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- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Investigations are being conducted into reported extremist activities, including an inquiry concerning Miflan Moulavi. Action is being taken based on available information, with inquiries pursued where necessary rather than automatic arrest or detention. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman challenged the Minister’s account of an arrest, saying parents alleged counter-terrorism officers pressured them not to inform others, including human rights bodies. He questioned why a youth was arrested for pasting a sticker, why the Colombo Crime Division visited homes linked to a protest looking for stickers, and why a poet in Eravur who wrote in support of Palestine was summoned to record a statement, requesting clarification. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna argued that camps such as Batalanda were established as security measures in response to JVP violence during the 1987-89 period, particularly after attacks linked to protests against the Indo-Lanka Accord. He cited and tabled documents listing alleged JVP attacks on army and police camps, looting of weapons, destruction of paddy stores, and killings of civilians and monks. He also accused the JVP of past attacks on Parliament, the Temple of the Tooth, the Kataragama Perahera and Katunayake Airport, questioning its present criticism of state actions during that period. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara said the 1988-89 insurgency caused major loss of life, destruction of public and economic assets, and long-term harm to Sri Lanka’s development, while arguing that responsibility should be examined without protecting any political or security figures linked to Batalanda. He condemned both LTTE and JVP-related violence, describing the difficulty security forces faced in identifying guerrilla actors embedded among civilians and linking such conditions to abusive interrogation practices. He also accused current political leaders associated with that period of having incited youth and schoolchildren through slogans and agitation, and called attention to the burning of tea factories, Agrarian Service Centres, local government buildings and railway property. Debate: Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Batalanda Torture Chambers Read →
- 10 April 2025 Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is taking steps to depoliticize the Police in response to rising crime, underworld activity and narcotics use, including among schoolchildren. He said non-politicized Public Security Committees are being established to replace or improve upon existing Community Police Committees, and noted that their membership would include Divisional Secretaries, religious leaders, principals, retired police officers and retired military personnel under the relevant circular. Oral Question 212/2024: Sri Lanka Police - Vacancies and Promotions Read →
- 10 April 2025 Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister provided figures on Police Service vacancies, stating that there are 26,047 vacancies in the General and STF cadres, plus 1,821 in supporting services. He said recruitment and promotions have been delayed partly due to over 100 Supreme Court cases, but ASP recruitment is at the final stage and 5,940 officers awaiting promotion are being processed under applicable schemes. He outlined Budget 2025 and Police Welfare Fund allocations for food, uniforms, buildings, quarters, welfare facilities and medical support, and said work is underway on revised allowances and a separate Police salary structure for possible consideration in the 2026 Budget. Oral Question 212/2024: Sri Lanka Police - Vacancies and Promotions Read →
- 9 April 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Asked the Prime Minister about progress on “emblematic cases” related to alleged killings, abductions, and attacks during the conflict, including the Trincomalee Five case and incidents in 2009. He questioned the reliance on the OMP and Office for Reparations, noting Tamil community concerns about the absence of a judicial process and the lack of Budget allocations for those institutions. He also asked whether investigations, including statement-recording at Mullivaikkal and the recent arrest of Pillaiyan, indicate concrete progress and urged similar due process in the cases he cited. Oral Question: Hon. Prime Minister on University Development and Conflict Resolution Read →
- 8 April 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary The Member drew the Deputy Minister of Defence’s attention to recruitment and allowance issues concerning Sri Lanka Navy Information Technology Unit personnel recruited under Naval Message No. 5 of 2004, which stated that uniforms would not be provided under that scheme. He tabled the relevant 2004 and 2023 naval messages and the 2024 Internal Audit Management Committee minutes, noting inconsistencies in later recruitment instructions. He said an audit sample found Rs. 1,293,850.34 in uniform allowances had been paid in 28 instances, and emphasized that this reflected weaknesses in internal controls rather than fraud by the sailors. Oral Question: Soldiers Recruitment Special Workwear (445/2025) Read →
- 8 April 2025 Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Defence, the Deputy Minister stated that military personnel recruited for specialised vocations have been assigned duties relevant to those roles, and that the Army, Navy and Air Force permit civilian attire in certain duties depending on service orders and the nature of work. He reported that 46 naval personnel in the Information Technology Division who had been serving in civilian attire had refused to perform duties in uniform. He also referred to an annex providing service-wise details of personnel recruited under special enlistments and those currently in service. Oral Question: Soldiers Recruitment Special Workwear (445/2025) Read →
