The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I will briefly raise important matters on Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs.

¶ 02 On 6 February, I raised an oral question about bringing Islamic texts into Sri Lanka. The Deputy Minister replied that “to control extremist literature,” certain restrictions existed and promised release within 48 hours. However, in May 2024, Sinhala and Tamil translations of Tafsir Qur’an—sent as a donation from Saudi Arabia to the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs—were labeled “extremist books” and remain blocked in a storeroom. Are you considering the Qur’an or its translations extremist? I can provide the documents. Please rectify this.

¶ 03 On Parliamentary affairs: the Lenovo laptops issued around 2017 are outdated. We praise the Government’s digitization drive, yet we still receive heavy hard-copy Hansards. I request the Hansard Department to stop giving me hard copies; digital copies and the web portal suffice. However, the laptops need modernization. Provide integrated pop‑up screens and keyboards at our desks so Members can participate in Committees concurrently during sittings.

¶ 04 Second, in the Parliamentary canteen, implement a pay‑for‑what‑you‑consume model like IKEA’s—so costs reflect individual consumption, and efficiency improves. Also, consider serving paid tea in the Chamber area to save time walking back and forth.

¶ 05 Further, MSD‑attached Police officers assigned to Parliament told us of an allowance—one out of three—that has not been paid for five years. Though I lack full details, I raise it on their behalf. They assist us greatly; please consider their request.

¶ 06 On Arjuna Mahendran’s extradition: the core problem is the absence of an extradition treaty between Sri Lanka and Singapore. Without a treaty, extradition is case-by-case, with final discretion resting, subject to correction, with Singapore’s Foreign Minister. They assess whether the suspect will be safe and treated fairly—especially since he is sought as a suspect, not a convict. Recent incidents, like suspects being killed soon after arrest in other cases, send a wrong signal internationally—that Sri Lanka may not be safe for extradited suspects.

¶ 07 There is provision for in absentia prosecution under our Code of Criminal Procedure. We need not wait for his presence to commence trial. Proceed in absentia; if convicted, pursue his return thereafter. Finally, foreign authorities will not assist political persecution. If a request appears not bona fide but politically motivated, it will be refused. I will elaborate further tomorrow under the Justice Head. Thank you.