The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I add my comments on the Votes of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and of Justice and National Integration.

¶ 02 First, the sudden communal tension regarding a temple erected in Trincomalee. Such incidents recur—statues and temples appear from nowhere, creating tension. I suggest the Ministry propose a race relations committee or board to which such disputes can be referred with decision-making powers, similar to institutions in Britain. Governments face controversy dealing with religious tensions; I am not justifying what happened in Trincomalee—it is serious. One might argue Buddhists live there and need temples. Yet, there are no Jews in Sri Lanka, but several Shabbat houses have been set up.

¶ 03 A CMC Member from my party moved a resolution regarding a Shabbat house in Colombo. The Prime Minister clearly said in this House it is an unauthorized religious institution and must be removed. When my party member pressed the CMC to take it up, the next day he was summoned to the TID to give a statement about Facebook comments on his motion. He asked why action was not taken by the competent authority—the CMC—especially after the PM’s statement. Nothing was done; instead, he was summoned by TID.

¶ 04 Similarly, the Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabha decided to close a Shabbat house there. Two days ago, two youths who commented on Facebook were summoned to the Police and then to the TID. Why abuse the PTA on such trivial matters? This Government promised in Geneva to abolish the PTA; yet now, TID is used to summon innocent people over social media comments on Shabbat houses when there are no Jews here. Several such places are appearing—what is the meaning of this?

¶ 05 On Foreign Affairs: when Qatar, a friendly country, was attacked by Israel without provocation, the Ministry issued a meaningless statement expressing “deep concern” and calling for restraint and dialogue—without naming the aggressor or sharing the sentiments of the violated country. Sri Lanka was even supported by Gulf States at the Human Rights Council through Qatar’s good offices. Yet you fear naming Israel as perpetrator.

¶ 06 Recently, a British journalist in the US was arrested for meetings condemning Israel. Here too, those who comment are summoned. Months ago, a young man who posted a sticker in solidarity with Palestinians was summoned to the TID. The TID now seems a tool for Israeli interests. This must stop.

¶ 07 On the Independent Public Prosecutor’s Office: the Government promised in Geneva to establish it. The Attorney-General’s Department has issued a statement opposing it. We know the AG’s Department has been used for political prosecutions. One of their own officers, lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah, was falsely framed. A Puttalam High Court case against him has dragged on; the Supreme Court has now directed it be concluded by June next year. Politically motivated prosecutions and penal sanctions targeting innocent lawyers must end. An Independent Prosecutor’s Office is essential.

¶ 08 Thank you.