The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna

¶ 01 Good evening to all. The Motion by our colleague Hon. Rajeevan is, frankly, ironic. The Government is in your hands—brought in with promises to protect the people—yet you bring an Adjournment Motion saying there is drug abuse in the North and East. Let me note a few matters. In Jaffna, from Vasantham Pharmacy, in 2021 and 2022, 1,500 pregabalin tablets were trafficked and sold to minors in Vavuniya; the case was suppressed, allegedly dragged by a doctor named Ketheeswaran. Everyone, including your Minister, knows this, yet no action was taken.

¶ 02 If the judiciary is not independent, justice cannot prevail. In Jaffna, the so‑called “God of the North,” senior judge Ilanchezian, was blocked from promotion and sent home by the NPP Government, apparently because he is Tamil. That is disgraceful. While such things happen, a Government MP bringing a Motion on reducing drugs in the North and East is appalling.

¶ 03 Outside the Mannar Court, a person was shot; the accused is a member of a local council and attached to a force operating under you. It is through the Navy that “Kerala ganja” is brought from India into Jaffna. Further, there are social media allegations about GA Pratheepan and corruption; the Minister Chandrasekar is said to be dealing with that GA. In Valvettithurai, a leader of a violent gang that threatened to burn boats was appointed by the Minister as a regional coordinator. This looks like: set the fire and then bring a Motion pretending not to know. Moreover, medicines are being brought through some of you; money is paid. We are ready to state this publicly, even if it means prison again. Thank you.