The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, first, I draw your attention to a matter. Recently, I handed a letter to the Hon. Speaker requesting a Special Committee to investigate transactions of USAID and other NGOs. Though you are not the Speaker, as Deputy Speaker, I bring this to your attention and look forward to an early response.

¶ 02 Hon. Member, I will bring it to the notice of the Hon. Speaker.

¶ 03 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

¶ 04 Many on the Government side spoke about election postponement. The recent history of postponements dates from after 2015. The Local Government Election due in 2016 was postponed to 2018. We opposed postponements then and we oppose them now. Even within President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Government, there were two views, but we stood for holding elections. During the Yahapalana Government’s time, when they postponed elections, the five JVP Members also voted for that postponement Bill. Many may not know this. You, too, share responsibility for that. That same Government postponed the Provincial Council Election. We and our party are not for postponement.

¶ 05 However, when conducting elections, they must be free and peaceful, and must not harm citizens. We know the Local Authority Elections have been delayed for years. Therefore, we ask the Government: do not postpone; hold the election. But, Hon. Deputy Speaker, this time around 400,000 to 450,000 students are sitting for the O/L examination. With independent groups, around 80,000 to 100,000 candidates may contest. While candidates campaign, it can affect students’ exams and educational activities. Parents are very sensitive about the O/L, which is the gateway to A/L and university. So the Government and the Election Commission must ensure no unfairness to these children.

¶ 06 We also saw the Government becoming prone to repression recently: threatening the media and activists; some were arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The subject Minister said there were ten incidents linked to northern commemorations; but Parliament has not been briefed. In recent days, several incidents occurred. In Matale, a Government warning officer went to a house — the video is circulating. Complaints have been made to the Police. Warning officers are visiting homes now. You said village-level judicial power would be devolved — that is another matter; investigate these. You cannot run the country by intimidating the Attorney General’s Department. In Akuressa and in Agunukolapelessa, incidents have also been reported. Some may hold views opposed to you — they may also oppose us — but they have the right to express themselves. If farmers in Agunukolapelessa protest and a group assaults them, that is not right.

¶ 07 The President spoke in the Budget Speech about a new political culture, free of corruption. If there have been USAID-funded activities — whether good or bad — the country must know; hence our request for a Special Committee. We ask for a fair election. Ensure that O/L students are not disadvantaged. Also, tell your supporters in villages not to intimidate others. You speak of a new political culture; but if village warning officers try to wield judicial power, that is wrong. We will discuss all that in due time; no need to panic.

¶ 08 Please stop repression. Allow Members — whether on your side, the Opposition or independents — to campaign freely. Do not threaten media institutions or political parties. Do not return to old ways. The President only just spoke; do not relapse. Give guidance to your supporters. If your messengers intimidate people, we cannot conduct this election.

¶ 09 Do not postpone the election. Hold it. But ensure O/L students are not unfairly affected; discuss with the Election Commissioner. That is our position. We oppose postponement; hold the election on time. Today, due to repeated postponements, we cannot even find some Provincial Councils. Ask your leaders who helped postpone those elections then. When Ranil Wickremesinghe was with you, he was good; when he went the other way, suddenly he is bad. Policy differences are fine, but please hold the election. Also, keep your village warning officers under control. Ensure fairness to O/L students; some of you may lack sensitivity to children’s needs, but we know how students prepare. There are teachers here; please ensure a fair, timely election without harming the children. Thank you.