The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I ask the Minister of Public Security to note: contrary to his earlier assertion that the recent period shows no significant change compared to other years, in the past eight months there have been 52 deaths. This is higher than comparable periods.

¶ 02 Regarding MPs, I specifically mentioned the threat to Hon. Rohana Bandara not for any other reason but because he is being targeted for establishing control in the Kebitigollewa and Medawachchiya local bodies in his electorate. Opposition MPs are being denied the freedom to act politically according to their convictions and are under serious threat. We apprised the President directly and also brought this to you, Hon. Speaker, as the custodian of all Members. There has been no progress, no solutions.

¶ 03 Beyond MPs, 22 million Sri Lankans live under grave fear. People can be shot anywhere—at home, on the street, at work, even within court premises before judges. The Government has no answers and no solutions. My question under Standing Order 27(2) concerns the right to life of 22 million people; do not reduce it to a mere matter of procedure. Please respond.