The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 Thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Regulation under the Foreign Exchange Act, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

¶ 02 The world is now in grave danger. Major powers are attempting to attack and destroy Iran—pursuing hegemony—under the Trump administration’s line together with Netanyahu’s Israel. The Middle East has become a war zone, and the world is fearful. This affects our economy too: about a million of our citizens work in the Middle East; oil and gas issues are emerging; and the world is watching our foreign policy and actions.

¶ 03 This morning when the President opened the debate, I expected him to move a resolution condemning the attack on Iran and the killing of Iran’s former spiritual leader, to send a message to the world. Regrettably, he did not. Instead, he spoke bits that ought to have been addressed by the Ministers of Power, Trade and Foreign Affairs—detailing oil stocks, tank levels and incoming ships, which Ministers can explain. With wars unfolding, the President’s attention should be on higher statecraft. His choice suggests lack of confidence in his Ministers, and ministerial ineffectiveness.

¶ 04 Moreover, the President failed to state the positions his party held in Opposition on the US and Israel. Earlier we saw protests before the US Embassy, including over Venezuela. Where is that radicalism now? Even the US Congress and the UK Parliament have condemned these actions as unlawful. People worldwide have taken to the streets. Some countries, like Spain, are refusing to allow their territory to be used for such attacks.

¶ 05 Why did the JVP/NPP, a movement long opposed to imperialism, now in government, fail to condemn? Why not denounce the assassination of Iran’s spiritual leader by US-Israeli airstrikes? We recall how spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa only expressed “condolences”—as if the leader died of natural causes; he was killed by bombs. This silence betrays a lack of moral courage.

¶ 06 Leaders in our past took principled stands: when the Palestine issue escalated, President Ranasinghe Premadasa closed the Israeli Interest Section; Sirimavo Bandaranaike also led a non-aligned foreign policy. We thought you would do even better. But now, the President avoided even one word on the strike against Iran.

¶ 07 A school of young girls was bombed, killing 160. The Prime Minister showed great sensitivity to a Victor Ratnayake song, yet not to the school tragedy. Before taking office there was sensitivity to Palestine; always visiting the Palestine office. Now, that sensitivity is gone, and the administration appears pro-imperial and pro-Israel. If you were in Opposition, you would be at the US Embassy gates; in power, you have changed within 24 hours.

¶ 08 This war is being justified by claims of nuclear weapons development—while talks were ongoing. Iran is a country that helped us: supported development projects and supplied fuel when we had none. I believe we still owe Iran for oil imported in 2015. Yet this Government cannot stand up for a country that aided us.

¶ 09 Israeli activity in Sri Lanka is also increasing. I questioned the Chabad House near Cinnamon Grand; the Prime Minister said in this House it was illegal, yet it still enjoys police protection. If illegal, why not close it? Visa fees have been waived for Israeli nationals. IDF soldiers are reportedly here in numbers, with camps in the Eastern Province. Under previous governments visa fees were never waived for Israelis; this Government has done so.

¶ 10 Hon. Deputy Speaker, my time is up. I conclude by urging the Government to pursue a principled non-aligned foreign policy. The whole world is unstable; people are rising against this war. Sri Lanka has long stood non-aligned; let us protect that stance with backbone. Thank you.