The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, today is historic, as a law is being passed that enables us to recover wealth lost to the nation. As a COPE member, I am proud that justice will be delivered through our investigations.

¶ 02 It is also significant that the President and this Parliament, having presented a people-centric budget, have brought this Bill on the first sitting day after concluding the first Budget debate.

¶ 03 Under our laws, when a person linked to a legal proceeding is no longer available, cases stall. But even if a person is absent, this Bill allows us to recover the lost wealth.

¶ 04 We have many reputable entrepreneurs who fairly generate wealth, and they have long complained that others use political power and deceit to generate illicit wealth. Fair businesses face disadvantages. Today, those honest entrepreneurs can be satisfied that their legitimately earned wealth will be protected, while illicit wealth will be forfeited and offenders imprisoned. We, as a Government and Party, have always said that honest entrepreneurs are a national asset; we will protect them and improve infrastructure for them, creating a new cadre of fair wealth creators.

¶ 05 I will now briefly address current politics. Some opposition MPs are trying to exploit sensitive issues related to Muslims. Therefore, I will deliver the remainder of my speech in Tamil.

¶ 06 Hon. Presiding Chair, Since the new President assumed office, we see a just political and social climate. After a long time, Muslims have observed a peaceful Ramadan, completed 30 days of fasting, celebrated the festival, and now live in a calm environment.

¶ 07 We know the injustices committed against Muslims and Tamils by past governments. We will never forget. When Digana burned and Hettipola burned, when hundreds of Muslims were arrested, today’s Leader of the Opposition was then the Deputy Leader of the ruling party. Many who were Ministers and Deputy Ministers then are here today. We did not see them raise their voices against those injustices or to protect those people. For example, when eminent lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah and writer Ahnaf Jazeem were detained for months, where were their struggles and their voices? It was institutions and civil organizations that fought for their release. Now, aiming at electoral gains, they spread shameless false propaganda against this Government. If you want to win the Colombo Municipal Council, fight fairly!

¶ 08 We will never continue the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Very soon it will be repealed and a new law introduced to protect national unity and security. Therefore, dear brothers, Hon. Presiding Chair, I strongly believe that in the upcoming local authority elections, what people need is not opposition strength but representatives who can work with the Government in their local bodies. Since the President and a two-thirds majority Parliament will govern for the next 55 months, people should elect representatives who can cooperate with this Government, so that stalled development proceeds in our areas. This political drama and false propaganda are meant to prevent that victory.

¶ 09 Let me give an example. In our Kurunegala District, at the Thorayaya electorate, there is Panagamuwa An-Noor Central College. No classrooms have been built since 1979; only two-story buildings from 1979 exist, plus one building built by villagers at a cost of Rs. 40 million. The school and the village have been repeatedly deceived by the same parties. The reason is that they did not send representatives aligned with the Government’s policies. But in the last election, their decision became a great victory for the development of their school, village, and country. Under our Government, such schools will never be treated unjustly. There are many such schools in many districts and electorates. We care for such schools and villages. We will fight until the people who gave us 159 MPs receive the benefits of their decision; we will surely win.

¶ 10 Switching back to Sinhala: I wish to note that development has occurred not only in our Government but also within the Opposition. Those who showed “the Kelani River serpent” and labeled all Muslims as terrorists now go to mosques and pray. Our Government has even changed the nationalist sections of the Opposition. We will continue to transform everyone and change this country.

¶ 11 Thank you for the opportunity.