The Hon. Mano Ganesan

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, first, I wish to draw the attention of the Hon. Minister of Public Security, Ananda Wijepala, to a matter of national importance. Please listen. An estate officer named Gamini Kingsley of Udulgama/Homadola Division of the Watawala Plantations has brutally assaulted a young Tamil man living near the estate boundary at Bataketiya, Homadola. This occurred the other day; the video is viral on social media — it is a racist virus. Do not think I am blaming the Government; please do not jump on me. I speak about the system — the estate system is wrong. Please investigate. In the video, the young man is thrown to the ground and dogs are set upon him; a crowd watches; the officer and his wife are also there. I do not know what the dispute was; perhaps the young Tamil man did something wrong — I do not know; let the Police find out. But to set dogs on him on the ground is wrong and inhuman. Please investigate.

¶ 02 I was pleased today that the President used the word “Malaiyagam”. I thanked him — that is good. But please also look into matters like this. These people live in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Uva and North Western Provinces, and even in the North. But now in the South — Matara and Galle — very inhuman things happen; in some remote estates, at night, even girls are abducted; I am ashamed to say it, but it happens. Ask the Police in Udulgama, Galle. I am not blaming the OIC personally; please just inquire. Do not allow such inhuman acts.

¶ 03 Hon. Minister Ananda Wijepala rose.

¶ 04 Hon. Minister, is it in Udulgama, Galle?

¶ 05 Hon. Minister, I will send you the details. Please inquire. We cannot tolerate this. The young man is on the ground, dogs are set upon him. Please instruct the Police to arrest and produce the culprits; let the court decide and punish or warn as appropriate. Do not allow repeats. The officer is Sinhala and the youth Tamil; both are Sri Lankans. But if the incident were reversed, there would be unrest in Galle. Let us be honest. Do not allow that. Change the system; end racism; otherwise, we cannot carry on. I cannot just watch from Colombo. My wife cried seeing the video and asked if such things happen in Sri Lanka. Please ensure action.

¶ 06 How much time do I have?

¶ 07 Hon. Deputy Chairperson: You have four more minutes.

¶ 08 Good. Now to the topic. We do not want to postpone the election; we want to face it. But we received the Budget Programme only today. The Budget Debate continues until 21 March. The Budget Debate is the Opposition’s debate — we ask for it; if we do not, you could pass it without debate. We must be here and also campaign outside; how can we do both? There is no level playing field. The Hon. Watagala says there is one; but there is not. There are also Ramadan, New Year and exam periods.

¶ 09 The primary issue is democratic fairness. We must be in Parliament and outside; therefore, a level playing field is needed. You say you will win every local authority — fine, do so. But we, too, must be able to campaign. If the election date is end-April, there will be a campaign period — but can we be here and there? I need to visit Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Matale. How can I manage both? Therefore, please ensure fairness. We are not asking to postpone; we are asking for equal opportunity. You are a strong Government with 159 Members; proceed with your work, but allow proper campaign conditions. If not, we will go to court — we can. But we are making a fair request now, responsibly.