Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 Speaking of COPE, we recall how during 2015–2019 under the good governance administration, Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, then an Opposition MP, chaired COPE and the Central Bank bond issue was exposed. This Government pledged, upon coming to power, that the first Cabinet decision would be to bring the former Central Bank Governor back to Sri Lanka to enforce the law; and that those behind the Easter attacks would be arrested within 24 hours and the mastermind named by April 21. These promises turned out to be hollow.

¶ 03 A key pledge of this Government was to eradicate theft, fraud, and corruption. Yet one of the most egregious incidents in our history concerns the 323 containers. A report on this was presented; Hon. Mujibur Rahuman tabled it in Parliament. The report states that these 323 red-notice containers entered Sri Lanka, potentially containing narcotics, weapons, gold, and causing a loss of hundreds of millions of rupees to the country. Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna asked whether weapons were in them, and if so, whose hands they reached. This is a grave corruption scandal.

¶ 04 Our country suffered the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, aided by certain individuals who provided funds and facilities. Ibrahim’s two sons carried out the suicide bombings. There is now silence about that individual, who was on the NPP’s National List. We brought a No-Confidence Motion against the then Deputy Minister responsible for security matters, but the current Speaker did not allow it to be moved. Yet yesterday, the Speaker tabled a report by the Secretaries-General stating: “There is no specific legal provision regarding a No-Confidence Motion against a Deputy Minister according to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the Standing Orders or the Westminster system,” and that allowing it would set a precedent. However, it also makes clear we can move a No-Confidence Motion against a Deputy Minister. We will complain to the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association because Members’ privileges were curtailed. Those who knew and concealed information about the Easter attacks still face no legal consequences, and Parliament is prevented from moving accountability motions. We will take this internationally.

¶ 05 On health, we hear worrying news regarding the dental unit under the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura—whether it is to be closed or merged elsewhere. WHO recommends one dentist per 7,500 people; in Sri Lanka it is one per 13,280. We ask the Government to strengthen the health sector, not close faculties nor reduce facilities. Provide necessary resources to those students.

¶ 06 Parliamentary canteen: Members now fear eating there because of mice. We request the Speaker to share with us the report given to him by the Secretaries-General. Why hide it? Every issue seems blamed on animals. Fortunately, monkeys and peacocks cannot reach this island Parliament; so the canteen problem is blamed on mice.

¶ 07 On education and children: as fathers, we bear responsibility. We were taught to admit mistakes and apologize. We must raise children with standards—not by permissiveness on dress and early sexual activity. If society becomes lawless, what happens to our daughters? Teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases will increase if children lack awareness. We must protect children, empower parents and teachers, and create an environment to socialize children well. I conclude with that appeal.