The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi

¶ 01 Appropriately Curtailing the Privileges Enjoyed by People's Representatives Representing the Parliament of Sri Lanka and Former Heads of State and Their Widows.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to present this Motion today.

¶ 03 I move: "Whereas there is considerable public discourse, both during election campaigns and within society at large, regarding the privileges enjoyed by Members of Parliament, former Heads of State, and their widows, this Parliament resolves that the Government should, responding to the demands and expectations of the people, take necessary steps to discuss within the Parliament—across both Government and Opposition—fair measures to suitably reduce, remove or otherwise act regarding the privileges long afforded to Members of Parliament, former Heads of State and their widows, and to implement the resulting decisions."

¶ 04 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I brought this Motion on the very first day of this Session. It is based on the large public debate around MPs’ privileges and those of retired MPs and former Heads of State. That socialization is good; but the true purpose should be to find clear answers. The present Government should act accordingly. Senior Ministers publicly promised that within two weeks these proposals would be implemented. Seven months have now passed. The people have shown their verdict in the recent local government election. These are not difficult things to do. If you promised them, you must do them.

¶ 05 I myself do not take meals from the parliamentary canteen; only I and Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri refrain from doing so among the 225. I have also not taken an official residence. While MPs may need certain facilities, those who misled the public to gain power should pay the price for those lies.

¶ 06 There have also been many allegations regarding misuse of privileges by former Heads of State. We must do politics truthfully and stop deceiving the people. If the Government cannot at least fulfill the promises made about curtailing these privileges, admit it frankly. Otherwise, bring concrete timelines and measures.

¶ 07 On security for MPs, removing protection without a clear policy only to create an impression is not responsible governance. Governance needs credible policy, not publicity.

¶ 08 This Motion aims to urge the Government to honor its pledges and to set out, with timelines, what privileges will be reduced or abolished—for MPs and for former Heads of State and their widows—and to implement the necessary legal changes.