- 8 April 2025 Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara asked the Minister of Defence about tri-forces personnel recruited under special enlistment schemes and deployed in occupational roles. He sought details on their numbers, duties, privileges, and rules governing whether they may wear civilian clothes, workwear, or service uniforms, including who issues relevant instructions and whether institutional heads can require uniforms. He specifically raised the case of 43 Navy IT Division personnel reportedly instructed to wear uniforms and asked what attire they currently use for duty. Oral Question: Soldiers Recruitment Special Workwear (445/2025) Read →
- 8 April 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Around 440 unprotected railway crossings remain, and the member noted that they could be staffed with gatekeepers paid modest allowances of Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000. He stated that a programme has begun this year to convert most of these crossings into protected crossings, with the aim of carrying it out through CSR projects. Oral Question: Sri Lanka Transport Board and Railways (383/2025) Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs AI summary The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs met on 8 April 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Ananda Wijayapala. Members from the Government and Opposition participated, including representatives with backgrounds in public security, parliamentary affairs, and related policy areas. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence AI summary At the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence, members discussed defence-related administrative and policy matters with participation from government and opposition MPs, including retired military personnel. The committee context indicates consideration of issues falling under the Ministry of Defence, with members able to raise questions or concerns for ministerial response and follow-up. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Advisory Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs AI summary The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs met on 8 April 2025 under the chairmanship of Hon. Ananda Wijepala, with the listed Members in attendance. The proceedings appear to record the composition or attendance of the Committee rather than a substantive speech, with no specific policy proposal, legislative argument, question, or demand provided in the text. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 8 April 2025 Ministerial Advisory Committee on Defence AI summary The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Defence met on 8 April 2025 with the listed Members present. The record provided contains only the attendance details and does not include substantive debate, proposals, questions, or decisions to summarize. Opening: Parliament commencement, President's Message, Announcements, and Committee Listings Read →
- 21 March 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy criticized the 2025 Budget debate for continuing election-style rhetoric and questioned whether the Government could meet its domestic revenue targets without further borrowing, calling for clear disclosure of any new borrowing plans or agreements. He urged immediate action on problems faced by Sri Lankans overseas regarding driving licences, disputed Government claims over Italian visa processing, and demanded relief or alternatives for daily-wage workers affected by suspended sand, clay and gravel licences. He also raised concerns about the quality of New Year rice packs and asked the Government to address national security comprehensively if heightened screening at Parliament reflected wider risks. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage (Twenty-sixth Day) and Third Reading Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva cautioned against broad, indiscriminate action, arguing that when measures are applied without precision, innocent people are also harmed. He used the metaphor of “carpet-bombing” to stress the need for targeted and proportionate decision-making. Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Read →
- 20 March 2025 The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi SJB AI summary Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi raised concerns that despite the large number of State institutions, only a small proportion use State security service providers, while private security contracts have reportedly involved irregularities. He asked whether the Government would strengthen and expand the two State security entities, including by using retired military and Civil Security personnel, so they could provide security for more State institutions and reduce fraud and corruption in contracting. Oral Question 1: Government Institutions - Security Companies (Q.1/4/2024) Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Rohana Bandara alleged that no CCTV cameras are functioning in Anuradhapura and criticized the removal of police barriers without adequate security measures. He argued that such actions have emboldened organized crime amid reports of frequent murders, and urged the Government to move beyond slogans and implement practical security solutions. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →
- 17 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the National Security Council noted shortages of Tamil-speaking Archaeology Department officers in the North and East, and that remaining vacancies would be filled with attention to work that does not disrupt local communities. He said an expert committee has been appointed on the Kurundi Vihara issue, with excavations suspended there pending an amicable resolution, and that issues at Wadunagala arose from actions beyond departmental recommendations. He also noted Rs. 36 million allocated for infrastructure related to the Kochchikade Hindu Kovil and explained funding through the Hindu Cultural Fund, while confirming attention to finding suitable land for the Mahara Prison mosque closed after the 2019 Easter attacks. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate on Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of Environment Read →