The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kariyappar said he shivered during his Kurunegala days practising as a State Counsel, having seen how Emergency Regulations were used then by the rulers. He can be satisfied that we have used Emergency Regulations only for a specific purpose: to provide relief to those affected by the Ditcha cyclone and to assist those communities. Please listen.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Speaker, we gave a number of promises upon assuming office. What were they? To eliminate the underworld, to catch thieves, to apply the law without partiality, not to abuse the law, and to apprehend the mastermind of the Easter attacks. Those were the promises.

¶ 03 Let me explain this principle with one example related to an issue currently debated: Suresh Sale. With his arrest, some have become agitated. He was ordered to be held for 90 days in remand custody. Meanwhile, an external development occurred: a travel ban was imposed on Gotabaya Rajapaksa. After that, certain people started making noise. Among them, the lawyer for Pillayan. We have never seen him argue a case in court. Udaya Gammanpila rushed in and said, “I am Pillayan’s lawyer.” Then they all ganged up. Those who were divided among parties at elections now claim they are friends and attack the Government in unison: “What an injustice to Suresh Sale!”

¶ 04 We say clearly to the Police Department: no injustice has been done to Suresh Sale. The treatment accorded in remand is that given to any person; no one gets plate meals in a cage. They get a standard rice packet. Some made a big story that he received rice with dried fish. These are attempts to whip up sentiment by those who feel pain about that crime. They now try to hit the Government from every angle. I say: no problem, protest as much as you want against this Government. There is full democratic space. To those critical of Emergency Regulations, we say we have never used them against legitimate activities. Criticize us as much as you wish—that is the Opposition’s right. But whatever you say, we will not stop catching thieves or halt the Easter investigations. Until the mastermind is arrested, investigations will continue. That is our duty and, as Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra said, our people’s mandate. We act within that mandate.

¶ 05 Hon. Ajith P. Perera claimed we are delivering punishments based on cases initiated under Yahapalana. True, during their time, laws were brought and cases were heard. In some cases, a single witness testified for seven years while trials were kept alive until the next government came, which then withdrew indictments through the Attorney-General. That is crooked collaboration with the law. Look at Choka Malli’s case. We know these things.

¶ 06 Now some threaten BHO, Ravi, and Dilip Peiris: “Your fate will be the same; you too will be in cages under the next government.” That is false. We have a policy and a process. We have made institutions relevant to this process independent: the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, the Attorney General’s Department, the CID, etc. With this independence, public officials now work without fear. There is no interference from the President, Cabinet, or any of the 159 members. That is our “magic.” Therefore, state officers have the courage to act for the country. We tell every public servant: do not fear; we stand with you to work with integrity.

¶ 07 Some are haunted, gathering near stations every day, shouting in fear that they will be arrested. Their conscience is awakened by past theft of public property; they cannot sleep and resort to sleeping tablets.

¶ 08 Our promise was to straighten the law, apply it impartially, and empower law and order. Today, it is evident: the law is upright. For the first time, the Ninth President remains under the Constitution; others put themselves above it. Today the law has life, strength, and power. That is what the country needs—the expectation of the people’s mandate. Some try to manipulate systems and seniority to advance their corrupt past. The new Government will both respect seniority and give opportunities across the public service and judge society with a single standard—the people’s mandate. This Government fulfills that aspiration. I conclude.

¶ 09 Thank you.