The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, the coal fraud—already confirmed by the Auditor General as one of the largest frauds in Sri Lankan history—is under debate. The aim of this No-Confidence Motion is not to win it, but to expose the Government that wears the slogan “against corruption” while acting against its own conscience.

¶ 02 The Auditor General has clearly established with data that Trident, the contracted company, lacked proper accreditation at the load port for verification of sample integrity. Further, when coal was used in real time, their umpire samples were allowed to expire without use—a major lapse.

¶ 03 Legally, under the Public Property Act and the Penal Code—Sections 398 read with 403 (cheating), 386 (criminal misappropriation of property), 394 (receiving stolen property), and abetment under Sections 113 and 101—as well as conspiracy to commit corruption, all those involved should be found guilty before our courts. Under the new Standing Orders, I expect COPE, the DG of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, and the Attorney General to promptly act and prosecute all who orchestrated this grand looting of national wealth.

¶ 04 Finally, the Government cannot shirk its responsibility to the people. The people empowered you to fight corruption; instead, you have committed the largest corruption. Thank you.