The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna

¶ 01 Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

¶ 02 I remember this incident as if it were today. On the morning of the Easter attacks, I was in Attanagalla Raja Maha Viharaya conducting a health clinic. As soon as we heard of the incident, I went to St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Katana. What happened was extremely grave. We must ensure that something like this never happens again in this country. Therefore, the Leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Hon. Sajith Premadasa, and all of us extend our fullest cooperation and strength to this Government. Do not have any doubt about that. What we want is to find those responsible. We request you to fulfill that honestly.

¶ 03 In this debate, Government Members speak mostly about the launching of a book, and try to sling mud at Hon. Sajith Premadasa. To quote President Anura Kumara Dissanayake himself, Sajith Premadasa did not go there after reading and seeing the contents of the book; he did not know what was in it. Therefore, please carry out your duties straightforwardly. I must emphasize: the things this Government says and does are no longer accepted by the people. What you said on the platform then, you are not doing today. That is our problem. Confidence in the investigations into the Easter attack has eroded. Why? Do you remember, a year ago, in March 2025, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said from the stage that before Easter Sunday in April, they would reveal the mastermind? Did he not say that? Now you do not speak a word about it. Why? You clearly said that. It has been a year. Where is the mastermind? There is none. Anura Kumara is now caught between a rock and a hard place. If international expert assistance is needed, please obtain it. We too want to see this task concluded properly.

¶ 04 We all know that under Gotabaya Rajapaksa there was no justice done. Yes, Shani was transferred; officers of the CID were transferred. We spoke about it then and we speak about it now. You tried to arrest the then Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and Dr. Shafi. But justice was not done, and because of that, especially the people sensitive to this issue, gave you a mandate. How long has it been now? One and a half years. You are the group that said you would do it with a single pen stroke; within a week; within a month; as your first priority. But we are still waiting. So we ask you, please expedite this task.

¶ 05 We have no confidence in your words now. With repeated lies, the people have been deceived. Your own leader said in March 2025 that the mastermind of the Easter attacks would be revealed. Yet you still have not done it. We strongly say: please stop telling stories to cover this Government’s incapacity. Do not speak about the Opposition or anyone else. Today anyone can write books and do things because you have not done your duty letter-perfect. If you had, no one else could do these things or say such things. Because you have not done it, others have the space. Therefore, please fulfill your task properly. For that, we will extend our fullest support. Thank you very much.