The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, pardon me, it is Kariapper. Thank you. I will be brief.

¶ 02 I rise to second this Motion and raise one point. I believe the Hon. Karunanayake proposes to do this prospectively, not retrospectively. If prospectively, some of us and most newcomers on the Government side would be the “victims”, not the past Members. Be that as it may.

¶ 03 We say no to pensions. But before we retire, let us first fulfill our obligations. The most important obligation is to ensure justice.

¶ 04 Today, I must mention my late friend Lasantha Wickrematunge — a colleague at Law College. Before we retire, we must ensure justice in this matter. The other day, a serious issue arose, along with a letter from the Attorney-General. Let me quickly explain. The letter refers to (61/40/2020), a file begun in 2020, and earlier C/49/10. In the AG’s Department, “C” and “CR” files have meanings. This concerns the case B 92/2009 in the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court. If for 15 years no action has been taken, under Section 393(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure the AG has advised that they cannot proceed. To whom? To the Director, CID, Colombo 1; not to the Magistrate. If the CID is unwilling to follow, they can discard that letter. Do not blame the AG for non-prosecution. There was a prior final reminder from the AG’s Department requesting what had transpired in the investigation before closing the file. The CID did not provide necessary evidence; hence this advice was sent. Do not shift blame to the AG.

¶ 05 We all will retire one day. I am waiting to do so at the first opportunity. But before that, have we ensured justice? Madam Prime Minister, you made a moving condolence speech on Lasantha. The funeral is over; now we want justice.

¶ 06 Another issue: the charge sheet mentions failure to give information. Who fails to give information? Those connected to the perpetrators. You threaten prosecution, invite them to become State witnesses, or prosecute them. They are liable to the same offence of murder. The whole country knows: we know about Tripoli; we know the then Army Commander; we know the former Defence Secretary; we know the then Defence officials. This is not rocket science, by your own words. In the end do not say, “Very sorry, we did our job; the AG did nothing. What can we do?”