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- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara urged the Government to address responsibilities to Northern and Eastern voters beyond political messaging, and called for a comprehensive programme against the underworld, including using Boossa Prison for high-risk offenders, virtual court procedures, and accountability for recent security failures. He raised concerns over human–elephant conflict workers not being regularized, alleged informal funding of police station refurbishments, and a Gazette extending women soldiers’ service for retirement to 22 years. He also demanded further investigation into the Easter attacks, including questioning named individuals and witnesses, and referred to unresolved allegations surrounding Rohana Wijeweera’s killing and available witnesses. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam opposed the Defence and Public Security allocations in the 2025 Budget, arguing that increased defence spending and military salary hikes are unjustified in the absence of war and amid fiscal constraints and reduced social welfare expenditure. He said the heavy military presence in the North and East, particularly the reported soldier-to-civilian ratios in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi, signals continued militarization of Tamil-speaking areas and contradicts the Government’s stated commitment to ending racism. He also criticized the defence establishment’s employment of preschool teachers at higher salaries than the Education Ministry, saying it militarizes education in impoverished war-affected areas. He tabled two reports on military deployment and stated that his party would call for a Division and vote against the Defence and Public Security Heads. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sellaththamby Thilaganathan stated that the 2025 Defence Ministry allocation of Rs. 442 billion reflects a 3 percent increase, mainly due to salary increments for the armed forces, and linked national security to economic growth indicators such as tourism and the stock market. He outlined allocations across the Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Security Department, disaster management and development activities, noting nearly Rs. 5 billion for the Kotelawala Defence University and its expansion. He also said military-occupied lands in the Northern Province are being released in stages, giving figures for Mullaitivu District and stating that the remaining lands would soon be released for public use. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB AI summary Chathura Galappaththi argued that national security should be understood broadly, including food, energy, health, economic, environmental, technological and data security, citing the 2022 shortages as evidence of interconnected risks. He said the Budget lacks adequate focus on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, despite earlier moves to establish a National AI Centre and strategy, and raised concerns about the security of biometric, fuel QR, vaccination, education and NMRA-related data. He called for investigations into data breaches and proposed requiring wind power investors to establish data centres in Sri Lanka to securely host national data. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara JJB AI summary Hon. Eranga Gunasekara defended the Government’s Budget allocation, stating that Rs. 300 million referred specifically to the “Sri Lankan Day” initiative and not to the broader programme for building a “prosperous country and beautiful life,” for which he said Rs. 8,835 billion had been allocated. He criticised the Opposition’s handling of the Easter Sunday attacks, narcotics issues, and passport delays under previous administrations, while asserting that the current Government is pursuing investigations without political interference. He also said passport issuance had improved through 24-hour operations, rising from about 1,200–2,500 to over 4,000 passports per day. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara - Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara, speaking during the debate on expenditure Heads for the Ministries of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs and Defence, criticized the Opposition for allegedly spreading falsehoods and inflaming nationalism in the past. He said the Government would support a Private Member’s Bill aimed at preventing lying, while urging Opposition Members not to make brief false statements and leave the Chamber. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa urged the Government to treat national security as a serious and non-partisan matter, criticizing time being spent on rhetoric rather than action. He said the issue was not isolated and called for a holistic programme linking national security with inclusive development and sustainability. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa argued that national security must be treated as inseparable from sustainable development, economic stability, energy security and institutional coordination, rather than as isolated incidents or partisan issues. He cited pre-Easter attack incidents, current armed gang activity, drug trafficking routes, and tensions between security institutions as examples of warning signs that require intelligence-led, coordinated responses. He urged the Government to address emerging threats over the next five years, including extremism, organized crime linked to narcotics and maritime trafficking, cyber security risks, and public unrest, and asked the responsible Minister to inform Parliament of the Government’s plans. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga JJB AI summary Hon. Lieutenant Commander (Rtd.) Prageeth Madhuranga supported the 2025 Budget allocations for the Ministry of Defence and related agencies, emphasizing the role of the Tri-Forces, Police, Civil Security Department, and Coast Guard in war, disasters, and national security. He argued that national security depends on inter-ethnic harmony and criticized past political interference and communalism as causes of conflict and institutional weakness. He called for prioritizing technologically advanced maritime and air surveillance capabilities, including aircraft and patrol assets, to improve narcotics interdiction, search and rescue, and protection of Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone. He cited Budget provisions for Wave Rider boats, medium-speed patrol boats, naval refits, Y-12 aircraft, Coast Guard vessels, and other defence capacity-building measures. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala said the Government is undertaking a comprehensive salary review for the Police, including basic salary increases, allowances, and possible pathways for qualified lower-rank officers to sit for the ASP examination. He defended current policing and intelligence efforts, citing recent arrest timelines and firearm seizures, while arguing that organized crime and narcotics networks have long-standing political links from previous administrations. He stated that the NPP Government does not patronize gangs, that the Police Commission is functioning independently, and that new Defence Secretary orders require reassessment of firearms issued on threat grounds and action regarding deserters. