The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the opportunity on the expenditure heads of Public Security and Defence. These are important because in recent times there have been many politically linked killings. The current Government led by the President of the National People’s Power promised at the 2024 Presidential Election to deliver justice: for the 2019 Easter bombings, the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunge, Prageeth Ekneligoda, Thajudeen, Keith Noyahr, assaults on Poddala Jayantha, etc., and to address the injustice to Dr. Shafi.

¶ 02 Now, a year has passed. On the five murders the President named on stage, what has progressed? In Lasantha’s case, proceedings appear not to be advanced. Investigations into Poddala Jayantha’s assault have not even begun. You announced an organized criminal arrested is linked to Thajudeen’s murder and gave it much publicity—but the issue is this: on 10 June 2016, in Case No. 849/3/12 related to Thajudeen’s death before Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris, the then Narahenpita Crimes OIC Sumith Perera made a confession stating involvement together with Anura Senanayake and then-CID Director Ranawira to steer the murder in another direction...