The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Mr. Presiding Member, I am pleased to present some views before you. Looking at some conduct of the Opposition, there seems to be a stir. There is a saying: “When the great forest is cleared, elephants become restless; when the scrub is cleared, the boars become restless.” We know the sound of the drum and we know the sound of the door; we will not be disturbed by each person’s agitation. I remind the Opposition that we are a strong Government with 159 seats, elected by a great mandate.

¶ 02 Let us look at the Motion. It mentions senior citizens’ deposits, then a tax matter, and generally it is about cost of living. I ask what compassion the Opposition had in bringing this Motion. Who are they? You recall the President’s Fund issue. Recently our Health Minister presented a list—an intervention to help 8,660 heart patients from remote villages to undergo surgeries by creating a fund to give them a push. It is the same group of former Ministers who now brought this Motion.

¶ 03 We also know vehicles were banned for six years, yet we see Police taking into custody vehicles amassed at former Ministers’ and MPs’ houses. While people could not even dream of a vehicle, former Cabinet and MPs had vehicles brought in. Some even drove to the Supreme Court—how did such vehicles enter the country? It is the same group that brings this Motion today.

¶ 04 We tell the Opposition that the Government needs time. We have a five-year mandate. It has only been about 50 days since the people gave power. You cannot expect a child in 50 days of a marriage. The President presented a program in his Throne Speech. We also have our policy manifesto used at the Presidential and General Elections, clearly setting out our program.

¶ 05 I am amazed how the Opposition talks about local election issues. Today our Minister of Public Administration presented the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill. When presenting it, an Opposition MP asked about the phrase “as if no election had been held.” He has the right to ask. But in this Chamber, when it came to holding elections, the 8th President Ranil Wickremesinghe shouted that he neither knew nor had money to hold such elections. The Supreme Court later held that statement wrong and that it violated the Constitution. Those who belonged to that group are here talking.

¶ 06 Consider also the “Krish” transaction. Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe tried hard to act on it. A suspect with a bandaged arm was arrested for a non-bailable offense, yet the head of the FCID sought court’s view that it was insufficient to remand. These are the people who now lecture on democracy, law, and cost of living. Hence, my basic argument is that even to bring such a Motion they lack standing.

¶ 07 A clarification: a Member said Police operations on vehicles are threatening certain spare parts traders. This is an operation under a circular, aligned with the Motor Traffic Act. Any business acting lawfully has nothing to fear. Trying to create fear in those industries is orchestrated by certain cliques.

¶ 08 On rice, the subject Minister made clear that rice has been imported and asked to inform if there is any shortage so the Ministry can intervene. Even with banded goods and essential items, there were issues in the past season regarding rice and coconut. But that was not under a National People’s Power Government. The creators of these problems now ask why we did not fix it in 50 days. They created the problem but point fingers at us. The matter is clear.

¶ 09 On the postponed local elections: the Bill has been presented; we will conduct that election expeditiously. Had the election been held then, we would have won a majority of local bodies. Because of that wrongful act then, it falls upon us now to hold them. Soon we will hold local elections, and as with the Presidential and the more emphatic Parliamentary victories, we will win the local elections with even greater weight. This Motion is baseless. Thank you.