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera criticized the Budget for not addressing national security and questioned the experience and composition of current defence and intelligence decision-making bodies. He warned against politicization of intelligence appointments, citing the Easter Sunday attacks as a consequence of intelligence failures, and urged the Government to implement its own pledges on a National Security Advisory Council, cyber protection, and surveillance reform. He proposed appointing an apolitical National Security Adviser, establishing a central intelligence agency, and improving inter-agency coordination, training, information-sharing, and intelligence technology infrastructure. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara called for the modernization of the Tri-Forces, particularly through new technologies. He said Sri Lanka should regain lost UN peacekeeping opportunities, which he linked to foreign exchange earnings, international exposure, and improved economic conditions for troops. He also emphasized that national security is a shared responsibility of the Government and all communities in Sri Lanka. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) G.D. Sooriyabandara JJB AI summary The speech defended the Government’s approach to defence and public security expenditure, rejecting claims that underworld killings, Army ration shortages, or public opposition to the Army in the North reflected failures of national security. It pledged justice for victims of the Easter Sunday attacks, including affected Muslim communities, and said the masterminds would be prosecuted. The Member emphasized preventing a recurrence of war, honouring and depoliticizing the Tri-Forces, preserving commanders’ institutional independence, and pursuing a non-aligned foreign policy to reduce external threats and pressures. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Government’s stated cost of the President’s visits to China, India and Dubai with an 11-member delegation, asking the Prime Minister to explain how the travel could have cost only Rs. 18 million. He also referred to his past support for Aruna Jayasekara’s bid to become Army Commander, saying he had conveyed the relevant letter to former President Maithripala Sirisena. He supported returning lands in the North by removing Army camps, but urged the Government not to relocate those camps to Diyatalawa and other areas in Badulla District, arguing that vegetable farmers and local facilities were being displaced. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake argued that recent shootings and killings show public security is deteriorating and warned that international circulation of such incidents could harm the recovering tourism sector. He questioned the Government’s ability to curb underworld activity, citing the failure to locate Ishara Sewwandi, and urged the Minister of Public Security to ensure Police, CID and STF personnel receive proper allowances, stating that only part of the promised 40 per cent adjustment had been added to basic salaries. He also criticised the 2025 Budget narrative for omitting the 2022-2024 period under Ranil Wickremesinghe and raised concerns about declining foreign reserves and the future exchange rate. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence JJB AI summary Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera outlined the Defence Ministry’s 2025 Budget allocations, noting that they cover 25 institutions beyond the tri-forces, including intelligence, disaster management, defence education, the Coast Guard and meteorology. He defended the allocation by citing the security forces’ roles in war, disaster response, COVID-19, the Easter attacks and the economic crisis, while linking the Budget to the Government’s stated mandate for reform and accountability. Responding to concerns from Northern MPs, he said unnecessary military-held lands would be released while essential areas are retained, compensation would be paid, the Palaly–Achchuveli road had been reopened, the Palaly runway would be developed, and access to a Kilinochchi school playground would be urgently addressed. He also stated that troop numbers in the North and East were far below claims made in debate, with total tri-forces strength island-wide now under 200,000. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan argued that defence spending and troop deployment remain disproportionately high in the North and East despite the absence of war, while social welfare, education staffing, and capital investment are underfunded. He questioned the continued military presence, alleging that camps and military-run commercial activities affect civilian life and contribute to social harm in Tamil areas. He criticized repeated government commitments to a “domestic mechanism” for accountability as inadequate, and called for fair inquiry and a political solution. He also demanded the release of lands in Valikamam North and other areas still held as High Security Zones, noting prolonged displacement of Tamil residents. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Hon. Ananda Wijepala responded to allegations regarding the Pelawatta–Isurupaya protest incident, stating that although an intelligence officer was initially questioned and released, Police never reported to court that Army intelligence was involved. He said the actual suspect, a Development Officer from Matara, was later arrested and that investigations are complete with legal action underway. He further asserted that since the NPP took office, Police have been enabled to act independently and actively, rejecting claims that policing or national security has weakened. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara argued that security for MPs became necessary due to past armed violence, including attacks attributed to the JVP such as killings of MPs and the bombing of Parliament, noting that MPs had not previously received police protection. He urged the Government to ensure national security, suppress underworld activity as in the 1971 and 1988–89 periods, and allow citizens to live freely. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara questioned the Government’s redeployment of MSD and VIP protection personnel, arguing they should be used more effectively against rising underworld crime and drug trafficking, and called for a special court and a concrete plan to dismantle identified gangs. He raised concerns about coordination between the Police and Army following the Isurupaya protest incident, the release of uninspected containers, and the adequacy of measures to curb drugs entering by sea and air. He also urged the Government to address worsening conditions for military personnel and veterans, including pay, food, morale, pensions, disability benefits, and access to medicines and facilities at military hospitals. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →