The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, we know that false allegations have been made about you even from within; YouTubers publish stories about your conduct. Even so, you conduct the House with dignity. As widely discussed today by many Members, it is being said that a great injustice has occurred to the staff of this Parliament due to the Committee appointed by you and the Staff Advisory Committee.

¶ 02 When I first came here, in the initial months under Speaker Asoka Ranwala as I recall, several staff members—many officers—approached me and said they had suffered a serious injustice. They spoke of a Committee appointed to look into staff issues and of a report prepared by an officer named W.P.L. Jayasinghe. Accordingly, I suggested to then Speaker Asoka Ranwala that if there were major issues with that Committee, we should put things in order. Those officers had raised arguments at that time.

¶ 03 Here I have a letter dated 27 September 2022 to Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, the Speaker, signed by seven officers. Notable names include Wevella, Wasik, A.A.S.P. Perera, and W.P.L. Jayasinghe. These officers requested the Speaker to rectify the “injustice caused by removing the post of ‘Chief Officer’ in the Parliamentary Staff from the executive level.” I believe the Speaker initiated a process thereafter. Once that process started, they filed a case with six petitioners—without Jayasinghe among them. Then the Secretary-General of Parliament appointed, under the leadership of Jayasinghe, a one-person committee styled “Restructuring the Organization Structure of the Staff of the Secretary-General of Parliament based on …”.

¶ 04 Thus, Mr. Jayasinghe, who had issues and submitted representations with a few others, also filed a case. Against that, the staff of this Parliament sought a Writ; as I recall, former MP Sumanthiran appeared as Counsel. Although he was not a petitioner, Jayasinghe, who had presented the issue, was made the sole member of a personal committee. When we came to Parliament, a considerable number of officers—perhaps eight or ten groups—met me and said there was a problem and submitted that committee’s report. I raised this with Speaker Asoka Ranwala too. I believe they also told you this.

¶ 05 What did we do at the Staff Advisory Committee (SAC)? On 27 February 2025, the SAC decided to appoint a committee of experts. The SAC approved appointing officers with experience from the Ministry of Public Administration and related institutions: Mr. Dharmasena Dissanayake, former Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration; Mrs. Jayantha Chandrani Tennakoon Bulumulla, former Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs; and Mr. Mahagani Arachchige Dharmadasa, former Director General of Establishments, Ministry of Public Administration, and former Consultant, National Salaries and Cadre Commission.

¶ 06 In the earlier committee, the sole member was an officer of Parliament—who himself had faced “injustice” and had filed a petition—making it a single-person committee, which was a grievance. In contrast, we—through the SAC chaired by you and with participation of all, including the Leader of the Opposition—appointed three highly respected senior public administrators. They then worked according to government circulars.

¶ 07 Mr. Jayasinghe had spent about a year preparing those earlier reports. Since there were questions about money, I obtained information: approximately Rs. 2 million had been paid for that. I do not know what ethics applied here. He may be competent and learned; I looked at his qualifications—basically a Science degree, and yes, he has experience in Parliament. He may well have been suitable—if he was not himself a party to the dispute. He was also appointed as the sole member.

¶ 08 Subsequently, another panel was appointed. The SAC, where the Leader of the Opposition and all of us sit—and you too, Hon. Chairman—appointed a very important senior panel. They have given you a draft report. This week when I came to Parliament, many staff tried to meet me—you would have been approached too—asking for time, saying there were serious issues. We gave them time and then understood they had concerns about the committee report. So we told them—and I also proposed to you—that the same committee should receive appeals from staff and then submit its report to us, because the committee had not finalized its report to the Cabinet or to you. Therefore, we asked that staff appeals be heard.

¶ 09 Why do I say all this? Honestly, I did not intend to devote so much time to it. But today this has been used to attack Parliament, the Government, and you. Some Members have provided certain information; we have no issue with that, but it has been weaponized.

¶ 10 We ask which should be accepted: the earlier one-man committee, for which Rs. 2 million was paid and which was led by a person party to the dispute, or the independent three-member expert committee we appointed? That latter committee has not yet concluded; it is still taking appeals. Is that not the democratic, transparent process? There is still room for appeal.

¶ 11 Therefore, Hon. Chairman, as a Government we state here: last year in our Budget we increased the salaries of public officers; accordingly, parliamentary officers also received increases. In doing so, we operated a policy to maximize fairness. We do not have favourites. We look at Parliament the same way. We do not want to deprive anyone or unduly favour anyone. We have changed the past culture.

