The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. I support my elder brother Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy’s Adjournment Motion. If I did not, there would be no point in my coming from Jaffna. In one sentence: the DCC is an unnecessary nail. I say this after discussing with him. As Hon. Nizam Kariapper has also said, the DCC goes against the 13th Amendment — that is the first point. Second, Provincial Councils are not operative now; in their absence there is no legal definition for DCCs. In our Jaffna District, a Cabinet Minister chairs the DCC — Hon. Ramalingam Chandraseker. I accept that. But some MPs attend and some do not — that includes Government MPs; I accept that too.

¶ 02 What do we discuss? Do the decisions get implemented? Do they have legal force? No. For example, in Jaffna, we have sand mining rackets. Even if I, with Hon. Sreedharan, Hon. Rajeevan and others, decide to stop them, is there any benefit? No. The next morning we fear to even drive our vehicles. I raised at the DCC that, regarding alleged corruption by a doctor at Tellippalai Base Hospital, the “B Report” filed in the Mallakam Court be published. Even after seven days it was not published. Now that doctor stands outside and protests against the hospital claiming to “protect” it, and the same party that agitated against the Thaiyiddy Vihara engages in actions against the court too.

¶ 03 Let me say this without anger: in the North, the DCC is chaired by Hon. Ramalingam Chandraseker. He does not know how to conduct the meeting. When I ask something, he turns to the GA, Mr. Pradeepan, and then just says “yes” or “no”. Therefore, please appoint someone learned from Jaffna, or Hon. Rajeevan, as Chairman of the Jaffna DCC. He has served as Principal; we can talk to him and he will understand, and we can also learn from him.

¶ 04 Next, there is no clarity on how DCC decisions are implemented. We spend Rs. 40,000–50,000 to come from Colombo, speak, and leave — no benefit. First, bring a DCC Bill and make it law. Only then will there be results.

¶ 05 Secondly, I must speak frankly as this is the last sitting day of the week. I may not be able to attend Parliament next week. From the day I came to Parliament, Mr. Bimal Rathnayake attacked me. They even stopped broadcasting my speech for eight days. They alleged I spoke wrongly about the Muslim community and had my speech halted by the Leader of the House. They tried to gag me for speaking about “Container 323”. They even remanded me, and the police spoke about me using VIP lights. I was summoned by the CID because I spoke about Container 323 in Parliament. I told them: “How can you question here what I said inside Parliament? Ask the newspapers if I said it there.” Otherwise, Parliament becomes a joke. I learned that Minister Bimal Rathnayake said, “Get something out of his mouth.” I asked for any information if available.

¶ 06 Hon. Presiding Member, I will conclude. I may not come on the 26th. Do not worry; I will not be a burden. I have a wrongful case alleging I filed nominations while working at a hospital. Hands have been laid upon everything, now even the Attorney General’s Department. I will be punished anyway. They are now trying to extract some statement from my mouth. That will be difficult. Even during 30 years of war we did not live in such fear. I have information; I can provide it. But if I leave Parliament now, I cannot speak of it. I will return someday and then provide full details.

¶ 07 Thank you so much.