The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, in today’s debate on the Resolution under the Public Security Ordinance, we saw many issues raised by the Opposition. Yesterday we also saw a drama staged in front of Fort Railway Station, and today a small group staging another in front of Parliament. Why this panic?

¶ 02 Suresh Sallay was taken into custody on 25 February. On 3rd of last week, the travel ban was imposed on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa; after being quiet, certain groups are now agitated and staging performances. Today I saw a new twist: the UNP issued a media statement claiming the treatment of Suresh Sallay violates the Constitution and international conventions, and proposed appointing an MPs’ group to visit him. It even warns that if such treatment can be meted out to Mr. Sallay, it could be applied to Opposition groups as well—calling it a dangerous trend. The cat is out of the bag. Those preparing to enter custody are issuing statements in advance.

¶ 03 We have ensured a robust democracy. The President himself said: protest outside State institutions if you must, but not in front of private residences. Do not turn democracy into a vulgar free-for-all, especially on social media with obscene, baseless attacks against the President’s elderly mother or the Prime Minister. Set limits.

¶ 04 We saw Namal Rajapaksa say, “Yes, we went to see Pillayan; what is the issue?” and today, “We hold Bodhi Pujas for Suresh Sallay; problem?” Yes, it is a problem for our people. 278 innocent Catholics were massacred; over 500 injured. Even today a girl in Batticaloa remains blind from the blast. Hold a hundred Bodhi Pujas if you wish—but remember the 278 slain Catholic faithful and over 500 injured.

¶ 05 Another of your friends from my district, Sarana Gunawardena—nicknamed “Extortion Sarana”—has gone inside today. In Thihariya Kalagedihena, 60 innocent rambutan vendors were each extorted Rs. 200 a day—Rs. 360,000 a month collectively. That is just one example. He has been sentenced not to four years as some media misreported, but, as the judgment states clearly, to 16 years. Mahindananda got 20 years; Nalin Fernando 25; S.M. Ranjith 16; his relative Chandraseena’s wife 16; Sanath Nishantha’s brother five and a half. The queue is forming; do not panic.

¶ 06 We also remember how, during “good governance,” deals were done and thieves freed; how the footnotes whitewashed the biggest Central Bank robbery within 28 days of that government. Those who put footnotes and had calls with Arjun Aloysius should be careful now.

¶ 07 Some who never felt for war heroes when Sarath Fonseka was jailed, or when Shani Abeysekera was held for over 10 months, are now feverish over Sallay. Since morning, the SJB kept quiet on Sallay—because their Leader attended Gammanpila’s event calling to reveal the Easter “mastermind,” and begged for it. Now he says nothing.

¶ 08 Finally, to those who spoke about the PTA: this Government has not used the PTA to oppress civilians. Using the PTA to expose the masterminds of the Easter massacre of 278 and injuring over 500—how is that wrong? The Justice Minister has clearly said the PTA will be repealed soon. Until then, we use existing law to reveal the masterminds. When they are unmasked, all will know. We will also repeal it in due course, while delivering justice to the people and punishing the corrupt. Neither emergency nor the PTA will be used to violate democracy.

¶ 09 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.