The Hon. D.V. Chanaka

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I believe there is a Standing Order issue here because my name was not used. So do not take my time; take it from the Government’s time. Also, we totally reject what was said. The people of Hambantota District know what the military did. Today, the Minister in charge of Defence clearly said that deploying the military for Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security would cost Rs. 60 million. If security is withdrawn, does that Rs. 60 million get saved? That is the real question. But not a single rupee is saved because that Rs. 60 million is their salaries. If police are withdrawn, one could say, due to 20,000 vacancies, they can be reassigned elsewhere. But if the military personnel are withdrawn from there, where will they go? They will simply go back to their camps. This is purely political revenge. This should not have happened. In the middle of an election, when this was being executed, Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake intervened and stopped it, because the SLPP vote base was declining. Those people are still angry with Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa. By doing this, you will not last long; you will face severe public backlash.

¶ 02 We also saw how this Government treated Development Officers. Most of them helped you during the election. But when they came to the Ministry of Education with requests, they were sent, I do not know whether to the intelligence unit or where, and yesterday even tear-gassed and some arrested. Development Officers are still being taken into custody. I believe you are fulfilling Mr. Lal Kantha’s promise to punish those who worked for the election, by putting each officer in jail.

¶ 03 I request all of you, please resolve this issue and stop the repression. Thank you.