The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, as we debate today, the Government is preparing to commemorate 17 years since the war victory. We do not obstruct war remembrance or laying flowers at war memorials; but we must also speak truths.

¶ 02 Anyone may claim the war victory; when a Government celebrates it, fine. Yet we hear that the daughter of a Minister representing the Southern Province is pursuing a PhD in Newcastle, UK, residing at the house of someone strongly linked to the diaspora calling themselves “Raja.” We are not jealous of education or PhDs. But if you live with the diaspora, say it plainly. Do not play a double game. Tell the country honestly; we have no problem then.

¶ 03 Next, the President said at a meeting that we must stop vehicle imports. Such pronouncements before Cabinet decisions are unhelpful. After he said it on the 13th, a Gazette on the 15th imposed a 50% duty, but on the 14th LCs were opened for 4,000 vehicles. The Government gained no revenue from those 4,000 vehicles. This is not how it should be done.

¶ 04 The President is the President of Sri Lanka, not a company head. Announcing fuel price hikes from different stages is not appropriate for a Head of State.

¶ 05 Long-standing mysteries remain unsolved — like who killed or who was hanged in certain famous cases. Recently, due to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), two people ended up with nooses around their necks metaphorically; there was no evidence in those cases. Now it seems there is an “informant” culture within CIABOC, pressuring people to turn Crown witness under threats. That is not justice.

¶ 06 On another matter, at Kotelawala Defence University’s medical faculty, of 10 medical graduates, six are to be recruited to the Army and four to the Police. Although an agreement was signed to recruit the four to Police, the Police Department has not given approval. Their lives are now at a standstill. This must be resolved.

¶ 07 Another issue: the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course — with historic trees — is being impacted. Someone has created a deed and even filed a case, without the Municipal Council or UDA knowing. Old trees are being removed slowly. This is unacceptable. The State must protect this site of international significance. I place this on record and urge action.

¶ 08 Next, from the South Eastern University in Sammanthurai, students from our province received placements. But due to boarding problems in an area predominantly Muslim and Tamil, our students struggle to find accommodation and are being forced out. I raise this as well.

¶ 09 With Peradeniya Railway Station closed, the quarters around “Sarasa Uyana” railway area could be repurposed for public use. Since trains are not running as before, those quarters can be reallocated.

¶ 10 The President asked someone for two dozers for Kotmale or Nuwara Eliya. The President need not ask for dozers personally; he should order officials to remove illegal structures. Do not get into petty tussles with officials; resolve issues decisively.

¶ 11 Regarding SLTB: buses lack tyres; many depots have parked buses. I hear that from next month they have sought Treasury funds; if not provided, 50% of rural buses will stop. Drivers and conductors cannot even get advances. We were once told the Kalutara depot was making profits; yet SLTB remains loss-making. If you do nothing else, at least fix SLTB — tyres, diesel, and wages — more valuable than building expressways.

¶ 12 Our Buddhist religion has survived over 2,500 years despite problems. Do not undertake actions that undermine Buddhism; establish measures to protect it. I also note there are purported DIG-level inquiries aimed at venerable monks — at Mihintale, Udamaluwa in Anuradhapura. There seems to be a scheme to weaken Buddhism. We cannot wait until expressways are built; at least protect our religion, or we will lose even that. I conclude with this appeal.

¶ 13 Thank you.