The Hon. Chithral Fernando, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, first, a correction: that vote was not about estate workers’ wages.

¶ 02 Sir, I rise to a point of order—if you want a point of order, you must name the Member. I did not name anyone; I was only looking at a Member.

¶ 03 Hon. Presiding Member, let me proceed. A few points:

¶ 04 Today is 17 November. On 16 November 2018—yesterday was Sunday so we could not meet—we witnessed a black day in this Parliament: preventing the Speaker from taking the Chair, causing damage, pepper spray, violating the Constitution. Let us hope it never happens again. Some who bombed Parliament or incited arson through Facebook are in front of us today. Let that never recur.

¶ 05 Although the Minister of Justice is not here now, I must note: while recurrent expenditure has increased, capital expenditure has been reduced. To expedite trials and end delays, we need infrastructure; instead, capital has been cut by around Rs. 500 million. In 2025, 13 court complexes—Anuradhapura, Matale, Jaffna, Polonnaruwa, Gampola, Ratnapura, Welimada, Wellawaya, etc.—were listed; this time seven are mentioned, with Rs. 3,000 million earlier and Rs. 1,260 million now. We await clarifications in the Minister’s reply, including status of the nine additional locations earlier mentioned—Ibbagamuwa, Lahugala, Neluwa, Thalawakelle, Morawewa, Jayapuram, Murukkan, Puliyankulam, Chettikulam.

¶ 06 A special point: Rs. 500 million is allocated for professional fees for legal services related to the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster; last year, Rs. 1,000 million. Where are these cases now? Why are we still relying on another country while spending so much? The Supreme Court gave a clear order in a fundamental rights case—seeking USD 1 billion from the Singaporean company. Until that order, the company appeared through counsel. After the order, their counsel’s proxy was withdrawn and the company is not here—though under other names they operate. There is a limitation case in London; that is fine, and spending is necessary. But this is now also a matter for government-to-government discussions. Given it flew the Singapore flag, engage Singapore’s Government to abide by the Supreme Court’s order.

¶ 07 Also, Hon. Kavinda Jayawardhana raised the five police officers who went to the UK. Even if AG permission is not required, as stated in the papers, this should have been coordinated government-to-government. If not, please inform Parliament how much was spent on the five officers to go in search of Rs. 16 million, and justify it.

¶ 08 On the 2025 Budget, about Rs. 2,000 million was allocated for families of the disappeared for compensation and relief. Registered families number around 19,000. How much has been disbursed so far? Many parents from 1988–90 are now 70–80 years old, still engaged in menial work. Do not keep asking who caused the disappearances; if the last Budget promised funds, please deliver. If a “compensation package” is coming, at least give an interim Rs. 200,000 now and adjust it against the final package later. I table a request signed by 100 representatives from Families of the Disappeared, Human Elevation Organization, Katha Organization, Law and Society Trust, Muslim Women’s Development Trust, and National Peace Council. Please focus on helping these vulnerable people, irrespective of who caused it.

¶ 09 Finally, I urge the Hon. Minister to expedite the circular to commence the process to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Fulfil the promises given to the people.

¶ 10 Thank you.