The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 [4.23 p.m.]

¶ 02 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. I will speak briefly in Tamil and Sinhala as needed. The Hon. Deputy Minister of Defence is in the House, but he usually doesn’t wear the translation headphones, so he may not follow. In Trincomalee’s Verugal area, some officials distributing relief acted improperly. Shockingly, a Muslim Divisional Secretary named Anas filed cases against people who asked why they weren’t receiving relief; four were arrested and three were remanded, with 17 more being sought by police for “obstructing official duties.” This is shameful. People asking for promised relief should not be jailed.

¶ 03 I am Tamil and Hindu, but I wear a pirith thread given by the Asgiriya Mahanayake, whom I met to discuss Tamil people’s problems. He told me this Government would last only a short while—reflecting how Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim people are fed up. I too collected some scrap at home to see if I could get Rs. 200,000 as promised for “scrap exchange”—but even selling scrap cost me Rs. 20,000. Shame! Grand promises of Rs. 1 million “even if a tap is lost” are lies.

¶ 04 Regarding Dr. Bellana: he is politically aligned, playing Ranil’s game. In 2020, the former Secretary spent Rs. 210 million to purchase five lab machines for the National Hospital from Hemas; there were allegations of “cuts” involving Hemas and former official Kumar Wikramasinghe. Bellana lodged a complaint and was then removed. When complaints go to CIABOC, the complainants face retaliation the next day. Two women reportedly died after being administered ondansetron—if they were your family, would you act this way? Investigate Bellana’s complaint properly; if it’s wrong, so be it, but don’t bury it.

¶ 05 People can’t even move on the streets now; you plan to give cabs to all 225 MPs. The Minister in charge of Police is here; even he can’t go freely. I’m Tamil; I will go to the villages even with my firearm, which you have issued me for protection. If we can go, why can’t you? Meet the people—though they may scold you. If needed, tell them Dr. Archchuna sent you and spare them. Also, at the NMRA, a Director was removed. This is where the country has been brought. I don’t need Rs. 1 million or 2 million handouts; meet the people and do the right thing. I conclude. Thank you.