The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe

¶ 01 Please grant me two or three more minutes, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 In any case, let me add this. We have a history in this country of writing books. I saw even yesterday in Parliament how some challenged the President. No issue with that. Who are these? The crowd who wrote books of “truths and lies” about the Central Bank Bonds. Now Udaya Gammanpila has written a book: “In Search of the Mastermind of the Easter Attack.” More will come. Let me say this: there is a song line—“By turning the page, Sita learns the book; by turning the pages, Rama.” So no matter how many pages are turned, the people know well these books and those who write and flip them.

¶ 03 In today’s debate, various points were raised. Hon. Rauff Hakeem asked whether there is any pressure on the Government regarding taking forward the investigations into the Easter attack. No. Let me emphasize: for seven years, people held a strong expectation for justice against the perpetrators of the Easter attack. When they brought the National People’s Power Government to office, they had great trust that justice would be delivered by the NPP—by the Malimawa Government. We assure the people: we will not break even a shard of the trust you placed in us. Regardless of who tries to create doubts, investigations are proceeding without any doubt. They are 99% complete; now in the final stage. At such a time, some write books and repeatedly drag into Parliament matters pending before courts, trying to blur the pursuit of the perpetrators. I ask, for what motive?

¶ 04 Time is over, Hon. Deputy Minister.

¶ 05 Please allow me two minutes, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 06 Grant two minutes to Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law.

¶ 07 There is an issue regarding time; if the Secretariat agrees,—

¶ 08 I will take two minutes from the Minister.

¶ 09 Very well.

¶ 10 Therefore, even if you try by any means to blur this, we will not allow it. We will complete the remaining tasks of these investigations properly and assure the people—especially our victims, including the Catholic community—that we will conclude them. You ask about April 21. Who is asking? Those gentlemen who were in power for seven months after the attack. Whose Government was that? The Maithri–Ranil–Sajith Government. As I recall, Sajith Premadasa was the fourth in that Government. They had seven months; did nothing; today they question us why it was not done before last April 21. When we came to power, five and a half years had already passed since the incident. Let me clearly emphasize: however anyone tries to blur these investigations, we will go forward protecting the people’s trust. Do not continue to lie to and insult the intelligence of the people.

¶ 11 I also extend special thanks today to our Hon. Rasamanickam, Hon. Bathiudeen, and Hon. Mujibur Rahuman. Though in the Opposition, they contributed constructive ideas in this debate. My respects and salutations to them. Thank you.