The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, the Minister ended on “good governance.” That is what we all expect.

¶ 02 Hon. Minister, during the previous regime you and we were on the same side, speaking against those in power about transparency and accountability. But you have lost your way on transparency. You came to power on a great public uprising and promised openness. Are you practicing it?

¶ 03 Those who were economic advisers to Gotabaya are now advisers to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In this House we criticized them then. They move from government to government, doing deals. They say they work “free,” but they have businesses. Digitalization is not charity work. Did you think Hans would come for free? He knows what flows from digitalization.

¶ 04 Mr. Hulangamuwa also advised Gotabaya; he was eyeing the Sathosa audit tender. I exposed it publicly; he backed off.

¶ 05 On the Thajudeen case, Dialog did not provide call data then. From the Temple Trees switchboard, 60 calls went to then DIG Anura Senanayake on the night of the murder. But the exact extension was not identified. The only firm with the technical capacity to trace it belonged to the very person who is now the President’s digital adviser; he did not assist then. This is why I say you will not catch Thajudeen’s killers—the evidence was buried, and those responsible are today advisers.

¶ 06 You speak of good governance, but retain officials who whitewashed wrongdoing. Dr. Anil Jasinghe, who sat on and justified the cremation-only policy, is now your Health Secretary. We opposed that then. How do you preach good governance while surrounding yourselves with such figures?

¶ 07 On the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC): newspapers reported a case was to be filed against a senior Minister over actions in the previous regime, but it has not been filed—citing “Bala Giri Doṣaya” (technical defects). Why? Is it because he is now a Government Minister? CIABOC claims independence; then file the case.

¶ 08 On the 309 containers released: we lodged a complaint with CIABOC. We requested a special Select Committee of Parliament; the Speaker agreed at the Party Leaders’ Meeting, and members were even proposed. Yet he has not announced it in the House. Why this silence if you champion good governance?

¶ 09 The President’s own committee report says the then Director General failed to cooperate and did not provide documents. His term ended on 5 November upon turning 60; the very next day, on his birthday, he was granted a six-month extension. The accused official got a gift—an extension—despite the report. Meanwhile the Minister was removed—clipping the wings of Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, making him quiet. This is unacceptable. In Customs history, DGs do not get extensions beyond 60, yet this person got one amid serious allegations, including the release of two ice (methamphetamine) containers. Still, no Select Committee.

¶ 10 We raise these from the President’s own committee report. If it is wrong, say so. If not, why the extension? Why remove the Minister?

¶ 11 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa: The President, as Finance Minister, appointed the committee in January. Based on its report, CID and Sri Lanka Customs are conducting separate investigations. If anyone is found culpable, legal action will be taken.

¶ 12 We also asked for transparency. Why is the Presidential Media Division refusing RTI requests about its staff, citing national security? Previous Presidents disclosed such lists—how else did we know names like Marasinghe? Another RTI on costs of domestic tours was also refused on national security grounds. Where is transparency?

¶ 13 On bar permits: you earlier publicized a list, alleging over 360 permits by former President Wickremesinghe were political bribes, to be cancelled when you came in. The Treasury Secretary, Harsha Suriyapperuma, has informed the Supreme Court that the permits were issued lawfully. Minister, be careful—do your homework before reading lists in the House, when your own Secretary tells Court they are lawful. A citizen—journalist Tharindu Jayawardhana, I believe—petitioned the Supreme Court to cancel them as unlawful, and your Government has accepted they are lawful. This contradiction is untenable.

¶ 14 On independent commissions, especially the National Police Commission: from 2015–2019 we all pushed for independence. Now you seem to pressure the Police Commission for transfers. If so, what became of the independence we fought for? If commissions must work as the Government wishes, better abolish them and vest all power in the President—as the Rajapaksas did. Don’t do that. People voted for independent institutions and rule of law.

¶ 15 Similarly, serious allegations have been raised recently about the Judicial Service Commission regarding promotions and transfers departing from established practice. We will seek a special Select Committee to inquire; the independence of the judiciary is crucial. When Ministers tell us to “go to court,” do you control the courts now? If so, that is dangerous; thus we need an inquiry.

¶ 16 We raise these issues so that the Government stays true to its mandate—good governance, rule of law, minimizing corruption. Use the public trust for social justice, not to shield friends while jailing foes. If you misuse it, the people will change their verdict again. Thank you.