The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, today all customs trade unions have withdrawn from duties because 270 containers were released without inspection. The Joint Customs Union has informed the Director‑General of Customs accordingly. I table a copy of their letter.

¶ 02 They have commenced trade union action today. We do not know what was in those 270 containers, nor what revenue the state lost.

¶ 03 Regarding Clean Sri Lanka: I said in Parliament that Rs. 7 million was spent on the first ceremony. I say it again today and will say it tomorrow. On the 9th, at 9.45 a.m., the Presidential Secretary summoned Chief Auditor Mr. Kumarasinghe and Accountant Mr. Tharaka, spoke to them, and then changed it—reducing the cost to Rs. 900,000 from Rs. 7 million. Because I raised it, Rs. 6.1 million was saved for the country. I state that, and I will say it anywhere.

¶ 04 Also, for Christmas, lights were put up and drone shows held at Duplication Road and Galle Face, with a band via ITN. Who paid? Not the Government, but your Governor, Mr. Hani(f) Yousuf. Why did he have to pay to present such shows for the Government? We do not know how Governors took on these expenses.

¶ 05 I do not say Clean Sri Lanka is bad—it is good. But from 1 January to 15 January, there were 10 shootings and seven homicides, with blood spilled. In recent history, the highest number of shootings occurred in those two weeks. Those too must be cleaned. People need an environment to live freely; only then will the country and the people be clean, and the right to live freely be clean. If Clean Sri Lanka is implemented correctly, first remove the underworld and drug traffickers. We can deal with garbage after that.

¶ 06 [Head bowed and laid on the Table. Placed in the Library.]