The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate an important Bill on the Proceeds of Crime. We support it; this country needs it, and we thank you for bringing it. This Government received broad public support—not only from Sinhalese, but also from Tamils, Muslims, and Plantation communities. Having given people high expectations, do not forget that they are watching closely to see if you fulfil your promises.

¶ 03 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake has long worked for Palestine and against Israel; I believe he still chairs the Sri Lanka–Palestine Friendship Association.

¶ 04 Recently, a brother named Rushdi was arrested for pasting an anti-Israel sticker; it became a public issue. Arresting is one thing, but he should have been promptly produced before court and dealt with under judicial orders. Instead, he was detained under Section 171, which educated and intelligent people will not accept. This is a disgraceful act by Police and will bring disrepute to this Government. I do not know whom the Police tried to please. Stop such actions.

¶ 05 Even our President Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake has spoken many times against the PTA. I too was a victim of unjust PTA arrests—the only MP in Sri Lankan history detained under Section 7 of the PTA. The courts acquitted me, finding I had no connection to the Easter Sunday attacks—I am innocent. Yet using the PTA, many, including Azath Salley, Hejaaz Hizbullah, Ahnaf Jazeem, and Rasik, were arrested unjustly. The real culprits of the Easter attacks must be found; people had faith this Government would do that. But many were unjustly arrested simply for where they went—Colombo, Negombo, Batticaloa—and are still not released. Lacking means to fight cases, they languish in remand for years. Retaining a lawyer can cost Rs. 1–2 million; people who cannot afford daily food cannot afford lawyers. I request the Hon. Minister of Justice and the Government to look into this and immediately release those unjustly detained under the PTA.

¶ 06 Now, regarding Hejaaz Hizbullah, a prominent attorney—his case is still not concluded. Five years ago, I took refugees in Puttalam by bus to vote; for that they hunted me and filed cases. They also unjustly arrested a Grama Niladhari and three engineers who allegedly helped me. Though I was acquitted, those who were charged for allegedly assisting me are still, after five years, going up and down to court. They had no involvement. The Attorney General’s Department must not let such cases linger; release those unjustly accused without delay.

¶ 07 As for Israel’s visit to Sri Lanka—do not take it lightly. Israel commits atrocities in Palestine and Gaza daily—killing even infants, during Ramadan, and on festival days; killing doctors and journalists. The UN turns a blind eye; the US and Netanyahu act with impunity. While Palestinians suffer, Israelis come here as tourists, set up religious institutions in Weligama and Colombo, and purchase properties. This risks creating communal tension among Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims, and could turn our country into a graveyard and cripple our economy. Do not treat Israel’s presence as normal. Do not punish our people to protect them. Protecting them today could lay a foundation to jeopardize our country’s future. I kindly request you to act accordingly. Thank you.