The motion of no confidence submitted by the Opposition against Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara has been defeated in Parliament today (24).

The Justice Minister survived the no-confidence motion by a majority of 116 votes. 

A total of 152 Members of Parliament (MPs) had voted against the motion while 36 voted in favour.

The opposition submitted the no-confidence motion against Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on July 21, 2026.

The opposition brought forth the no-confidence motion against the Justice Minister due to his alleged failure to fulfill his responsibility and accountability regarding the safety of the prison officers and inmates who were killed due to the unrest that occurred in the Negombo Prison recently.

A total of 31 individuals, including prison officers and prison inmates died from the violent clash at Negombo Prison which occurred on July 5 and 6, 2026.

Over 100 were injured, while a large number of inmates have now been transferred to other prisons.

Accordingly, the Opposition MPs handed over a no-confidence motion against Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to the Speaker of Parliament. The Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, signed the no-confidence motion against the Justice Minister in Parliament on July 10, 2026.