The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Members, while a major debate is underway, I want to clarify a small matter. Some media incorrectly reported that in my speech yesterday I said there are US military bases in Saudi Arabia and that troops should be expelled. I wish to correct that. Saudi Arabia has always helped Sri Lanka – in war, tsunami, and recovery. Our Holy Kaaba is there. The Saudi Government has helped our country, Government, and society in all ways. I did not say anything false about that country. I must state here that there is no US military force or base in Saudi Arabia. I will speak in detail on another occasion.

¶ 03 On today’s important debate about the Easter attack, I agree with many points made by Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake. Our party did not like that the Leader of the Opposition – the leader of 8848 – participated in the recent Easter book launch. Such actions will harm him and the Opposition in the future; I wish to place that on record in this august House. The Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake said some in the Opposition speak ill of Shani Abeysekara and Ravi Seneviratne. I have great confidence in Shani Abeysekara and in the present Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, Mr. Ravi Seneviratne. We believe they will perform their duties properly. We in the Opposition will not oppose everything; we will support what is right.

¶ 04 The Catholic people were most affected by the Easter bombings; they sacrificed many lives. The Muslim community was also gravely affected. We now see books being written to make it appear that the IVP committed this killing. All this time, those who accused Hejaaz Hizbullah, Azath Salley, Dr. Shafi, and Ahnaf Jazeem are now calling Hon. Mujibur Rahuman a traitor. What does this show? Through conspiracy and deceit, they are trying to take this incident back to the people and regain power. They took power through such conspiracies – calling me, my brother, and others – but how long could they rule? Could they sleep peacefully? The unique disgrace of a head of state fleeing the country befell only the unfortunate Gotabaya Rajapaksa. I must state this in the House.

¶ 05 We are not the kind of Opposition that criticizes everything the Government does. On the steps the Government is taking regarding this investigation, not only our party but all in the Opposition have a moral responsibility to extend full cooperation. As true citizens, we must do so.

¶ 06 The Muslim community is an ancient community of over a thousand years. Whether under kings or after independence, at no time did Muslims conspire against the country or seek division. But conspirators and agitators like Zaharan were operated from behind by some force. Therefore, we must find that force. Otherwise, in another time or decade, they will again plot to ascend to power. Thus we expect the Government under Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake to stand firm and find the real masterminds.

¶ 07 I heard that compensation will be paid to the affected Catholic people. Certainly, pay it. Likewise, thousands of Muslims were unjustly incarcerated, humiliated, and had their businesses destroyed. They suffered greatly. You must also care for them and compensate them. And conduct the investigation cleanly. On Hejaaz Hizbullah’s case, the Auditor-General’s Department has still taken no action. The Auditor-General’s Department is still gathering information; no decision has been given yet. We do not know why.

¶ 08 My brother was also imprisoned for two and a half years – why? Because he spoke on the phone for one and a half minutes to the son of Ibrahim Hajiar. He is a major businessman; my brother is a reputable businessman. For a minute and a half for some business matter, they jailed him for two and a half years. After six months on bail and acquittal, again, under Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s leadership, 100 MPs including Udaya Gammanpila and Wimal Weerawansa signed a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to re-arrest him. That was the nature of that regime. Then they re-arrested my brother and kept him for two more years before releasing him. They did such vile acts, exploiting the Easter attack.

¶ 09 I will not speak more. According to our faith, we believe in Allah. Conspirators and schemers will never succeed. Over all schemers, the Greatest Planner is Allah. Thank you.