala District. He argued that the Government inherited a weakened economy due to earlier administrations’ policies, but had improved revenue, reduced the deficit, managed debt, stabilized the rupee, and planned further recovery in 2026. Citing past disaster responses after the tsunami and during COVID-19, he said the Government had empowered officials with spending authority for urgent relief and pledged to restore all losses except lives while using the recovery effort to advance the country. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Sagarika Athauda expressed condolences to those affected by the disaster and described it as one of Sri Lanka’s most severe natural disasters, citing rainfall of around 500 mm in some areas and landslides as the main cause of deaths. Referring to Kegalle District, she said authorities convened the District Disaster Management Committee on 27 November, carried out evacuations with the Police and Armed Forces, maintained camps with food, health services and counselling, and restored roads, water and electricity within two days. She stated that as of 1 December, 11,884 families and 42,898 persons in Kegalle had been affected and disputed Opposition claims of inadequate relief, arguing that officials, volunteers and political authorities had worked continuously to minimize deaths and support recovery. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana questioned why substantial funds were spent on National Disaster Management Plan workshops, including one involving the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, while authorities allegedly failed to prepare for or mitigate the disaster in question. He argued that the disaster was not properly managed, resulting in loss of life, and demanded government accountability for those deaths. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana expressed condolences to those affected by the disaster and acknowledged public and regional support, but argued that the Government bore responsibility for the loss of life and property because prior warnings from relevant agencies were not acted upon. He alleged failures in disaster management and post-disaster service delivery, including confusion among political authorities and officials. Referring to the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act, No. 13 of 2005, he questioned why the National Disaster Management Plan was not activated on 27 November, noting that 28 November was a critical day for operations. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu expressed condolences for deaths caused by Cyclone “Dissha” and detailed the impact in Batticaloa District, including affected families, temporary shelters, and emergency support to students and communities. He said the Government had taken preventive measures, released emergency funds, advanced money to Divisional Secretariats and Grama Niladhari divisions, and amended circulars to speed relief. He defended the Government’s disaster response, thanked officials and ministers involved, and criticized political actors whom he said were mischaracterizing disaster deaths and misusing relief efforts for political purposes. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. B. Ariyawansha SJB AI summary B. Ariyawansha addressed the impact of the “Dissha” cyclone, floods and landslides, expressing condolences and commending the tri-forces, officials, police, MPs and media outlets for relief efforts. He rejected criticism of Opposition and media interventions, stating that in many affected villages government representation was limited while Opposition members and local officials assisted residents. Referring to Ratnapura District and specific displaced communities, he said government assistance such as Rs. 3,100 weekly payments and seven-perch land allocations was inadequate, and called for sufficient relief, safer land or housing programmes, including possible multi-storey housing. He also requested higher compensation, proposing at least Rs. 2.5 million for fully damaged houses and increased grants for partial damage. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. K. Ilankumaran JJB AI summary K. Ilankumaran expressed condolences for deaths caused by Cyclone “Dissha” and reported that 16,918 families in Jaffna District and 8,778 families in Kilinochchi were affected, with shelters and relief measures arranged. He defended the Government’s response, stating that allocations were proportionate, emergency food and procurement decisions were expedited, and Rs. 25,000 was approved for affected students. He commended the President, the relevant Minister, officials and the tri-forces, while rejecting allegations of unequal treatment or misuse of relief funds and stating that foreign relief sent to his party office was distributed to affected people. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna criticized the Government’s disaster response and treatment of security forces, referring to flooding after water was released from the Kotmale Dam and alleging that MPs avoided hardship while military personnel lacked basic facilities. He praised specific military officers and personnel who assisted him during the emergency and objected to them being inadequately recognized. He also questioned the allocation of Rs. 360 million to Jaffna, alleging it was distributed to government party supporters, and urged that such funds be directed instead to estate workers. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Ramanathan Archchuna criticized the Government’s flood relief response in the Northern Province, arguing that the uniform Rs. 25,000 assistance was inequitable for victims with differing levels of loss, including those whose homes were destroyed. He recounted being rescued during the floods by Navy personnel and praised the armed forces, while warning against downsizing them and alleging inadequate safety equipment such as life jackets for rescue teams. He also objected to expenditure on new parliamentary vehicles and urged that such funds be redirected as larger payments to families who lost homes. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Upali Samarasinghe - Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister described emergency response efforts in Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu, rejecting Opposition claims that circulars or political interference hindered officials. He said Mannar was most affected, with rescues and relief carried out by officials, police and the tri-forces, including air rescues and food drops, and argued that the military’s role in the North had been essential during the disaster. He reported that welfare centres in Vavuniya had closed, many in Mannar had been reduced, health services and dry rations were provided, and work was under way to repair breached tanks, canals, sluices, roads, electricity and water supplies to enable cultivation. He appealed for cooperation across political and ethnic lines, stating that state agencies, volunteers and external assistance were supporting recovery. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →