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 April 2026 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe defended the Government’s handling of investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, stating that the inquiries are “99% complete” and in their final stage, and assuring victims, including the Catholic community, that justice will be pursued. He rejected suggestions that the Government is under pressure or delaying action, and accused previous administrations, particularly the Maithri-Ranil-Sajith Government, of failing to act during the months after the attacks. He also criticized attempts to raise court-related matters or publish books on the issue as efforts to confuse the public, while thanking several Opposition members for constructive contributions to the debate. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe criticized the Opposition and Hon. Sajith Premadasa for bringing the motion on the Easter Sunday attacks while associating with figures he said were implicated politically or legally in related controversies, including Maithripala Sirisena and members of the Rajapaksa camp. He argued that the attacks followed a wider chain of communal falsehoods and political manipulation, citing allegations against Dr. Shafi and other anti-Muslim narratives. He questioned whether the Opposition could credibly seek justice for victims while failing, in his view, to respond to recent accusations made against Hon. Mujibur Rahuman and to acknowledge political mistakes. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Stepni Fernando JJB AI summary Hon. Stepni Fernando emphasized the religious significance of Easter Sunday for Catholics and described the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks on churchgoers as heinous and despicable. The speech focused on the devotion of Catholics attending Easter services and the gravity of targeting worshippers during one of the central observances of the faith. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy criticised the Government for failing to identify the alleged mastermind of the Easter Sunday attacks despite previous pledges, and accused it of using the issue for political purposes. He rejected claims linking SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman to the attacks, challenged statements about Pillayan, Sara Jasmin and Ibrahim, and asked what action the Government had taken on these matters. He said the SJB had supported proper investigations and security officials such as Shani Abeysekara and Ravi Seneviratne, while urging the Government not to politicize the victims and expressing objection to the title of Udaya Gammanpila’s book. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen corrected media reports, stating he had not alleged the presence of US military bases in Saudi Arabia and emphasized Saudi Arabia’s assistance to Sri Lanka. In the debate on the Easter attacks, he expressed confidence in Shani Abeysekara and Ravi Seneviratne, said the Opposition should support credible investigations, and urged the Government to identify the forces behind Zaharan and the attacks. He called for compensation not only for affected Catholic victims but also for Muslims who were unjustly detained, humiliated, or economically harmed, citing cases involving Hejaaz Hizbullah and his brother as examples of alleged misuse of investigations. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir argued that the Easter Sunday attacks were used to stigmatize the Muslim community and to justify arrests and restrictions against Muslims, including alleged attempts to implicate Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen. He questioned the Government’s delay in identifying and prosecuting the alleged mastermind despite earlier presidential promises and election commitments, and rejected reliance on pending court cases as a reason for inaction. He requested urgent action to reveal those responsible and secure justice for victims and affected Muslim communities. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology JJB AI summary Minister Chrishantha Abeysena opposed further parliamentary proposals or debates on the Easter Sunday attacks while related court cases and investigations are ongoing, arguing that such interventions could politically influence proceedings. He said the Government is pursuing new investigations, including into intelligence and security failures, and referred to the arrest of former State Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay. He stated that the Government is acting on its pledges to identify and prosecute those responsible, including any officials or politicians involved, and noted that the Presidential Commission report has now been released for public scrutiny. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem urged the Government to repatriate young Iranian cadets rescued from a ship during the Middle East ceasefire, questioning Sri Lanka’s claimed neutrality and the handling of the incident. Turning to the Easter Sunday attacks, he expressed confidence in Shani Abeysekara and Ravi Seneviratne and called for full government and Attorney-General’s Department support for their investigations. He questioned prosecutorial gaps, including the absence of Attorney-General’s officers in court, the handling of evidence from Sara Jasmin, and unexamined matters such as foreign hotel guests, the Vavunativu incident, and Azad Maulana’s Channel 4 claims, urging further investigation under existing legal provisions. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Sugath Thilakaratne - Deputy Minister of Sports JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister reflected on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, emphasizing the loss of life, trauma to families and children, and the damage caused to national security, public trust, and inter-religious harmony. He called for the truth to be established, accountability for failures, justice for victims’ families, and the rejection of religious and political extremism. He also described a post-attack sports-based psychosocial programme at St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya, and commended religious leaders and the Catholic community for promoting peace while seeking justice. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna recalled visiting St. Sebastian’s Church after the Easter Sunday attacks and said the SJB would support any genuine government effort to identify those responsible and prevent recurrence. He criticized the Government for focusing on a book launch and attacks on Hon. Sajith Premadasa, while failing to fulfil President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s stated commitment in March 2025 to reveal the mastermind before Easter. He said public confidence in the investigations had eroded, cited past failures under Gotabaya Rajapaksa including transfers of CID officers and actions against Rishad Bathiudeen and Dr. Shafi, and urged the Government to expedite the inquiry, obtain international expert assistance if needed, and complete the process properly. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala criticized recent publications and public claims concerning the Easter Sunday attacks, suggesting they were politically motivated and should not prejudice ongoing investigations. He said former CID officers, including Shani Abeysekara, were targeted after the previous government took office, citing transfers, travel restrictions and detention, and argued that proper investigation of the Vavunativu incident could have helped prevent the attacks. He stated that reports have been retrieved and given to the CID, trials are proceeding daily, and investigations are underway into ten individuals based on the Janaka de Silva Commission’s recommendations. He called on those alleging failures or political betrayal of national security to name the responsible officials and politicians, while affirming that investigations would continue on an evidence-based basis. