Hon. Jagath Manuwarna

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for time to speak on COPE’s Fourth Report. As our President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said at the UN: “The fight against corruption is dangerous, but not fighting corruption is more dangerous.”

¶ 02 We summoned around 14 entities; this Fourth Report was tabled today. A previous speaker said not to question LTL because it is profitable. But do you know the CEB and LTL have the same Chairman? Then why is one losing while the other gains? We will table that report in due course.

¶ 03 Regarding Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt.) Ltd.: plans to expand passenger handling from 6 to 12 million were made in 2017. Plans kept changing and the JAC/NK consultancy JV was engaged. Due to design changes, supervision extensions and package revisions in 2016 and 2023, additional payments of USD 178,589, JPY 1,612.4 million and LKR 808.6 million were made, and the contract period extended from 47 to 131 months (by 84 months/7 years). From 2014 to 31 December 2024, consultancy fees totaling JPY 2,425.2 million, equivalent to LKR 3,884.8 million, were paid — merely for design changes.

¶ 04 Why these changes? Because the concourse roof design kept changing according to the preferences of the political authority. In 2012, it was to be lotus-petal shaped; in 2015, it was changed to a Bo leaf shape. Instead of focusing on critical issues — like 640 architectural nonconformities in 18 places, and safety in the aircraft apron where the aircraft’s nosewheel might stop over an oil pit — effort was squandered on vanity roof shapes. The public pays for such political revenge between successive governments.

¶ 05 We also saw issues at LRC, National Youth Services Council, and NMRA — crises contrived for profiteering: fertilizer business within LRC during shortages, and pharmaceutical rackets via NMRA dysfunction. Those complicit should be afraid — not honest officials. In the past, people who should have answered at COPE sat on COPE itself; not now. No honest official will be harmed; only truth is sought.

¶ 06 There are 457 institutions under COPE; some avoid appearing. We will secure the required legal framework to summon all. We have called for written submissions based on the Auditor General’s reports and will scientifically select entities for oral hearings.

¶ 07 As the NPP, we promised a prosperous country and a good life. We will work to realize the people’s aspirations. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.