The Hon. Eranga Gunasekara

¶ 01 The investigation is being conducted by this government. You will receive the relevant answer. Do not have any doubts about that. As the National People's Power, we responsibly state in this House that since we have already presented the names and there has undoubtedly been political bribery, we are conducting investigations, and upon completion, we will reveal in this Parliament the names of the politicians behind those permits. That is our commitment; we will do it.

¶ 02 We also tell you that we are changing this political culture. Our President, our MPs, and our Ministers have not issued bar permits. However, you know that in Kurunegala there was such an MP—now defeated—who went before the Bribery or Corruption Commission and said, “I am from a lineage of liquor traders. Do not ask me how to make money.” A State Minister from Kurunegala as well—you may know—obtained a permit in the name of his underaged son against basic recommendations. That is the political culture that existed.

¶ 03 We do not oppose the Adjournment Motion moved by Hon. Rasamanickam. Nor do we oppose his intervention. However, we must respond to some unfair interpretations within your remarks—such as alleging that our government is not probing this, that we are hiding, or playing games. Your own evidence shows we are not doing that. Hon. Member, your concern is ours; there is no difference. Therefore, we will expose these matters and intervene. Please do not misinterpret this. While we recognize the economic value and the right of adults to consume alcohol, through proper investigations we will reveal in this Parliament the names of politicians involved in bribery in this process. We appreciate your intervention, Hon. Member, but I sensed a slight partisan undertone in it, which I reject, and I conclude.