The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I treat you as my Speaker.

¶ 02 Hon. Minister, again, we have no objection to pursuing criminals and punishing them within the legal framework. But after I revealed in this House that PSC Chairpersons are issuing character certificates, they have been summoned to the CID. Not only them, but also those who obtained the character certificates, such as Thewni Jayawardena and Sakusha Roshani, have been summoned. I request you not to proceed in that way. Your duty is to arrest criminals, not to summon PSC Chairpersons to the CID because they issued character certificates, nor to target those who obtained such certificates.

¶ 03 Further, given the rise in crime — murders and depravity — you should adopt a new method to establish law and order and strengthen the rule of law and justice. Please move toward a new, community-centred security programme.

¶ 04 Also, please do not summon PSC Chairpersons and those who obtained character certificates to the CID. They have committed no crime. Focus on strengthening law and order, public safety and national security. We will offer maximum support, because human life is valuable. Safeguarding life, ensuring national security and strengthening law and order is the responsibility of all, Government and Opposition. Therefore, please move to a new programme that unites all communities beyond race, religion, caste, class and party, so we can better understand and uproot criminal activity. With that request, I yield for the Minister’s reply. Hon. Chief Government Whip, please allow time.