The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament

¶ 01 Mr. Chairman, in this Committee Stage we discuss the votes of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, and the Ministry of Environment. I will focus on Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

¶ 02 The recent presidential and parliamentary elections showed that our country is large enough—culturally and socially—for all of us to live together. From Paruthithottam to Dondra, people affirmed this in the mandate given to the NPP. Understanding that mandate is not only the Government’s duty; if we want a better Sri Lanka, all of us, of any ethnicity or religion, have a responsibility.

¶ 03 A sustained, unfair political attack has targeted our Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Hon. Saroja Paulraj. I appeal to just and scholarly Muslim leaders to help end this. As a movement, we do not propagate racism or religious bigotry. Many self-proclaimed “Muslim” politicians who could not even enter this Parliament have held Cabinet posts under governments that harmed Muslims most. We are not a party that courts votes through racism.

¶ 04 Hon. Saroja Paulraj is a respected leader in our party. During the black July of 1983, at age 8, though her family’s property was destroyed, she remained in Matara and worked with Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims. In Matara, the first Muslim MP elected came from our party, not from others; that deserves respect.

¶ 05 Before he became President, the current President met the ACJU President. Our country has various personal laws for Muslims, Hindus, and up-country communities. The President said any changes to Islamic law would be made only after discussion with all. Despite this, people repeatedly attack Minister Paulraj with false claims on social media and in Parliament. Laws are made by people; if they are to be changed, it will be through consultation with all stakeholders—this has been clearly said in this House.

¶ 06 We value Islamic culture and engage with ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, Palestine, and others. It pains me that a faith whose Hadith says, “Paradise lies under the feet of the mother,” sees attacks directed at a woman who is a mother and Minister of Women and Child Affairs.

¶ 07 We request respected Muslim scholars and leaders to help stop this. If there are criticisms, bring them to the Government. Any law changes—not only Islamic or Buddhist—will be done through consultation. Some politicians label everything “haram” and attempt to mislead Muslims for elections. The Muslim people rejected them in the last election; I ask the Muslim community to send to this House learned, upright young scholars who live by Islamic principles.

¶ 08 If one culture is broken, others will also suffer. We will protect all—Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity. A litmus test is how minorities’ cultural rights are protected where a different community is the majority. There are still small problems; the new generation must correct them.

¶ 09 I commend the Minister for hosting Pongal for the first time in Parliament. I observed that fewer than 30 Tamil staff work here, and Muslims are also underrepresented among over 900 staff. I am not asking for quotas but balance would enrich our institution.

¶ 10 On archaeology and coexistence: archaeology, while a science, is often drawn into political motives in different eras. Please appoint a broad panel of scholars—within or outside universities—to guide archaeological work free from racial or religious bias. Also, include Islamic and Catholic heritage sites, such as in Mannar, in national cultural narratives. When Sinhalese visit the North, they should also see its Hindu culture—like Nagadeepa—so that all cultures are enjoyed nationwide.

¶ 11 In education reform, our history texts should instill in every Muslim and Tamil child the feeling that they belong to Sri Lanka, recognizing the contributions of their ancestors. Curricula should include all authentically, without distortion.

¶ 12 This is Ramadan. As we teach similarities, we must also teach differences—to understand and live with each other. Do not let defeated political figures deface our beautiful land for votes. Thank you for the opportunity.