The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I am pleased to speak today on the Bill and the two Supplementary Estimates. [Apologies, my phone turned on; I know that is not allowed.]

¶ 02 The same Members who were lamenting that schoolchildren in the gallery could not watch proceedings due to disturbances should recall who previously called to end Parliament and bring protesters in here. The nearest example to such calls is playing out today in Nepal.

¶ 03 We must follow proper parliamentary procedure. A motion is moved, determined, and then speeches follow—there is no other rule. Do not invent rules.

¶ 04 Some come early, peek around, then later berate everyone. They cannot lay down rules on when Members must enter or leave. There is custom; let us preserve it.

¶ 05 On the National Audit Bill: some claim they do not take ministerial salaries or allowances. I will prove the deceit. Here is a ministerial pay record. An office allowance of Rs. 100,000; a transport allowance of Rs. 15,000; a telephone allowance; total around Rs. 180,000 a month. Those funds go into a BoC account and then by cheque to their party fund—these are public tax monies whether taken by you or us. If public funds sustain a party, then be transparent. The only party openly maintained by public stipends is the JVP: local council and provincial members’ salaries go to the party fund; those are public monies. The NPP should correct these practices.

¶ 06 We ask the Auditor-General to look into these arrangements that are shielded when funds are routed to bank accounts before being transferred. Do not hide behind claims of foregoing salaries if the money is simply redirected to party coffers.

¶ 07 You accuse others—Central Bank bond scam, horses, rockets—but nothing comes of it. When underworld and narcotics are exposed, you turn it into political theatre to protect a failing politics. If politicians are trafficking drugs, file cases tomorrow and jail them; the people will accept that.

¶ 08 I conclude by calling the Auditor General’s Department to pay attention to these concealed fund flows and for necessary legal provisions to stop such practices.

¶ 09 Thank you.