The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

¶ 02 On this debate under the Public Security Ordinance, I wish to make a few points.

¶ 03 First, on the Easter Sunday attacks, we fully support the continuing actions of the Government to bring the perpetrators to justice. Those responsible must be apprehended and justice must be served; we will support all investigative processes in that regard.

¶ 04 Second, regarding the current war in the Gulf, many opinions have been voiced in this House. War is wrong. War takes lives. We, who suffered due to the oppression and the war in our own country, cannot accept war. Yet, those making the loudest claims on this new war have shown little interest in speaking about justice for the legitimate rights‑based struggles of our own people. When oppression was unleashed on our community, few in this House spoke up to say that the war was wrong and that the grievances of that community must be addressed.

¶ 05 Now, an Iranian warship has been sunk in international waters near Sri Lanka and some here blame India. But when you face an economic crisis or natural disaster, you invite India first for assistance; India has been the first responder. When India requested that its friendly training contingents stay briefly in Sri Lanka, why blame India? You should not, and cannot, accuse India in this matter.

¶ 06 Regarding the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), our community still recalls with pain how it was used. Even the JVP, which took up arms, faced the draconian consequences; many were killed. Now, there is fear that such laws are again being extended to suppress the legitimate struggles of our community. If people protest due to fuel shortages or similar issues, those must be handled legally and proportionately, not by detaining individuals for months without producing them in court under the PTA. While we do not oppose using the PTA for those truly connected to the Easter attacks, expanding it to suppress public protests is unacceptable. We insist the PTA must be repealed. Our people have sent petitions calling for its abolition, and we reiterate that demand here.