The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I will not speak much on this Supplementary Estimate. Although the Government earlier said it would not bring Supplementary Estimates, delays in bills require this one and we accept that. I won’t dwell on it further.

¶ 02 Regarding the President’s expenditure head, the State Minister of Finance, Hon. Anil Jayarante, said it increased to Rs. 11,600 million due to allocations of Rs. 5,000 million for “Clean Sri Lanka” and Rs. 1,000 million for a research project. In 2024, under President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Rs. 6,600 million was allocated across 10 divisions like Foreign Affairs and Heritage. Now there are 28 divisions. They said funds would come from donors to “Clean Sri Lanka”; a few cheques came and then nothing, yet Rs. 5,000 million was put to that fund and another Rs. 1,000 million to research. However, I will not go into this further.

¶ 03 With the Prime Minister present, I must speak on the Penal Code amendment. Even before it passed, a teacher in Monaragala was assaulted on World Children’s Day. The President said he would stop the Bill if necessary, and then it was withdrawn due to public pressure, especially from teachers and the people. After its presentation, a teacher was assaulted and children were reportedly given illicit liquor. In Badulla Central College, a Cabinet Minister’s son was caught with an e-cigarette, along with four others. Then, because another Minister’s daughter was not selected to the prefect board, there was pressure on human rights grounds and the principal was forced to appoint her. How can you legislate to reform others’ children when you cannot discipline your own? Put your own house in order first.

¶ 04 Next, about Mr. Ranga Dissanayake: I challenge him. In 2017, the biggest theft was the bond scam under Arjuna Mahendran. My passport is now impounded. If Mr. Ranga Dissanayake is clean, he should say who was the Fort Magistrate who released Mahendran’s passport in 2017. Also, his first and second wives were at the Central Bank; what position did his second wife hold under Arjuna Mahendran? The public should know.

¶ 05 Another matter: a lorry marked “Budu Saranai” coming from Anuradhapura was found transporting cattle for slaughter. If you are clean, speak and act cleanly rather than pointing fingers. I know I’ll be indicted next month for saying this, but the truth must be told.

¶ 06 Hon. Prime Minister, there is a trade conference in Geneva. The Trade Minister is going with nine others, including his female PRO, Nimodi Wickremesinghe. Why is a PRO going? We are asked abroad who goes and why; we ask the same here. There is a letter approved by the President including her name.

¶ 07 The President asked me yesterday why I attack the Government. We are not attacking you, Mr. President; it is your coterie that is weak. As the Opposition, we must highlight shortcomings, not just say every Supplementary Estimate is fine.

¶ 08 Do not pick a fight with doctors and lawyers over stickers on cars. In Badulla Hospital there are only a few specialists; they run at midnight for emergencies and need to travel quickly. Don’t create unnecessary issues.

¶ 09 On Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka: he attacks everyone—Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maithripala Sirisena, Sajith Premadasa. He was protected after the 2010 defeat. Such is his character.

¶ 10 On the so-called “same-sex issue”: this was not brought by the Prime Minister, MPs, or the President. A Commission Chair cannot take unilateral decisions; responsibility cannot be shifted. The President appoints Chairs on your recommendation. Do not let Chairs take decisions alone. Also, your party’s propaganda blames the Prime Minister’s group for any unpopular proposals, while taking credit for the good ones. This cannot continue.

¶ 11 Hon. Deputy Speaker

¶ 12 Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake, your time is up.