The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 The Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement, Registration and Execution) Act, No. 49 of 2024 was created to recognize, register and enforce certain foreign court judgments in Sri Lanka. When these regulations take effect, for example, a divorce decree given abroad can be accepted here and enforced without re-litigation. Likewise, in contractual disputes, certain recognized countries’ decisions can be recognized here, aiding our judiciary and serving our people.

¶ 03 Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara earlier claimed Muslims face injustices. He should be ashamed. For 6–7 months we have worked to foster unity—Muslims, Tamils and Sinhalese together. His past is well known in Hettipola; that town’s Muslims reject him. A close associate of his, Buhari of Kotambapitiya-Hettipola, passed away last week. Despite having events that day, he could not even attend the funeral of someone who stood by him for years—because he cannot face the Muslim community. Do not grandstand here now.

¶ 04 Today’s debate has focused much on secret versus open ballots in local bodies. We campaigned, won a large mandate, yet some now cry about secret ballots after losing—like at the Colombo Municipal Council where even your own had said you would win under secret ballot.

¶ 05 [Interruption by The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law, on a Point of Order citing Standing Order 91(6)(b) concerning improper allegations against a Member.]

¶ 06 Hon. Deputy Chairperson permitted him to speak. He objected and asked that the statement be withdrawn.

¶ 07 I am from Kurunegala District and know these incidents and his conduct in detail. I will not withdraw. Every Muslim in Hettipola knows his behaviour. He could not enter that community to attend Buhari’s funeral.

¶ 08 Returning to the subject: there is much talk of “no deals with Pohottuwa.” Yet in Kuliyapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha there are Pohottuwa members and the chairmanship was given with SJB support. In Udupussellawa Pradeshiya Sabha too, with three Pohottuwa members, the chairmanship was given. “There is no deal”? We must understand reality. If there is trust, we will support forming a council; if not, we will not. For 70 years we have come to this state because of such behaviour.

¶ 09 Let me briefly place a note on global affairs. The world is moving toward broader conflict; Gaza’s devastation will take half a century to rebuild. Over 60,000 lives have been lost; children and women cannot be brought back. More than 17,000 children have lost parents. Famine is looming; 85% of hospitals are damaged; there is no care for the wounded. The Iran–Israel tensions could worsen matters. Sri Lanka has experienced war’s costs; we lost an estimated USD 200 billion. Without war, we would be three times ahead today.

¶ 10 As a nation that suffered war, we oppose all conflicts that bring ruin. Global economic downturn will deepen. Our economy depends heavily on the Middle East. From those working abroad, Sri Lanka received about USD 646 million up to April 2025: USD 200 million from UAE, USD 199 million from Kuwait, USD 167 million from Saudi Arabia, USD 145 million from Qatar. Middle Eastern nations have also funded major projects like Uma Oya. If the Strait of Hormuz is closed as threatened, oil prices will spike and affect us. People must be prepared. The economy is stabilizing; even the IMF has recently commended progress. Let us work together to free the world from wars. Thank you.