¶ 12 We know how some former Speakers and Presidents worked—appointments to those who praised them, promotions to a tight circle. We are not like that. We did not break laws or use court cases to appoint officers to higher posts. In the one year we have governed, we have proved that we work policy-first. Every staff member of Parliament is valuable. We expect the SAC-appointed committee to deliver maximum fairness to each officer. If there are corrections to be made in innocence, officers can submit them. What should not happen is to use this as a political weapon to target you in particular. I regret that.

¶ 13 We only learned today that you directed the Secretary-General on 30 September to provide us that report. But as of today, neither I, nor Hon. Anil Jayanta, nor the Leader of the Opposition had received it. I saw it being sent only this evening. Why did the Secretary-General send today what you requested on 30 September, and only after you mentioned it at the SAC? We do not know. I do not know what necessity led her to act contrary to your instruction. We regret that.

¶ 14 With that said, I will come back to my main theme. Excuse me for having to add this large segment; it is our duty to stand for the rights of the staff who work here. We have always done so, without any ulterior need. We respect everyone and harbour no inferiority. That is why I took that time. I will conclude quickly.

¶ 15 What is happening to the Opposition today? In debates, we see only venting of hatred, resentment and disappointment. From morning, they criticize, but their biggest problem is that they cannot find proper weapons to criticize this Government. The two who most frequently appear before the Bribery or Corruption Commission and courts are those with the most cases. Many Opposition Members spoke today—Hon. Imran Maharoof, Hon. S. Sritharan—but none spoke about the Bribery or Corruption Commission or the judiciary. Today, who most often appears before those bodies? Those with the most cases before them. Meanwhile, we have said as a Government that we reduce expenditure, reduce privileges, and remove unnecessary facilities—and we have proved it in action.

¶ 16 Now they scold the President and the Prime Minister for retaining security; and they scold the Speaker for not taking security. They also criticize converting your official residence into a Parliamentary Research and Studies Centre. What is this double standard? The President’s and the Prime Minister’s security have been set at necessary levels—not arbitrarily increased or decreased. We reduced them, and that is our objective, while ensuring adequate protection.

¶ 17 They say anything now, out of sheer disappointment. They think that because we expose corruption, they can in turn accuse us of the same. They think repeating “nepotism” ten times will make people believe we engage in it.

¶ 18 They also talk about the Speaker’s official residence. I have heard from canteen staff how some former Speakers took bills on the Chase accounts—shameful to recount. Some of your party’s former Speakers even held almsgivings for their brothers at that residence with public funds. They took away parliamentary laptops and generators. Those who kept silent then are among the Members and officers now. We are not like that. The very wrongs they committed are the ones now raised against us.

¶ 19 Regarding Presidential Advisors, Hon. Ajith P. Perera claimed that earlier they got car, flag and salary and provided not even five cents’ worth of advice—under Rajapaksa, under Ranil, under Premadasa—wasting money on bogus advisors. What did we do? We have only a few essential advisors, with payments where necessary. I believe the President has not taken even one in that category. Now they say if you must appoint advisors, at least pay them properly. They have no proper tool to criticize. The problem in the country was that presidential advisors were appointed with no benefit while drawing pay. We, as a voluntary political movement, do not dispense cars and flags to our advisors. We do take their advice, but not the trappings.

¶ 20 They now criticize official residences and say you cannot use established properties as a research centre. I checked: in the residential area of Temple Trees, Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa had offices, used for all sorts of purposes. Your official residence, which you do not currently use, was also used for various things. When we try to dedicate it to the public good, they say, “No, no, it’s like the Temple of the Tooth—nothing can be done there.”

¶ 21 They have no proper tool for criticism, so they contradict themselves by afternoon. I tell the Opposition: if you want to attack us, forge new weapons. The weapons we used to criticize you will not harm us. Show more dedication, more competence, and greater sacrifice than us—then you can hit us, and it will matter.

¶ 22 Frankly, today’s debate is a mistake—baseless. One Member’s argument is not the foundation for the next. Some local councillors speak of local issues; that is fine. But the Opposition today is like dogs turned from every door, barking everywhere without hitting any true point.

¶ 23 Hon. Chairman, may I kindly request a few more minutes, since you have been minding the time.

¶ 24 Finally, as a Government we are empowering independent commissions. Last year, Rs. 750 million was allocated to the Bribery Commission; now Rs. 1,500 million is allocated. The Bribery Commission is going to open branches in all 24 districts, and extend its juridical reach there, so that not only the big thieves in Colombo but also the smaller ones at district and provincial levels can be caught. We wage this anti-corruption struggle with conviction. The Commission regained life due to public pressure, not by chance; we respect its officers.

