The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen

¶ 01 Some projects are half-done. Why? Because they say “Gotabaya built them” and conspired to stop them. I have told Ministers in this Government: at the next election we may or may not stand together — I cannot say now. But the people have given you a mandate; please finish these projects.

¶ 02 What is it, Hon. Member? I do not clearly understand. Please speak after I finish.

¶ 03 I spoke with the Government of Qatar. They sent me a letter offering LKR 600 million to complete a building. Hon. Minister Bimal, please listen. The Qatar Government said they would grant Rs. 600 million. The letter arrived; I gave it to the relevant Minister. He said he would do it, and told the Secretary to proceed. Eight months passed — GOMOD — and still nothing. Some officials in this Government do not even want to accept a free grant. When officials act like this, it harms the Government. Is it not good for the country to receive grants of US dollars 2 million or 3 million to finish a half-built building? Some officials are working from inside against your Government. Please look into it; that is your responsibility.

¶ 04 Likewise, we ask for solutions to the issues in Sainthamaruthu. Who is lying there? Parents and children of the disappeared await their return in pain — today, tomorrow, the day after. Whoever committed crimes must be punished. In this Government, we see that happening: some in the military and intelligence are arrested for their wrongdoing. In the previous Government, Police, Army, Navy were used as political tools. Those who used them for politics are being jailed for their own wrongs. There cannot be one law for the Navy, another for the Army, one for Police, one for the ruling party and another for the Opposition. Those who commit crimes must be punished. Any Government has a duty to act fairly. Whether the IGP or anyone else — if they do not perform their duties, if not today then tomorrow they will be punished.

¶ 05 We had a Muslim Government Agent, Hanifa. As soon as Gotabaya Rajapaksa came, he suspended him. Hon. Minister Bimal, please hear this: around 10 percent of our population are Muslims. People ask why we cannot appoint even a single Muslim District Secretary. They desire that representation. One was in office, but Gotabaya removed him. Similarly, there are other issues. Recently you appointed an Education Reforms Committee. I looked at its composition. About 10 percent of this country are Muslims. Is there no qualified Muslim academic to appoint to that Committee? Our community, too, has issues.