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 November 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa questioned whether the handling of the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi Bodhiraja Viharaya issue in Trincomalee, including police removal of a Buddha statue, was consistent with national security and religious coexistence. He proposed a President-led National Integration Committee and urged that the Amarapura Maha Nikaya Mahanayake Thero and relevant stakeholders be brought together at the Presidential Secretariat to resolve such disputes through leadership rather than police action. He also raised grievances affecting disabled war heroes, ex-servicemen, widows and parents, alleging that pension revisions approved in the 2025 Budget were being denied through Pensions Circular 02/2025 and decisions by the Director General of Pensions. He demanded immediate implementation of the Budget proposal, continuation of fixed allowances after age 55 for eligible families, and fair treatment in cases involving missing personnel, deaths outside active areas, and administrative delays in Medical Board processes. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to implement its promises on returning lands in the North only after identifying areas needed for national security, with alternative land or adequate compensation for affected owners where necessary. He said decisions should not be driven solely by election pledges and compared such sacrifices to past development projects involving displacement. He also questioned whether promises to serving and retired soldiers had been fulfilled, criticized remarks at the Ilmaha Viru Samaruma as diminishing war heroes, and raised concerns about police procurement allegations involving the IGP, including how evidence submitted to CIABOC allegedly reached the CID and the IGP. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that security professionals are already addressing the relevant tasks, while acknowledging the concern that they may not be carried out properly. He asked the Member, as someone who had been in government, to provide a basic or substantial list of identified lands so they could be referred to security experts. He also requested that the relevant circular be sent to him and to the Minister of Defence. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha argued that decisions on matters of national security should be made by qualified security experts rather than by politicians. He named several political figures to emphasize that such decisions require professional expertise. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Moved the customary Rs. 10 reduction under the Committee Stage of the Appropriation Bill 2026 for the relevant expenditure heads, including Defence. He argued that national security is closely linked to the economy and warned against weakening defence considerations in pursuit of election promises. Referring to the post-war context and strategic areas such as Elephant Pass, Pooneryn and Mullaitivu, he urged that land decisions in the North and East prioritize national security, with alternative land or compensation offered instead of releasing lands considered vital for defence. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Defence and Public Security Expenditure Heads Read →
- 18 November 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Defence, under Standing Order 27(2), to outline Sri Lanka’s actions and future plans under the Colombo Security Conclave following the signing of its Charter and the establishment of its Secretariat in Colombo. He sought details on intelligence sharing with India and other members, joint maritime operations, integration of CSC platforms into national security systems, and a national strategy covering areas such as counter-terrorism, cyber security, humanitarian assistance, maritime monitoring and narcotics interdiction. He also asked about expanding maritime domain awareness with CSC and Indian assistance, Secretariat appointments, the next scheduled CSC engagements, and whether visa or fast-track facilitation would be provided for authorized CSC officials and Sri Lankan counterparts. Question by Private Notice: Proactive Utilization of Opportunities Provided by Colombo Security Conclave Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka questioned the Government’s tourism performance, arguing that 2025 arrivals and revenue are below targets and below 2018 revenue levels, and called for stronger promotion aimed at higher-spending tourists. He criticized the use of tourism promotion levy funds, citing expenditure on Beira Lake restoration, and highlighted issues in tourist areas including waste and wastewater management, water supply, trained personnel shortages, and security concerns. He also raised justice-sector issues in Galle District, including inadequate lawyers’ chambers, difficulty obtaining case records, lack of computers and staff, delays in summons service, and broader case backlogs, especially in land cases. He proposed digitizing case records, equipping court registrars to implement electronic service, reconsidering school facilities for transferred judges’ children, strengthening professional standards for new lawyers, and establishing a court to serve Imaduwa and Habaraduwa. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar suggested that wildlife tourism could quickly generate revenue by renovating facilities, launching an online booking platform, and listing them on commercial travel sites. He questioned the Government’s claims on rule of law and public security, citing killings and shootings, the removal of MPs’ security, and alleging that the Minister in charge of Police continues to use STF and backup security. He also criticized public displays of drug seizures, calling for transparency on the destruction of seized drugs and for enforcement to be carried out properly rather than as publicity. