The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, from this morning we are debating the extension of emergency regulations. We all know the “Ditwah” cyclone struck unexpectedly last year, causing great hardship, hundreds of deaths and many missing. The overall loss to our country was about USD 4.2 billion. There was a need to recover the country from that calamity; hence the declaration of emergency. It is not our objective to keep extending it. Whether regarding emergency or the Prevention of Terrorism, these laws are not ideal for our country; they must be reformed or repealed.

¶ 02 The main reason for declaration was the situation created by the cyclone. As we were recovering, an unforeseen crisis emerged: a war-like situation in the Middle East, creating tension even in the Indian Ocean region. We needed to state our position properly.

¶ 03 War is cruel and inhumane; there is no dispute. Yet, in such inhumane wars, those who rescue and assist affected people are humanitarians. Even though large powers exist in the Indian Ocean region, it is our Government that has extended a humanitarian hand. We are a sovereign, independent, and humane nation. Our Government’s aims and foreign policy are linked to humanity and non-alignment, welcoming all without taking sides, and extending humanitarian cooperation.

¶ 04 Listening to the Opposition today, one wonders whether they are in Sri Lanka. Who created, implemented and kept emergency for over 40 years? Who, under this law, killed thousands of youth – Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim alike? Who abducted and killed journalists, especially in the North and East? Who burned media houses? It was those then in power – today’s Opposition – who cried crocodile tears while using emergency to oppress people, bury democracy, postpone elections and ban parties.

¶ 05 In contrast, during the past one and a half years of our administration, with about three months under emergency, no innocent youth or civilians have been harmed by these regulations. In past decades, victims under emergency and PTA were mostly Tamil youth in the North and East. In the last one and a half years, no Tamil citizen or any innocent citizen has been targeted under emergency or the PTA; we can say that with satisfaction.

¶ 06 Yet it is worrying that some Tamil parties, calling themselves representatives of the Tamil people, take minor issues and inflate them to claim our Government is oppressive, becoming mere echo chambers for the Opposition. We are clearly focused on rebuilding the country, and we are doing so rapidly.

¶ 07 Seventeen years have passed since the war ended. Through all those years, Tamil parties engaged with previous governments, playing political games, instead of addressing Tamil people’s real hardships. You know well that our National People’s Power Government is not playing such games.

¶ 08 Hon. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, your politics seems only to speak against governing parties, especially Sinhala parties. Keep speaking. We will proceed to recover the Tamil areas.

¶ 09 Today, a major boat accident occurred in the North. A boat from Gurunagar to a church at Paalai Theevu capsized; many were injured and we have learned three have died. We express our deepest condolences. Upon hearing of the incident, our Navy and officials of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department acted immediately to rescue and secure those affected, and to provide all facilities for those proceeding to worship to do so safely. Humanity prevailed there as well.

¶ 10 This world today is facing a brutal war. Even during this, our humanity prevails. The world appreciates our humanitarian actions; Sri Lanka is being recognized by world leaders for placing humanity first. Whatever happens, we will continue with our humanitarian approach. I conclude. Thank you.