The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 When you took office, people had high hopes, especially regarding long-pending cases. You promised swift justice on the Easter Sunday attacks. A year has passed. The President recently said, on Easter Day commemorations, that those responsible would be revealed. Now, there is silence. Even Scotland Yard’s assistance, once spoken of, is forgotten.

¶ 03 You also pledged to pursue media killings and attacks of the Rajapaksa era—Prageeth Ekneligoda’s disappearance, Lasantha Wickrematunge’s murder, the bombings on “Sirasa” and “Siyatha” media. Months pass; nothing moves. The Thajudeen murder too resurfaces and then subsides. We urge you: prioritize these emblematic cases and expedite proceedings. No one will oppose justice on these. As an Opposition, we will support efforts to accelerate justice.

¶ 04 Further, accelerate judicial processes overall. Many avoid filing cases fearing 10–15 years of delay. This must change systemically.

¶ 05 On the Foreign Affairs Ministry: in Opposition, you demanded that agreements with foreign countries be placed before Parliament. Now, within a short time, you have reached understandings with China, India and recently the US. Why has Parliament not been fully apprised? Do not succumb to amnesia. Adhere to the standards you demanded in Opposition.

¶ 06 On the Tourism Ministry: foreigners with tourist visas are starting businesses here, especially in coastal zones in the South and elsewhere. Such ventures remit profits abroad, bypassing our economy and harming local SMEs. We register our complete opposition and ask you to intervene and ensure fairness.

¶ 07 Thank you.