The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Chairman.

¶ 02 On the Heads of Expenditure of the Ministry of Justice and National Unity, and related institutions: Under the Rajapaksa administration, the law was abused—there is consensus on that. Many unlawful acts occurred, sparking the 2022 people’s uprising, which we all recognized as legitimate.

¶ 03 Before 2024, numerous cases were filed against civil and trade union leaders of the Aragalaya. Those cases are still pending despite a new Government. For example, Lahiru faces 22 cases, Wasantha Mudalige about 20. On 09 October 2022, after commemorations for those who died during the uprising, Kollupitiya Police filed cases; and as recently as 05 February 2025, four more—Joseph Stalin, Jeevantha Peiris, Lahiru, and Morine Noor—were served summons and are now entangled in litigation. We expected these politically motivated cases to be withdrawn promptly. Instead, more names are being added. These individuals cannot even obtain police clearance for employment due to pending cases. I urge the Minister of Justice to intervene and ensure justice by withdrawing such cases.

¶ 04 On the Easter Sunday attacks: from 2020–2024, many were falsely labelled “masterminds,” including MPs like Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen. Even Hijaaz Hisbullah was arrested under the PTA and detained over a year. In March 2021, indictments were filed; but one witness admitted to lying and was remanded. Now the case stalls; the Attorney General’s officers take dates and adjourn, unable to proceed because it is baseless. Senior officials, including the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne, and Shani Abeysekera, know it is a false case. If so, why is it not withdrawn? Please intervene and conclude such cases.

¶ 05 We note progress where long-pending cases like those of “Krish” and “Daisy Achchi” have seen indictments filed—good steps. But other complaints, such as the VFS deal and passport issuance frauds, remain uninvestigated. Please expedite those as well.

¶ 06 We support the rule of law and judicial independence. Recently, a motion to impeach the President of the Court of Appeal was mooted; we supported due process. Yet that judge proceeded on pre-retirement leave, and the impeachment was apparently withdrawn following a meeting with the President—publicly acknowledged. Such “deals” outside due process undermine judicial independence and send a dangerous message to upright judges. With 159 Government MPs, you have the numbers to follow proper procedure—e.g., appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee—to ensure fairness. Sidestepping due process sets a wrong precedent.

¶ 07 Therefore, urgently withdraw politically motivated Aragalaya cases; and end cases filed as acts of political revenge, including those around the Easter attacks, where many have been falsely implicated. Thank you.