Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Mr. Presiding Member, I welcome strengthening CIABOC through proper salary structures, new recruitments, and laying the groundwork to roll out anti-corruption programmes in nine districts this year.

¶ 02 I thank the Chair, Commissioners, and especially the Director-General for their dedication. Yet this Government came saying it would catch thieves. They said all 225 were thieves and must be removed. But within a year and a half, many thieves have emerged within the Government itself.

¶ 03 Serious allegations have been made against the Speaker—the highest seat in this House—and were lodged with CIABOC over a month and a half ago, yet no action plan has emerged, while we hear that allegations against the Deputy Secretary-General are being examined. Further, Sections 3(5), 125, and 127 of the Act make it serious misconduct to hold media briefings to answer allegations against oneself. On 23rd and 24th February, two interviews under Sirasa’s “one2One” and “Dawasa” were conducted from within Parliament premises. I urge the Director-General present today to act—do not look at personalities; act by the book.

¶ 04 There was also an attempt to submit a Cabinet paper to cover up past wrongdoing by the Speaker—reportedly rejected by the Prime Minister. We thank the Prime Minister for not standing with those under allegation.

¶ 05 Regarding the coal scandal: there is a huge discussion. I respect the COPE Chair, but I regret that he appears to defend the deal. Historically, COPE Chairs avoid pre-judging matters they must later review. At Norochcholai, when he visited, the plant output display read 252.28 MW for a unit that should be 300 MW. Yet he later claimed there was no issue. Also, the required kilocalorie value per kilogram of coal is clear.