The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 These are killings tied to the Rajapaksa family and its associates, yet today they point fingers at a 90‑day‑old NPP government asking “where is national security?” Richard de Zoysa’s assassination—yesterday was his commemoration day—was also a political murder. Those who laid claim to political killings as their own craft now question us.

¶ 02 We know both the drumbeat outside and the sound inside the door. We say clearly: those behind witness killings are the very people pointing fingers. We are conducting broad, independent investigations through the CID and the Attorney‑General’s Department. For the first time, we have ensured institutional independence to carry these probes through—removing political interference. Note, criminal trials can take up to 20 years; your deeds are not yet time‑barred. We will not only initiate but also complete these investigations. To those who made assassination a political culture, we say: watch—we are conducting these inquiries independently.

¶ 03 Thank you.

¶ 04 It being 6.30 p.m., Business was interrupted, and the Debate stood adjourned.

¶ 05 Debate to be resumed on Thursday, 20th February, 2025.

¶ 06 Adjournment

¶ 07 It being 6.30 p.m., THE HON. PRESIDING MEMBER adjourned Parliament without Question put.

¶ 08 Parliament adjourned accordingly until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 20th February, 2025, pursuant to the Resolution of Parliament of 06th February, 2025.