The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, I regret that some here do not even understand the terms they use. This is Parliament—please be mindful.

¶ 02 On taxes, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake said VAT would be completely removed from all food, health and educational items. Listen to this.

¶ 03 [An audio recording was played.]

¶ 04 Where is that promise now? Instead, taxes are still being imposed across the board. We said some taxes could be reduced and some could not; we told the truth. You told blatant falsehoods and won on those lies. Hence the term “lie-Government.” Now you must take responsibility.

¶ 05 Since 1994, they have propped up every Government—supporting the 1994 Chandrika Government that promised to abolish the Executive Presidency; then 1997; they held ministries in 2001–2002; again in 2004; in 2010 they backed Sarath Fonseka and lost; in 2015 they backed Maithripala Sirisena and won. For three decades they shared power; they too must be accountable. This does not apply to the NPP Members here, but the JVP aided and abetted at various points.

¶ 06 A Government MP yesterday said the number of births fell by 100,000 and we should address it. If you wanted more births, why did you allow circumstances where 60,000 were killed? If those deceased had even two children each, that would be 120,000 more. The JVP was responsible for 6,000 killings; at two children each, that adds up further. So do not shift all blame now.

¶ 07 On trade agreements, the Deputy Minister of Industries today backed the Singapore FTA, saying issues will be fixed. Yet earlier you opposed it loudly. We in Opposition also critiqued, but we said: keep the good, remove the bad. Same with ETCA—those who said “no ETCA” now speak differently.

¶ 08 University student unions have a right to express views; academics too. In our time there were severe restrictions; later, space was opened for all viewpoints. But today at Peradeniya, a programme titled “How to fight against the IMF austerity programme” organized by the Political Science Students’ Union was cancelled by the Vice-Chancellor. Under your Government, after years of opposing the IMF, you now say “IMF saranam gachchami,” and even stifle a meeting critical of the IMF. Protect freedom in universities and the rights of academics to hold political views and speak.

¶ 09 I also saw that the President summoned the Attorney-General regarding special cases. The AG’s Department is a quasi-judicial body; after this Government came, CID officers have pressed the AG to file cases prematurely. The AG has said, “Complete investigations and we will file.” If compelled to file prematurely, later the AG must withdraw in court, creating a crisis. Summoning AG officials to discuss “special cases” risks interference. Please stop such interventions.

¶ 10 Further, a new circular reportedly bars Ministers from meeting foreign envoys without Foreign Ministry approval and restricts officials from attending meetings without clearance. In the past, as Chief Minister, we built sister-city links that brought funds to local bodies—such initiatives will now be hampered. This is becoming like North Korea. Let Ministers work freely and let us not silence our voice.