The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, since my name was mentioned critically, I wish to respond. I presented several allegations about that Member; only one related to receiving decentralized funds from Ranil Wickremesinghe. I clarified that we were not with the Rajapaksas in 2005–2009. After witnessing their crimes by 2009, we had a strong desire to detach from that corrupt administration. We worked toward that.

¶ 02 However, the Member in question worked with those who devastated both North and South. I had documents even then, showing him canvassing votes with Rajapaksas around 2012–2013, after the killings and thefts. He stood on the platform with Pillayan, a notorious criminal responsible for abductions and extortion, at a time when the country was divided. We stayed in the Opposition even in 2005. It is regrettable, but he acts like a Rajapaksa avatar—engaging in personal mudslinging and even insulting the Speaker in this House, as recorded in Hansard.

¶ 03 Regarding Hon. Raviraj, he and we were together in Opposition. Even when hundreds were being killed on both sides during the war, Hon. Raviraj never spoke with a split tongue or engaged in third-class politics. I say this with respect also to Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam, with whom I too sat for six years. I do not make personal insults. But that Member has acted shamefully, even against the Chair.

¶ 04 Finally, I table two photographs relating to Hon. Rasamanickam, which I have here.

¶ 05 I will not take more time.