The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you.

¶ 02 Through COPE we must expose past corruption and fraud and punish those responsible. On milk production, domestic output has covered only about one-third of consumption. Importing cows under phase 3 (stage II) involved advances and a special audit, yet expected output increases did not materialize.

¶ 03 Sri Lanka has both open and closed dairy farming technologies and adequate fodder. Instead of scientifically improving local breeds, some sought to import cows for corrupt gain; they must now answer.

¶ 04 Those who were in Opposition earlier never held such people to account. The people have now formed a new Government and their expectations are being met, leaving the Opposition unsettled. They imagine an early regime change, but the people have given this Government sufficient support; it will not fall easily.

¶ 05 In the East, some Muslim leaders habitually spread communal rhetoric and false promises, claiming they will turn the region into the UAE, Qatar or Jordan and bring billions by virtue of being Government partners. They have done nothing, yet the people still voted for them. However, in recent presidential, general and local elections, Tamil-speaking people of the East increasingly supported our party. In Ampara District, national parties have declined in coastal areas. In the last local elections in Ampara, our alliance won 114 seats overall: 29 for Tamil Makkal Sakthi, 33 for SLMC, 19 for ACMC and 20 for National Congress; 29 were from Tamil-speaking areas. We are now second to SLMC in coastal Ampara. People are moving towards a new political culture, no longer swayed by communal lies.

¶ 06 Today the Opposition accused us of buying Members and making deals to form councils. We have not engaged in any deals. In some regions, members elected from other parties have joined the ruling side of their own accord; we have not negotiated or paid anyone. They chose to work with us after seeing our growth and integrity.

¶ 07 On corruption at local bodies: in Kalmunai Municipal Council, a former SLMC Mayor is alleged to have committed fraud of about Rs. 190 million; the matter is sub judice. Similar issues exist elsewhere, such as Nintavur Pradeshiya Sabha, which I have previously raised. We cannot rebuild the country unless we identify, stop and punish corruption, and confiscate ill-gotten assets.

¶ 08 Do not imagine that communal rhetoric can deceive the people any longer. The public is pleased when corrupt individuals are punished or jailed. That is what they wanted. We are ready to build a just governance in this prosperous country, and we call on all to work together for a better future.

¶ 09 Thank you.