Opposition to Submit No-Confidence Motion Against Justice Minister Today

21-Jul-2026

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The Opposition is scheduled to submit a no-confidence motion against Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to the Speaker on July 21.

Opposition parties have consistently maintained that the Minister should accept responsibility for failing to prevent the violent incident at the Negombo Prison and resign from office. As he has not stepped down, they have decided to proceed with a no-confidence motion, which was signed by opposition MPs last week.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the main Opposition party, said the motion would be formally handed over to the Speaker when Parliament convenes today.

The Opposition argues that the Justice Minister must be held accountable for the Negombo Prison incident.

It also noted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a committee comprising former Supreme Court judges to investigate the incident.

According to the Opposition, the Minister should appear before the committee to explain the steps taken to address the prison crisis and the measures implemented to prevent the violence. However, they contend that he cannot do so while continuing to hold ministerial office and should therefore resign before participating in the inquiry.

The SJB stated that these concerns form the basis of the no-confidence motion and expressed confidence that the Speaker would take steps to schedule the motion for debate in Parliament at the earliest opportunity.