The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, despite our island being surrounded by the sea, we are today debating issuing import licences for salt. It is shameful. For the first time in history we are discussing licences to import salt. If we were Bhutan, a landlocked country, talking about importing salt might be understandable. But we are surrounded by the ocean. To be debating licences to bring salt from abroad is shameful. I will not dwell on this long because now we import milk, coconut milk, rice, samba — almost everything. So, taking a whole day to debate salt imports is something we all should be ashamed of.

¶ 02 Next, let me say this. I was the first to openly admit in this House that my English is not strong. I thought I was alone in that, but it turns out there are many like me. We should accept our limitations and act responsibly. When going to high-profile international forums, if someone else can help to avoid embarrassment, that benefits the country and our international image.

¶ 03 Another matter: following a recent speech of mine, the Chairman of the National Lotteries Board, Anton Perera, challenged me via the media to “say it outside.” Why should we go outside? Is J.R. Jayewardene’s Parliament built with billions so we can only speak “outside”? He says this while, on the same day, drawing Rs. 20,000 in petty cash to hold that very media briefing against me. If he wants to speak, he can come to this Chamber. There is a vacancy on the National List — if he is so powerful, let him take the seat and speak here.

¶ 04 Many government MPs still have no official housing; some are sharing homes. Meanwhile, a National Lotteries Board house on Matha Road, Narahenpita, is occupied by his family. We know these things. No one should instruct us where to speak; we will speak where we must — that is why we were sent here.

¶ 05 On another issue, a government-side lawyer recently executed two land transfers of property worth around Rs. 50 million each for just Rs. 100,000 valuation apiece. The Northern Central Province Revenue Department must recover proper stamp duties. I have given names and details for action so the State does not lose revenue.

¶ 06 On public security: daily shootings are reported. The Minister in charge said on a TV program that a suspect in the courthouse shooting case, Ishara Sewwandi, is still in Sri Lanka. If so, arrest her. If we found Prabhakaran once, can’t we find Ishara Sewwandi now? We give you a month — arrest and produce her.

¶ 07 We have seen claims that the Dubai underworld is orchestrating crimes here. If that is the case, what is being done? The daily news cycle is now “shooting of the day,” sometimes “shootings of the two days.”

¶ 08 The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has come to Sri Lanka 15 years after the war. Gaza’s children are dying without hospitals, medicine, or food — does he go there? North Korea fires missiles and Iran faces pressure, but scrutiny falls heavily on us. Is this world fair?

¶ 09 Another major concern: if a proposed 44% US tariff is imposed on our apparel exports, factories will close and about 50,000 workers could lose jobs. We must urgently engage diplomatically to avoid this, and seek a lower rate, say 10%.

¶ 10 Also, officials are afraid to work. Doctors hesitate even to write prescriptions. If every decision must first be cleared by the CIABOC or CID, how can the public service function? Now containers are stuck, hurting transporters and ordinary people. One remand order does not fix a system. No one signs anything out of fear — that is the reality.

¶ 11 Hon. Deputy Speaker, my time is short. If some think they can force their way, we say accountability will be demanded. If the public service is paralysed to bring down the Government, then CIABOC and the CID will bear responsibility for the consequences. I will not be silenced by cases.

¶ 12 We must think of the people struggling to get basic services. If some believe the country is moving forward because of “discipline,” remember the backlash also lands on the Government. With that I conclude.