2026-02-19 / Debate (Continued): Judicature (Amendment) Bill and Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Committee and Third Reading 2026-02-19
## Summary
Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised several administrative and policy concerns during debate on the Bills before the House. He called on the Minister of Justice to address inadequate toilet facilities at the new Colombo District Court complex and urged the Special High Court to introduce case scheduling to allow senior counsel to appear effectively, given the court's isolated location outside the Aluthkade complex.
On matters concerning the Muslim community, he tabled documentary evidence showing that SIS (State Intelligence Service) reports remain a mandatory requirement under item 8 of the Wakf Board appointment circular, contradicting Minister Bimal Ratnayake's earlier statement, and demanded a formal written directive through the Ministry of Defence to remove the requirement across approximately 2,500 mosques. He also requested ministerial approval for a pending Wakf Board matter relating to the Kattankudy mosque (letter No. 1586) and called for the release of approximately 15,000 Qur'ans held at port on the basis of an Islamic Publications Review Committee report requested by the Defence Ministry.
Finally, citing Justice Gihan Kulatunga's public remarks about being passed over for promotion in 2020 in favour of junior colleagues, he called for a fair and transparent system for judicial appointments and promotions.
Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. I will focus on today’s Bills. While the Government advances the “Rataama Ekata – Iwath Wenu” programme, we see many local authority members from the Government side being caught in drug operations—starting from Unakuruwa Shanta and others. This is now very clear.
Hon. Minister of Justice, regarding the new Colombo District Court complex: despite thousands working there, there are no toilets within the District Court premises; staff must queue and go towards the Supreme Court side. Please rectify this urgent facility gap.
Next, Minister Bimal Ratnayake said there is no need for SIS (State Intelligence Service) reports for appointments to the Wakf Board. However, item 8 in the appointment circular requires an SIS report as mandatory. I table the document and the required affidavit form for the House to examine.
Placed in the Library.
If the Government believes the SIS report is unnecessary, issue a written directive through the Ministry of Defence to remove the requirement; saying so here is meaningless while departments still demand it. There are about 2,500 mosques—this order should be annulled so appointees are not forced to obtain such reports.
Also, concerning the Kattankudy mosque: letter No. 1586 was issued by the Wakf Board but ministry approval is pending—please grant approval. Additionally, around 15,000 Qur’ans are stuck at the port, withheld based on the Islamic Publications Review Committee’s report at the request of the Defence Ministry. If the Government respects the Muslim community, please resolve these matters.
On Special High Courts: we welcome the existing court and the plan to set up another. However, senior counsel face serious difficulty because cases are taken up daily and the court is in an isolated location outside the Aluthkade complex. Please introduce scheduling that allows capable counsel to appear and ensure effective functioning.
Finally, Justice Gihan Kulatunga has poignantly spoken about being sidelined in 2020 while juniors were promoted, and that he holds his current office thanks to the recommendation of Padman Surasena. We urge a fair, transparent system for judicial promotions.
Thank you.