The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 On drugs, I note the Government’s “Country Together” operation under the “Break Free” programme. However, we see many ruling party local authority members repeatedly ensnared in drug trafficking operations—from Unakooruwa Shanth to others. It is now quite evident that many local councillors are involved.

¶ 02 Since the Minister of Justice is present, I raise this: the new Colombo District Court complex is being constructed. I visited yesterday. Thousands work there, yet there is no toilet facility within the District Court premises; staff must go to the Supreme Court side, where there are queues even for that. Please address this urgently.

¶ 03 Next, Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated yesterday, regarding the Wakf Board, that there is no need to obtain an SIS report. But item 8 of the appointment circulars for the Wakf Board requires an SIS report. I am tabling that document and the required affidavit to examine this. If the SIS report is not necessary, then the Government should formally remove that requirement for Wakf Board appointments. The Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs demands an SIS report from appointees to the Wakf Board. If you disagree, change the regulation—do not merely state here that it is unnecessary.

¶ 04 There are about 2,500 mosques in Sri Lanka. This SIS requirement can be invalidated so that all these religious bodies are not burdened. Also, regarding the Kattankudy mosque: a letter of appointment to the Wakf Board has been issued, but the Ministry has not approved it, reportedly due to the Defence Ministry’s position. Additionally, about 15,000 Qur’ans are reportedly held up at the port, not released due to the Islamic Publications Review Committee report and the Defence Ministry’s request. If there is genuine respect and love for the Muslim community, please resolve these three issues without mere rhetoric.

¶ 05 Since the Minister of Justice is here, on Special High Courts: we welcome the establishment of Special High Courts, and hear another is planned. But you know, Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, that lawyers appearing there face difficulties because cases are taken daily and the courts are in a location isolated from the main Hulftsdorp complex. Senior counsels with multiple daily matters cannot appear. Consider scheduling solutions—allocate specific hearing blocks—so cases can proceed efficiently and counsel can appear; otherwise, the system will falter.

¶ 06 I also refer to the statement by Supreme Court Justice Gihan Kulatunga—he spoke movingly of the pain he suffered when in 2020 he was sidelined and four juniors were promoted over him, and that he was appointed now due to the recommendation of Padman Surasena. We urge a fair, transparent system for judicial promotions; otherwise, serious problems will arise.

¶ 07 Thank you.