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary On behalf of the Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on State Administration, Justice and Civil Security, the Member presented committee reports on a series of annual performance reports, annual reports, and financial statements relating to defence, civil security, disaster management, meteorology, and related institutions. The documents covered multiple years, including reports from the armed forces, Coast Guard, Civil Security Department, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Defence Services Command and Staff College, Disaster Management Centre, Ranaviru Seva Authority, and Lanka Limited on border protection and security. The reports were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers - Annual Reports and Committee Reports Tabled Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised concerns about continued police and intelligence actions against Tamil representatives and activists, citing a Kilinochchi court case over commemorative activities and an alleged intimidation incident in Ampara where police reportedly refused to record complaints. He argued that people should be able to remember deceased relatives under transitional justice principles and said the security environment remains unsafe for youth. He also referred to letters sent to the President seeking the release of military-held land, particularly the Theraavai Maaveerar Thuyilum Illam and Kilinochchi Maha Vidyalayam land, and stated that he had received no response. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera rejected allegations that the Tri-Forces, or retired Tri-Forces personnel, were involved in drug distribution. He asked members making such claims to provide specific information to enable action, rather than speaking in general terms. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera raised a Point of Order in response to allegations by Hon. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam. He rejected the claim that Tri-Forces personnel were involved in the spread of drugs, stating that he had rejected the same allegation the previous day and continued to do so. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary G.G. Ponnambalam said his party supports the Government’s campaign against drugs, but argued that it will fail in the North and East unless alleged military involvement in the spread of drugs is addressed. He claimed this problem stems from wartime counter-insurgency practices and persists due to the continued heavy military presence, citing reported refusal by police to record complaints and discussions at District Coordinating Committees. He criticized the Deputy Minister of Defence for denying the allegations and urged the Government to confront the issue as part of its anti-drug policy. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar raised a privilege issue concerning a 31 October 2025 discussion chaired by the Speaker on Opposition MPs’ security, attended only by Opposition Members. He alleged that MP Samantha Viddyarathna, who was not present, made public media remarks about the discussion, including sensitive security-related matters, thereby undermining parliamentary freedom of speech under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act and affecting his personal safety. He requested an inquiry and appropriate action for the alleged breach of privilege, including clarification on claims implying the Speaker had briefed the MP. Privilege Matters and Procedural Issues Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said recent discussions in Mannar and Mullaitivu with Defence authorities and fisheries officials led to a decision to establish a joint operations room and hotline to address local inter-district fishing intrusions, and that he would check its status and ensure follow-up on complaints. He stated that Indian fishing incursions are being addressed through diplomatic engagement with India alongside joint Navy–Department operations, with continued efforts expected to reduce incidents. On NAQDA licensing delays, he said staff shortages had prompted recruitment requests, and interim deployment of officers from other institutions would be considered to clear backlogs in the North and speed up licensing and dispute resolution. Oral Question: Curbing Illegal Fishing in Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts (1352/2025) Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Kins Nelson SJB AI summary Kins Nelson reviewed implementation of the 2025 Budget and argued that several allocations had shown limited or no progress, citing youth agriculture loans, sports funding, and a waste removal machine for Anuradhapura. He criticized the absence of clear Budget proposals for key Ministries, especially Defence, and raised concerns over national security and a recent US travel advisory. He called for greater attention to the human-elephant conflict, noting deaths and limited progress on fence maintenance, and questioned delays and adequacy in agricultural support, including fertilizer subsidies and market problems faced by onion farmers. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Rishad Bathiudeen began addressing the Deputy Minister of Defence, but the provided excerpt contains no substantive remarks, questions, proposals, or references to specific defence matters or policy issues. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Defence challenged allegations that military and police personnel are involved in drug trafficking, asking Hon. Gajendra Ponnambalam to provide specific names, locations, units, regiments, and police stations. He stated that any such information would be investigated and denied that the defence establishment has links to trafficking. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam welcomed the Minister’s acknowledgment that members of the military and police are involved in the drug problem, contrasting it with previous governments’ reluctance to admit this. He argued that drug mafias cannot be eliminated without holding the military accountable, citing the high military presence in the North as a relevant concern. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar JJB AI summary Ramalingam Chandrasekar said education in the North has improved, but parents are still sending children to Colombo or abroad because of threats from drug mafias, citing more than 100 children leaving in the past two months. He argued that while some elements within the military and police may be involved in drugs, it is inaccurate to blame the institutions as a whole, and alleged that some Tamil politicians are linked to drug networks, including recent arrests. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →