The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chair, on national and public security, I must remind the Government: the region’s security and the citizen’s security are both vital. Today, citizens are anxious due to shootings and other incidents. You may explain it as conflicts among organized criminal groups. But if organized criminals can roam freely with weapons and shoot anyone at will, either the Government enables it or at least knows of it.

¶ 02 Energy security is also a part of national security. You have been in power a year. We faced an energy crisis. If a monitor falls, or a monkey falls, and the country’s electricity is disrupted, we have a problem. What measures did you take? If you destroy local agriculture by importing onions, potatoes, rice and allowing traders’ profits while farmers suffer, you undermine food security.

¶ 03 There are major health sector problems. There are drug shortages, and doctors are told to write prescriptions to buy from private sources, needing five approvals within the hospital; if a complaint arises that the hospital had the drug, the Government investigates and harasses the doctor. The Medical Association has warned that if this continues, there will be a shortage of doctors within the next decade. If we are not secure in health, medicines, and if your endless tax policies and other issues push professionals to leave, there will be no stability in national security. Instead of lecturing from the podium, present clear plans to secure the country—energy, food and the public service.

¶ 04 We also believe the Navy must be further strengthened. Given the transformation of our seas into hubs for transnational organized crime, the Government should not fabricate charges and remand the Navy Commander. You should strengthen the Navy and accept intelligence reports. Strengthen intelligence units. When international intelligence reported two containers with narcotics at the Port, you still released them, knowingly. You have not even named who released them, arrested them, or recorded statements. If two checked containers were like that, what about the 323 containers released without checks? Who is accountable? Then the State Minister in charge of customs came out and said they know where the containers are and would take responsibility—for guns and drugs as well. We thank the Police Minister, but look how the Government has tried to politicize drug crackdowns. Looking at those arrested and their backgrounds, it is clear which political party protected them. A school principal was caught with drugs—yet he is the one preaching to children to avoid drugs. A party organizer in Dehiwala was caught—what is his party? Not Pohottuwa; the Government’s party. A university student in your youth wing—his mother is a member of your party’s local authority. The best promoter you appointed to keep children away from drugs was a businessman in the drug trade. But whom did you accuse?

¶ 05 We tell the Government, Nelum Mawatha and Pelawatte are not far apart. If you take aim, take it properly, or it will backfire on your own office. We have no politics in this—we must end the drug trade. The Minister said in Parliament that an “ice” factory in Nuwara Eliya was found. The Police Spokesman said, “No, we are searching.” Either the Minister is lying or the Spokesman is. Where is the factory now? It is “missing.”

¶ 06 Therefore we ask the Government: act honestly. When you cannot fulfill your promises, you try to divert and deflect. Organized crime run by the Government is operating. You claimed to have stopped daytime shootings; yesterday a woman working at a hotel was shot dead. If shootings can be stopped, only the shooter himself can stop them.

¶ 07 When someone connected to Malimawa and your Government is caught, there is no DO—Detention Order. But for opposition members, you issue DOs, hold press conferences, and broadcast breaking news. Was there a DO for the Puwakdandawa case? The largest ice haul—was a DO issued? State Minister Sunil Watagala, do not defend this; you are a lawyer. Minister Ananda Wijepala, please take charge; do not leave it to Sunil Watagala.

¶ 08 What do you say to all this? On one side you fabricate evidence. You appointed those who spoke on your political stage into police positions. Is that right? You seat your stage-speakers on high chairs and direct them to act as you wish.

¶ 09 You sent five people to the UK to find a letter of Ranil Wickremesinghe. If you send to the UK, also go to France and question the person who drafted the Easter Sunday document. It is closer; within hours you can go. Do not create a scene. When you met Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, who paid for the coffee—you or they—you know in your hearts. But if you go to the UK, also meet the author of the Easter document.

¶ 10 Your local authority members were caught pouring kassippu. Reform them, remove them from such acts, and fulfill the promises you made to the people.

¶ 11 Regarding police promotions and transfers, there are problems. A partisan political doctrine is at work. Senior, capable officers are placed arbitrarily, while your preferred persons get posts. An OIC who refused bail to a person caught with kasippu was transferred; a Minister boasted to the media that he would call the IGP about it. That culture is different from when you were in Opposition.

¶ 12 Minister, please also look at STF promotions. The President’s PSO is in the STF. When STF officers move to Police they get promotions, but STF promotions lag. Later, when they return to STF, seniority issues arise. Please resolve this. Do not use the police to bring crowds to your rallies; look after police welfare as your responsibility.

¶ 13 Yesterday, the Minister spoke about Trincomalee. He said those who assaulted the monks would be arrested and the law would be enforced. Now the Buddha statue has been “saved”—by damaging it and handing it to the Police? Two monks were assaulted and are hospitalized. We hear one monk was forcibly boarded with a ticket. Have those who assaulted the monks been arrested?

¶ 14 Someone said the Pohottuwa drama is being carried by the SJB, but the actors are from the JVP. The Government is yours, not ours. It is your Police that “saved” the Buddha statue, that damaged a building, that issued letters from Coastal Conservation. You still call it a Pohottuwa drama executed by the SJB; remember, if it is a drama, the actors are yours.

¶ 15 Finally, during the previous Government, recruitment for 51 police posts for 100 persons was arranged. You halted it saying you await a report. Minister, we hear you received that report three months ago. If you want to place 100 of your party people there, make a proper process—but do not lie. Ensure these youths are not unfairly treated and implement the intake.

¶ 16 Thank you.