The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today’s motion is to remove IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. The Government side called him a “godfather.” But the “godfather” went to the CID with STF protection, stayed an hour or two, and returned home. The owner of the W15 Hotel is from a political family. What is this connection?

¶ 02 This is a lesson to Deshabandu, Pujith Jayasundara, Nilantha Jayawardena, Priyantha Jayakody and others. Those serving in the Police now should reflect: when governments change, those politicians will not protect you. For Deshabandu, Pujith and Nilantha, that is what happened. This is not about a hotel; it is about a land hunger. Deshabandu may not even be involved; the real actors roam free. Fine—Deshabandu has to go home today. But the true story about the Weligama hotel is big; I will not go into it now.

¶ 03 In 2017, ex-Magistrate Thilina Gamage faced an elephant calf case, was acquitted and given back pay; later, his work was halted again. In the past, Court of Appeal Judge Nishshanka Bandula Karunaratne faced bribery allegations; 120 Government MPs signed against him; he was retired with all benefits. One law for Bandula Karunaratne; another for Thilina Gamage. Strange laws! Deshabandu goes home today; he did not fire the shots at that hotel—someone else did. If you call Deshabandu wrong, then what about those who took bribes? They were sent home with benefits. These are strange standards.

¶ 04 On appointing the Army Commander—the President himself said consider the list of eligible Major Generals. Several who voted in the morning at the gym said it was wrong. Many Major Generals aged 55 are waiting in line to become Army Commander. The current Commander’s term was extended by a year. When appointing, check the seniority list. Maj. Gen. Dinesh Nanayakkara was suitable but was not appointed; he has now retired. We do not pick—we follow the list; the most senior becomes Commander. Do not spout nonsense; I am not the President to appoint as I wish. But the current Commander’s term was extended.

¶ 05 Hon. Presiding Member, during the war, a former Navy Commander is in jail. Even if people get angry or a law is brought to hang me, I will say this. Even if others vote differently tomorrow, fine. Fortunately, our Cardinal did not become Pope; otherwise this would be a Vatican. I say this to our clergy as well. Behind these Commander appointments and extensions—who stands there? The former Navy Commander is in prison; that is fine; but justice must be equal for all. The country faces many issues. I will not take Deshabandu’s matter further.

¶ 06 Recently the Anuradhapura tank reserve was in the news. You, Hon. Presiding Member, are from Anuradhapura. Nuwara Wewa is on one side of Pothanagama junction; Tissa Wewa’s reserve is being encroached. By whom? By “Maginda Pathirage” who famously says “baduma thamai.” He has built a house inside the Tissa Wewa reserve; cleared land. Tell Lal Kanta to remove “baduma thamai” first. Did these start under this Government? Tell him to be removed too. On the Anuradhapura Airport road near the northern camp, part of the runway fill was used to make that road; that too is Nuwara Wewa property. If you remove poor people’s structures, remove those too—there are government buildings there: DIG’s official residence, Archaeology office, Forest Department office. Remove them too if you are fair. On your stages you had a man shouting “baduma thamai”—remove his first.

¶ 07 Now Deshabandu goes home; but Ilukpitiya is still inside, being molded. Leader of the House, you also interrupted me. You spoke of a Godfather—he is still there with STF; but Ilukpitiya is inside. Deshabandu goes home; what a government! No need to name the Godfather; the whole country and media know who and where he is; and that he is close to the Government. If you divide, do it equally; treat all the same. If you file cases against Chamara Sampath, file against the others too; do not close others’ cases. Do not act partially. Those who file cases against us—shall I speak of Vienna? I can speak of the rooms there; enjoy yourselves, we do not object. But do not be ready to look up and spit on those enjoying.

¶ 08 The LTTE ended ultimately because some went abroad to enjoy—Thailand, Singapore—while others fought. Likewise, do not accuse only us of corruption. If you call us corrupt, what about Vienna? We are looking into all that too.

¶ 09 Even if I am attacked, I will say what must be said. Even if I go to seven prisons, I will speak. Time is short; I conclude. Thank you.