The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, during this debate on extending emergency, we cannot believe a government that fails to do what is possible under ordinary law will deliver under emergency. At minimum, do what can be done under normal law.

¶ 02 I raise an urgent issue: rail transport, used by the middle class and workers. Recently there were derailments and technical faults; drivers were even interdicted, now reinstated. But drivers are now strictly observing speed limits, causing delays: many trains are 30–60 minutes late. Public servants get red marks for late attendance through no fault of their own. Please instruct Railways to resolve this, or grant leeway to affected public and private sector employees.

¶ 03 From May Day platforms to this Chamber, you speak of law, cases, and verdicts. You were elected to investigate and punish fraud and corruption—not to talk like an opposition. The people expect you to fulfill that mandate.

¶ 04 Within the past year and a half, several allegations have arisen against your government: substandard coal imports causing Rs. 19 billion loss; Treasury heist Rs. 0.8 billion; diesel purchased at Rs. 286 per barrel above market; NDB Bank loss Rs. 13.2 billion; Department of Posts remitting US$ 6 million to a wrong account; Sri Lanka Insurance/bond misdeeds causing Rs. 108 billion loss; RDA paying advances of Rs. 3.8 billion to contractors; double-paying harvest relief costing Rs. 5 billion; the rupee depreciating from 293 to 322 per dollar in 1 year 7 months; inflation rising from -3% to +5.4%; no FDI, no major projects; highways and railways devastated by Ditva still unrepaired; Ditva funds parked in irregular accounts; Poland complaining to the EU about corrupt tender practices.

¶ 05 In 1 year 4 months, a Speaker was removed; allegations now target another. Six Ministers face corruption allegations; the Power Minister resigned; questionable conduct by senior ministers; the mysterious death of a Finance Ministry Assistant Director related to the Treasury case; questions about a former Speaker’s qualifications; individuals accused in the Easter attacks investigation granted government office; Provincial Council elections postponed.

¶ 06 You act per the whims of moguls. Illegally occupied state lands by donors to the government are not acted upon; main suspects in the CB bond scam evade justice; state vehicles auctioned at undervaluation to political allies; ministry official residences not repurposed as promised; wasteful lunar-rabbit projects; Easter Commission report concealed; 323 red-label liquor containers allegedly cleared irregularly.

¶ 07 Public security has been imperiled; no legal action on the Rs. 2 billion tri-forces dry rations tender fraud; Ditva relief appropriations not properly disbursed to the people; entering into agreements harmful to national sovereignty to avoid US tax exposure; 100 successful ASP candidates not appointed; undisclosed US tax conditions; undisclosed MoUs with India. There is more, but my time is up.