The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, today’s Committee Stage covers many institutions central to governance, including Parliament. Parliament’s main role, I believe, is legislation. This Government had a mandate to bring a new Constitution and abolish the Executive Presidency. Yet we have heard nothing concrete. When we met the President, we were told a constitutional process would start, but there is ambiguity—whether within three years or after three years, we do not know. The Cabinet Spokesperson said priority is the economy; constitutional changes can come later. After the Foreign Minister’s speech in Geneva, when international groups asked me about the Constitution, all I could say was that the Leader of the House had said the Hon. Sajith Premadasa’s name will be included as the Leader of the Opposition permanently in the Constitution. Is that all you have to say on the Constitution?

¶ 02 Please do not make a joke of this. You have a serious responsibility. Will you abolish the Executive Presidency or not? If yes, when? Will there be a new Constitution, and when will the work begin?

¶ 03 There is also a growing view that MPs themselves are a heavy cost to Parliament. There are 159 NPP MPs. Let us assume a minimum MP remuneration of Rs. 200,000; for distant districts some receive about Rs. 300,000 with fuel, etc. At Rs. 200,000 minimum, that is Rs. 31 million a month; Rs. 381 million a year; Rs. 1.9 billion over five years just for NPP MPs’ remuneration. If you truly want to save public funds, do not take these payments; return them to the people. The Aswesuma programme costs Rs. 2.38 billion for the entire year; yet NPP MPs’ pay over five years is Rs. 1.9 billion. If you want to save public money, give those sums to a village school or temple instead of to your party.

¶ 04 On the National Police Commission: the Government wants to keep every institution under its control, putting the NPC under enormous pressure. I am aware the Acting IGP wrote months ago asking the National Police Commission to delegate transfer powers to the Police. Under the Constitution, an independent Commission’s powers cannot be delegated to one individual. Recently, 190 transfers were proposed; 140 approved; 50 held back due to issues. Now NPP‑linked social media are attacking NPC Members, using a mud‑slinging machine against an independent Commission—a serious governance issue. You promised better quality governance, yet are pressuring the NPC. The same with the Bribery Commission: a judicial officer appointed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe resigned after court granted leave to proceed; now the Constitutional Council’s top‑scored candidate, Madhava Tennekoon, was bypassed and Rangadissanayake appointed. A case is being heard today; I will not comment sub judice, but it appears the Government seeks to capture the Constitutional Council process and undermine the Bribery Commission’s independence.

¶ 05 On the Election Commission: it is also under pressure. I saw the Chairman’s statement that the Government is pressuring them to hold Local Government Elections immediately. An independent Commission must decide dates independently. Opposition MPs requested the EC not to announce dates during the Budget debate, as we would need to attend nominations in the villages. The law requires holding elections within three months—no issue. But you are exerting pressure, following the old path of interfering with independent bodies.

¶ 06 On the Human Rights Commission and Geneva: the Foreign Minister’s Geneva remarks and the Justice Minister’s local statements diverge. The Hon. Minister of Justice and National Integration has said he will set up a Public Prosecutor’s Office, and that Cabinet approval has been received to amend, change or replace the PTA. The JVP/NPP’s long‑held position was total repeal, not replacement. You even refused to participate in meetings to discuss alternatives. Now you are part of a Cabinet discussing replacement, while the PTA has reportedly been used three times since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office—Arugam Bay, a social media post around Maaveerar Naal, and in the Ganemulla Sanjeewa case. What is the difference between you and the previous Government? Are you succumbing to deep‑state pressure?

¶ 07 In Geneva, I expected the Minister to announce repeal of the PTA, accountability, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office—nothing. On accountability for enforced disappearances, you cite the OMP and ONUR—mechanisms rejected by victims. Have you even considered a domestic judicial mechanism? If you had, Geneva was the place to say so.

¶ 08 In Tamil: The Foreign Minister went to Geneva but said nothing new on accountability. Our people in the North and East are deeply concerned; they want justice for those killed and punishment for perpetrators. Yet it is clear you will do what all previous governments did. You referred to the OMP and the Office for Reparations, but these have been rejected by the victim community. Northern voters supported you, and your manifesto spoke clearly about a new Constitution. Since coming to power, you have said not a word. Hon. Minister R. Chandrasekaran is here; the Northern Tamils expect clarity on the new Constitution and power‑sharing. Even on the core issue of accountability, there is no progress. I raise this today because the Human Rights Commission’s allocation is under debate.

¶ 09 Your time is over, so I will wind up. On the fundamental issues of the Tamil people, accountability is paramount. The Foreign Minister has given no positive answer. The people will answer you at the next election. Thank you.