The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I thank Hon. Sivagnanam Sritharan for initiating this debate. We live at a time when there is a yawning gap between human rights discourse, treaties and laws, and actual protection of human beings. Some communities are viewed as deserving only a “bare life,” living in states of exception, not afforded full humanity.

¶ 02 As the new Government, we are committed to protecting all our peoples without exception. All are equal citizens, worthy of the same respect, dignity and humanity. Looking globally, there are lessons: the need for strong leadership, robust institutions that withstand corruption and change, and most importantly a culture of respect for human rights. Without such a culture, institutions are easily weakened.

¶ 03 We inherited a system steeped in corruption, privilege, abuse of power, contempt for the rule of law, buttressed by racist, divisive narratives. We must address and in many cases dismantle these institutions, norms and cultures that persisted for over 70 years.

¶ 04 Many perpetrators at various levels may not have set out to be evil; a culture of impunity, abuse and racism enabled them. As Hannah Arendt said, “The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be good or evil.” Circumstances and institutional practices shape choices. Therefore, we must foster a different culture where respect for human rights is normalized and paramount, dismantling value systems that uphold racism, misogyny, sexism, casteism, classism, and the institutions that support them.

¶ 05 Listening to the Opposition, I wish to record that a culture of good practices is slowly, but steadily, emerging. Space is opening for people to act according to conscience and empathy. We believe goodness exists in each person; we see the stirring of conscience and empathy emerging.

¶ 06 We have consciously avoided divisive, hateful narratives, and promoted unity, respect, empathy, accountability and human rights — consistently, starting with the President. We have restored respect for the rule of law to a great extent, or at least the expectation of equal application. On mass graves and detentions, when things have gone wrong, we have tried to correct ourselves.

¶ 07 We inherited a difficult legacy, and institutions have not transformed as much as we would wish. When things went wrong, we have been willing to correct and to listen.