The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara

¶ 01 Mr. Chairman, at today’s Committee Stage debate of the Appropriation Bill 2025 on Friday, 2025.02.28, I move that from the expenditure Heads 103, 222 to 224, 304, 320, 325, 189, 225 and 226 taken up today for Ministries and their Departments and Institutions, Rs. 10 each be cut from all recurrent and capital programmes as per tradition.

¶ 02 Mr. Chairman, looking at the current security environment and underworld activity, the Ministries of Defence and of Public Security, responsible for national security, have a special duty. The present NPP–JVP Government came to power promising to end fraud, corruption and theft, to punish thieves and recover stolen assets. I recall the President bringing 300–400 files onto the stage saying they were ready to arrest those involved. We need to know what has been done and bring necessary laws.

¶ 03 Representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, when we were in Opposition, I was able to bring a Private Member’s Anti-Corruption Bill. The previous Government then brought the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023. But the question is whether it is being fully implemented. As SJB, I also brought a Private Member’s Bill on restitution of stolen assets. The Government promised to bring back stolen money. It is now 158 days since this Government assumed office, about 10 percent of its term. Why has it not at least presented the promised restitution Bill?