The Hon. Ajith P. Perera

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, my first supplementary is this. In instances where, on medical grounds, the fetus is confirmed by specialists to suffer from severe abnormalities, steps to address that situation have been discussed for a long time. Hon. Minister, the history you recounted is correct.

¶ 02 Your policy statement at the last election included this matter; that is correct and it is something that should be done. Generally, a policy statement includes things that are to be done. The people have now given you a two-thirds mandate. The Executive President has also been elected on this policy platform. Anyone with common sense understands these are not simple issues. Once doctors confirm that the fetus is severely deformed, the question arises as to what steps should be taken. Every civilized country has taken steps in this regard.

¶ 03 Hon. Minister, I recognize your sensitivity on this issue. I know this is a difficult question to raise and a difficult one to answer. But now there is a strong Government, as you yourself said. There has not been such a strong government in our history. With such strength, without going in circles and beyond government-opposition divides, let us, the Legislature, boldly pass this law in line with internationally accepted standards. We should act decisively rather than keep inquiring from all corners. Rather than bowing to the views of individuals or groups who believe this is not relevant to them or who want to confine themselves to dogma, we must address the real-life, practical issues being faced and proceed more directly and courageously.

¶ 04 Otherwise, even after these five years, nothing will be done. The governments in which I served as Minister also tried and failed; those before also tried and failed. But this is something that must be done—an essential reform in any society that believes in decency and relies on medical science and evidence to make decisions. Therefore, within this strong Government, you should move swiftly.

¶ 05 My next supplementary is this, Mr. Speaker. You knew this had to be done when you included it in the policy statement. Referring to 2012 is important because that is when the matter came in a detailed way with a comprehensive report. When drafting the Presidential policy platform, you focused on that detailed report, and the people approved it. Why, then, are we going in circles?