Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 I thank Hon. Chithral Fernando for the time.

¶ 02 Deputy Minister said cases were filed under this Government. Credit where due: under the 2015–2019 Yahapalanaya, CIABOC was strengthened and its budget raised; in 2023 President Ranil Wickremesinghe further strengthened it. Today, you seek to add more staff and salaries under that strengthened law. Do not ignore what was done before; acknowledge good steps.

¶ 03 Many cases—S.M. Chandrasena’s and others—were initiated during Yahapalanaya, not by you. Your Minister now faces indictment—but unlike other suspects and witnesses who are produced via CIABOC and walked in handcuffs before media, your Minister was not even summoned by CIABOC; he learned of an indictment in the Supreme Court. If all are equal before the law, why a VIP entrance at CIABOC for “Malimawa” (those in power), while others face the cameras in cuffs?

¶ 04 What of the 323 containers case—has CIABOC inquired? What of the Mannar wind power tender—awarded by Cabinet at the President’s behest to his associate Dhammika Perera despite another company winning—has CIABOC examined? Salt import frauds? Garlic tender frauds? No.

¶ 05 On the coal issue: the Justice Minister this morning told our Ajith P. Perera to file a complaint. We already filed on February 26, with over 50 complaints submitted. CIABOC remains silent. PUCSL now says losses are Rs. 8,497 million. To cover the generation shortfall, we must burn 3.5 million liters of diesel per day—140 million liters per month—diverting fuel from buses, school transport, farmers, and industry to power plants because of this scam. PUCSL also warns of power cuts in April–July. The Minister responsible is indicted, yet the Government has not removed him. Where is transparency and rule of law?

¶ 06 On cricket: We won the ODI World Cup in 1996; from 1996 to 2014 we reached seven ICC event semi-finals. Since 2014, we have not reached a single ICC semi-final. From opposition benches, the now-President blasted “Shammi’s cricket” and “Dharmadasa’s cricket,” saying it should be Sri Lanka Cricket. Now he sits with the same individuals, laying foundation stones and watching matches together. Those once labeled “corrupt” are now in his circle. That is our point. Thank you.