The Hon. Amila Prasad

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, in addition to the main topic, I wish to raise several issues concerning schoolchildren to draw the Government’s attention.

¶ 02 The A/L examination timetable has been released. Traditionally, O/L is held in December, schools start in May, and over roughly two years about 600 periods are taught before A/Ls. Recently, O/L results came in May and A/L studies in schools began only in November. With exams scheduled in August, students have had only about 18 months instead of 24, forcing schools to rush through the syllabus, causing undue pressure. Therefore, students request a grace period of about one to one-and-a-half months. Given its fairness, I ask the Government to consider this.

¶ 03 Second, the scholarship stipend due after the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam has not been paid since February. This is vital for children from economically weaker families. Please ensure timely disbursement of these public funds.

¶ 04 Third, the primary school breakfast grant is insufficient. If possible, provide required ingredients or additional funds or another support mechanism to enable more nutritious meals.

¶ 05 Next, SriLankan Catering: SriLankan Airlines and SriLankan Catering operate under separate CEOs. While the airline incurs losses, Catering is profitable. Yet employees reportedly have not received annual increments, allowances, or bonuses. As a Government pledged to strengthen SOEs, why are necessary facilities and incentives not provided to motivate staff in a profitable entity?

¶ 06 Next, in Thantirimale, many Civil Security Department officers serve far from home—Colombo, Matara, etc.—on small salaries. Their contribution to the productive economy is hampered and expenses are hard to meet. I request that they be posted closer to Thantirimale, and since Defence Ministry members are here, to consider this urgently.

¶ 07 Further, on terrorism: Sri Lanka is becoming a hub for Asian digital extremists. We see people entering on tourist visas and operating to create issues in the region, exploiting our lax systems, especially in finance. If digital extremists can exploit us for financial fraud, armed extremists could also infiltrate through the same loopholes. I urge focused Government attention.

¶ 08 On the main topic: we were asked why the SJB is silent about the arrest of Sale and the Easter attack. We remain silent because we still do not know whether those used for the attack were linked to the JVP National List nominee Ibrahim, to some CONT party leader, or to a foreign country. When I mentioned Ibrahim, those behind became agitated. If you trusted Ibrahim enough to place him on a National List, then tell us what roles Ibrahim played. That is why we watch in silence. We even wonder whether you used Ibrahim to do this. But we will not comment until investigations conclude.

¶ 09 Since 2015, there was a large project to turn public sentiment toward a narrative of a Muslim invasion. Step by step, society was made to view Muslims as terrorists and Muslims as the Sinhala person’s enemy. People suspect that the Easter attacks may have been the culmination of this project’s cruel fruition. The financial responsibility for funding the attackers, people believe, falls on the JVP National List nominee.

¶ 10 Another issue: did intelligence work closely with the terrorists? Sale is detained under that allegation. Anyone suspected should be arrested and investigated without impediment. However, already two suspects—who may not have been perpetrators—have died due to Government negligence. If Sales too dies by suicide or is harmed, it will be impossible to deliver justice to the innocent victims and their families. Therefore, ensure his full safety—food, medicine, everything—under camera coverage. After someone dies, it is easy to brand him a criminal. Not every suspect is a criminal, and not every suspect is innocent either; suicide does not prove guilt. Mental stress can drive such acts.

¶ 11 We request: his safety is your responsibility. Do not delay the court’s decision by political commentary. We insist: those responsible for the Easter Sunday atrocity must be punished under the law, and everything possible must be done apolitically to ensure such an attack never happens again.

¶ 12 Finally, the State Minister recently made an irresponsible statement that the judiciary is politicized. Please refrain; it will create future problems for the Government. We trust judicial independence. We are silently observing how Ibrahim was involved, how Anura placed him on the National List, and what links exist between your party and the attack. Your duty is to fulfill accountability and govern so that such attacks never recur. That is all.

¶ 13 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity.