The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, I start at 12.18 p.m. and will take my 15 minutes.

¶ 02 First, my congratulations to the Hon. Leader of the Opposition on two achievements: uniting the entire Opposition against the Budget — a rare consensus — and delivering a well-timed, compelling 45-minute speech exposing the Budget’s failures. Perhaps it was so effective that the Hon. Leader of the House mused about making him permanent Leader of the Opposition by constitutional means — or rather, making his own party permanent in government. Such manoeuvres are not new: President J.R. Jayewardene, with a five-sixths majority, used the Sixth Amendment to force the main Opposition out and stripped the Opposition Leader of civic rights; later, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa floated the idea of a constitutionally guaranteed lifelong Opposition Leader. We now hear echoes again. History does not favour those who take the people for granted.

¶ 03 On justice administration since this Government took charge:

¶ 04 - Easter Sunday conspiracy: The Minister of Public Security said substantial witness evidence, including from Batticaloa Prison authorities, was filed with the Colombo Magistrate on 24 November 2024. Nearly three months have passed. The investigation is closing in, and diversionary tactics are likely. The PTA, however contested, has been used extensively; it should be applied consistently to investigate and prosecute the conspirators. Why hesitate to name accused when evidence is compelling?

¶ 05 - Murder of Lasantha Wickrematunge: I appreciate the President acknowledging the bona fides of the Attorney-General despite misinformation online. Some professional commentators provide credible analysis; I will not name them.

¶ 06 - Murder of Dinesh Schaffter: An apparent organized crime. To date, no suspects identified.

¶ 07 - Central Bank Bond scam: Proceed with trial in absentia under the Code of Criminal Procedure. Extradition is difficult in our present state; a conviction would strengthen subsequent extradition from Singapore.

¶ 08 - Recent organized killings: In the “Ganemulle Sanjeewa” case, the shooter was swiftly arrested, but the central female coordinator remains untouched — is she the “Sarah Jasmin” of this case?

¶ 09 The President, in his address yesterday, said five killings were well-coordinated, hinting at an invisible hand — reminiscent of the Easter attacks. I was shocked when, looking directly at me, he said armed gangs have adherents among police, armed forces, judicial officers, and even lawyers; and that when criminals are released, lawyers “get into a jeep and go to their houses.” He asked, “What is this?” and concluded, “This is a criminal state.” If even the President has lost confidence in the justice system, that is grave. I trust the Hon. Minister of Justice, a senior lawyer, will put matters in proper perspective and dispel misconceptions about our profession.

¶ 10 Let me end, in the style set by Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, by recalling lyrics by singer Chamara Weerasinghe. Do not be intoxicated by power; do not let an “empire of crime” take hold while morality withers. Ven. Kagama Sirinanda Thero recently lamented the state of society — children on the streets, crime rising, narcotics proliferating, and even governance faltering. We, the Opposition, stand ready to support the State when called to defend the country and its integrity. As for the question “Will the Opposition change its mind?” — our Leader is principled; he observes precepts; he is a moral example. At a time when society demands ethical leadership, he will fill that role.

¶ 11 Thank you. I kept to my time limit.