The Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I am pleased to participate in today’s debate on amendments related to child protection. Is this amendment brought purely to protect the children of this country or to show the public and secure future votes on a political basis? That question arises.

¶ 02 This country has acted inhumanely regarding children. The Easter Sunday attack created many orphans. Concerning those orphans’ parents, this Government has thus far taken no action and has been passing time. In that background, like politicians of yesteryear, at least for the faces of those orphans, please reveal without delay who the masterminds of the Easter attack are. Though others were affected, the Muslim community suffered more. Because that attack was carried out by a group led by the Muslim extremist Saharan. Due to that, even kitchen knives in Muslim homes were seized by the military.

¶ 03 Worldwide we see Israel’s cruel government attacking the Palestinian people. Nearly 50,000 children have been affected; in nearly two years more than 18,000 children have died. The whole world is drawn to this. Yet this Government cannot utter even a word against Israel, ignoring that people’s pain, and now you shed crocodile tears saying children must be protected and laws amended.

¶ 04 Recently the whole country has been speaking about the “ice” drug. Still, the Government hesitates to reveal the mastermind behind this trafficking. Former President Maithripala Sirisena clearly stated under oath that they had got close to, even found, the mastermind of the Easter attack, yet you have not revealed it to date. Many children have lost their education because of “ice.” When children are affected like this, merely changing laws and thumping your chests that “we did this” has no meaning. When we meet students and children, we praise them as future leaders. We ask the Government to raise its voice also for the children being massacred unjustly in Palestine.

¶ 05 Our President is now in the United States. There, he should speak about Palestine and Israel’s atrocities. The Sri Lankan Muslim community that voted for this Government expects that. What will you present to the Muslim community that voted for you? At this moment of debating child protection, I ask respectfully: Israeli presence in Sri Lanka is increasing. For the sake of tourism you have opened the doors. In Arugam Bay, very perverse activities can occur. Media recently reported successive “Chabad” houses being established. On the setting up of such houses, the local authority or responsible officials give no answers and maintain silence. Not only in Arugam Bay, but also in Colombo, Weligama, and similar areas this situation exists. Therefore, the Government has the responsibility to protect our community and the country. In that sense, today’s Bill is welcome.

¶ 06 Let me add one more point. Early in this Parliament, during the floods in Karaitivu–Mavadippalli area last year, eight children tragically died on their way home from madrasa. As the MP for the area, I requested in this House a major bridge there. The Government listened and has initiated preliminary steps for a bridge. I thank the Government on this occasion and conclude.