The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I listened for some time to Hon. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam. He said repeatedly, “feel ashamed”.

¶ 02 Members of the National People’s Power from the North and East sit here today; people did not vote on ethnic lines this time. Those who had long voted for Tamil and regional parties cast votes for you. Therefore, I request on behalf of our Tamil and Muslim people: do not merely stage shows for headlines; fulfil your duties to those people. I will speak separately on the estates and their basic facilities.

¶ 03 On the underworld: I have spoken often. There are two ways to suppress it. While you may understand them, no comprehensive program has yet been set. All dangerous offenders should be confined to Boossa Prison, develop Boossa to hear trials there, and proceed accordingly — but this has not been implemented. Judges are now afraid to grant bail; bringing criminals to court is becoming impossible. Confidence in police, prisons, and even some staff is eroding. For example, when bringing “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” to Court No. 9, the judge goes on leave, he is shifted between courts, then he is shot. Those responsible must be held to account. There is still no established procedure — even via video or virtual means — to handle such criminals. Please establish a proper process.

¶ 04 Before 1970, in Colombo you worried about pickpockets and gambling dens. In 1971, for the first time, the mindset of using weapons to kill was cultivated among youths — that underworld was later used and protected by successive Governments, and it worsened in 1988–89. We should not sermonize at each other; we must unite to crush the underworld and ensure people’s freedom of movement.

¶ 05 On human–elephant conflict: the Department of Wildlife Conservation has over 4,500 workers recruited during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s time as part of 30,000 State recruits. They were not made permanent, yet worked 24 hours. Please regularize them. They maintain 10 km stretches of electric fences, clear vegetation, dig trenches — please resolve their issues.

¶ 06 On police “inspections”: stations are painted and refurbished. Where does the money come from? From village liquor barons, sand miners, and wealthy locals — collected by OICs to host senior officers. Create a proper system; do not let illegal collections fund police upkeep. I can privately provide examples.

¶ 07 A new Gazette now requires women soldiers to serve 22 years for retirement, same as men, whereas previously women retired after 15 years. Women who retired at 15 could care for their children and education; extending service to 22 is unfair. Please reconsider.

¶ 08 On the Easter attacks: 747 persons are now in custody. Officers like Ravi Seneviratne and Shani Abeysekara worked well; today many of those now lead trade unions of the forces, even the Defence Secretary and the Secretary to the Ministry in charge of Police are union heads — all politically placed. You promised the Cardinal to get answers. From the intelligence side, there is “51 Bandara” — have you obtained his responses? You know who “Sonic Sonic” is; I believe it refers to that officer. Where is Zahran’s wife, Hadiya? She is now in India — bring her and question. Call expert witnesses like Asanga Abeyagoonasekera. The officer who did Sarah Jasmine’s DNA is still available — bring and question. Even your Chief Government Whip, Nalinda Jayatissa, openly said India was involved. Bring him and ask how. If we had said it, we would be arrested — but he said it. Please investigate.

¶ 09 Also, on Rohana Wijeweera’s killing: the alleged Major General involved, Theeradeniya, attends your “Ethara Api” meetings to light oil lamps — the man alleged to have killed Wijeweera. On 13 November 1989, Wijeweera was arrested by a team including Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera and then taken to Operation Combine. There were many witnesses — some are now monks — and the crematorium attendant is alive. Indrananda de Silva, who spoke of this, is alive and ready to testify. This is a JVP Government now; those of that era are here. Investigate who attacked the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy in 1989, and who is responsible. Tell the Mahanayake Theras that you will set up a process. Only after that did the LTTE attack the Temple of the Tooth. Please appoint a Commission on Wijeweera’s killing as you promised the Cardinal on Easter. Do justice so you can commemorate Il Mahaveeru in public, not in closed rooms. Thank you.