The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. I will raise a few matters. Recently, I saw an interview where our Jaffna campaign “howitzer,” Hon. Ilankumaran—one of the major pillars of the NPP’s 159—said, “Let us all together make a request to the President to allow two hours’ access inside our unreleased lands.” He and NPP MPs from Jaffna seem unaware they are now in Government. Please be clear. If you do not know, write it down: you are Government members now. In that context, you cannot go to the President to request two hours of access—just open the gates.

¶ 02 Second: I received a complaint from PASS graduates who did A/L in 2014 and graduated from the University of Jaffna—they sent a letter yesterday. During campaigning, Hon. Rajeevan met graduates and said that within three months of becoming MP No. 147, after talking to the Prime Minister, he would get 3,000 unemployed graduates in the North employed. Now when asked, he says appointments must be by examination; direct appointments are not possible. One story before the election; another after.

¶ 03 I lodged complaints with the COPE-like anti-corruption bodies regarding corruption by a doctor named Krishanthini at a Northern hospital, and about past administrators of the Chavakachcheri Base Hospital embezzling millions. It has been about 20 days and no investigation has been initiated. The main reason is that an NPP MP from the North [Expunged on the order of the Chair] has signed off on the corrupt practices at Jaffna Teaching Hospital. The NPP Government will never probe corruption in Northern hospitals. But they arrested a neurologist at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital for corruption. Earlier I stated that a diaspora troupe in London donated equipment worth about Rs. 120 million to Jaffna Hospital—no accounts, no clarity on where the money and equipment went. When asked, the Deputy Minister says he will present an internal audit to Parliament. Please understand: if Tamil is not clear, listen to the interpretation. I did not ask for an internal audit; I asked for financial statements of the Patients’ Welfare Society funds flowing into the hospital. The Deputy Minister of Mass Media too has accepted there were corrupt acts and promised action.

¶ 04 Governments that boast “we will catch the corrupt, catch the thieves,” have not done so. I gave you 100 percent support; it pains me.

¶ 05 On Mannar Hospital: if I am in Parliament today, it is mainly due to the people of Jaffna and Mannar. In the Mannar District General Hospital, after a mother died during breastfeeding and Mr. Mariathas later died by suicide, their family has yet to receive justice. In Dickoya Base Hospital, when a baby was brought, the doctor was not there—he had gone home—and the private hospital then refused to take responsibility.

¶ 06 I recall, while serving at Chavakachcheri, I once heard an infant cry and, in jeans and T-shirt, resuscitated the patient, even though it was not my duty day. Here we see the opposite.

¶ 07 At Jaffna Teaching Hospital, the Director Sathyamoorthy did major corrupt acts to remove Dr. Malaravan’s wards, while increasing units to undermine that ward. Through the Sectoral Oversight Committee I raised it with the DG and Secretary and stopped it. Let me say this in Sinhala:

¶ 08 I did not come to Parliament through politics. I never did politics. For 39 years I did not vote. In 2024 I received an appointment to Chavakachcheri Base Hospital. The diaspora donated Rs. 17 million of equipment. When I went, I found there was no surgical theatre. Three buildings had been constructed; only one opened three times—Douglas opened it; Angajan Ramanathan opened it. Equipment worth Rs. 17 million had arrived from abroad, but were missing. I published this on my Facebook page, showing what was sent and what was missing. Then the GMOA launched a strike. Thereafter President Ranil called me in; the Leader of the Opposition also summoned me and discussed it. The issue escalated; on September 26 I was remanded. On the 29th, the former Health Secretary Palitha Maheepala sent me a letter terminating me from service, titled “Irresponsible Behaviour of Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna.” I did nothing wrong, yet I spent 19 days in remand. After release, I handed in my nomination. Then they said I was interdicted. I asked our Director Arjuna Nilakaratne on the 9th, “Sir, am I still in service?” He said I had been interdicted. After I handed in nomination and came to Parliament, a month later someone filed a Court of Appeal case saying I had given nomination while a doctor, and to interdict me. But here is the issue: how can one resign after being removed? The letter says I am removed from service from today. How can someone removed resign? The case is on the 26th and 29th.

¶ 09 Our salary is Rs. 385,000; Rs. 200,000 goes to travel from here to Jaffna; another Rs. 100,000 to run our office. There are 159 here. Think—do all 159 of the NPP have offices? Or have any set up offices to meet people and bring issues here? No. Therefore, we are committing complete fraud.

¶ 10 Another matter: I went to Anuradhapura for a case—they charged me for running a red light. I was handed a deed—the MP is not here now; many seats are empty; I will not name him. A house worth Rs. 5 million is written for Rs. 500,000 in the name of his secretary, in the middle of Anuradhapura. Today we debate two items: an Order and Regulations. One is the Order under the Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act. But the top in the 1110 is doing crooked work, with his secretary signing. I tabled that deed here: a Rs. 5 million house written for Rs. 500,000, and the Order under the Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act is brought. Be ashamed. I never did politics; if I do politics here, it is to strip and expose such people, not to dress them up. We sent millions to Jaffna Teaching Hospital, but where is the money? Minister Nalinda Jayatissa went and made a deal with the former Director—we can prove it in open court.

¶ 11 I wrote to our Chief Government Whip regarding my speech in Parliament on 323 containers. I was called to the CID and went. Tamils used to fear going to CID—people were cut into pieces, shot, eyes gouged. But the situation has now changed; they treated me well and asked for documents. I said I would present it in Parliament. Then two MPs told me, “If you have guts, speak outside.” I do not understand these things. Whether 159 or 225, I will say what must be said. If I had released 323 containers, I would be in jail today—because I am Tamil and because I speak the truth. Meanwhile, Bimal Rathnayake is laughing outside. Governments change; people cross over; then they will look into those 323 containers.

¶ 12 [Expunged on the order of the Chair.]

¶ 13 I once thought of killing the man who killed my father. Today I went to Namal Rajapaksa and spoke nicely, calling him “machan.” We had that resentment in our chest. I will speak the truth.

¶ 14 I was born in 1986. As a child we were told Sinhalese are like demons who rip open stomachs—[interruption]. We did not understand Sinhala; we never spoke to a Sinhalese; had never seen one. We grew up thinking Sinhalese were wrongdoers. Likewise, what falsehoods did you believe about us? You said Tamils are all Tigers who bomb. Today we have changed completely. My father died in this war.

¶ 15 Your time is up, Hon. Member.

¶ 16 Give me 20 minutes.

¶ 17 I cannot give you 20 minutes.

¶ 18 No, give me 20 seconds. My father, tied to the Police—captain of the Police football team—had to leave Jaffna due to Black July 1983; later left the Police and joined the Tigers when there was nothing for us to eat. He could only do police work, so he did policing there. Now they say we must build the country. I say an educated person cannot survive in this Parliament—only someone like Chandrasekaran without A/Ls can. If you speak the truth, you cannot stay here. Thank you.