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- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Riyas Farook JJB AI summary Riyas Farook responded to a point raised by Rauff Hakeem regarding Akurana, noting that 29 bodies had been found in the landslide-affected area, including 11 recovered by their team. He stated that some local residents chose to bury victims at the site and added that UAE forces had arrived and were assisting with operations there. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary Called for the reinstatement of the disaster insurance fund and urgent measures to protect plantation workers living in designated high-risk zones. He also requested expedited funding for slope stabilization along the upcountry railway and transparent reporting of casualty and missing-person figures. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara said the Opposition was ready to assist disaster relief efforts but accused the Government of failing to act on repeated meteorological warnings, convene relevant disaster-management bodies, or coordinate agencies before the cyclone-related damage escalated. He questioned why the National Council for Disaster Management had not been convened, criticized the President’s concentration of disaster-related responsibilities, and alleged restrictions on the Meteorology Department and civic relief initiatives. He urged the Government to restore disaster insurance compensation schemes, provide adequate relief for destroyed homes, deaths, farmers, and affected businesses, ensure non-partisan aid distribution, protect tourism, use available external loans efficiently, and publish accurate figures on deaths and missing persons. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government acted on Met Department warnings from 25 December by activating state institutions, evacuations, reservoir management, and tri-forces deployments, while accusing some Opposition Members of spreading disinformation during the disaster. He reported that more than 410,000 people were accommodated in 1,433 safety centres, Rs. 10 billion had been sent to District Secretaries, and returning families would receive Rs. 25,000 for essential household needs. He added that assessments of house, crop, business and cultivation losses were underway, compensation mechanisms were being prepared, and resettlement planning had begun for people in unsafe locations, while thanking officials and security forces, including personnel who died during rescue operations. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Minister Anil Jayantha defended the Government’s response to the recent cyclone, stating that agencies acted once the cyclone’s path became clear and that evacuations and relief were provided promptly, while rejecting allegations of misuse or privatization of the National Disaster Management Fund. He outlined Finance Ministry allocations under the 2026 Appropriation Bill, including recurrent and capital expenditure, social protection, SOE equity injections, revenue IT modernization, and externally funded projects. He also reported on fiscal management measures under the State Finance Management Act, debt management reforms, public debt levels, Treasury cash operations, planning priorities, and MSME credit programmes, arguing that fiscal discipline and accountability have been maintained. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Read →
- 5 December 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim said the Budget does not adequately address the country’s crisis but should be passed to meet IMF commitments, while urging the Government to present an urgent Supplementary Estimate for public works and recovery, with Opposition support. He questioned why the National Council for Disaster Management was not convened in mid-November despite rainfall warnings, arguing that earlier political leadership, a possible disaster declaration under the Disaster Management Act, and systems such as cell broadcast alerts could have reduced losses. He also objected to any privately managed disaster fund, insisting on parliamentary oversight through public funds, and warned against using emergency powers to intimidate social media users. He called for recovery efforts to involve Parliament and the Opposition and to be conducted without politicization. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Opening and Scheduling Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayatissa reported extensive disaster impacts across all districts from floods, cyclonic winds and landslides, including 479 deaths, 350 missing persons, major housing damage and nearly 189,000 people in shelters, while acknowledging security personnel killed during rescue operations. He rejected claims that an official cyclone warning had been issued and ignored on 12 November, detailing the Meteorology Department’s advisories to argue that the land-impacting system developed only from 25 November and intensified into Cyclone “Ditva” on 27 November. He stated that once the low-pressure system was identified, the Disaster Management Centre, Defence authorities, district officials and relief agencies were alerted, with landslide-risk and relocation instructions issued through the relevant institutions. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper highlighted the impact of the 2025 “Ditva” cyclone and called for more specific government responses, while emphasizing the Opposition’s role in evidence-based scrutiny. He urged the creation of a centralized early-warning and public advisory system integrating meteorological, disaster-management, scientific and social media capacities to provide locality-specific warnings, particularly for rainfall, landslides and river flooding. He raised urgent concerns from Kandy, including fatalities and unrecovered bodies from the Rambuk Ella landslide in Akurana, problems in Mawathura, contaminated wells and lack of safe drinking water, and requested assistance for affected communities and paddy lands. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan referred to the recent disaster, citing deaths, missing persons, displacement, and extensive damage in Batticaloa and the Eastern Province, and called for non-partisan relief efforts and permanent resettlement of landslide-prone communities. He urged urgent electricity supply to elephant-affected villages, prompt and corruption-free relief for farmers, fishers, daily wage workers and drivers, and the construction of multi-storey refuge buildings in flood-prone villages such as Vettruchenai and Pirambaditheevu. He also proposed longer-term development measures for the North and East, including more industries, rebuilding productive farms, a bridge between Padubannankarai and Eluvankarai, and flood-mitigation works such as the Mundeni Aru development and expansion of tanks and bunds. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary On behalf of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe expressed condolences for those killed, missing, and affected by the recent cyclone and floods, citing reported figures and noting that all 25 districts were impacted. He argued that disaster management systems and natural drainage protections must be strengthened, warning that human settlement on waterways worsens flooding, and called for government, opposition, officials, and security forces to work together on recovery and future planning. He also noted his participation in National Disaster Management Council meetings and criticized the Government’s earlier refusal to allow an Opposition-requested debate on the disaster, saying such a debate could have promoted greater unity. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister conveyed the Government’s condolences for lives lost in the disaster and acknowledged the efforts of the Tri-Forces, Police, officials, religious leaders and civil society in rescue and relief work. He criticized the spread of rumours and politicization during the crisis, including claims intended to create panic over dam spill gates, and noted that recommendations made after the 2004 tsunami had not been fully implemented. He said the current Government had convened district-level Disaster Management Committees, including in Gampaha, and welcomed international assistance while calling for national unity in recovery efforts. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Appreciation was expressed for public officials and security personnel involved in rescue operations during the nationwide disaster, including those who died or went missing, while noting the reported scale of the tragedy: 22 districts gazetted as affected, displaced persons in 21 districts, 465 deaths and 366 missing persons. The remarks criticized claims that a 12 November warning had been ignored, particularly allegations attributed to Opposition figures and media coverage, and called for clarification of the source and content of any such warning from the Department of Meteorology. It was also stated that the President had sought all-party cooperation and that relief was being administered through District and Divisional Secretaries without political discrimination, while condemning alleged harassment of the Kandy District Secretary by Opposition MPs. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah expressed condolences over the floods and landslides and acknowledged Government, security forces, police, and rescue efforts, while noting that relief funding had reached Batticaloa. He urged the Government to strengthen disaster management by establishing Provincial Disaster Management Centres under the Disaster Management Act, appointing dedicated officers at Divisional Secretariats, restoring early warning towers and radio communications, and supplying districts with boats, engines, and life jackets. He called for expediting the Mundeni Aru flood mitigation project, constructing multi-storey flood safety centres in Batticaloa, and reviving plans to extend the Kelani River bund to protect Malwana and surrounding areas. He also proposed seeking tariff relief from the United States and discussing debt relief or urgent financing with the IMF in response to the disaster. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake outlined emergency transport and relief measures following severe flooding, including interventions to ensure safe travel to Delft and Nainativu, plans to operate 4,200 SLTB buses, expanded rail services with coordinated ticket acceptance, and airline fee waivers for weather-affected passengers. He said agencies, the Tri-Forces, officials, and volunteers were engaged in water release, camp establishment, airlifts, and forthcoming cleaning operations, and called for unity during recovery from what he described as the largest flood in a century. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake thanked the tri-forces, police and emergency workers, urged the Government not to remove concessions for military families, and linked the ongoing disaster response to the need for Budget scrutiny. He raised concerns about the 2026 financing requirement, debt management, Central Bank coordination, credit expansion, pension sustainability, the post-IMF economic path, and the need for export-led growth and broader revenue bases. He called for reviving the National Natural Disaster Insurance Scheme, suspending parate action, granting interest and tax-payment grace periods to affected businesses, and extending tax deadlines to end-December. He also questioned the authority for the debt standstill decision, criticized proposed SriLankan Airlines bonuses despite losses, and urged halting non-essential vehicle imports to redirect funds to disaster relief. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya expressed condolences to those affected by the recent national disaster and assured that the Government would provide assistance to rebuild lives, homes, businesses and property. She thanked public officials, security forces, emergency responders, health workers, local authorities, community groups, clergy, media, foreign governments, international agencies and the Sri Lankan diaspora for rescue, relief and recovery support. She paid particular tribute to members of the Air Force and Navy who died or went missing during rescue operations, and emphasized continued coordination to restore essential services and support affected communities. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB AI summary Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi said the Budget debate was taking place amid a major national disaster and argued that all political actors should prioritize relief and recovery over routine partisan criticism. He contrasted the Government’s coordinated response with what he described as insufficiently constructive engagement by the Opposition, while noting that movements such as “Rathu Tharuwa” were now working through state structures. He commended public solidarity, international assistance including from India and Pakistan, and the work of state officials, emphasizing that improved inter-agency coordination was crucial in responding to a disaster affecting 22 districts. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government implemented measures under the Disaster Management Act following disasters from 26 to 30 December that affected 22 districts, including convening the National Council for Disaster Management and establishing a Special Operations Room at Army Headquarters. He detailed coordination among the Tri-Forces, Police, STF, Disaster Management Centre, local officials, and international partners, noting Indian and Pakistani helicopter assistance and rescue operations in areas such as Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Walapane, Gampola, Mahiyanganaya, and Kalpitiya. He rejected allegations of inaction, paid tribute to security personnel including a deceased Air Force pilot and missing Navy personnel, and emphasized that the priority was saving lives. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella described the severe impact of the “Doo” cyclone, particularly in Kandy District, citing deaths, missing persons, displacement, blocked access, communication failures and urgent shortages of potable water. She thanked state officials, security forces, medical personnel, religious institutions, civil groups and foreign missions for relief efforts, while questioning whether sufficient early action was taken after weather warnings and whether reservoir operations worsened flooding. She requested urgent attention to inaccessible areas, additional expert support to restore water supply, preparedness for further rain, medical safeguards against disease risks, and timely disbursement of relief funds to Divisional Secretariats. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →
- 3 December 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika expressed condolences for those affected by the disaster and acknowledged the work and sacrifices of the armed forces, Police, public officials and health workers. He stated that Government relief funding is in place, explaining that the Rs. 25,000 payment is initial household support rather than full compensation, with assessments and further compensation to follow, and that the dry ration allowance has been increased. He clarified that no extra-legal fund has been created, with official Treasury-authorized bank accounts published for contributions, and urged constructive reporting of gaps while supporting centrally coordinated relief operations under the President. Debate: Continued Committee Stage of Appropriation Bill 2026 (Ministry Expenditure Heads - Multiple Speakers) Read →