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 March 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised several Batticaloa fisheries-related issues, requesting a harbour at Urukaamam, action to restore boat-parking space allegedly fenced off in the Valachchenai/Kalluvankerny area, and repairs including a small bridge on the Eravur–Kaluvankerny road to support fishermen’s access to fuel and ice facilities. He also objected to restrictions on raising urgent national matters in the morning and criticized the Chair’s handling of Members’ dignity and privilege. He then asked the State Minister of Defence to respond to allegations of a meeting involving former security and political figures shortly before a court order concerning Deshbandu Tennakoon, suggesting possible national security implications and questioning the Government’s ability to account for unresolved cases and missing suspects. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe rejected allegations linking the Muslim community in Kalmunai to extremism, citing local cooperation with police after the Easter attacks as evidence of opposition to terrorism. He urged the Government to develop and open the Oluvil Fishery Harbour and other harbour facilities in Ampara, with coastal protection works to address erosion affecting local residents. He also called for compensation for fishermen affected by recent floods, damaged boats, deaths at sea, and cases involving fishermen who drifted or were detained after leaving from Kappaladi Fishery Harbour. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised concern over recent statements by the Minister of Public Security and Cabinet Spokesman alleging radical teachings of children in Kalmunai, saying the generalized claims had caused confusion and suspicion in the community. He said local Islamic organizations and the Muslim community were ready to cooperate fully with lawful investigations into any extremist activity, including identifying funding and patronage, but urged the Government to avoid statements that could revive false narratives against Muslims. He requested a ministerial clarification to Parliament on the investigations and actions taken, and also asked that the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation restore its long-running nightly Islamic programme during Ramadan from 45 minutes to one hour. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam raised concerns about northern fishermen, particularly in Jaffna, facing losses from Indian poaching despite a heavy Navy presence, and called for compensation and stronger protection. He urged the Ministry to provide substantial financial assistance, including support for multiday boats, and to ensure the Myliddy harbour benefits local fishermen by handing management to northern fishermen’s federations. He also objected to outside fishermen operating in Nayaru and to sea cucumber permits allegedly granted to non-locals in Kudaarappu, requesting immediate regulatory action. He further asked for dredging, groyne strengthening, and improved coastal access roads from Karkovalam to Neduntivu to support safe fishing operations. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran raised concern over unlawful incursions by Indian bottom-trawling vessels into Sri Lankan waters, particularly in the North and East, stating that they are destroying marine habitats and undermining local fishermen’s livelihoods. He called for strict enforcement of Sri Lanka’s ban on bottom trawling, legal action against both foreign and local illegal fishers, and stronger action by the Navy, Police and Fisheries authorities to protect maritime boundaries. He urged the Minister to intervene firmly and warned that affected fishing communities in Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi may be forced into public protest if their livelihoods are not protected. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage: Heads 124, 216, 331, 151 and 290 Read →
- 4 March 2025 Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concern over recent sword attacks in Araiyampathy on 20 February and in Batticaloa town the previous night. He said underworld groups were causing disturbances in the Batticaloa District and referred to the President’s recent remarks that such incidents could occur. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy called for proactive measures to address drug trafficking into prisons, including surveys at Grama Niladhari Division level to identify social, economic and other causes leading people into crime, with findings reported to Parliament. He criticized the Government’s response to underworld violence and the killing inside a court premises, urging stronger security for judges, court staff and officers and an orderly plan to address criminal activity. He also proposed modern alternatives to remand imprisonment, such as GPS-linked electronic monitoring used in Italy, and called for improved court and prison infrastructure and more funding for women’s empowerment programmes to prevent women and children being drawn into crime. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Read →
- 28 February 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 rejected claims that the Government faces a national security crisis or is close to collapse, arguing that earlier predictions of economic failure, currency pressure and internal political division had not materialized. He identified ethnic nationalism, extremism and organized criminal gangs as the main security threats, stating that the Government would repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act while introducing a new legal framework to address organized crime and extremism. He alleged that criminal gangs had developed through political patronage and links with law enforcement and security personnel, citing recent arrests of police officers, missing T-56 rifles, and misuse of licensed firearms as examples. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to address rising underworld violence and restore public confidence by strengthening, rather than destabilizing, the Police and STF. He argued that recent transfers of OICs and STF officers were often unjustified, politically influenced, and demoralizing, and called for proper assessments, leadership stability, and support for capable officers. He also referred to the Easter Sunday attacks, stressing public expectations for justice and asking that investigations examine related armed groups and the origins of extremist activity in the East. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam asked the Government to clarify defence expenditure and whether the Army is being used for civilian construction work under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, while urging the release of military-held land in the North and East for public use. He questioned delays in implementing manifesto commitments, including a new Constitution and abolition of the Executive Presidency, and sought clarification on reported changes in military intelligence leadership. He also demanded updates on promised anti-corruption action relating to alleged hidden funds, the VFS and passport deals, the sugar tax issue, coconut oil contamination, Avant Garde, and the bond scam. