The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, I seek clarification from the Hon. Minister. In his own answer, he says the incident was discovered on 23 March. Parliament sat from 7 to 10 April. You therefore had an opportunity to inform Parliament about this serious incident, yet you also say Parliament was not sitting to be informed. Please clarify that contradiction.

¶ 02 On several occasions, the Secretary to the Treasury did not attend the Committee on Public Finance even when summoned; not even a Deputy Secretary appeared. When summoned again, it was first said he would not attend because the President would make a statement, then that decision was changed and he appeared. Even then, some of the questions I have now asked—especially on repayment timelines and amounts—were not answered. Why?

¶ 03 Finally, this is a sensitive matter. I will not exploit the tragic passing of Mr. Ranga Nishantha Rajapaksha. However, we have been informed that he identified these lapses and lodged the complaint. There are also various matters presented regarding investigations into his death. I request you and the Minister of Justice to make a clear statement to Parliament on both the investigation and Mr. Rajapaksha’s death, as there is public suspicion. Please clarify my questions.