The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson. I appreciate the time to speak on the votes of the Ministries of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, and Environment.

¶ 02 First, I refer to the criticisms in media and social media of Hon. Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj. Hon. Minister, you are learned and intelligent. In Parliament, we, elected by the people, must face criticism. This is the supreme Parliament of the country, but its supremacy is not as sweet as we say; we must endure harsh words here. Please carry out your work transparently in a way that causes no dissatisfaction to any ethnicity or religion.

¶ 03 In our country, Buddhists, Muslims, Catholics, and Hindus live; Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, and Malays too. Budgets allocate funds for various religious activities; building temples and churches is needed. As a new Government, you should also ensure freedom for anyone, as Sri Lankans, to practice their religion and for all to respect each other’s faiths. While doctrines differ, all religious teachers ultimately urge us to live exemplary lives.

¶ 04 Six years ago, the Easter attack killed about 269 people and injured around 500, leaving many with permanent disabilities. The world condemned it. It occurred under the Yahapalana Government. After that, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Government came to power. His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith asked to find the masterminds and bring them to justice. Even we want to know who they are. In the last election, 99 percent of Catholic votes went to form a Catholic-led Government, expecting justice on Easter. We believe this Government will fulfill that duty. The Cardinal has said he will wait until 21st April to see what this Government decides; otherwise, he will show a red light and take to the streets. Please deliver justice to the innocent victims.

¶ 05 The Easter attack also greatly harmed Muslims, who were unfairly viewed with suspicion, even when their NICs bore the name “Mohamed.” Today, the Minister in charge of Police and the Minister of Justice and National Integration are both in the House. This responsibility lies with you both: find the masterminds and perpetrators. Do not leave this for another Government to pursue later.

¶ 06 Next month is the Sinhala and Hindu New Year and it is now Ramadan. Many people—of all faiths—wish to visit the Temple of the Tooth for blessings. Please ensure heightened security, given global conditions, without politicizing. There is social media chatter that relics are being displayed aiming at the next election. Even if the timing is coincidental, this is an election period; we have seen past governments using dansals in election times, which is wrong—political bribery. If your Government delivers on Easter justice, I will say you did your duty, regardless of who stands behind it—Rajapaksa, Wickremesinghe, Soyza, Silva, Nadaraja, or Abdullah. Bring the culprits to justice; we will offer maximum support. But do not let this remain a political topic.

¶ 07 On environment: protecting the environment is our duty. Yet under that banner we should not harm the economy and livelihoods. The Central Expressway and the “Pandukarbanda tree” controversy turned into a political issue that delayed projects, causing the Chinese company to claim Rs. 5 billion in delay charges. Such politicization hurts the economy.

¶ 08 In Kalutara District, about 10–15 thousand families along the Kalu Ganga live by small-scale sand mining. If geologically sustainable—as the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau says, with 5 lakh cubic meters and 3 lakh extractable—let livelihoods continue with regulation; if it harms the environment, stop it. People are hungry; many voted for your Government. Find the technical solutions to both protect the environment and enable people to live.

¶ 09 Thank you for the time.