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- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala said the Government had not abandoned investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and corrected what he described as a misrepresentation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s remarks. He outlined the attacks’ casualties, the number of suspects arrested and indicted, and the sequence of investigations and commissions, including the Malalgoda Committee, the Parliamentary Select Committee, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, and later committees on the Channel 4 allegations. He stated that previous governments had failed to adequately investigate key disclosures, while the current Government has begun a structured investigation in line with the President’s pledges and is prepared to refer earlier reports to the CID and, if necessary, table them in Parliament. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Read →
- 9 July 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana questioned the reliability of the DNA testing related to Sara Jasmine, noting that only one of three tests identified her and asking why the Government could not conduct another test. Referring to the Easter Sunday attacks, he urged consideration of the National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims’ document, called for an independent international investigation, and requested implementation of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry recommendations. He said the Government had a duty to provide justice to the victims and at minimum disclose who was responsible. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana seconded the Motion and called for an update on investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, noting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s pledge to ensure justice. He asked what recommendations of the Presidential Commission report had been implemented during the Government’s ten months in office and requested that at least one implemented recommendation be tabled. He also questioned whether requests from the National Catholic Committee for Justice to Easter Sunday Attack Victims had been considered, and sought transparent reporting to Parliament on specific investigative leads, including the FBI-provided IP address, the release of an individual despite military concerns, and inquiries relating to “Matale Saharan.” Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam moved a motion alleging that the Government has failed to deliver promised accountability for the Easter Sunday attacks and other human rights violations, and demanded that key reports, including the Presidential Commission report, be tabled and its recommendations implemented. He asked specific questions on alleged Attorney General’s Department intervention in bail for Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, DNA reports relating to Sara Jasmine, a missing police firearm allegedly linked to the attacks, and the failure to arrest certain suspects. He also raised wider concerns about alleged state and intelligence links to armed groups in the East, witness protection, and unresolved cases including the Joseph Pararajasingham murder. He proposed establishing a special prosecutor’s office with international assistance to conduct independent investigations and ensure justice for victims and national security. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Terrorist Attacks (21 April 2019) Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara argued that national security concerns relating to allegedly risky released containers should be investigated by questioning those responsible for their release, including the relevant Ministers. He said MPs who raised the issue should not be the first to be summoned, as their role was to highlight the potential threat. Procedural: Questions of Privilege and Parliamentary Conduct Read →
- 9 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that MPs are not being summoned simply for holding press briefings, but that authorities may seek information when national security is involved. He urged Members to cooperate by providing any information relevant to national security. Procedural: Questions of Privilege and Parliamentary Conduct Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake criticized the need to debate salt import licences in an island nation and argued that the country has become dependent on imports for basic goods. He raised allegations regarding the National Lotteries Board Chairman’s conduct and official housing, called for recovery of stamp duties on undervalued land transfers, and demanded action on public security, including the arrest of Ishara Sewwandi and measures against alleged overseas-linked crime networks. He also urged diplomatic action to reduce a potential 44 per cent US tariff on apparel exports, warned of job losses, and said investigations by CIABOC and the CID were creating fear among officials and paralysing public administration. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Salt Import Regulations (Gazette No. 2437/04) Read →
- 8 July 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that investigations into the 2011 disappearance of Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan have been reactivated after the case had remained pending since 2014. He said the Acting IGP directed the CID on 3 June 2025 to investigate, relevant police records have been obtained, and the CID’s Homicide and Organized Crimes Division has commenced inquiries. He added that the CID is investigating four post-conflict disappearance cases in the North-East and the Colombo Crime Division six such cases, none of which have yet been completed, with a detailed report placed in the Library. Oral Question: Disappearances in North-East after Civil War (Q. 516/2025) Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Government to adopt contingency measures in response to the Israel–Iran conflict, citing risks to Sri Lankan workers in Israel, remittances, fuel costs, tea exports, shipping, tourism, FDI, reserves, inflation and poverty. He called for energy security measures, including supplier diversification and strategic reserves, and urged diplomatic engagement to de-escalate the Gaza crisis while supporting a fair two-state solution for Palestine. He also demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged assault on Colombo Municipal Councillor Uluwaduge Sandamali and raised a procedural concern that parliamentary rulings should be given before adjournment on a point of order, citing parliamentary authorities and Commonwealth principles. Adjournment Debate: Special Audit Report on Advance Payment for Import of 15,000 Dairy Cattle and COPE Report on National Gem and Jewellery Authority Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem sought clarification from the Deputy Minister regarding the large military camp in Silavathurai within the Musali Pradeshiya Sabha limits in Mannar, stating that it covers the village and bazaar. He said he had raised the matter repeatedly at the Consultative Committee and requested a response to ensure justice for the affected residents. