The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 I am on my feet. There is no Point of Order.

¶ 02 To those who preach that we are not building a sound legal system, let me remind the House: under Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara’s Ministry, consider what the judiciary and prisons were, and what they are becoming now. This country’s independent judiciary was won through struggle by the legal fraternity. After independence was undermined, lawyers and progressive movements again restored it. Later, some said judicial power lies in Parliament and threatened judges. When a Supreme Court Bench ordered local elections, a motion was brought here to punish those judges. Today, under our Government, courts function independently and appointments have been made without controversy.

¶ 03 On prisons, this Minister inherited a department where political power interfered. We have opened these institutions to the public as independent ones.

¶ 04 On extradition of Arjuna Mahendran: Singapore notified us in December 2021 it cannot extradite him under its law. Extradition offers two routes: appearance before trial or, failing that, trying him here to judgment and then enforcing it. A case is underway; if the first route fails, we will pursue the second. Our objective remains unchanged.

¶ 05 Allegations that prosecutions are not moving: complex proceedings take time. Allow the Attorney-General’s Department and Police to work independently. Major accused in public finance crimes are now before courts. A former IGP against whom the Matara Magistrate has issued an order is hiding; the Police act independently to find such persons. Therefore, to the Opposition: when you point one finger at us, four point back at you.

¶ 06 There are 159 Members in Government. If anyone proves any of us misused public funds, we will quit politics. Thank you.