The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, today’s debate is on the Throne Speech delivered by H.E. the President at the inauguration of the Tenth Parliament. The Government MPs say they will build a prosperous country, yet we are about to seek the IMF’s third review in two months. Repayments start in 2027 and go on until 2043, rising over time. We will all have to repay this debt together. If the Government can truly build prosperity, we will support—but there must be a clear roadmap.

¶ 02 In the past, we were on the Government side and the current Prime Minister sat in Opposition. During that time, some of our colleagues’ houses were set ablaze; mine wasn’t, but many were. If the Government now acts responsibly and takes at least one percent of what the Opposition says on board—even if it discards 99%—that would be good.

¶ 03 I saw on Facebook that Sugath Thilakaratne had been sent to stop me from taking up the “chain.” Even if he can run 400m in 42 seconds like Ben Johnson, he can’t topple me when I lift this “chain.” But let me be clear: we will not lift that chain. The people have given you the most powerful mandate in recent history—more than Modi, more than the new US President. Use that power to solve people’s problems.

¶ 04 The President always says “think a little.” But you cannot keep saying “think a little” for long. There are about 1,875 days in five years; after 75 days elapse, there’s no time left for prolonged contemplation. He also says “bear with us for a short time.” There is no time to merely ask for patience. The people have handed you a country that was drowning—save it.

¶ 05 I listened to the Throne Speech. Previously, the Throne Speech was tabled early; this time it was tabled only today. Never mind—let’s debate what is before us. The President said justice must be done for victims; what was hidden under sand dunes must be uncovered. Fine—then tell us: who shot Vijaya Kumaratunga? Where was the gun from? Which 281 model was used? Where did the T-56 come from? Back then, these were laid at the JVP’s account. I am not saying it must be on the JVP’s account, but as the President said, reveal where the shots were fired and how the weapons were obtained. Do justice to Yashodhara and Vimukthi, Vijaya’s children.

¶ 06 Likewise, reveal how Rohana Wijeweera was killed—blindfolded from where, how he was taken, how he was executed, where his ashes were scattered—people speak of this on YouTube daily. Whether or not he was a leader, he was a human being. Do justice for Wijeweera’s family as well as for Vijaya’s.

¶ 07 In 1989, the height of terror, my own village saw the worst. One family had four children at S. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa—unheard of then. The eldest worked for the JVP; for that, five or six members of the family were reduced to ashes. Find the truth there too. Today only two of those six survive. Do justice for them as well as for Vijaya’s family and for Wijeweera’s.