The Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, it will be seven years on 21 April since the Easter Sunday attack. I recall that I participated in last year’s adjournment debate on it as well. At present there are several ongoing cases related to the attack; not a small number. When such cases are being heard, a question arises whether it is appropriate to keep debating this in Parliament. I register my opposition to bringing proposals here while cases are pending.

¶ 02 A Presidential Commission of Inquiry was appointed to investigate this incident; there are reports. It is only from those that we can take matters. The Opposition’s points today are what they said last year: speaking about Ibrahim, and little else. This should not set a precedent. What is being done here while court proceedings are on can be seen as exerting pressure. There have been pressures before.

¶ 03 Hon. Rasamanickam mentioned Pillayan’s book. What does it say? Ultimately, that Muslim extremism must be held responsible. Day before yesterday, Gammanpila also released a book; it says the same thing. Why publish such books? If the books can tell who the mastermind is, there is no need for all this shouting. This is an attempt to politically influence the ongoing investigations. Not only have cases been filed; many investigations are ongoing.

¶ 04 We also saw that the Hon. Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, was present there. Moreover, at that book launch, there were figures from political movements accused in relation to the Easter attack, including former Presidents. The Leader of the Opposition being there raises questions. Some SJB MPs said it was done through AI. Even today some are saying various things. It is hard to tell whether the SJB is now in pieces. Some said he went after “tasting” the book. If he is a politician, he should have the political wisdom to identify such a place. Is he that naive, to go without knowing?

¶ 05 The former Attorney-General Dappula de Livera said it was a conspiracy; indeed it was. We know about the political alignments; about the Vavunativu incident before the attack. It was pinned on the LTTE and Ajanthan, but that is not so. Our Government has now found it was orchestrated by Muslim extremism. Then, certain officials concealed the truth knowingly. There was a filthy hunger for power in our country. Because of that, money was given to Muslim extremism and from the same account to southern extremism. That is how the country was played. When one extremism rises, the other rises relatively. That is their politics – what some call the “Rajapaksa Order” – stoking extremisms against each other. We have now removed that politics from the country.

¶ 06 The Easter attack happened under the Yahapalana Government. Before the attack, with intelligence available, nothing was done to prevent it. After the attack too, they did nothing. They were in power for one and a half years. But now they speak as if this happened under our Government. We are conducting new investigations. The former State Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay has now been arrested. An intelligence service exists to safeguard the State, not to protect or topple governments. Those officers failed. Not only Sallis; there are others, in the military and police. There may be many we do not yet know. Stars on shoulders do not matter to us. Not only officials, politicians involved will also see stars in front of courts in due course. Our investigations lack no rigor; we are proceeding exactly as stated.

¶ 07 Our National People’s Power Government gave seven pledges; there is now considerable progress in all seven. We are taking steps to bring the masterminds – whether one or several – before court and bring the truth forward. We are examining failure to prevent the attack, and will continue to do so. The Presidential Commission report exists. It was not released earlier; only tabled in Parliament. Only after our Government came did it get released. It can be read today, demonstrating our transparency. That report mentions offenders; already over ten – perhaps 20-25 – have been charged, including for criminal offences. We are acting accordingly on Easter. As pledged, we are prioritizing and expediting hearings; cases are being heard daily.

¶ 08 Remember, it is nearly seven years. Other governments and officials were responsible throughout. Some may still be there. Yet despite all challenges, we are moving forward. At present, His Eminence the Cardinal and the Catholic Church have placed trust in us and in the work we are doing; so have the people of the country.

¶ 09 Finally, let me end with a passage from the Holy Bible:

¶ 10 “When you render judgment, you must judge fairly. Do not show partiality to the poor or deference to the mighty. Judge your neighbor righteously.”

¶ 11 Thank you.