The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, due to the Israel–Iran war, I intended yesterday to discuss several matters that significantly affect Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, that opportunity slipped. Given its importance, I will briefly raise these now.

¶ 02 There is a view among the public that our foreign policy lacks clarity—this conflict is highly sensitive for Muslims worldwide, including in Sri Lanka. Many of our people work in those countries; we also have significant economic ties with Iran, and many work in Israel. A learned debate in Parliament would have been valuable.

¶ 03 On foreign service appointments: our Prime Minister, when an MP in 2023 during the Foreign Ministry budget debate, said that under their Government, 100 percent of diplomatic postings would be from the career service. Yet eight appointments have been made; seven are non-career. The previous government stretched to a 75 percent cap; now it is worse. Even our Chief Justice, on retirement, was immediately appointed as an Ambassador. In India, sitting Supreme Court judges openly say they will not accept government posts after retirement; that should be our practice. This Government came to power promising to end corrupt practices; replicating and worsening them betrays public trust.

¶ 04 Further, our President visited Germany but did not meet the Chancellor—the executive head—only the ceremonial President. This harms our foreign policy and national image.

¶ 05 On domestic politics: our SJB party is committed to uphold the people’s mandate responsibly. A colleague alleged I “sold” the Dodangoda Pradeshiya Sabha and made deals with the NPP. Let me state: the NPP has a beggar’s ideological mindset; this country will not progress under that. We will not do deals with them. After local polls we clearly said we would not make deals. The Government, however, abused the secret ballot “booth” to pervert local bodies, offering money and inducements—a debased throwback to old corrupt politics. Regarding Dodangoda, the loss occurred because members of the other party crossed and voted—not due to any deal by us. Our members acted independently based on local circumstances; the chairmanship proposed by them was not even from their party but an independent. Nonetheless, we regret the colleague’s disappointment.

¶ 06 In summary: this NPP-led Government is steering the country towards more corruption than before. I say this with regret and out of concern for our people.

¶ 07 Thank you.