The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I must recall something in this debate. Yesterday, the Leader of the House spoke; the Sports Minister also spoke today, saying the President intervened to hold the India–Pakistan match. Fine. But then he compared it to my phone call, saying I did not call their Minister. I must say: recently, fishers involved in stilt-fishing and related livelihoods protested for five days without food outside the Presidential Secretariat at Galle Face. No one listened. As Opposition representatives, we went there, as we did while in Government. I went too; they were in great hardship. They asked me to speak to those responsible. I tried to call the Fisheries Minister, Ramalingam Chandraseker; could not get through. A stilt fisherman, Rukmal Tushara Livera of Mulana, who owns about 10 stilts, connected the Minister on his phone and handed it to me. I spoke to the Minister, who said a solution would be given that very day. Rukmal’s number is 0771829303; the Minister’s is 0777795958. He sent me the video showing I spoke via his phone. So I tell the Leader of the House: verify before you speak.

¶ 02 This Government came on piles of lies—worse than the legendary liars of old. We thought at least after taking office they would stop lying; they did not. The Deputy Minister said I did not call him—why would I call a Deputy? I called the Minister, the decision-maker, via Rukmal’s phone. We don’t do “secret calls.” In 25 years here, we haven’t begged bread. I was a Cabinet Minister; I did not stash 323 containers. Where is that probe? There is a special committee—answer to the people and to the fishers. Now they say corals are broken by stilts. Tell me where a stilt is erected on rock; if a stilt hits rock, the fisherman is finished. Do not wrong these innocent people. Appointing committees and blaming won’t do—give answers.

¶ 03 To the Sports Minister: some think power is eternal, carved in stone. No—governments change; power is temporary. Do not grow arrogant. In the end, outcomes are not good. We learned this. Fulfil your promises now.

¶ 04 These days, you are focused on Namal Rajapaksa—eager to jail him at any cost. Is a government there to put people in or take them out? Do not pursue political vendettas; they are inauspicious. Those who helped bring you to power now oppose you—the Sangha, public servants, farmers, fishers, doctors, nurses. On the 20th of this month, a mass monks’ rally against the Government is being organized. Look inward: on Sept. 21, 2024 the President won; what is the popularity now? Go to markets and three-wheel stands and see.

¶ 05 Your policy theme is “Prosperous country—beautiful life”—good words. But in that “beautiful life,” people are being murdered “in isolated incidents”: a PS Chairman shot; a lawyer and his wife killed; another murder in Kalutara Waskaduwa; one in Jinthupitiya; assailants even rammed and torched vehicles. These are not isolated—find causes and protect lives.

¶ 06 Finally, if you believe in your popularity after a year and a half, hold Provincial Council elections. We are ready.

¶ 07 Thank you.