The Hon. (Dr.) V.S. Radhakrishnan

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to join the debate on extending the emergency.

¶ 02 Emergency regulations, first used in wartime, have now been reintroduced due to the “Ditva” cyclone. We observe some using this law for partisan ends. Drug abuse is on the rise, and with it, murders and robberies. Some are exploiting this period for their advantage.

¶ 03 Recently, in Dickoya, two elderly people were murdered. A suspect was arrested, and while under admission at Kandy, he went missing. What is the background to this? In the Agarapatana area, police report increasing drug distribution. Despite seizures and arrests, eradication is failing. Cars come via rent-a-car services; hotel rooms are used; supply networks operate openly—police know this, but control efforts have little effect.

¶ 04 Particularly in plantations—Welikanda, Neeliyagama, Mayfield, Mokka, Wellandura, Delmar, Blairlomond and others—there are incidents of assaulting estate workers and various inhuman acts. We request strict use of the law to punish perpetrators. We also note the hiring of retired military personnel as plantation “authorities,” through whom such acts are allegedly carried out.

¶ 05 Recently in Ratnapura, attempts were made to attack estate officials. If such assaults continue, what will become of our youth? They risk being branded criminals, terrorists, or racists. We ask that steps be taken to prevent this.

¶ 06 In Kilinochchi, a young rapper named Sangeethsan was arrested. He once sang a song supporting a past government; then it was welcomed, now it is frowned upon. Our position is that he should be released. Today, the rapper is in jail; the rapist is outside. That is what is happening. Using the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) or emergency to take such actions is very wrong. Use the law fairly. Thank you.