The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, this is deeply unfair. Either you decide, or enforce the rules. It’s being suggested he’s targeted because he’s Tamil—that is utterly false. Please allow me to proceed, or apply Standing Orders.

¶ 02 [Chair cites Standing Order 77(1) warning of suspension; directs Hon. Archchuna to resume his seat. Continued interruptions ensue.]

¶ 03 [After repeated warnings, Chair orders Hon. Archchuna to leave the Chamber under Standing Order 79(1). The Serjeant-at-Arms escorts the Hon. Member out.]

¶ 04 Hon. Members, please be seated. I will continue.

¶ 05 We are a party with executive presidential power, two-thirds in Parliament, and roughly 79% of 341 local bodies. Yet we act humbly. The Member distorted matters about Swasthika Arulingam, who is not in our party and often opposes us; offensive slander against her reached the Prime Minister and us—I presented only that, which was unwatchable.

¶ 06 His initial privilege complaints were that he wasn’t given time by the Opposition, was assaulted at the Opposition Leader’s office, and not allowed access. We stood up for his right to speak then. We harbor no ill feeling toward any elected Member. His three privilege issues (police altercations, traffic violations, scuffles at the Opposition Leader’s office) were taken up by the Ethics and Privileges Committee. I did nothing against him; I raised only the reported slander on a female attorney. If necessary, we will refer that too to the Committee. People scold us for not using our power; we choose restraint. Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member, for upholding the dignity of the House and allowing me to speak.

¶ 07 [An expunged remark follows.]

¶ 08 Now, on elections: Over the past 15 years, there were three local polls: 2011, 2018, 2025. In 2011, under the United People’s Freedom Alliance while Mahinda Rajapaksa was President, they secured control in 270 local bodies with 2,611 members.

¶ 09 No local polls in 2015–2016; the term was extended to seven years. In 2018—the so-called “February revolution”—the Pohottuwa is said to have swept. But note: in 2011 they already held 270. In 2018, they secured 231, with 3,436 members, 44.65%—this was just before the Easter attacks, under a UNP government where Ranil and Sajith were together.

¶ 10 UNP–SJB combined, holding premiership and presidency then, obtained 34 bodies and 2,433 members with 32%. They did not “give up” power then, yet now ask us to do so. They stayed until 2019.

¶ 11 [Debate continues.]