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

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. Today’s important debate is on the No-Confidence Motion against our Minister of Power. From our long experience in this House, it is clear coal issues did not arise yesterday or today. Government actions now proceed under a clearly planned system that leaves no room for corruption under the National People’s Power Government—whether or not some accept it. Our Ministers are not here to fill their pockets like in the past. In particular, Minister Kumara Jayakody is not a person engaged in fraud; everyone in Sri Lanka knows this.

¶ 02 Our Cabinet is led by the Hon. President. The President and Ministers carefully observe these matters. Since 2010, over 450 ships have brought coal to the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Power Plant, with a total cost said to be Rs. 2.25 billion. Twenty-six companies have been involved. We clearly understand that the Opposition’s statements lack evidence.

¶ 03 An Audit Report has been issued on coal. Reading it closely shows there has been no fraud in the present period. The quality of imported coal has been tested in both local and foreign laboratories, and it passed. For further confirmation, samples have been sent to Australia. Our Government is clear that no fraud should occur in coal importation.

¶ 04 Opposition Members talk about low-quality coal, its impact on power generation, losses and price increases burdening the people. But in the past, before over 450 ships came, did anyone eat or taste the coal? No. Without proper testing or reports, import licences were given only to their friendly cliques. That is the truth. As our Health Minister Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa often says, there are mafias not only in coal, but also in medicines and rice. Behind these mafias were former politicians, Presidents and their children. Their regimes backed those businesses. That regime has now been broken. Previously, a few select companies monopolized; now we operate with transparency. Transparency is what this country needs. We promised to free the country from bribery, corruption and fraud, and our Power Minister is dutifully fulfilling his responsibilities. As the Tamil proverb goes, “Only the tree that bears fruit is stoned.”

¶ 05 For years, through coal purchasing, people’s wealth has been siphoned. Today that has changed, and proper procurement and testing are being conducted. Therefore, the Opposition has nothing else to say and levels baseless charges. They think they can separate the people from the National People’s Power Government. They cannot; this Government was formed by the people. The people have set the old guard aside.

¶ 06 We say clearly: those who claim substandard coal has caused national loss, power cuts and disasters are the same politicians who robbed billions through development projects, including the bond scam—and who placed footnotes to protect it—now roaring like lions. They are not lions but jackals; lions will not fear jackals’ howls. The real lions here are the National People’s Power Members, among whom is our Minister of Power. They are casting baseless slurs against him without humanity, forgetting that a person has dignity, family and children. Let them howl; lions will not fear jackals. Thank you.