The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I thank the people of Laggala, Rattota, Matale and Dambulla for electing me for a third time from the Matale District.

¶ 02 We are debating the Policy Statement presented by the President at the opening of the Tenth Parliament. I see it as an attempt to keep a people long oscillating between truth and falsehood still bound to falsehood. Though elected by a minority of the total electorate, that minority believed he was a hero—just as Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected with the desire to obtain a hero. As Bertolt Brecht said, “Unhappy is the land that needs a hero.” Are we, for a second time, aligning with that notion? The rapid shift of the President—from saying one thing to doing another, and doing what he said he would not do—is regrettable.

¶ 03 “Prosperous country, beautiful life” is your slogan. But how does that align with Sri Lanka’s national aspirations? Even in his own speech there are contradictions: he said, “We will not again allow the rise of ethnic politics or any form of religious extremism.” I welcome moving away from past practices, but opposing racism and extremism is not new to the SJB; our vision has always been against communalism and class chauvinism. That is why many Tamil and Muslim parties are with us today. Those who divided people and imperiled democracy must examine their conscience. Which party fostered the notion of Indian expansionism and stirred suspicion against the Upcountry community? On the 13th Amendment and devolution, who whipped up fear in 1988–89 of a separate state to thwart devolution, unleashing terror and substituting the bullet for the ballot? Was that not communal and chauvinist politics? If the President now says he will prevent such politics, I say that very politics was nurtured by his own camp.

¶ 04 On the rule of law, he says all must enjoy democratic freedoms free of fear, and the rule of law reaffirmed. But recall the end days of the Aragalaya—who challenged the rule of law? Who called people to storm and burn Parliament? Who, through killings and destruction, undermined the love and peaceful nature that underpinned the protest? Those were criminal acts that violated the rule of law. He also said criminals must be punished and victims given justice. We await the decisions he makes on these recent events to see his words made reality.

¶ 05 On the economy, he says our economy will not withstand great shocks, but he avoids naming the culprits whose actions led to the crisis. The economic collapse gave you your campaign slogans—“76-year curse” and “all 225 are bad.” Those myths rode on the crisis. Our SJB think tank went to the Supreme Court to determine who bankrupted the country. A five-judge bench, including the current Chief Justice then a member, identified those responsible. Why did the President not mention them? He also, at times, gave a platform to that very group. Perhaps he avoids this because it would invalidate his slogans. I place in the Library the publication on that judgment—“Who bankrupted the country? When? How?”—so that necessary legal steps can be taken against those who violated the people’s fundamental rights.

¶ 06 Finally, on cost of living and relief, his speech offers statements, not plans. Teachers, public servants, students and others who brought him to power through protests are now being suppressed using the PTA. Remember, the UNHRC visits in January; the EU is reviewing the PTA and GSP+. Those shouting about the PTA should think more carefully. Stop this repression under the PTA.

¶ 07 State services are in distress. In the Central Province, education is collapsing. There are 33,028 non-teaching staff, but a shortage of 6,176 teachers. In the Kandy Zone alone, 1,092 teachers short; in Matale, 1,245 short. Do not assault development officers and cage them; listen to them. Some schools function only because principals and a few development officers hold them together. Recruit graduates who have passed exams, including the 75 with education degrees in the Central Province, to protect children’s rights.

¶ 08 Thank you.