The Hon. S.M. Marikkar

¶ 01 Mr. Deputy Speaker, the previous Minister said these entities will never be privatized. Ask Pubudu Niroshan sitting up there—initially you set two years for unbundling; now you have agreed to do it in one year. Read the Bill. The Secretary knows, the Minister knows. Do not lie. You have agreed to unbundle within one year.

¶ 02 Say courageously what you are doing; do not mislead people. The CEB transmission system must be upgraded; otherwise we cannot move forward. You say US$5 billion is needed—where will you find it? Will the Government provide US$5 billion? Therefore, as Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, I set aside politics and supported with constructive amendments. But we oppose lies.

¶ 03 You say you will expand the transmission network, but where is the plan to find the money? You say no privatization, but space for private enterprise—what is the difference? Privatization means private enterprise comes in by another name.

¶ 04 Further, a Cabinet Paper approved the “Sahasdanavi” plant in Kerawalapitiya. It states diesel at Rs. 110 per litre and the dollar at Rs. 180—everyone knows diesel was Rs. 286 and the dollar around Rs. 300. The Cabinet Paper says the generation cost per unit is Rs. 20. This looks like an old Gotabaya-era paper with dates changed. You cannot generate at Rs. 20; it’s around Rs. 70. On what basis were these incentives granted? I could say more, but I refrain as I served on the Committee. Unbundling is happening—that’s all I will say.

¶ 05 Also, I must raise another issue while you are in the Chair. We are seeing “Israelization” of Sri Lanka. When in Opposition, the JVP protested in front of the US Embassy in support of Palestine, held campaigns and led the Palestine Friendship Association. But now they act with double standards. Lands in Pottuvil, Arugam Bay and Sinnavillu are being leased out; those who killed under the Israeli army and committed war crimes are coming here for leisure and opening restaurants marked “Foreigners only.” Is this India’s government or Sri Lanka’s? Even Israeli tourists with visa violations remain; now you want free visas. Where are the Muslim Ministers of this Government?

¶ 06 Today in those areas, more than Muslims, young Christian and Dravidian women and children are falling prey to Israelis’ influence. The security forces understand how those areas are controlled. We ask whether the Government is allowing parts of this country to become Israeli colonies and havens for war criminals. Finally, I ask the Government to act. To Ministers in Government: put pressure on your Government.

¶ 07 To the Power Minister—I forgot to say—this is not personal. The Ministry Secretary is also the CEB Chairman and Chairman of LTL Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd. Wearing three hats—where does his interest lie? We propose appointing an Additional Secretary as Chairman of LTL instead. If this is a clean Government, you should prevent conflicts of interest.

¶ 08 I conclude. Please appoint another Additional Secretary as Chairman of LTL; otherwise we will keep hearing these stories. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.