The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva

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

¶ 02 The motion before the House states, in essence, that legal amendments should be expedited so that matters arising from COPE can be promptly referred to the Attorney General for legal action. We support this. I, too, have previously brought such a motion; similar authority should extend to COPA and the Public Finance Committee as well. We do not hold hearings for show; we need the power to ensure legal consequences.

¶ 03 Let me recall the 2024 e-Visa issue, as Hon. Rauff Hakeem mentioned. The Public Finance Committee produced a 65-page report. A service that could have been delivered for USD 1, without procurement, was handed to another for USD 25. Several petitioners, including TISL, THASL and SLAITO, went to the Supreme Court. Three Members—Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rauff Hakeem and M.A. Sumanthiran—also filed. For eight months, Government benches have a set of banned words; one is “e-Visa scam.” No one utters it. I do not know why.

¶ 04 On today’s topic, I have two main points. First, Government Members say the Secretary gave an “autonomous” recommendation to pay the advance for importing 15,000 cows in stage II, despite problems. I wish to table the review committee’s recommendation signed by nine officials, which states: “The committee, being satisfied with the current performance, recommends the Ministry to initiate action to implement the second phase of the dairy cattle importation programme.” The Secretary merely forwarded it to the Finance Ministry noting, “I kindly submit the report provided by the review committee for further necessary action.” Why target only the Secretary?

¶ 05 Second, it is claimed there was no performance security. In fact, there was a performance bond from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia—“Performance Bank Guarantee Number G00596922”—which I table. It states the bank unconditionally undertakes to pay on written demand. We are informed it remained valid even upon the Secretary’s retirement. If so, what happened to the bond? Is that the Secretary’s fault? During this process there were eight Ministers and about fifteen Secretaries involved. Why chase one person?

¶ 06 Therefore, I call for a full forensic audit of the entire transaction. Auditor General audits are excellent, but here a forensic audit is essential to establish exactly what happened and who is responsible. Do not, under the cover of action, merely reshuffle the Police Commission or scapegoat officials.

¶ 07 Punish wrongdoers—we will raise both hands in support. But do not only catch officials while others escape. Today, the public service is paralysed; Commissioners-General languish in remand; officials fear to sign. This is not healthy.

¶ 08 I say this not to whitewash anyone, but to ensure fairness: find those truly at fault and punish them, rather than only chasing officials.

¶ 09 Thank you.