The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, when we speak about the economy, we must also speak about law and order. Only if law and order is properly upheld will investments flow. I am glad to raise this while the Hon. Minister of Justice, Harshana Nanayakkara, is in the House. I saw weekend papers reporting the President and the Minister of Justice meeting officials of the Attorney-General’s Department regarding delays in many cases. On International Anti-Corruption Day, the President strongly criticized the Attorney-General’s Department. Perhaps as a consequence, this discussion took place. Reports suggest the Department’s officials acknowledged deficiencies in the Police Department—police forwarding case files without completing investigations. Officials were expected to submit a report on pending cases.

¶ 02 Madam Deputy Chairperson, today is 8 January. On this day in 2009, our investigative journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated in broad daylight. Every year it is commemorated. Today Hon. Ravi Karunanayake and I went to the cemetery and lit a clay lamp at his grave. Yet that murder remains shrouded in mystery. There were reports about the MIG aircraft deal he had started to expose, and many cases ensued, even cases against him. If evidence were properly marshalled we would know what cases, who the perpetrators were, and who in higher places should be held accountable. Four Presidents have come and gone since, yet indictments against culprits have not been filed; the Attorney-General’s Department remains silent. What did the Police do? The current Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne, is a capable officer; he too suffered reprisals. Shani Abeysekera, who carried forward investigations, knows the trail. Bringing these to a conclusion is a primary duty of this Government. Likewise for the cases of Upali Tennakoon and Keith Noyahr—both reports are said to be complete, but the cases must be concluded expeditiously. How can we talk about investments flowing openly when murders of journalists in broad daylight remain unprosecuted?

¶ 03 Former journalists met us today and recounted facts. Lasantha’s widow, Raine Wickrematunge, wrote “Unbowed & Unafraid,” detailing what happened. Two days before his murder, a massive bomb attack destroyed the Sirasa TV complex; Hon. Ravi Karunanayake and I ran there that morning. Two days later, Lasantha was killed. Who in that Government will answer? I draw the Minister’s attention again: an act in broad daylight still remains a mystery.

¶ 04 There are other cases, like Keith Noyahr’s. He was held in an illegal detention cell in a senior police officer’s house; during torture a call came, reportedly after threats of resignation in Cabinet, and he was released—this is now public knowledge. The Government must ensure journalists’ safety.

¶ 05 On repression, allow me to refer to a news item: “Prof. Udagama condemns Peradeniya Uni ban on IMF austerity programme lecture.” If such a lecture was banned or its title demanded to be changed to suit the Government, that is alarming. Hon. Minister, academic freedom in universities is vital in a free country. Your Government came promising freedom. Curtailing academic freedom is serious. Open discussions on the IMF and its programme must be allowed, particularly in universities like Peradeniya. The IMF has suddenly become the darling of this Government; you agreed to every condition contrary to your election rhetoric—fine, but then why prevent open discussion?

¶ 06 Madam, the Human Rights Commission has the right to inspect any place in relation to ill-treatment. Recently Rohingya refugees arrived in Mullaitivu. This is not the first time—boats came in 2008, 2017 and 2018. The Commission’s officials were refused entry at an Air Force camp; that violates the Human Rights Commission Act and can amount to contempt. A leading President’s Counsel has written on adherence to procedures. The Minister in charge of law and order said he would consult Myanmar authorities. That is like asking the thief’s mother about the theft. It is well documented that the Myanmar Government persecutes the Rohingya minority; hundreds of thousands have fled—nearly a million in Bangladesh, hundreds of thousands in Malaysia, and many in other countries. To label these arrivals as human traffickers is unconscionable. Many of your own members sought refuge abroad during persecution in the 70s and 80s. Now you treat these poor Myanmarese this way. A Deputy Minister spoke like a parrot, merely repeating what officials say. We appoint Ministers to lead, not to recite officials’ lines. Please follow international obligations properly.

¶ 07 The UNHCR should be asked to provide necessary security. The Government is bound under humanitarian law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.