Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 No, I should not be talking about insane people. [Interruption.]

¶ 02 So, basically, we have started doing that. And why do I ask you to change your script and narrative? Because, otherwise, you would not have any politics to talk about when there is no PTA. We are replacing it with a law that has an international definition on “terrorism” and in such a way that the human rights or the freedom of expression of any person would not be challenged or harmed.

¶ 03 Also, it is good that some people still pay attention to what I say. Yes, there are long-term prisoners. But, there is a problem and that is why I asked you to change the lenses through which you watch us, the NPP. The issue of long-term prisoners does not come up only under the PTA. Even in the South, there are long-term prisoners with death penalty and life sentence without remissions and it is not a good situation. So, as the NPP, we know that it is a problem faced by not just the Tamil people, but even others in this country as citizens. That is why I have appointed a Committee with His Lordship Justice Thurairaja as the Chairman to look into sentence remission for long-term prisoners. So, when that is done scientifically and logically, I will be able to present it to the Cabinet soon and then, there will be a policy for the sentences of those who have been imprisoned or incarcerated for lengthy periods to be remitted and for suitable places to be given to end their sentences.

¶ 04 So, have we not progressed, have we not done enough or are you deliberately choosing to ignore what we do? I am not referring to the Hon. Members who are here — I know that you all are moderates — but to the ones who were spitting racist venom and have left the Chamber. I just wish they were here.

¶ 05 Further, I must thank the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office who helped us with UN experts in drafting the amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act and also for assisting us technically in looking into sentence remission. They are assisting us technically, providing us with information. So, they have offered help and that international assistance and help, we accept.

¶ 06 Further, if we take the Online Safety Act, yes, it is an oppressive Act. We have appointed a Committee consisting of the Minister of Justice and National Integration, the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs and the Minister of Health and Mass Media. We are working together to come up with a law to protect individuals from cyberbullying and harm, and it would be done in such a way that it would be a law which would never prevent a person from expressing his political or any other thoughts freely. We will bring in that law.

¶ 07 It is true that we have not delivered any concrete deliverables. Why? Because it has only been one year since coming to power. But, have we not started? We have done a hell of a lot more than the previous regimes had done because we are not doing politics thriving on racism. Our politics are inclusive; our intentions are also inclusive.