Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law

## Summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration reported that 793 death-row prisoners have exhausted all legal appeals and have not received Presidential Pardon under Article 34 of the Constitution, while declining to release a list of these individuals on privacy grounds. The Minister acknowledged that previous presidents have granted pardons, both on the basis of committee recommendations and on an individual basis. To establish a more objective process, the Minister announced the Cabinet-approved formation of a committee — chaired by a Supreme Court Judge and comprising representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney-General's Department, and the Sri Lanka Police — whose recommendations will be submitted to Cabinet to formulate a formal pardon procedure.

Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara clarified the scope of his ministerial obligation to respond to questions, stating that his duty to answer supplementary questions extends only to matters arising from the original question. He noted that the main question concerned statistical information about courts and cases, which he had duly provided, and declined to comment on specific individual case strategies as falling outside that scope.

Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara provided an update on the functioning of the Permanent High Courts at Bar, clarifying the division of responsibilities between his ministry and the judiciary. He stated that his role is limited to providing infrastructure and facilities, including seven additional High Courts, while case assignments and trial-at-bar determinations fall under the authority of the Judicial Service Commission, the Chief Justice, and the Attorney-General. The Minister assured the House that trials would proceed at the required pace by mid-year, and declined to address a supplementary question concerning a specific individual's case, ruling it outside the scope of the main question.

## Summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration provided a detailed written response to a parliamentary question regarding the Permanent High Court at Bar, established under Section 127A(1)(a) of the Judicature (Amendment) Act, No. 9 of 2018, which came into effect on 4 July 2018. The Minister reported that the two courts have collectively handled a limited caseload — six concluded and four pending cases — with activity concentrated in 2018–2019 and minimal filings thereafter until 2024–2025, including a pending bail matter involving Mahindananda Aluthgamage. The Minister indicated that no cases have been concluded in the courts currently active, with the next hearing dates scheduled into 2026. Looking ahead, the Government anticipates a significant increase in case filings following the re-establishment of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division and enhanced action by the Bribery Commission, alongside plans to establish seven new High Courts — five within and two outside the Hulftsdorp complex — with flexible bench arrangements, expected to be operational by mid-year.

Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara informed the House that he is unable to answer a question raised by Hon. Sujeewa Senasinghe, as the requested information from the Judicial Service Commission has not yet been received. The Minister noted that Senasinghe is absent from the House having been informed of this delay, and formally requested that the question be carried forward without prejudice to a future sitting once the information becomes available.

Minister of Justice and National Integration, Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, made a formal procedural motion to adjourn Parliament. No substantive argument, policy position, or legislative matter was presented in the speech.

Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara moved the Third Reading of an amended Bill, formally proposing its passage at this final legislative stage. He additionally sought parliamentary leave to correct any linguistic, typographical, grammatical, and numbering errors, as well as to make any consequential amendments to the Bill.

## Summary The Minister of Justice and National Integration, Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, moved three technical amendments to a bill concerning drug offences at sea. The first amendment revises provisions on page 1 to clarify that persons aboard Sri Lankan-registered or foreign ships on the high seas who are involved in the production of specified dangerous drugs — heroin, cocaine, morphine, or opium — are guilty of an offence punishable by death or life imprisonment upon High Court conviction, and extends jurisdiction to Sri Lankan citizens aboard any such vessel. The second amendment refines language on possession to specify that the offence applies where quantities exceed a specified threshold or where possession is for trafficking purposes. The third amendment introduces a definition of "high seas" consistent with international law, explicitly encompassing all waters beyond the territorial sea of Sri Lanka or any other State, without prejudicing the legal status of the exclusive economic zone.

Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara formally moved the Second Reading of a Bill before Parliament on 19 February 2026. The motion marks the procedural stage at which the Bill is presented for general debate on its principles and merits. No further details of the Bill's content were elaborated upon in this particular motion.

Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara moved the Third Reading of a Bill and sought the House's leave to correct any linguistic, typographical, grammatical, and numbering errors, as well as to make any consequential amendments to the Bill.