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Pallimunai Land and Military Camp Issues Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said he had previously requested the Security Forces Commander in Jaffna to carry out a site inspection with villagers and the District Secretary. He asked the Deputy Minister to send a delegation for a joint site visit, noting that while strategic security needs should be considered, there is significant local demand that also requires attention. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Pallimunai Land and Military Camp Issues Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan opposed the acquisition of privately titled lands for Navy use, stating that the owners would not accept compensation in place of their land. He urged that the plots be returned to their owners and that, if necessary, adjoining land be allocated to the Navy instead. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Pallimunai Land and Military Camp Issues Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister confirmed that the Pallimunai land in Mannar, currently used by the Navy, is strategically important for coastal surveillance and preventing illegal activities. He said the matter was discussed at the Defence Ministry Advisory Committee, and following a court decision, steps are being taken to acquire the land for the Ministry of Defence while paying fair compensation to verified owners, with a proposed valuation of Rs. 151.5 million. He added that the Government is mindful of the affected fisherfolk’s livelihoods and will consider providing alternative nearby land where possible. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Pallimunai Land and Military Camp Issues Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised the case of 24 displaced families from Pallimunai, Mannar, whose privately owned coastal housing lands are now occupied by security forces and used as a Navy camp. He said the owners hold deeds and have filed cases to reclaim the properties, while moves are being made to acquire the lands under the Land Acquisition Act. He submitted a dossier to Hansard and urged the President, as Minister of Defence, to stop the acquisition process and return the lands to the affected families. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Pallimunai Land and Military Camp Issues Read →
- 19 June 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara raised concerns about Sri Lankan youth seeking employment in Korea, stating that some who passed required examinations had not received placements while others had, and requested ministerial attention to the issue. He also asked what measures the Government was taking to ensure the safety of approximately 20,000 Sri Lankan workers in Israel amid the Israel–Iran conflict, including whether it would intervene to evacuate them if necessary. Oral Question: Sri Lankans Departed for Seasonal Employment in South Korea (Q.3/2024) Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary The Minister reported that four Sri Lankans in Israel had been injured amid the Middle East conflict and said the Embassy in Israel had facilitated treatment, while Sri Lankan missions in Israel, Iran, Türkiye and the wider region were coordinating safety measures and consular support. He said the Government had temporarily suspended sending workers to Israel, including those on leave in Sri Lanka, and was seeking visa extensions from Israeli authorities while advising Sri Lankans to use shelters and contact embassies as needed. He added that evacuation from Israel was difficult due to airport and land-route restrictions, that relocation options from Iran were being prepared with friendly governments, and that contingency measures were being considered for possible impacts on remittances and oil prices. Adjournment Debate: Trade Tariffs and Iran-Israel Conflict Impact Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam defended ITAK’s record and said the party should not be drawn into government–opposition disputes or subjected to unfounded allegations. Referring to the debate on regulations under the Convention against Doping in Sport Act, he linked sports development in the North and East to the release of lands held by the Forest Department and the military, citing the Kurukkalmadam Army Camp ground as an example needed for schoolchildren. He urged the President and Government to provide a clear timeline on Tamil representatives’ demands, including Provincial Council elections, so ITAK could justify cooperation with the Government to its constituents. Debate: Convention Against Doping in Sports Regulations Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Allegations were raised that the army detained, assaulted, and buried individuals, with the Member stating that sufficient evidence exists. He questioned where complaints against army actions can be lodged and called for investigations into the matter. Question by Private Notice: Chemmani Cemetery and Related Issues (Q.27(2)) Read →
- 17 June 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka briefly noted Sri Lanka’s experience of war caused by terrorism. The extract provided is incomplete and contains no further proposals, questions, or policy demands. Procedural: Points of Order and Question Scheduling Read →
- 6 June 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about a reported crisis involving 323 containers, noting public claims that they contained weapons belonging to Prabhakaran. He sought clarification from the Minister on the matter. Procedural and Oral Question: Airport and Aviation Services and Standing Orders Clarification Read →