The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha

¶ 01 Exactly. If we were in government, we would do it, Hon. Minister. Now you should do it under your government. I do not know whether you think I am the Defence Minister or that our Mr. Gayanta is the Prime Minister. It is not like that. You are in government. You must present it.

¶ 02 You promised to return all lands in the North to gain votes there. Those promises must be fulfilled, but in a manner that does not compromise national security, and that assures national security so that even in the future the people in the North will not face war again, and the country will remain peaceful. Identify those lands so that a peaceful environment is ensured in the North.

¶ 03 If there are portions of land belonging to the people in the North that are essential for national security, then provide alternative land or compensation—double or triple the value. The people are prepared for that at an election. We are not saying to be unfair to the people of the North. If among their lands there are critical locations necessary for national security, provide alternative land or adequate compensation to their satisfaction. This is not unique to our country; such measures are common worldwide.

¶ 04 When we undertook major projects in our country—like the Mahaweli project, Kotmale, Moragahakanda, Randenigala—people left entire villages and moved to other districts and provinces. There was no issue of Sinhala, Muslim, or Tamil then. For national security and development, people have made sacrifices in such situations. That is what is important here. Therefore, rather than just fulfilling election promises to get votes in the North, make decisions based on national security. That is what you should do.

¶ 05 So, go beyond political promises and act on the basis of national security.

¶ 06 Hon. Chairman, we must also talk about our soldiers. During elections you spoke with great fondness about the soldiers and the retired soldiers. Our retired Major General—the current Deputy Minister of Defence—was nicknamed “banku banku”; they all went and made promises to the war heroes all over the country. The promises you made to them—have those been fulfilled? Many of those soldiers are under mental stress in their camps. They lack facilities, they are not happy, their morale is low. Their love for the country is gradually diminishing.

¶ 07 The best example is the recent “Ilmaha Viru Samaruma.” There, those who twice led insurrections, who killed soldiers and policemen, were elevated as “great heroes,” while our war heroes were called just “soldiers.” If done properly, you should be ashamed. I ask on behalf of serving and retired soldiers whether you endorse what Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the spiritual leader Tilvin Silva said at that event. Are those who led the 1971 and 1988–89 insurrections to be “great heroes,” while those who ended a 30-year war, sacrificing over 30,000 lives and limbs, and living with permanent disabilities, are only “soldiers”? Do the people of this country accept that?

¶ 08 Send the circular to me and to the Defence Minister.

¶ 09 Is that so? You saw it, right? That was a historical mistake on my part.

¶ 10 Hon. Chairman, next let us consider the Sri Lanka Police. The department should be called “Sri Lanka Police,” and the Minister in charge also refers to it that way. There was a matter discussed recently regarding the IGP and the purchase of 175,000 pairs of underwear for the police. Several complaints were lodged before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The Police purchase such underwear every six months. The complaint stated that the quality was not acceptable and then Senior DIG (at the time) Mr. Pathinayake had not approved it. The current IGP, who was then Senior DIG in charge of Logistics, is implicated.

¶ 11 Complaints went to CIABOC along with an audio recording. Afterwards, a complaint went to the CID. How did the audio given to CIABOC end up with the CID and with the IGP? The current IGP cites “release of sensitive information.” If that is the case, how did a recording given to CIABOC go to the IGP or the CID? The reason: the CIABOC Legal Officer, Ms. Geethani Heiyanthuduwa, is the IGP’s wife. Whether first or second, I do not know. If information on complaints going to CIABOC is leaked to the IGP or outside, what trust can we have in CIABOC? We saw photos taken inside being released. Complainants Mr. Bimal Ruhunage and Mr. Sanjaya Mahawatta have said that even CCTV footage of their submissions to CIABOC was released.

¶ 12 Then, can any citizen complain to CIABOC about someone linked to the government if all details are leaked? Even the recording given to CIABOC was aired on ITN. They say “sensitive information” was leaked. What is sensitive here? Buying 175,000 pairs of underwear. If 175,000 underpants are purchased, is that sensitive because there may be holes? I wonder whether those underpants had holes. Is that why it is “sensitive”? The current IGP is the one who approved those underpants. If they had holes, Mr. Lalith Pathinayake’s objection was correct. The question is not who said it, but what is correct.

