The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara

¶ 01 Mr. Deputy Speaker, in this debate on the President’s policy statement of the current NPP–JVP Government, I wish to speak on points he raised about nationalism, communal conflict, and national unity.

¶ 02 At Independence, Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake’s UNP government brought all communities together — with Ministers like T.B. Jayah from the Muslim community; G.G. Ponnambalam; C. Sittampalam; C. Sunderalingam; and labor leader A.E. Goonesinha. In 1977 under J.R. Jayewardene, UNP brought in representatives such as Devanayagam from Kalkudah, Siddiq Lebbe from Batticaloa, and Majeed from Pothuvil. In Balangoda, where Muslims were only 10%, Abu Zali served long as MP; in Beruwala with 20% Muslims, all communities elected Hon. Imthiyaz Bakeer Markar. Where did that unity go astray?

¶ 03 At the recent General Election you spoke proudly of winning all districts, but just one and a half months earlier, in the Presidential Election, you could not win even one district in the North and East. Jaffna, Trincomalee, and Ampara (Digamadulla) gave their mandates to the SJB. Those voters thought the SJB was the party under which all communities could stand together.

¶ 04 Let us recall where things went wrong. In 1971, the first lecture series of the JVP under Rohana Wijeweera focused on “Indian expansionism”. In 1987, the people demanded devolution — in Jaffna, Batticaloa, and the South. Our Government then brought in Provincial Councils. You opposed it. Thousands died — in the North-East war and in the South due to your opposition. Today, you speak of “national unity”. We appreciate if you have come to the correct path now — the UNP was founded in 1946 and after 76 years you are embracing policies we espoused then.

¶ 05 The 13th Amendment devolved power; you opposed it and spilled blood in the streets. We ask the NPP Government, and the Prime Minister, to make a clear statement in Parliament on your stance regarding the 13th Amendment while you speak of national unity. The people are watching closely.

¶ 06 On the economy, your party’s past strikes and shutdowns caused massive national loss. You say you want foreign investment, but that requires a peaceful climate. You opposed private universities — from the Northern Colombo Medical Faculty through to SAITM and Neville Fernando Hospital. Reading President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s policy statement, we are glad you now accept what we said then. Your past conduct contributed to bankruptcy — opposing private investment, private universities, and constant strikes. I recall that during our Yahapalana Government, university students and your unions were always on the streets. We hear that one of your union leaders yesterday—