The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, today we consider 25 Special Expenditure Heads, including the President’s and Prime Minister’s Offices and the Independent Commissions. I will speak to these and their implications.

¶ 02 The Executive Presidency—crafted by J.R. Jayewardene within the Constitution—concentrated powers as Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief. It was argued this could “do anything,” yet it did not solve problems; it exacerbated them: corruption, bribery, organized crime, narcotics, and especially ethno-religious chauvinism. Across presidencies, problems were created and deepened, not solved. The last elected President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, bankrupted the country and fled.

¶ 03 Neither the Westminster-style Cabinet system under the Soulbury Constitution and First Republican Constitution, nor the Executive Presidency under the Second Republic, delivered transformation. Now, under the National People’s Power, we observe some positive steps—particularly actions against the underworld, corruption, and narcotics—which we welcome. We will support what is progressive and point out deficiencies where needed.

¶ 04 An Indian poet said Independence became the day we “cast off white darkness to embrace black darkness,” meaning foreign rule was replaced by domestic misrule. At independence, Sri Lanka’s per capita income in Asia ranked third after Japan and Malaysia. Under local rulers, the economy fell to bankruptcy—this is due to our rulers’ approach. After 76 years of misgovernance, you assumed power in the 77th; we cannot hide certain issues—we must openly discuss and resolve them.

¶ 05 The national question is not of our creation; it was created by ethno-religious rulers. We raised our voices when our community was harmed, not to promote ethnic chauvinism but to seek justice and rights. The 1979 PTA under J.R. Jayewardene was draconian and remains unrepealed—painful facts. Today it is also used against underworld and drug traffickers, but the PTA caused grave human rights violations. You and your comrades too suffered abuses; therefore, you should have empathy. Losses and abuses during the war must be acknowledged; responsibility and accountability ensured; truth established; remedies provided; and guarantees of non-recurrence achieved—alongside a just political solution to the national issue.

¶ 06 On the Human Rights Commission: many of our relatives were abducted and disappeared. For instance, Prof. Ravindranath, former Vice Chancellor of Eastern University, was abducted and remains missing; justice is needed. Prof. Thambiah, Head of Economics, was killed at home. Journalist G. Nadesan was shot in his office. Politicians Joseph Pararajasingham, Nadarajah Raviraj, and others were assassinated. Teachers such as Satheeskumar, his young daughter Dinusiya, child Varsika of Trincomalee, Lawanithan, Anthony Amalraj, Principal Thangarajah, Sriraguraman, child Vadivel, Anandan, Kanagasingam, Dayasingam, and many more were abducted/disappeared. Under your tenure, identify perpetrators and punish them. If instead culprits are promoted—as with those linked to the Chemmani mass grave era reaching Major General and Brigadier ranks—there can be no democracy, rule of law, or judicial independence. Whoever the culprit—Tamil, Muslim, Sinhalese—must face due process and punishment.

¶ 07 While we welcome recent arrests, we demand convictions. Do not allow negotiations or religious figures to shield perpetrators of heinous abuses and sexual violence that brought shame to the country. Justice must be done for victims and families still weeping.

¶ 08 On the Archaeological Advisory Committee: previously all 17 members were of one ethnicity and religion; we could not accept that. Now, you appointed 19 members—again largely one community. You claim to be progressive; representation should reflect our multi-ethnic society.