¶ 13 This should be investigated. The persons related to the audio—Mr. Bimal Ruhunage and others—did not release it. It was the IGP who leaked it to the public and to the CID. This is a serious wrong. This is a complaint to CIABOC; CIABOC should investigate, not hand it to the IGP to go after the complainants through the CID. Now Ruhunage was brought to the CID; his house was searched. He is a man from Kurunegala. Is this what you expect from government? Is this the “New Dawn” government? Please conduct an investigation.

¶ 14 We all know the “Sewwandi drama.” In Nepal, our Mr. Olugala asked Sewwandi for a makeup set for a touch-up. We saw the whole thing like a second innings. Back in Sri Lanka, then the Disna Niranthala drama begins—but suddenly all these dramas are banned. Why? If you broadcast Sewwandi’s story, you should show this one too. The Disna Niranthala matter: the husband is a principal, has a hotel around Kala Wewa, going there, showing scenes, police arrests, yet those were not shown. Why? Because Ms. Niranthala is an NPP councillor. Then everything is covered up—lights off, trip switch cut, stage dark. What next—set the stage on fire?

¶ 15 Next, Mr. Tony Mohamed. He is a major organiser for the NPP in Dehiwala, even a 2020 parliamentary candidate, with major connections. None of his “fun” was shown like Sewwandi’s. Another case: “Puwak Dandawa Sanaa” was arrested—also closely linked to the NPP. Finally, the SSP at the Police Narcotics Bureau, Mr. Hemal Prasanna, was transferred. If you give such coverage for Sewwandi’s case, show these too.

¶ 16 You said you washed and planted flower saplings, but now among the flowers, weeds are sprouting. How do you clean this up? Now around 300 containers came, with cocaine, and containers went to Kandana. Who is accountable? Do we now ask Tilvin Silva to answer? He said “rise, your time has come.” Whose time is this—Tony Mohammed’s? Is it the time for those in 14110 to run drug businesses?

¶ 17 Hon. Chairman: Hon. Member, you have only two minutes more.

¶ 18 Hon. Chairman, please give me a little more time.

¶ 19 We must face reality. You called all 225 MPs thieves; spoke of a 76-year curse. Now you see. A Member went to Trincomalee yesterday and was booed. We do not know Trincomalee’s issue, but the police acted wrongly; they should have acted more intelligently. We do not think the SSP on site decided this alone. Likely, on an instruction that came from somewhere—perhaps from Minister Ananda Wijepala—monks were pushed, the alms bowl shoved, scolded and hit, and the Buddha statue removed. We hear the Buddha statue is kept at the police station under lock and key—if true, it is serious. Couldn’t this have been handled better by talking with the monks, calling the Divisional Secretary, and maintaining peace? The police should have ensured peace, especially respecting Buddhist culture.

¶ 20 It appears national security is not the basis of this government’s actions, but their political script—chasing scenes and dramas to please the public. The police are demoralised. The SL Police lack staff. The Parliamentary Police Division should have 300, but has about 100. People run back and forth, with no promotions for years.

¶ 21 A few months ago, 147 OICs were transferred. I have served as Deputy Minister in charge of Police. There used to be a Board that scored experience and absence of charge sheets, and posted A, B, C Grade policemen accordingly. How were these 147 posted without considering any of that? Pure political stooges.

¶ 22 Today there is no active Police Commission. From 2015-2020, we together established independent commissions with real power. Now their officers are placed under acting positions, extending their service and becoming tools. Nothing goes properly through the Police Commission; everyone is transferred as they wish. The police are demoralised. Recently the IGP post was vacant; an Acting IGP appointed, and then he removed Senior DIG (Administration) Mr. Pathinayake and appointed himself as Senior DIG (Administration). Couldn’t he wait till a substantive IGP came? How can the rank and file trust such processes? Police salaries have not increased. You promised a separate salary scale for police because differing allowances and lack of a proper structure breed corruption. That was your election promise. You obtained votes on that.

¶ 23 Hon. Chairman: Hon. Member, you have two more minutes.

¶ 24 I will conclude. When will you implement the promise to place police on a separate salary structure? It was not in this Budget, not in the past, and unlikely in the next. What will happen after the next Budget to your government is unknown. Elsewhere in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, generals topple governments overnight. I am warning about security risks; neither you nor we may be there if crowds break through. These are serious issues.

¶ 25 Please pay serious attention to these national security issues and make necessary decisions. Thank you.