The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate two significant Bills. As the world develops with technology, legal frameworks must evolve accordingly. This amendment comes in that context and has been discussed at length here.

¶ 02 I must also address a broader issue. For months some have claimed national security is in danger and that murders are occurring. It is undeniable that, in the past, some politicians had close ties with underworld drug networks and business interests. Recently, a former MP who spoke to the media about national security was arrested over an R-56 firearm. A violent political culture linked with drugs and killings existed in this country. Those same politicians said during the last presidential campaign that if NPP came to power the country would become a bloodbath. We have now won three elections. For the first time since Independence, we celebrated victory without violence. NPP has created a new political culture.

¶ 03 Those who cannot accept this, fearing their corrupt politics will end, spread falsehoods to topple this Government. The recent arrests by police show clearly who was connected with whom. We aim for a political culture without violence, racism, or regionalism. NPP is committed to that.

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, I must respond to an unfounded allegation made against me by a certain monk. It is a blatant lie. Often, one extremist camp feeds another. As to the claim that I am connected with extremism or fundamentalism—our bonds are close with Buddhists, Hindus, Catholics, and their religious leaders. When that monk spoke, I first spoke with the Chief Incumbent of Aththanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. (Dr.) Pannila Sri Ananda Nayaka Thero. We have always spoken for peace, not extremism. When others spread communal flames, as NPP/JVP we travelled across the whole country carrying the message “We are human beings” first and must rebuild the nation together.

¶ 05 Today, all racist camps—whether Muslim or otherwise—have been rejected by the people. Regarding “Jamia Naleemiya” as alleged—many alumni have served as Election Commissioners, Secretaries to Ministries, and in senior posts. The institution was founded with a vision that religious knowledge must go hand-in-hand with knowledge of society and country. Proposals have even been made to uplift it to university status. If pamphlets were distributed inciting anything, that should be investigated. We reject every form of racism, extremism, and fundamentalism.

¶ 06 On Easter Sunday, we came forward to heal the nation, working in cooperation with the security forces. Some now, lacking substance, raise baseless accusations. We seek peace and coexistence.

¶ 07 The Opposition had ample chances earlier; they failed. Today, the President, Ministers, and MPs have made sacrifices to set the country right, but face false allegations. Responsibility for peace rests not only with Government but with all communities—Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Christian. During the last elections the Opposition spread many false allegations; though some new MPs from the East attacked us, we have a duty to tell the truth.

¶ 08 I also note with satisfaction that in this House our NPP Members have stood firmly against racism—unlike the past, when four Muslim Cabinet Ministers resigned during the Yahapalana period and others failed to defend their colleagues.

¶ 09 Finally, I apologize to the Buddhist public for any mispronunciations in my speech and recall the Dhammapada: “Restraint in body is good; restraint in speech is good; restraint in mind is good; restraint in all things is good.” Hatred is never appeased by hatred, but by non-hatred. Let us sow trust, not suspicion. That is why we went to mosques with the message “Welcome to my masjid; let us understand together.” Despite criticism, we will continue this path as a Government and as individuals to defeat racism and build the country.

¶ 10 Thank you for the opportunity.