The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak in the Committee Stage Debate on the Votes of the Ministry of Justice and National Integration for 2025. This Ministry is vital to ensure a peaceful life for all citizens, especially minorities. Proper implementation will help realize the Government’s policies. For decades since Independence, “justice, national integration, and reconciliation” have been spoken of but not realized; divisions were sown and the country was driven to bankruptcy.

¶ 02 Our Government is determined to remove ethnic, linguistic, and religious chauvinism and move the country forward. All must be equal before the law. For over 75 years, rulers used laws like the PTA targeting, particularly, Tamil-speaking people, who suffered immensely. The NPP Government will not allow such injustices to continue and will provide proper remedies to those affected—this requires cooperation from all, including the Opposition.

¶ 03 Many still yearn for justice—wives without husbands, mothers without children, families seeking loved ones—waiting at prison gates and roadsides. We must give clear answers. Commissions have been set up spending millions; even their reports are now missing. I urge the Hon. Minister to provide a meaningful solution.

¶ 04 Also, so-called “political prisoners” have been remanded for years—some up to 30 years—without conviction. Expedite their cases, deliver justice, or grant general amnesty so they can live the remainder of their lives with society. We will ensure this happens. Building harmony in a multi-ethnic, multilingual country is our collective duty.

¶ 05 In Jaffna Prison there are about 1,000 inmates. The cadre should be 194 officers, but only 129 serve. Please fill these vacancies and also moderate the pace of transfers to maintain service. The prison hospital lacks pharmacists; please appoint them.

¶ 06 Mallakam Magistrate’s Court serves more than 10 police divisions with only one Magistrate, causing workload and delay. Please appoint an additional Magistrate. Around 1.1 million cases are pending nationwide; expedite to provide relief. There is a shortage of court interpreters, causing delays and public dissatisfaction. Please recruit interpreters and issue service schemes to ensure quality and speed. Also appoint more Inquirers into Sudden Deaths and Justices of the Peace.

¶ 07 Establish a rehabilitation centre in Jaffna for drug users and released prisoners. Increase coordinated actions with Police and armed forces to curb rising drug abuse and gang clashes.

¶ 08 Some police officers act like judges and show bias. Please stop such unwarranted conduct. For reconciliation, return military-occupied private lands to their owners, especially in Palaly, Myliddy, and Kattuvan; reopen closed roads for public use.

¶ 09 Give priority to investigating mass graves discovered from time to time in our areas, including the recent one in Jaffna, and reveal the truth. I request the Hon. Minister to act on these matters. Thank you.