The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, many Opposition claims lack foundation. The Hon. Sujeewa MP said there is a Court of Appeal case regarding the Sambuddha Jayanthi Viharaya—please provide the case number; to my knowledge, no such case has been filed to date though attempts were made.

¶ 02 The “B report” clearly records the basis: it instructed to examine, based on a survey sketch, whether the boundary stones and constructions align with any title granted previously by the former President, and whether the constructions stand on UDA land or on Coast Conservation land, and to proceed accordingly. The Magistrate has ordered to maintain status quo. Discussions are proceeding under court direction. Therefore, invoking “Buddhism is under threat” is baseless; this is not a dispute against any religion. The subject Minister correctly said the issue has been placed before court for a lawful resolution.

¶ 03 On Police transfers: under Article 155G(1) of the Constitution, the IGP has powers regarding transfers; the Attorney General has also advised that while posts are not “posts” of the Commission per se, specific powers can be vested. It is a matter for the Commission; there is no political interference. We did not interfere before; we are not doing so now.

¶ 04 Under our Ministry lie the Police and Immigration & Emigration. Consider how hard we worked to depoliticize their top posts. The IGP position had to be regularized through Parliament to remove the former IGP lawfully and appoint the present IGP; it took months. The former Controller General of Immigration and Emigration remains in custody for being forcibly drawn into political illegality; we were left with only an acting head—this is the legacy of politicization we inherited.

¶ 05 Within a year, under the present IGP’s leadership, public trust has measurably improved. The President entrusted the Police with a major task: curb illegal arms and narcotics. The illegal drug network had engulfed the nation across all divides, even schoolchildren. The root lay within politics; for the first time in history, our Government removed that political “head” from the network.

¶ 06 Previously, operations like “Yukthiya” netted only “small fry.” Now we are striking the supply networks, including foreign nodes. Within just one year, despite constraints, the Police have shown the public that this work is real. As for the circular: it was issued on 2025.10.27; the incident cited happened after; the circular aimed to prevent improper public dissemination that hampers operations, especially when offenders are seized by the public filming on phones. It was issued under proper instructions; our bona fides are clear.

¶ 07 We, including the President and the subject Minister, have not intervened politically in any single case nor issued case-specific directives. That is what the people demanded—one law for all. The criticism aimed at the Minister and the IGP is because they are doing the job properly; it hurts those who benefited before. All activities under this Ministry are conducted lawfully and free of political interference.