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam raised concerns during the Defence Votes debate about unresolved accountability issues, asking the President to clarify whether the Government would pursue a domestic or international process. He cited alleged killings linked to the Tripoli platoon, State Intelligence personnel, Manik Farm detainees, and the Easter attacks, questioning why key individuals had not been investigated or questioned. He also said no tangible progress had been made on a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the disappeared, or alleged killings, and noted a rise in Defence allocations for diets and uniforms from Rs. 70 billion in 2023 to Rs. 135 billion in 2025. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera said Sri Lanka’s national security remains assured through a professional military, with Defence allocations to be used for institutional strengthening, modernization, technology, research and development. He stated that a National Security Advisor Council would be established by law, cybersecurity legislation is being advanced through the Digital Economy Ministry, and the National Disaster Management Council would be reconvened and disaster management restructured. He outlined plans to modernize the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and hydrographic services to address maritime security, illegal fishing, environmental protection and revenue generation from navigational charts. He also said force levels in the North and East would continue to be reviewed, retaining personnel only where essential and redeploying others as necessary. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised concerns about the continued blocking of donated Sinhala and Tamil translations of Tafsir Qur’an, questioning their classification as “extremist literature” and requesting corrective action. He proposed further digitization of parliamentary work, including ending his hard-copy Hansard distribution, upgrading Members’ outdated laptops, installing desk-based screens and keyboards, and improving canteen and tea services through a pay-for-consumption model. He also asked that unpaid allowances for Police officers attached to Parliament be considered. On Arjuna Mahendran’s extradition, he argued that the absence of a Sri Lanka-Singapore treaty makes extradition difficult, warned that fair-treatment concerns affect such requests, and suggested proceeding with an in absentia trial under existing criminal procedure provisions. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan opposed the increased Defence allocation, arguing that the post-war North and East continue to face excessive troop presence, military occupation of civilian land, and restrictions on access to religious and agricultural sites. He cited specific locations in Vavuniya, Mannar, Mullaitivu and along the A-9, and urged the Government to implement the President’s pledge to release occupied lands and reduce troop numbers. He questioned the effectiveness and purpose of the military presence amid continued drug trafficking and criticized the use of national security and the PTA to arrest journalists and civilians, saying reconciliation requires reduced defence spending and an end to fear among Tamil communities. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Sunil Watagala stated that recent shootings and other crimes have involved serving or retired members of the armed forces and Police, including individuals with weapons training linked to narcotics. He said the Defence Secretary has moved to apprehend armed forces deserters and recall firearms issued by the previous Government, with reissuance subject to threat assessments. He also noted that dual citizenship processing is being expedited and indicated that authorities expect soon to disclose who is behind murders in the Middeniya area. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana raised concerns about rising underworld violence, alleged links between organized crime and law enforcement personnel, and the need to protect intelligence officers’ identities while strengthening structures to combat organized crime. He called on the Government to disclose and prosecute any politicians linked to the underworld and to report transparently to Parliament on progress in investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, including issues raised in a letter from Catholic Church leaders and allegations involving intelligence personnel, Channel 4 disclosures, DNA testing, and the Gelanigama incident. He also questioned delays and silence over alleged frauds relating to passports and NICs, and urged expedited processing of dual citizenship applications, citing accumulated files, lost revenue, and hardship to applicants. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister argued that strengthening the Police, Public Security institutions, and Defence-related services is essential for national progress, while acknowledging both the need for criticism and the importance of supporting Police welfare and capacity. He said the Government plans to fill at least half of the reported 20,000 Police vacancies this year, expand community policing and Public Security Committees, and deploy more Tamil-speaking officers to sensitive areas in the North and East. He also outlined measures to train 5,100 officers in Tamil, improve technical and IT training, address narcotics through supply-chain enforcement and public awareness, and provide single-cab vehicles to about 80 Police stations in the North with Indian assistance. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala responded to points raised about the Easter Sunday attacks and the Ministry Secretary, stating that former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and the then Ministry Secretary acted diligently and honestly during their tenures. He said Ravi Seneviratne is the current Ministry Secretary and argued that accusations against officials should not be made in Parliament without basis. He assured the House that investigations into the Easter attacks are progressing and that those responsible would be revealed expeditiously. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe raised concerns about unpaid allowances for a cadre of Police officers serving in Parliament and requested corrective action by the authorities. He argued that recent shootings, particularly an incident inside the High Court precincts despite heavy security, should be treated as a serious national security matter, and called for improved intelligence follow-up without politicizing Police appointments or investigations. He urged action on the VFS outsourcing transaction, a prompt and evidence-based conclusion to Easter Sunday attack investigations, and avoidance of selective law enforcement or scapegoating. He also proposed using Defence and prison manpower for productive national industries, citing inmate skills programmes funded in the Budget. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister said investigations into the Easter attacks and recent organised-crime killings require tracing links between multiple incidents, and that police, intelligence and the CID are pursuing such connections for national security. He also responded to debate on Presidential overseas travel expenditure, comparing reported costs under previous Presidents with Rs. 1.8 million spent from the Presidential Secretariat for President Anura Dissanayake’s first five months. He detailed Secretariat costs for visits to India, China and Dubai, noting that some air tickets were provided by host countries and that separate ministry expenses could be provided later. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →