The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today’s debate is based on the Auditor General’s report regarding alleged irregularities in the import of dairy cattle. Earlier, Hon. Sunil Watagala referred to remarks by my party’s Secretary, President’s Counsel Nizam Kariapper, on secret voting in local authorities, seeking to make an issue of it. Looking at both matters—the cattle import and secret ballot—there may be corruption dimensions in both which ought to be examined.

¶ 02 Secret voting is possible only if it is determined that the election shall be by secret voting. Who decides that is the issue. The key provision in the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Act, No. 22 of 2012 is Section 66D(8): “Where it is determined under subsection (6) that the election of a Mayor shall be by secret voting, the election shall be by ballot papers.” Section 66D(6) states, “...the mode of election shall be by open voting...” Section 66D(8) slightly contradicts this by permitting secret voting if determined under 66D(6). The interpretation of “it is determined” is crucial—whether the presiding officer has discretion to so determine. If interpretation is needed, let us seek judicial clarification, rather than argue here. There is public confusion when some seek secret ballots to fish out who voted how, or to entice Members.

¶ 03 Let me leave that aside.

¶ 04 We suffered a serious injustice yesterday. About 40 Opposition Members stood to request an urgent adjournment debate on the Israel–Iran conflict. Although our Leader of the House later agreed to allocate time, procedural quibbles in Standing Orders deprived us of that debate, which is unfair.

¶ 05 On today’s matter—alleged corruption in dairy cattle imports—if wrongs occurred, they must be probed, with the Auditor General bringing required reports. I too exposed a massive fraud behind the e-Visa transaction. Under the Chairmanship of Dr. Harsha de Silva, the Public Finance Committee investigated and reported, recommending a forensic probe by the Auditor General. What became of that? A fundamental rights case has been filed in the Supreme Court by myself, M.A. Sumanthiran PC and Patali Champika Ranawaka. The former Controller General of Immigration is on remand for contempt of the Supreme Court, with further hearings in July. Opposition Members have brought such mega frauds to light. Likewise, if irregularities occurred in cattle imports, do what must be done.

¶ 06 Further, IMF conditionalities require addressing corruption vulnerabilities with a clear diagnosis and prescriptions. Follow them without politicization.

¶ 07 On foreign policy: at the Nakba Day commemoration for Palestinians, the Prime Minister, Leader of the House and the Speaker represented the Government. I welcome that. Yet, the Foreign Ministry’s statement on Israel’s unprovoked attack on Iran said merely, “We express deep concern on the recent developments between Israel and Iran.” That is unprincipled and unimaginative. This is not an earthquake or tsunami; it was a deliberate attack on a friendly country. The Ministry lacked the backbone to name the perpetrator or invoke principles of the UN Charter, international law or non-alignment. It equated victim and violator to please imperial masters. I earlier raised how Iranian Embassy officials could not even open a bank account here—contrary to diplomatic norms.

¶ 08 The IAEA Director General stated that Israel’s military operation included attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran, warning that nuclear sites must never be attacked and that such acts imperil safety, security and peace. Iran is party to the NPT; Israel is not.

¶ 09 Therefore, the Foreign Ministry should be more sensitive and cautious. Better no statement than a statement that becomes a laughingstock.

¶ 10 Thank you.