The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we discuss the most important subject—national and public security. Our Deputy Minister once asked during the campaign, “What is national security?” and said to bring two desks to give lectures. Thirteen months have passed; we are still waiting for those lectures.

¶ 02 About public security and the 21st rally. Hon. Wijepala’s police—his Trincomalee SSP and team—went and removed a Buddha statue, trying to pin it on the Opposition. It is that act which “supported” our rally on the 21st. We do not need anyone’s help; crowds will come. Come and see on the 21st.

¶ 03 In Trincomalee, there was a 40-perch plot for our temple—what remained after the tsunami. Even that is being taken. The Chief Monk will not hand it over; it is deeded land.

¶ 04 Hon. Minister, I must speak of your police officer: in Kilinochchi, OIC Mohamed Najeeb—formerly in Trincomalee—was given promotion for “looking after” the DIG’s land, without serving in proper stations or completing required courses. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption says to submit complaints if any. Senior DIG (Administration) Pathinayake was demoted after exposing internal corruption—moved to Central Province—for simply stating how many “Pappa Benyam” (illicit commissions) were collected during transfers. The Bribery Commission asked to expose thefts; why punish him?

¶ 05 The Police Commission is clogged with over 4,000 disciplinary files from SI to Senior DIG level. Who runs the Commission? An Assistant Director named Nerenjala. Files move only as she orders. Many retired officers cannot get pensions because inquiries are pending; pension papers are withheld until inquiries conclude. The Chairman waits while Nerenjala blocks files. The Police Commission is effectively under “Ms. Nerenjala.”

¶ 06 Here is a case from my WhatsApp: “Kedella Enterprises” vehicle business. A Minister of Public Security attended an event of a person named Krishan Matthew—now a casino operator in Maharagama—who scams people, takes their money for houses. Minister, please avoid such traps; do not attend to open their websites.

¶ 07 You arrested Ranil Wickremesinghe for a loss of Rs. 16 million. Now five of your officers have gone to the UK for inquiry, spending likely around Rs. 3.2 million per head in tickets and costs—total around Rs. 32 million—double the alleged loss. This is madness.

¶ 08 On retirements: Those who joined police in 1987–1992 are hitting age 55–60; around 20,000 will retire this year and next. Meanwhile, training numbers are tiny: Kalutara PTS trains 340; drivers 50; Tabbowa and Pahalagama perhaps 200 each; total around 600 trainees, while 20,000 retire. Training schools like Welimada Police Training Centre and Aluthgama are closed. How will you cover the deficit?

¶ 09 Police now report at 6.00 a.m., finish 12 hours at 6.00 p.m., then get a 5.00 p.m. order from IGP/SP/DIG for raids and barricades, pushing constables till midnight. They cannot go home to see their children. The 12-hour system is caused by staff shortages. If this continues, the police cannot function.

¶ 10 I visited Badulla Hospital Police: swollen legs and bellies from standing 12 hours in uniform in the sun. Constables say they will die by 65 due to this life. This is a serious problem.

¶ 11 In past, police never voted for the JVP; they voted UNP. But this time, 80% voted to form your Government. If you want police to function tomorrow, you need more than the IGP and a few seniors; the rank-and-file will leave.

¶ 12 Your plan is to recruit 10,000 Civil Security personnel. But many of them also joined around 1988–1992 and will retire soon. A solution: recruit 10,000 unemployed graduates directly for office work without long training; free up experienced officers for field duty. Otherwise, you cannot manage a 17,000 shortfall when 20,000 retire and only 3,000 are trained.

¶ 13 We have no personal issues with Hon. Ananda Wijepala. In politics, we must learn from everyone; I learnt from many seniors in Badulla. Do not try to run the police arrogantly. There are promotion issues in STF and among sergeants. Many are waiting at 51. I cannot list all within my time.

¶ 14 On the YouTuber Sahan Ganegoda: a notorious fraudster, an army absentee from Thanamalwila, who harassed women and trolled many. I tracked him to his house; he has now been arrested. Minister, avoid such people.

¶ 15 On Mahindananda Aluthgamage: someone alleged he owns 10 acres in Nuwara Eliya. If he does, I will resign from Parliament. Do not kick a man when he is down; do not come here and lie.

¶ 16 We have all eaten together; when one is jailed, many turn. Do not ask us about officers; we too have experience. Please handle the police with greater responsibility. Otherwise, the service will collapse, harming Government, country and law and order.

¶ 17 Thank you.