The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 Today is important. This Proceeds of Crime Bill is presented to fulfil the aspirations of the people who voted for this Government and to benefit the present and future generations. I am pleased to join this debate.

¶ 03 This mandate was obtained to return to the people what was unlawfully acquired over 76 years by political leaders and others, and to put in place a process to recover it. If this Government truly fulfils that expectation, I will personally be pleased.

¶ 04 Some mistakes of past Governments we represented were done without our knowledge. If you fulfil this task to the letter, we can gain some satisfaction even after our political time. But I suspect you are using this to cover inefficiency, shame, and decades of lies.

¶ 05 Hon. Presiding Member, Minister Wijitha Herath came today and said all 225 Members must discuss the India agreement that the whole country awaits. I do not know what plots were hatched during 1987–88 under the banner of anti-India struggles. I am not accusing you personally, but the JVP within the NPP. They launched an insurrection then against Indian expansionism. When we look at the theatre staged with the Prime Minister over the last few days, those who fought and died then would reject the JVP. Historically, you could not oppose Indian agreements—you could not create a single agreement; you claimed they were amendments born of opposition. You could not give justice to those who fought and died. So we cannot accept that Minister’s paper. We expected at least that agreement to be tabled this morning. It was not.

¶ 06 So what are you doing? Using this so-called important Bill to re-mould social opinion and distract again. We know there are various anti-corruption and bribery laws. Acting beyond those laws on these matters is fine—if you can convince us. Bring back the money in Uganda. A lady Member said today those funds are no longer there. But there are voice recordings saying money is in Uganda and Medamulana; dates and places are mentioned. When this Bill passes, tell us—before the debate ends—by what method and when you will bring those funds back: in a week, a month, or a year. Likewise, tell us, with timelines, how you will bring back Arjuna Mahendran and recover the proceeds of the Central Bank Bond Scam. That is practical reality. Instead, everything is being hidden. We are disappointed that none of your 159 Government MPs can explain the India agreement even via social media. Why should we or the country believe your words? The President speaks for two hours at night and then says something else the next day. Six months on, have the thieves stopped? Mr. Namal Rajapaksa says the FCID was like home to him.

¶ 07 You said you would catch thieves in two days, with a single pen stroke. But now Namal Rajapaksa says the FCID was like home. Who should be ashamed? Even if you pass this Bill and another year or two goes by, if thieves can still say this, what then? Do not leave room for that.

¶ 08 I also propose an amendment: if there are those who lied, slandered, or defamed, provide for action against them too, and jail them if necessary. But if you do so, many in your own Government will end up in jail, won’t they?

¶ 09 In your front row there is a Minister—thinning hair—who admitted in court he took two and a half crores for lands. Another Minister, who, while at the Fertilizer Corporation, allegedly committed frauds. If so, they too must be dealt with. Those accused should clear their names before sitting here. You say the NPP acts with goodwill, but you are returning to old ways.

¶ 10 There is a massive lie to mention. At the Petroleum Corporation, there is a Director facing many accusations. At the end of Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Government, charges were filed against him. His name is Garusinghe. Our Power Minister must know. He is now on the CPC Board. Previously, he committed a fraud of Rs. 780 million—claiming deliveries of crude that were not received. He fled the country, sent his resignation through his wife, and after this Government came, returned to sit again on the Board. You, while in Opposition, accused this officer of engaging in underhand deals, giving kickbacks to Ministers. Even Hon. Chamara Sampath was charged under the Bribery Act then. Now you work with the same corrupt officials, appointing them Directors. Why is a man of a Rs. 780 million fraud sitting on the CPC Board? The same commissions taken then are being taken now.

¶ 11 Regarding demurrage, you accused that 10% was paid as commission. Now your Government has decided to pay demurrage again. These are underhand deals made overt. If you truly implement all these directives practically and visibly, we will be happy. But you cannot; and we will watch the procedures you bring.

¶ 12 Next, see the dangerous features in this Bill. The Deputy Minister spoke. If we discuss income and development, as Hon. Chamara Sampath said, our fathers started small. Not by stealing or bribery. They brought small capital to Badulla and Bandarawela, built enterprises, taught us management. We gave up that sector to enter politics. We are today worse off economically. But hard-working businessmen, who built up their businesses with effort, are being pushed to a dangerous place. The Deputy Minister said they will investigate how it was done. Some JVP Members have histories of extracting money from institutions by intimidation.

¶ 13 We remember how some companies were discussed in Parliament. An individual involved would later appear publicly with a Minister, and then the matter would disappear—after “arrangements” were made. I tell new MPs: investigate such things. Your leaders run such duplicitous political operations. If you resist, your political journey will be hindered.

¶ 14 Your second, third, and fourth tiers sacrifice sincerely, but that sincerity is being abused by those at the front to engage in improper deals. We spoke of the coconut oil fraud; of the rice scam; of how containers were released. All that is swept under the rug. This law becomes effective after 2028. After 2028, when truth emerges about who begged and borrowed, including even undergarments from certain camps, most real culprits will be within the present Government. We do not prepare files idly. We want this Bill passed, so that through it we can catch those within the Government stealthily stealing the people’s assets.

¶ 15 If you have reduced waste and theft, ordinary people should feel it in this festive season. They do not. You have not created procedures to make them feel it. Parading that you reduced expenses by using buses, seizing V8s and giving them to Directors, is pure theatre. Citizens know expenses have not been practically reduced. Stop mudslinging and defaming the public; implement this Bill impartially to apprehend every thief. Chaminda Wijesiri is ready to support that. I conclude.

¶ 16 Thank you.