¶ 25 On national reconciliation, we are fully committed. We accept that some issues from the past remain. We acknowledge that in the North, at Montessori schools, there are teachers who are on the payroll of the Civil Security Department—168 or 180 such teachers, I believe—all Tamil women, receiving Rs. 38,000–40,000. What is the salary here for a Montessori teacher? Perhaps Rs. 15,000–20,000. In the North, they are not teaching children about the Army; they teach “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep.” Still, we accept it must be changed. When you ask those teachers and parents, it is clear they have better training and an income advantage. So, yes, let us change that.

¶ 26 On commemorations, you know we allowed them in November 2024; we will allow again in November 2025. People are allowed to commemorate their dead—not the LTTE. Even after taking office, we have not built national monuments at prime locations. We may have thought of them, but the courage we show now comes with all that. If I sound a bit proud, that pride comes only from policy consistency. Therefore, any Tamil or Muslim can mourn their dead, including those killed or disappeared, and I have seen the Ministry of Defence providing necessary support.

¶ 27 We are also pleased that the TNA Members abstained rather than voting against our measure—showing the strength of our political approach. Four leaders representing the up-country areas voted for our Budget. These are political victories. Earlier, how did Ministers and MPs from those areas vote? By giving ministerial posts or distributing money. We gave Rs. 400 to the plantation workers—the up-country people—and Ministers S. Radhakrishnan, Thondaman and Ganesan joined us based on policy. Why did the TNA not vote against us? They hope to resolve issues with us and this Government. Hence I said the Opposition today is like a stray—jumping here and there and barking, but not achieving anything.

¶ 28 In conclusion, I request the Leader of the Opposition: over the coming days of this debate, please present to the country the expenditure report of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition—just as we have shown how we cut costs in the Office of the Chief Government Whip, the Office of the Leader of the House, the President’s Office and the Prime Minister’s Office.

¶ 29 Finally, let me say: none of this is out of anger with anyone. Hon. Chairman, the people have entrusted this motherland to us for five years. In these five years, we strive to do good for all. If some still fail to understand even after a year, it is a small group wedded to old habits—politicians, businessmen or some officials. We have no personal issue with anyone; we are accountable to the people’s mandate, not to preserve anyone’s old privileges.

¶ 30 We work 100 percent for the people. Please understand that. Thank you for granting me extra time. I conclude.

¶ 31 “Question: That the sum of Rs. 2,465,980,000, for Head 1, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure, be inserted in the Schedule” was put and agreed to.

¶ 32 Head 1, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 33 Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 418,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 1, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 34 Programme 02 – Development Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 200,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 1, Programme 02, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 35 Programme 02 – Development Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 8,294,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 1, Programme 02, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 36 Head 2 – Office of the Prime Minister Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 898,500,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 2, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 76,500,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 2, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 37 Head 4 – Judges of the Superior Courts Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 448,500,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 4, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 108,500,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 4, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 38 Head 5 – Office of the Cabinet of Ministers Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 247,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 5, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 28,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 5, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 39 Head 6 – Office of the Public Service Commission Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 392,740,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 6, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 30,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 6, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 40 Head 7 – Judicial Service Commission Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 171,350,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 7, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 9,800,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 7, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 41 Head 8 – National Police Commission Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 248,400,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 8, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 13,500,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 8, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 42 Head 9 – Administrative Appeals Tribunal Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 50,850,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 9, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 2,150,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 9, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 43 Head 10 – Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 2,056,400,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 10, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 31,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 10, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 44 Head 11 – Office of the Finance Commission Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 155,600,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 11, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 6,400,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 11, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 45 Head 13 – Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 451,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 13, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 43,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 13, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 46 Head 16 – Parliament Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 4,345,850,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 16, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 931,550,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 16, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 47 Head 17 – Office of the Leader of the House of Parliament Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 82,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 17, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 3,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 17, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 48 Head 18 – Office of the Chief Government Whip of Parliament Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 87,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 18, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 3,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 18, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 49 Head 19 – Office of the Leader of the Opposition of Parliament Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 316,300,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 19, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 20,700,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 19, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 50 Head 20 – Election Commission Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 6,488,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 20, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 156,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 20, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 51 Head 21 – National Audit Office Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 3,676,300,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 21, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 441,500,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 21, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 52 Head 22 – Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 49,300,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 22, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 1,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 22, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 53 Head 23 – Audit Service Commission Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 68,900,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 23, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 900,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 23, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 54 Head 24 – National Procurement Commission Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 98,500,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 24, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 35,500,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 24, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 55 Head 25 – Delimitation Commission Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 21,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 25, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Programme 01 – Operational Activities – Capital Expenditure, Rs. 1,000,000. Question put and agreed to. Head 25, Programme 01, Capital Expenditure ordered to stand part of the Schedule.