The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, I have very little time, so I will be brief and focus on several points. I see Budget debates as nationally directional statements. This is the inaugural Budget of the NPP Government. I wish to understand the policy foundation that runs across the subjects presented. Unfortunately, in the President’s Budget Speech, there was no mention of “national security.” This makes me question the Government’s understanding and commitment to national security.

¶ 02 National security is the head of the body of the State; without protecting the head, nothing else works. I say this with goodwill to this modern Government. The National Security Council (NSC) is now comprised of a President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Minister Gen. Aruna Jayasekara, the three Service Chiefs, and the Defence Secretary—most of whom are sitting on the NSC for the first time. This is unprecedented, and raises concern. Previously, Presidents at least had served as Prime Minister or Defence Secretary, or senior military commanders sat there. Not this time. Also, the post of Chief of Defence Staff was temporarily left vacant; no senior figure regularly chairs the security deliberations.

¶ 03 Further, if national security is the head, the nervous system carrying messages is intelligence. Who attends the weekly intelligence brief? The Defence Secretary, Secretary of Public Security, three Service Chiefs, Acting IGP, CNI, DIG–CID, Director–SIS, Director–CID—all sit weekly. But many lack field experience in intelligence. Take Army Intelligence: Brig. Chandika was removed; Brig. Prabodha Siriwardena also is gone; several colonels were there and are gone. Now Brig. Deeptha Ariyasena has been appointed—he is from the Armoured/Mechanized or Infantry, without core intelligence background. This is politicization of our most vital nervous system. We saw during Yahapalana what happens when intelligence collapses—the Easter attack, where even India had to warn us. A repeat is possible if we are not more vigilant.

¶ 04 Your policy document “A Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” on page 225 proposes a National Security Advisory Council—if it existed, much would be resolved, but it has not been set up. You also proposed a secure cyber information protection system and a reformed surveillance framework—also not implemented. Hon. Chairman, if these precautions were taken, we could relax a bit. Unfortunately, I do not see the Government taking this seriously. The Deputy Minister knows the Army well; he knows intelligence gathering, analysis, and routing to the NSC are essential. He was Eastern Commander but lacks extensive administrative experience; now as Deputy Minister he must face this. The Defence Secretary also lacks deep administrative experience. Therefore, as a solution, we proposed establishing a Central Intelligence Agency under which an NSA is appointed—an apolitical, suitable professional. Stop appointing political supporters into security posts; that is why we voted against you. Appoint a strong NSA as in advanced countries. Create a Central Intelligence Agency for high-level collection, analysis, and decision-making. Intelligence without analysis is useless.

¶ 05 We also propose enhanced inter-agency coordination, information-sharing, special training, and infrastructure for advanced intelligence technologies. Do not do politics within national security.

¶ 06 However much you are tempted to put your own people—your political supporters and your cadres—into those positions, please do not think about doing that because public security is a very serious matter, as we have experienced. Sir, today, there are all these issues including the economic troubles we are going through with about 300,000 entrepreneurs suffering. Why? Because after the Easter attack, we have still not been able to stand up. We do not have the energy, the resources or anything to face another situation like this.

¶ 07 In sum, Sri Lanka is facing a serious national security challenge. The public is watching what plan you have to address it. I urge the President and all responsible for national security to be sensitive, rational, scientific—analyze domestic and foreign, geopolitical threats correctly and formulate a proper plan. To revive the economy and lift our Motherland to where we aspire, we must ensure no further threats to national security.

¶ 08 Finally, we cannot forever debate past mistakes. I lovingly ask the Opposition not to keep reciting the old stories like a curse; instead, say what you will do. This Budget has allocated not even five cents for intelligence technology; you have drawn lines across it and left it out. Lines will not secure national security. My final request: include your own policy commitments and establish the Central Intelligence Agency we proposed without delay. Only then can we safeguard our Motherland and move forward with our people. Thank you.