The Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Aruna Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Defence

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for this opportunity on human rights. Human rights underpin democracy and dignity. We must change political culture by respecting HRs; we conducted violence-free elections. The NPP Government protects human rights without discrimination, committed to justice, reconciliation and the rule of law.

¶ 02 We suffered an economic crisis and a collapse of democracy due to bad governance. Our foremost responsibility has been to re-establish rule of law — we did, do, and will do. Our mandate reflects people’s expectations; we work on three principles: pro-democracy, anti-corruption, and social justice.

¶ 03 National security is vital to social, political and economic stability. Without it, no economic stability. We will ensure security proactively and uphold the law, addressing strategic concerns geopolitically to sustain rule of law and stability.

¶ 04 On specifics: we educate security forces on human rights and the rule of law as the foundation of democratic governance and national security. Regarding the recent unfortunate incident on 7th at a small camp in Muthiyankadu, happening near midnight: the next day, police inspectors interrogated soldiers; three were arrested. The Government ensures independent investigations.

¶ 05 On lands: of 85,486 acres of State and private lands in the North and East held by the military over time since 2009, over 75,000 acres have been released as at 21 August. I will place the statistics in the Library. More is to be released: next year, 12,000 acres; about 12,738 acres remain for strategic security and necessary camps. Lands scheduled for release this year include 700 acres of State land and 43 acres of private land, very soon.

¶ 06 We opened the Vasavilan Junction to T-junction road in Jaffna after over three decades. The Pulmoddai–Kokkilai road was opened on 10 April 2025 for Lanka Mineral Sands transport. On public request, the road alongside SLAF Station Batticaloa will be released. In Trincomalee, about 32 perches at Cod Bay and Thakwanagar and 37 perches in Mutur and Kinniya will be released. Four specific lands raised by Hon. Shanakiyan Rasamanickam — including a school, a playground and a cooperative building — have already been released. Thank you.