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- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa cautioned against politicized criticism of the Police Commission, state officials, and the military. He argued that security-related concerns should be raised through the Security Council rather than at political rallies, warning against public statements that could undermine state institutions. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan urged authorities to ensure that Aptitude Tests are designed in a way that does not disadvantage visually impaired candidates, particularly by avoiding reliance on images and maps. He also raised concern over an incident in Sittandy where two children were critically injured by a temple elephant, calling for appropriate action and caution against treating such elephants as harmless pets. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala responded to concerns raised about 116 Myanmar irregular migrants who entered Sri Lanka, stating that police investigations indicate they paid smugglers for transport and transit, and that investigations are continuing. He said the Government is providing food and essential facilities through the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and will act in accordance with international law and provide humanitarian assistance if they are identified as refugees. He also noted intelligence reports of possible future attempts by up to 100,000 irregular migrants to reach Sri Lanka, and said health checks would be conducted before allowing access to the Human Rights Commission and other institutions. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Protection of tourists in Sri Lanka is a state obligation, as any harm can have international repercussions. The security measures in Arugam Bay were based on intelligence about possible threats and were not intended to facilitate unauthorized centres. On entry policy, nationality-based discrimination is not permitted under international law, but persons implicated in war crimes or subject to international sanctions may be barred, and the Government will consider suitable mechanisms for this in future. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman questioned why reported Israeli religious and cultural centres, including sites in Weligama, Dehiwala and Colombo, were receiving round-the-clock Police and STF protection despite concerns that they were unauthorized constructions. He cited the detention of a university student near the Dehiwala site and asked what urgent action would be taken, arguing that the matter raised national security concerns in the context of Sri Lanka’s longstanding pro-Palestine position. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised questions to the Prime Minister on national security and foreign policy following concerns about an incident in Arugam Bay involving Israeli tourists. He sought details on Israeli arrivals, any links to the Israeli Defence Forces, visa compliance, business or investment activity, detentions for invalid visas, and permissions granted for Israeli religious or cultural centres, including their locations and legal basis. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that after the Government assumed office, a new phase of investigations had begun and facts were reported to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on 11 November 2024 under case number B 35882/2024. He said investigations are ongoing, with statements recorded from 48 individuals, including civilians, Armed Forces personnel, police officers and prison officers, and emphasized that the process is being conducted more systematically. Oral Question: Persons Responsible for Easter Attack Prosecution (Q.251/2024) Read →
- 7 January 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister stated that investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department and the Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division into the Easter attacks have led to 747 arrests, with indictments filed by the Attorney-General in 41 High Court cases against nearly 100 suspects. He said further investigations are continuing, including into matters raised in the Channel 4 programme and subsequent inquiries, and that future legal action will depend on their findings. Oral Question: Persons Responsible for Easter Attack Prosecution (Q.251/2024) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D.V. Chanaka objected on a Standing Order point and rejected allegations made in the debate, arguing that reducing military security for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would not save the stated Rs. 60 million because the personnel would continue to be paid and return to camps. He described the withdrawal of security as political revenge and warned of public backlash. He also criticized the Government’s handling of Development Officers who had protested at the Ministry of Education, alleging tear gas, arrests, and continued detentions, and requested that the issue be resolved and “repression” stopped. Adjournment Debate: International Sovereign Bond Restructuring and IMF Agreement Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned the basis for providing equal security protection to former Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa. He asked whether their assessed threat levels were the same, framing the issue as one of security assessment rather than politics. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka questioned whether ordinary police personnel could adequately protect former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He cautioned the Minister against actions that he said could align with or enable LTTE diaspora agendas. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala stated that security arrangements for former Presidents are determined by specialist threat assessments rather than political decisions. He clarified that Rs. 610 million, not Rs. 300 million, had been spent over 11 and a half months on tri-forces protection for six former Presidents. