The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, during this debate on the extension of Emergency Regulations under the Public Security Ordinance, I wish to state why we have the right to extend the emergency. Simply put, under the framework of Section 688—where matters of national importance affecting public life cannot be resolved swiftly under ordinary law and regulations—emergency powers allow rapid relief and solutions by eliminating delays. The primary purpose of this law is to quickly provide genuine relief to the people.

¶ 02 In November, the Matale District was among those severely affected by the “Ditva” cyclone. The emergency provisions allowed us to deliver immediate relief, carry out rescues, and provide temporary solutions quickly. While temporary measures were given, medium and long-term rehabilitation allocations have been made via central and provincial mechanisms. Yet, in implementing permanent solutions, we still need the enabling powers previously available under emergency—because many local authorities lack adequate manpower and face difficulties identifying and legally transferring State lands for resettlement, which takes significant time. Extending the emergency helps expedite permanent solutions.

¶ 03 I must add, the term “emergency” evokes bad images due to historical misuse by past governments, which resorted to emergency to suppress opposing voices, organizations, and political parties. We categorically state that over the past one and a half years, we have protected the true purpose of emergency—public safety—and have never used it to suppress political opponents or dissent. We are redefining it to society as a tool for real problem-solving.

¶ 04 Some have tried today to mislead the public about our investigations into the Easter attacks. On 21 April 2019, nearly 250–300 people were killed and around 500 injured in a planned terrorist attack. There must have been a mastermind. The public mandated the next government to find out who orchestrated it. Investigations stalled then, trust eroded, and our government received a mandate to resume and find the real mastermind. We are proceeding lawfully, step by step, to uncover the hidden truth. Those who hid the secret are now nervous because they see we are getting closer.

¶ 05 Please allow me a brief extension, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 06 Some want us to breach our compact with the people, act unlawfully, and arbitrarily jail whoever we “think” is guilty—as was done to Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and General Sarath Fonseka in the past. We will not repeat those wrongs. Even if many demand quick answers, we will proceed carefully but correctly, upholding the people’s mandate, the law, and due process, and punish the guilty. Thank you.