The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we welcome this Bill though it is late. Meanwhile, people have been cleaned out—purses emptied, houses pawned, families devastated. Hon. Deputy Defence Minister, please note this carefully. In Kurunegala District, an outfit called “Eon Lanka,” run by an ex-Army sergeant named Dammika Kumara Athapattu, has taken deposits from 10,700 soldiers, including disabled war heroes—their pensions and gratuities—promising 6% interest. Soldiers are now destitute. These are the funds of those who risked their lives for the war. Please ensure this Bill is passed and prosecute and return these funds.

¶ 02 Similarly, in Polonnaruwa, an outfit “Earnviv” defrauded thousands through “cryptocurrency trading.” About 5,000 families are ruined. While this Bill is good, action is needed now. If Police cannot act, empower Defence to stop and arrest those responsible. Women and children are suffering; some children have stopped schooling. Please intervene.