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary D.V. Chanaka questioned the withdrawal of security protection, arguing that it would not achieve the claimed Rs. 300 million saving. He contrasted the limited provision of 60 police officers for the former leader credited with ending the war with the security reportedly provided to underworld figures, and challenged the Minister on the fairness and rationale of the decision. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Supported the Supplementary Estimate, noting that the Opposition backs allocations for children’s education relief while suggesting greater funding would be preferable. Raised concern over media reports that tri-forces protection for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa may be withdrawn and reduced to police protection, questioning the rationale and claimed Rs. 300 million cost saving, especially in comparison with STF resources used for prisoner transport. Debate: Supplementary Sum for School Stationery Allowance (Head 102, Programme 01) Read →
- 17 December 2024 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Ananda Wijepala clarified that Development Officers were not arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and confirmed that an Army Intelligence officer taken into custody during the protest was released after a statement was recorded, as he was not linked to the stabbings. He said two suspects have been arrested over the slashing and injuring of three police officers with a sharp weapon, and further investigations are ongoing. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Read →
- 17 December 2024 REASSESSMENT OF SECURITY PROVIDED TO FORMER PRESIDENTS: STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS — The Hon. Ananda Wijepala AI summary The Minister stated that security for former Presidents is being reassessed under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986, which requires “adequate security” but does not prescribe numbers. He said the Government is implementing recommendations of the Chitrasiri Committee to base such security on formal threat assessments, describing the process as standardization and removal of excess personnel rather than a targeted reduction against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He detailed current security deployments and reported that Rs. 1,448 million had been spent in 2024 on security and related maintenance for former Presidents and a former First Lady, arguing that public expenditure must be aligned with assessed need. Procedural: Ministerial Statement and Points of Order Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB AI summary Vijitha Herath said the Government is aware that Sri Lankan ex-service personnel have joined military service in Russia and Ukraine, with some injured, and is taking measures to assist and repatriate those affected despite difficulties. He rejected claims that the Government is continuing Ranil Wickremesinghe’s policies, arguing that the current IMF engagement is with Sri Lanka as a state and was initiated before Wickremesinghe’s presidency. He stated that the Government is engaging with international institutions to manage the economic crisis while planning to introduce a production-based programme in the forthcoming Budget. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 6 December 2024 The Hon. Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam said ITAK would support progressive government measures while urging the new NPP government, with its two-thirds majority, to address the alienation felt by minorities through equal treatment and trust-building. He welcomed the absence of obstruction to recent war remembrance events, but called for former burial sites such as the Eechankulam Thuyilum Illam in Vavuniya to be recognized as cemeteries rather than kept as military camps, and for long-term political prisoners to be released. He argued that the NPP’s electoral mandate reflected public expectations for corruption-free and egalitarian governance, and said durable peace depends on goodwill measures that build mutual trust. Debate on Vote on Account for Ministry of Public Administration and Related Matters Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence AI summary Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekera said emergency water supplies for Ampara were already being provided by bowsers and would be supplemented by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. Responding to the Adjournment Debate on disaster management, he said recent floods in five districts exposed gaps in the implementation, digitization and coordination of the disaster management framework under the 2005 Act, despite early warnings and action by district officials, Police, Tri-Forces and other agencies. He said the Government would convene the National Council for Disaster Management, review the national framework, propose amendments and Cabinet measures, and better integrate national and local disaster response mechanisms. He also announced Cabinet-approved increases in compensation to Rs. 1 million for disaster-related deaths and up to Rs. 2.5 million for property damage, while noting that the absence of elected local authority representatives had reduced response efficiency. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →
- 4 December 2024 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary The Minister expressed condolences for those affected by the recent cyclone and floods in Sri Lanka and India, and said emergency responses were carried out by the Disaster Management Centre, public officials, armed forces, and volunteers with unusual coordination and commitment. He detailed relief and transport arrangements in flood-prone parts of Matara, including efforts to ensure A/L candidates reached examination centres, and thanked named officials and defence personnel involved. He provided figures on disaster relief allocations and spending, noted emergency assistance from China, and stated that any allegations of wrongdoing should be raised, while mentioning a CID referral regarding alleged irregularities in Ampara relief distribution during the 2023–2024 floods. Adjournment Motion: Compensation for Damaged Crops and Victims of Adverse Weather (Cyclone Fengal) Read →