The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, good evening. Though not directly tied to the current debate, I must raise matters related to our Government’s “sports” of governance in the Northern Province.

¶ 02 Recently, Mr. M. Piratheepan was given permanent appointment as Government Agent/District Secretary. We came to power promising action against bribery, corruption and theft. I table a letter from the Governor to the Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration, stating that Mr. M. Piratheepan is involved in corruption and should be immediately removed, otherwise “Clean Sri Lanka” cannot proceed. Even the word “CLEAN” is misspelled “CLEEN” in that letter. I table it.

¶ 03 Secondly, in 2015, when Hon. Vethanayagam was Governor, Mr. Piratheepan, then Divisional Secretary, Kopay, was alleged to have collected money in violation of the Establishments Code and was transferred. In 2016, disciplinary action was sought against him and for recovery of improperly obtained funds. I table those letters as well.

¶ 04 In 2013 and again in 2014, letters from Mr. B.A.D.D.W. Siriwardana sought his transfer over evidence of corruption; he was sent to Mullaitivu. There he was implicated in two land-related bribery matters and disciplined, then worked as Divisional Secretary, Manthai West. The Governor warned that if he returned to Jaffna, major corruption would occur. I table those documents too.

¶ 05 We must be serious: the NPP claimed 159 seats promising to end corruption and bribery. I have previously raised numerous matters regarding Dr. Chrishanthi and Dr. Keetheswaran in the Northern Province, alleging money taken from ‘patients’ with supporting evidence submitted, yet no action taken. A criminal case is ongoing against Dr. Sujanthan of Tellippalai Base Hospital. Under the Establishments Code, a public officer facing criminal proceedings should be interdicted; yet he has not been. Further, an RDHS, Mr. Keetheswaran, awarded a Rs. 30 million building contract at Tellippalai without the Secretary’s knowledge. I wish to table the related evidence.

¶ 06 Now, on attendance discipline: postal staff protest fingerprint machines. Fingerprinting should be for all—let’s start in Parliament. We are paid over Rs. 510,000 basic with total packages about Rs. 3.5 million yearly, yet some Members attend only a handful of days while immense public money is spent to convene Parliament. Let’s install fingerprint machines and small cameras across services—judges, lawyers, hospital directors, minor staff, doctors, nurses, attendants, police—one law for all.

¶ 07 I have submitted multiple documents showing the appointed Government Agent is a serial thief, thrice punished and transferred over theft. How can we build the country while protecting thieves? You promised the people—now act. The Director of Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital is in remand; documentation on Dr. Chrishanthi’s alleged thefts has been submitted. Yet there seems to be one law for the North and another for the South. Please correct this. Thank you.