The Hon. Mujibur Rahman

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson. The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri’s Motion contains important points. Over the years, many things were discussed in COPE and recommendations given. But there is a problem of non-implementation. I must also speak about the internal mechanisms for inquiry and financial checks in these institutions. Do officials implement them diligently and honestly? There is a question.

¶ 02 Corruption is not only monetary. Sexual bribery is also corruption. There are many complaints; the manner of handling them has serious issues.

¶ 03 This morning we raised in this House the incident of a schoolgirl who took her life. The incident occurred on 23 October 2024. It was reported to police on 8 December 2024 when the parents made a statement at Bambalapitiya. The JMO informed police of sexual abuse. The teacher was arrested only on 8 January 2025 — a month after the complaint — and was released on bail in two days. This is a child abuse case. Under government establishment rules, if someone is linked to child abuse, his work should be interdicted. But he was not interdicted. When we raised this, the Prime Minister said he was transferred. When did that happen? The transfer letter is dated 7 May and sent on 8 May this month — four months after the arrest — only after social agitation and protests. Why did the Ministry of Education not act earlier?

¶ 04 Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi said allegations were made against your party’s organizer in Colombo North. You said it was reported in the newspaper. Hon. Deputy Chairperson, that did not appear from thin air. In the parents’ statement, they say the child was humiliated in front of the class regarding an issue between that teacher and another teacher. Please, do not interrupt. I am stating facts, not politicizing. I did not say in the morning that he is your party organizer; you said not to politicize. Did anyone here know the dates I set out? Incident in October; complaint in December; arrest on 8 January; bail in two days; no interdiction; transfer only now. Had the process been faster, that child’s life might have been saved. Because of procedural weakness, the child resorted to this. Today, there are seven policemen giving security outside the organizer’s house — to an accused. Do others so accused receive such protection? If it were someone from another party, would he be out? He would be in remand.