The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, on 2025.07.17, before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE), certain Members of the National People’s Power and some officials discussed and made a statement alleging that using political influence, 43 acres from the government-owned Hantana Estate had been illegally transferred to my name. Using that false and defamatory statement made before COPE, a smear campaign was carried out through media and social media regarding the ownership of that land, causing damage to my reputation.

¶ 02 I had no ownership whatsoever to the Hantana land under discussion before COPE. Nor has any government land ever been transferred to my name.

¶ 03 Under the Schedule, Part A, Section 8 of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, No. 21 of 1953, making a defamatory statement regarding the conduct of a Member is an offence punishable only by the Supreme Court. Further, under Part A, Section 4 of Section 68, presenting false or fictitious reasons to the Parliament or any Committee in connection with any meeting of Parliament or a Committee is also an offence punishable only by the Supreme Court. Moreover, under Part A, Section 40 of the Schedule, insulting a Member within Parliament or in a Committee is punishable by the Supreme Court or by Parliament.

¶ 04 Additionally, under Part A of Section 14 of the Schedule to the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act, No. 21 of 1953, any person who, during an inquiry before a Committee, wilfully gives a false answer to a question commits an offence punishable under Section 190 of the Penal Code.

¶ 05 Hon. Deputy Speaker, the allegation made within COPE that I obtained ownership of a Hantana land, to which I have no right, through political influence is a false statement, defamatory and insulting to me. By that defamatory statement my reputation has been gravely damaged, and by violating the aforesaid provisions, my privileges as a Member of Parliament have been infringed. Therefore, I respectfully request that this question of breach of privilege be referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

¶ 06 Hon. Deputy Speaker, most of these Members were elected by the people. As an elected Member, the defamatory statements made against me are insults not only to me but to all the people of the Kandy District who voted for me. I respectfully request that necessary action be taken.

¶ 07 Thank you.