The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

¶ 02 On this Supplementary allocation under Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, I am pleased the Government now recognizes the need for expressways and other road networks. Earlier, you mocked expressways, saying even dogs and cats could not cross and that they were for transporting ambul thiyal. You questioned whether roads were paved with gold. Today, your President borrows to complete expressway sections. If you had not obstructed these projects while in Opposition, a 37 km section could have been completed and opened.

¶ 03 We want to know the progress in each Ministry in this last quarter: how much of the last Budget has been invested and what benefits have reached the public. Inform Parliament and the people. At least in the coming months, fulfill some promises made during the election. Remember, this is your second year in office; stop wasting time blaming the past.

¶ 04 On the National Police Commission: you once demanded an independent commission, even operating from Temple Trees while in Opposition. Now you are removing its independence to concentrate power in the IGP. For what? To serve the public and catch thieves, or for political ends?

¶ 05 Recently, 32 animals were stolen from a zoo. The police must be independent. If you appoint a Commission, let it handle transfers without political interference. The recent arrest attempts—taking statements first in Sinhala from a Tamil-speaking suspect and relying on coerced statements—show politicized misuse. You are trying to run the police as a political tool, appointing those from political platforms to senior posts. I remind the IGP to study history; politicized IGPs paid the price.

¶ 06 Do not politicize the police to execute your party’s agenda; that era is gone. At the UNHRC in Geneva, you spoke against resolutions but did not call for a vote. If you oppose, have the courage to demand a vote. Whom are you trying to please—the diaspora or LTTE sympathizers? Be consistent.

¶ 07 Solve the problems of farmers, fishers, and workers. You boast that investors will come, but where are they? Tell us how many dollars you brought. Work with a plan to attract investment, create jobs, and earn foreign exchange.

¶ 08 Do not tarnish the dignity of the Police Department. Do not drag the police into internal party disputes; keep them focused on public safety. Also, find who stole those 32 animals from the zoo.

¶ 09 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees. Do not use the tri-forces, police, and intelligence for political witch-hunts; if intelligence is compromised, national security collapses.