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary The Minister said the Easter attacks should be addressed by ensuring non-recurrence through stronger national security and social cohesion, rather than by politicising communal fears. He argued that previous political forces used narratives of LTTE resurgence and Islamist extremism to promote chauvinist politics, while the current Government is pursuing inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony, equality before the law, and non-discrimination. He stated that independent investigations have been revived, prior inquiry reports and recommendations are being reviewed, legal action has begun against responsible persons, and intelligence reforms are being implemented, citing the prevention of a recent planned incident in Arugam Bay. He also criticised former Cabinet members involved in the debate for questioning current actions despite allegedly failing to act responsibly on intelligence at the time. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam supported the Government’s investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks and urged the Public Security Minister to examine alleged links between former intelligence and police personnel, Pillayan, Rohan Gunaratna, and individuals he named as connected to information flows and possible obstruction of inquiries. He requested investigations into several related incidents, including the alleged killing of Army intelligence officer Adam Lebbe Mohamed Riyas, murders in Kattankudy and Eravur, and inconsistencies regarding “Sara Jasmine” and DNA evidence. He also asked that evidence be properly recorded and preserved to avoid failed prosecutions, and called for an inquiry into alleged police mistreatment of journalist Sulochana Ramaiya. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary Investigations into the matter involving Zahran are said to be proceeding properly, with evidence indicating that an individual or group may have directed him. Due to the sensitivity of the case and ongoing trials, details will not be disclosed in Parliament, but progress reports will be submitted to court and a complete investigation was assured. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister reviewed the ongoing investigations and prosecutions connected to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, stating that the attacks formed part of a conspiracy planned since 2017 by Zahran Hashim’s group and were linked to earlier incidents including the Vavunativu police murders, Mawanella statue attacks, Wanathavilluwa explosives discovery and related attacks. He said renewed investigations had corrected earlier misdirection in the Vavunativu case, led to recovery of police weapons, and resulted in PTA detentions and the arrest of retired Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay over alleged conspiracy, abetment, prior knowledge and obstruction of exposure of those responsible. He criticized previous administrations for failing to investigate the mastermind and for actions that allegedly obstructed CID work, while stating that the current government is pursuing investigations with assistance from international agencies including Scotland Yard, the FBI, the Australian Federal Police and INTERPOL. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahuman argued that unresolved evidence from the Easter Sunday investigations indicates possible handlers or a wider conspiracy behind Zahran’s group, and criticised attempts to close the matter by blaming Zahran alone. He said members of the Muslim community had been stigmatized and wrongfully accused, citing withdrawn cases against Rishad and Riyaj Bathiudeen and the acquittal of Abu Bakkar, whom he urged the Minister to reinstate with arrears and to investigate who allegedly framed him. He also questioned the fate of “Sara Jasmine,” referred to recent claims that she did not die at Saindamarudu, and called for clarification of the role of Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekera, suggesting he should step aside if the State is investigating the State. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa called for transparent, depoliticized investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks and related incidents, with assistance from Scotland Yard, the FBI and other international bodies. He raised a series of questions on the Vavunativu police killings, alleged intelligence links and investigative interference, communications involving Zahran and others, the Saindamarudu blast, “Sara Jasmine” DNA evidence, the Galanigama lorry incident, and foreign warnings before the attacks. He also sought clarification on findings of previous committees and the roles of officials, including the then Eastern Province Governor, and urged that all those involved be identified and given maximum punishment. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary The Leader of the Opposition moved an adjournment motion calling for all investigative reports on the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks to be made public and for justice to be pursued through independent, transparent processes, including assistance from agencies such as Scotland Yard and the FBI. He reiterated earlier demands for the identification and prosecution of the masterminds and raised a series of specific matters for inquiry, including the Vavunativu police killings, alleged intelligence links and obstructed investigations, the actions of Jameel before the attacks, the Saindamarudu blast, and the conflicting claims about “Sara Jasmine.” He said the purpose should be to establish the truth and secure accountability for victims, not to use investigations for political advantage or vendettas. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said the debate concerned approval of regulations under the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts, the President’s Proclamation under the Public Security Ordinance, and a Resolution under the Essential Public Services Act, rather than the Easter attacks. He argued that the extension of Emergency Regulations for one month was needed to continue post-Cyclone Ditva relief, rehabilitation, and essential service distribution, and stated that these powers had been used for disaster response rather than suppression. He also outlined government relief measures, including housing and bereavement compensation, targeted welfare payments, fuel support for fishermen, fertilizer increases, and temporary absorption of electricity cost increases, while linking current fuel and gas pressures to Middle East tensions and global supply disruptions. Debate on Regulations under Defence Acts and Extension of State of Emergency Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan opposed the extension of the State of Emergency, stating that his party and alliance have consistently objected to emergency laws because they are used to suppress public protests. He said they support government action to prosecute all those involved in the Easter Sunday attacks, as well as measures against corruption and narcotics, while reserving the right to criticize government errors. He commended high-achieving GCE A/L students from Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya, and raised local concerns including the release of Navy-held lands such as Mullikulam, reducing soil prices in Mannar by regulating supply through local authorities, investigating irregularities in school ground projects, and providing employment opportunities for Tamil youth, particularly women. Debate on Regulations under Defence Acts and Extension of State of Emergency Read →