The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, we are discussing Regulations under two Acts. While you speak of fishers’ pensions, last year’s Department of Census and Statistics data show the sector is already in “retirement”: inland fisheries output is down 39%; marine fisheries down 9%. You can pass laws, but without practical, ground-level implementation, you cannot revive fisheries.

¶ 02 On crabs, there’s a saying: you put the crab in water, it turns the water red—but the crab does not realize the water reddens because of it. This Government, too, does not realize reality as it lives in a pleasant illusion. After recent floods and landslides, many inland fishers are now forced into the sea. What is the Government’s plan to rebuild their industry? Breaches of bunds hurt agriculture and fisheries alike. For example, the Seruwila and Mawil Aru breaches devastated the local economy, including fishing villages—yet your relief lists exclude those villages because there was no “landslide” or “flash flood” categorization, though livelihoods collapsed.

¶ 03 You promised Rs. 1 million, Rs. 500,000, Rs. 100,000, Rs. 50,000; now it’s down to Rs. 50,000 and even Rs. 5,000 for houses. Alternative lands for hill-country victims were promised but not yet given. If you cannot pay, tell the people honestly and offer alternatives. Instead, you blame officials—Grama Niladhari, Divisional Secretary—when it began here in Parliament, where even the Secretariat staff were hauled to CID over “Dr.” titles on a Minister’s name though party offices submit those details.

¶ 04 Velipenna OIC was transferred over a “kasippu” case tied to your side; in Embilipitiya, after much noise, it is a police officer who was jailed while political offenders roam free. The Police Spokesman and IGP should not serve the ruling party; using TRC and Police to probe media houses like “Hiru” is shameful. Drugs in Mirigama: two containers passed Customs and Narcotics checks; yet we still “search” for who brought them. If the news hurts the Government, you investigate the media rather than the culprits.

¶ 05 On the Grade 6 English textbook module: you might even impound the printing machines like you once took Buddha statues into police custody. The book printed with public funds contains QR codes leading to websites and YouTube channels. Will the Minister and Ministry take responsibility for every link those QR codes direct to? Have you reviewed ownership and content of each link? Instead you suspend a few officials. The PM, as subject Minister who appointed the eight-member Education Reform Committee and oversaw these modules, must answer. Reforms must align to modern labour markets without violating our culture.

¶ 06 At Mihintale, after locals protested vandalism of the “Mal Asanaya,” it was repaired the next day. Religious leaders’ advice should be heeded. Visit temples and listen, including on education reforms. Decide what job market you target and what culture you instil in children.

¶ 07 Civil Security Department: personnel from North, South, East—even 12,000 rehabilitated former LTTE cadres—are being posted to Colombo, away from villages they protected from wildlife and other threats. Please reconsider. Also address the large cohort awaiting Korean employment fairly. I conclude.