The Hon. Bhagya Sri Herath, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 At today’s adjournment, Hon. Asitha Niroshan Egodawaththa presented the motion seeking the full support of Parliament and the people for the Clean Sri Lanka programme. Both Government and Opposition offered views. The motion essentially calls for unanimous Parliamentary support to Clean Sri Lanka. The Opposition asserted since morning that the Government lacks clarity about the programme. Yet by the end, they said the programme is good and clear but lacks details on how it will be done.

¶ 03 Previously they said it was unclear. Had the Opposition collectively read even the Gazette presented by the President, they would have grasped the intent. I say plainly: our country has suffered cultural, economic and political breakdowns. Hence, we long argued—before, during, and after coming to power—for political and cultural transformation. We have demonstrated, by example, the need and possibility for a new political culture. For the first time in history, we saw a post-election period without post-election violence. The Opposition should have at least acknowledged that. Independent observers too noted minimal misuse of State resources. But the traditional Opposition remains unchanged and refuses to recognize positive change.

¶ 04 We also explained the need for social, environmental and ethical transformation. Clean Sri Lanka is a social transformation: a dialogue about changing mindsets, perceptions, and behavior. It cannot be reduced to “one plus one equals two” on a sheet of paper with tidy totals. Social and political science realities evolve as society changes; needs will also change. Therefore, you cannot prescribe a rigid time frame as you would for, say, supplying student tablets. This is about changing the way people think and live; fixed timelines are inapplicable in the way the Opposition demands.

¶ 05 In debate, the Opposition focused on what society gossips about: buses and a Minister bathing in a tank to clean it—newsworthy items they keep pushing for headlines. They want “Parliament had a brawl” as the day’s headline, rather than engaging the substance, breadth and truth. Clean Sri Lanka works through example, encouragement, guidance, and awakening society to the need for change. While the environment is just one aspect, we demonstrate examples and educate to induce change.

¶ 06 Taking a small slice—like collecting polythene or removing a decoration from a bus—and claiming that is the entire programme is wrong. On buses: for some, bus artwork has become a culture, because buses are integral to life. We are working to go beyond that—toward productivity, new industries, new art, and new technology. Clean Sri Lanka is not separate from Government policy; it encompasses it.

¶ 07 Legally, some alleged conflicts with fundamental law. I state clearly: nothing in Clean Sri Lanka conflicts with the Constitution or other laws. The relevant lines are in the Gazette; if read, the issue ends. When next you bring a motion, please read more and then speak. I conclude. Thank you.