The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Mr. Presiding Member, I regret that a motion like this is brought and debated while attendance is sparse. As MPs we are paid a salary of Rs. 400,000 plus allowances, with staff entitlements bringing it to about Rs. 700,000. Yet look around—how many are present from the Government and the Opposition? If we speak of corruption, at least ensure attendance and use fingerprint recording outside Parliament so the public can see who actually turns up.

¶ 02 [Portions of the Member’s remarks were ordered to be expunged by the Chair.]

¶ 03 Further, Committees hear pleas like that of the Deputy Director of Anuradhapura Hospital saying they have only three vehicles—a cab, a lorry and a van—and no ambulance, while some seek new cabs. We heard earlier about traveling by bus or public transport; now how many Ministers are claiming vehicles? It is shameful.

¶ 04 [Further remarks were ordered to be expunged by the Chair.]

¶ 05 Mr. Presiding Member, enforce decorum. Use Standing Orders. Do not disrupt when Members speak.

¶ 06 [Further interruptions.]

¶ 07 In 1987–88, who committed killings? We did not murder our own people; we fought with the Sinhala state—those ethnic tensions were created by others, and leaders ran north seeking protection. Remember that.

¶ 08 [Further remarks were ordered to be expunged by the Chair.]

¶ 09 My time is short. Appointments made to the Provincial Council include individuals unable to even provide proper fingerprints due to alleged injuries—this is unacceptable.

¶ 10 [Further remarks were ordered to be expunged by the Chair.]

¶ 11 Thank you.