The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 Okay. Thank you.

¶ 02 All the deadlines you set have lapsed. Still the mastermind has not been caught. We brought a No-Confidence Motion against the State Minister of Defence. You said you would not allow it; that it was unnecessary and unlawful, and you shielded the State Minister. We have no issue politically, but why did we call it a political conspiracy? In October 2018, Mahinda Rajapaksa was unconstitutionally appointed Prime Minister by Maithripala Sirisena. We, along with then JVP Members, went to the Supreme Court and won. On 17 November, during that conspiracy period when Mr. Aruna Jayasekera was the Eastern Security Forces Commander, the killing occurred while he held that post. On 26 April 2019, the Sainthamaruthu suicide blast of Zaharan’s family occurred, again while he was Eastern Commander. Maj. Subasinghe, who first went to the scene, served under him; it was his unit that reached there. We all know that Sara Jasmine is now said to be missing; she escaped from there. Investigations are ongoing.

¶ 03 Our Public Security Minister told Parliament he doubts Sara Jasmine died; we also say she did not. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said Sara Jasmine is in India. Then who facilitated her escape? Was it Maj. Subasinghe? That must be investigated. Now the Government says they are recording statements from the army officers who were there that day; Minister Aruna Jayasekera himself told Parliament that intelligence units were involved. Officers under him are now under investigation; he too has given a statement and is thus under investigation. That is why we asked: how can the Government investigate the bombings when Mr. Aruna Jayasekera—who was a cog in the machine at the time—is now the State Minister of Defence overseeing the investigation? Any child can understand this conflict. We asked him to step aside to allow an impartial probe. I am not accusing him personally, but his continuing in office impedes the investigation, since his subordinates are being investigated and he too is under inquiry. You refused, saying there is no need for him to resign. Fine. Our concern is whether you are now protecting certain conspirators who have entered your Government—on one side shielding Ranawira, on another Mahinda Dissanayake; who else next?