The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika

¶ 01 Mr. Presiding Member, thank you for this opportunity.

¶ 02 We are debating a matter requested by 20 Opposition MPs. Ministers and Members from the Government side have already explained what happened at the Treasury, the issue of funds going to a third party, and how this arose.

¶ 03 There has been a lapse. Those who spoke before have explained the actions taken and where the fault occurred. Yet again I wish to remind a few points. For one and a half years, the Opposition has been dragging weekly and monthly headlines alleging this Government commits thefts and frauds. Once again, they have picked such a topic. Let us discuss properly.

¶ 04 We all know and accept that USD 2.5 million is missing; there is a problem. Before we speak on that, let us speak about those in the Opposition who sought this debate—there were SJB MPs and Pohottuwa MPs alike. USD 2.5 million missing from the Treasury to a third party is indeed a problem. Investigations are underway. But in the last 10–15 years, what did these gentlemen do about the massive corruption involving public funds? When dollars fled the country in bundles, what did they do?

¶ 05 Let me quickly cite examples: the 2011 bond scam alleged against Ajith Nivard Cabraal—cases are pending. Do not be agitated; I am referring to Cabraal, not to SJB. That was USD 12.6 billion. Even when you formed a Government, you did nothing; now after 15 years investigations are underway. Also, LKR 6.5 billion was paid from the Central Bank to an American CIA agent named Imaan Suberi to “build Sri Lanka’s image.” This came to light only when he was caught in a US case. You ruled for 12 years and did not probe these; now we are investigating.

¶ 06 Next, the 2013 Badalgama milk factory project—a Rs. 63 million fraud; nothing built. You ruled for 12 years and did not probe; now we investigate. Similarly, in 2012, a USD 1.4 million fraud related to equipment for the Hambantota hospital—14 years passed; you did not probe; now we do. The Ging-Nilwala project—only a word and a board; not even a bond executed. USD 30 million in three tranches; the last tranche fell on the day before the 2015 Presidential Election and came to Sri Lanka; silence then; files were closed. Now investigations have begun. Also, USD 6.5 million paid in 2020–2021 for a shipload of substandard fertilizer—no action then; investigations now.

¶ 07 Finally, during your Government, Minister P. Harrison paid USD 1.623 million to import dairy cows. No dairy cows, no Harrison; only cows remain. No investigation was done. This is how the country’s money was squandered. Even during “Yahapalana,” no one probed; files were closed; deals were struck. Now all these are being investigated and punishments meted out. That is what this Government is set up to do. Do not panic. If a mistake occurred now—yes, a mistake occurred—investigations and punishment will happen under this Government. Thieves cannot catch thieves; this Government can. Even in this incident, that is so.

¶ 08 Let me repeat: we are debating this not to claim there is no big problem. When a ministry or institution has an issue, the task is not to tell someone—it is to investigate, and take due action. The Deputy Minister of Finance clarified that we learned of this on March 23, and by March 24 two steps were taken—within one day: a complaint to the CID, and an internal inquiry on the relevant officials. Within 24 hours. Contrast that with earlier incidents spanning 15, 14, 12 years with bundles of dollars unprobed. Here, within a day, basic steps were taken; a CID complaint; internal inquiry commenced. The Minister in charge of Police has said over 20 persons have been questioned; a facts report was filed on April 28. Complaints were made to the Central Bank’s FIU and to SLCERT. As this is a computer-related incident, an expert panel with the University of Colombo and SLCERT has been appointed. Also, the Australian Federal Police are engaged under an understanding.

¶ 09 There were claims that the money went to America. The inquiries are ongoing. An interim report of the internal inquiry was released on April 10; on April 12 several officials were transferred; by April 17, duties were interdicted. A bunch nurtured under the previous regime is now making noise, trying to blow this up. But by then, all necessary actions had been taken. What more do you want us to do? In the next Opposition speech they will repeat the same line—“the Government stole, the Government did deals.” They think we govern like they did. This behaviour is deplorable. At least, if you cannot do it, do not obstruct us when we do.

¶ 10 There is no doubt: where there are frauds and corruption, we will catch them—this Government. You could not. You came claiming to catch thieves and, within three months, blew up the Central Bank with the bond scam—writing footnotes, publishing books, and now preaching about catching thieves.