The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, although today’s item is under the Fisheries Ministry, I must begin with several pressing national issues.

¶ 02 First, the Venezuela issue. In 2016, when the Venezuela issue arose, members of the current Government who were then in Opposition stormed the US Embassy. Yesterday, their colleagues again went there, but did nothing. In Opposition, they are aggressive; in Government, they are timid. They forcefully shouted while in Opposition but stay silent now, even after the President was whisked away for an hour and a half during the incident.

¶ 03 Next, the “module” issue. We are not insulting the Prime Minister, but responsibility cannot be evaded. When Keheliya Rambukwella brought medicines, he did not personally administer injections; yet he was jailed. Similarly, I myself was jailed over early withdrawal of Provincial Council fixed deposits, though the Secretary and Accountant did the transactions. Responsibility cannot be escaped. A Government MP herself said the PM is not an expert in this area, but there were experts, including “Big Kuchchan aiya,” with good English knowledge, who could have reviewed before bringing it to the Education Ministry. If Keheliya and I were punished, the PM should also face consequences or resign.

¶ 04 Look at the Police—shameful. The IGP should resign. In Galgamuwa, illegal excavations with tractors are cutting into boralu gravel while the local Chairman sits by; a Geological Survey and Mines Bureau officer was told “we’ve seen your kind.” Yet Police do nothing.

¶ 05 At Sapugaskanda, our former Speaker was hit by a drunk driver. Now cases are being filed based on statements from the OIC Traffic and the OIC of the station, while the actual driver faces nothing.

¶ 06 In a ganja arrest, the suspect was remanded and lost his job; later four men assaulted a passing police officer on a motorbike. Three, including MP Shantha Padma Kumara, received three months’ imprisonment suspended for five years by the Embilipitiya Magistrate. Even the Mayor is involved in another case there. While such cases are being placed in the Library, punishments drag.

¶ 07 We hear they plan to attack media institutions “Hiru” and “Derana.” Remember Mervyn Silva once stormed the National TV; do not repeat such attacks. We tell the Media Minister—keep hands off the media. Foreign countries are warning us not to interfere with media houses. People don’t trust politicians; they believe what media shows. Do not touch the media.

¶ 08 Next, the Army: about 50 officers—Majors and Colonels—who served 1990–1995 and faced punishments then are now being targeted for removal before age 55, depriving them of pension. They fought the war and should retire with pension at 55, not be dismissed just before.

¶ 09 Police quarters: officers who have lived for 30–40 years are being evicted to make way for favourites. These officers have children still in school. If you must allocate to others, build new quarters; do not throw out officers at age 58 with school-going children. After incidents like Embilipitiya and Sapugaskanda, officers fear doing their duties. Continue this way and the Police will lose public respect.

¶ 10 Railways: while the CGR removed some earth after a landslide on the Nuwara Eliya line, a Deputy Minister did a publicity “dance” on the track, but key services like Rajarata from Matara to Anuradhapura still only run up to Mahawa. Changing the GM won’t help if the previous one was getting the job done—let the capable “cat” catch the mice.

¶ 11 Civil Security Department: the former “Gramarakshaka” officers who protected border villages during LTTE attacks are now being transferred arbitrarily, with over 1,000 losing jobs around retirement age. Landslides cannot be stopped by stacking sandbags; statements promising funds for animals and tiles have led to rent hikes and misuse.

¶ 12 Finally, Provincial officials are being besieged by groups demanding immediate cash. Government funds must be disbursed properly, not by force. Officials told the President “we can pay,” but later issue circulars limiting payments. We must proceed with understanding; giving in to every demand is impossible. I conclude noting even the Opposition Chief Organizer did not grant me extra minutes today.