The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I begin from where the previous Member ended. He said it should end with Deshabandu. No—it cannot end only there. We must end the mean, petty, accursed politics created by the Deshabandus. That is why we are doing this unprecedented act today.

¶ 02 As citizens we must be saddened: the Police are to maintain law and order and prevent crime; yet we discuss today how the head of that Department became a political lackey, broke law and order, planned crimes and executed them, bringing the State service into disrepute. Society too must take a stand against people like Deshabandu. Because such corrupt, base officials have tarnished the State.

¶ 03 We must say clearly: those like Deshabandu were created to serve the political whims of criminal States. The Hon. Member said it must end with Deshabandu—no, the political culture that created such individuals must also end. To end that culture and build a proper system is why millions gave a mandate to the NPP.

¶ 04 I will also respond on Public Safety Committees: do not mislead the country for media attraction with foolish claims. Read the circular properly: the convener is a police officer; secretary is the GN; the term “coordination committee” is used—guided by the Chair and Secretary of that committee; the Secretary is the Divisional Secretary. The attempt to misinterpret and claim politicization is wrong.

¶ 05 Hon. Presiding Member, what are the charges against Deshabandu? Under the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002—section 3(a) misconduct; section 3(e) gross abuse of office. Thus, acting for political ends within his official duties is what is under inquiry. Remember what happened to CJ Shirani Bandaranayake when she gave an opinion against one of Basil Rajapaksa’s Divineguma Bills—the Rajapaksa regime abused power to oust her. Did Namal Rajapaksa then ask about justice? Senior police officials were involved behind atrocities like the murders of Thajudeen and the abduction of Eknaligoda.

¶ 06 Finally, a message to all public servants: we will strengthen and protect honest, efficient, patriotic public officers. The Opposition, seeking to hide their bankruptcy, is trying to manufacture issues within the State service by attacking proper measures of this Government. The NPP Government is correcting the country, strengthening the public service, and will deliver clear decisions on crimes by the Department’s head, Deshabandu Tennakoon. I conclude. Thank you.