The Hon. R.M. Samantha Ranasinghe

¶ 01 Sir, I am pleased to express views on the adjournment Motion brought by Hon. Kabir Hashim, MP for Kegalle District. He says the Sabaragamuwa Governor obstructed two matters, including stopping 41 development proposals approved on 15.07.2025. We looked into what was said at that meeting. A former Chairman said, “Hon. Chairman, these 41 proposals include many that do not belong to the Sabha; please take immediate note.” The Opposition Leader of that Sabha, Sisira Herath, said, “These 41 proposals have many issues; we are totally opposed.” That is what was said. After the Chairman approved and sent them, a petition was made regarding these proposals. The petitioner states, for example, “Project No. 11—Hemmathagama area, from Hemmalla/Hapukumbura to the fuel station—is under litigation. It is an agricultural road under the Department of Agrarian Services and used by only about three houses.”

¶ 02 Thus approval was being sought for matters outside the PS’s scope. There are many such cases. The Provincial Commissioner says that upon examination there are items not within the PS’s subject scope. We obtained his report which notes that from the nomenclature itself one can identify projects that do and do not come under the PS, and therefore action has been taken accordingly.

¶ 03 What is Hon. Kabir Hashim alleging? He levels accusations against the Governor: arbitrary action, undermining people’s sovereignty, violating fundamental rights, violating financial policy, etc. Hon. Member, you know that at the PS election, the people voted for Malimawa; they won Mawanella PS. Against that people’s mandate, you assembled members and formed this administration. It is now ungovernable. In Kegalle District, for over 20 years the worst issues in waste management are in the Sabha you represent. When people question that, you blame the Governor. I must say that the current Governor has acted very prudently, obtained the Commissioner’s report and acted accordingly. Do not engage in petty politics to cover up bankrupt politics. I conclude.