The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara - Minister of Justice and National Integration

¶ 01 [9.47 a.m.]

¶ 02 Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 03 I thank the people of Colombo District, especially Moratuwa, for electing me to this Parliament, and our grassroots party workers for their tireless efforts.

¶ 04 This is a historic Parliament. The people chose to entrust governance to a group that earlier polled only about three percent. Before the election, our opponents argued mathematically that a three-percent group could not govern. We said politics is not a mathematical science; it is a social science. For decades, people relayed their grievances to politicians who did not listen. They demanded a change from a corrupt political culture—power to a new, untainted group. Consequently, with a two-thirds-like mandate, the people empowered the National People’s Power (NPP) to implement new policies and a new political culture. The Opposition Members here were elected to serve as an Opposition; that role too is important. Please understand this mandate.

¶ 05 A policy statement—or an election pledge—should not be a trick to deceive people. It is a social contract, a binding promise. Our Government takes seriously the promises we made during the Presidential and General Elections. Chief among public expectations are: confirming the rule of law and enforcing the law against those who plundered national resources through corruption and fraud; and building a society free of ethnic, religious, or class conflicts, where we live as brothers and sisters. The map of the recent election reflects that unity across provinces, cultures, and languages.

¶ 06 The President’s statement makes it clear that we now have a strong opportunity to build national reconciliation long sought by the people. There will be no room for racist politics or any form of religious extremism. Our nation suffered for years due to conflict; all communities suffered. Instead of blaming history, we must make a fresh start.

¶ 07 A vicious disinformation campaign targeted the NPP: lies about stopping the Dalada Perahera, expropriating private property, taking people’s second vehicles, and more. We did not suppress these with the law; the people answered decisively at the ballot box on 21 September and 14 November. Those who traded in falsehoods now struggle to face their own constituents.

¶ 08 We have begun a new politics: peacebuilding and social cohesion. Without them, this country will not progress. Too often, previous governments treated social cohesion as a sideshow to please Geneva or donors. For us, it is the main project. We respect our different identities and will make policies to encourage and preserve each other’s cultures. But peace and cohesion begin in our minds. We must move beyond “North vs. South” and “us vs. them.” We represent all Sri Lankans, across every division. Social inclusion, gender equality, and inclusive principles, while respecting diversity, are essential.

¶ 09 As the Hon. Minister of Public Security clarified, false claims about Northern commemorations were spread with old or foreign images. We accept that dignified remembrance of the dead is a feature of any civilized society. While we were in Opposition, we opposed state repression and human rights violations. We will never enact laws that suppress people’s right to express opinions or participate in politics. A Government resting on people’s consent requires less coercion.

¶ 10 Yes, the Prevention of Terrorism Act should be repealed and replaced. We need a counter-terror law aligned with international best practices and clear definitions, not one that curtails freedom of speech. Until new legislation is brought, we will proceed under existing laws to curb racism, religious hatred, and extremism. We honour free speech and will take positive actions to secure it. But free speech and committing an offence can be close; one cannot use fabricated images to incite communal tension.

¶ 11 The Opposition will test our limits; that is expected, and we will respond democratically. But anyone who thinks race and religion can again be used for political gain should think again. This Government will not tolerate racism or extremism in any form; it will be defeated under applicable laws. I invite all Members, across party lines, to unite against racism and religious extremism and set an example from this new Parliament.

¶ 12 The rule of law is not only about hearing cases; it is about ensuring laws serve the people, especially the marginalized and poor. For too long, laws were made to serve rulers’ private interests and not implemented for the people. The President has made clear there will not be one law for the wealthy and another for the poor.

¶ 13 To rebuild the economy and society, in the next quarter we will present: - Proceeds of Crime Bill; - Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency Bill; and - Amendments to the Audit Act.

¶ 14 These aim to recover stolen assets, trace proceeds of crime under a single law, deter money laundering and drug trafficking, and improve creditors’ confidence while protecting debtors’ rights. There are over one million pending court cases; delays and resource gaps undermine the rule of law and the ease of doing business. We are serious about reform.

¶ 15 Thank you.