The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 Everyone must accept that corruption has been a main cause of our bankruptcy. It is recorded in international sources. As the Opposition, we will extend maximum support—inside and outside this House—to all measures to stop and minimise corruption.

¶ 03 However, a question arises whether the Government is doing things merely to please the public. The Minister of Justice, Hon. Harsha Nanayakkara, is learned and respected, with a great responsibility. My personal view is that, as Justice Minister, he should refrain from commenting on court proceedings and judgments on political stages. Though I am younger, I have served three terms in Parliament and two in Provincial Councils. I trust he will uphold the dignity of the office and let the law take its course, avoiding unnecessary mudslinging from platforms, which creates doubts that this is about cleansing one’s image.

¶ 04 He referred to “editing” of a certain speech and implied that, without this Government, certain judgments against former Ministers Mahindananda and Nalin would not have been given. That suggests the Government influences the judiciary or that the judiciary’s trust now depends on the Government—an unsuitable statement for a Justice Minister.

¶ 05 We could also say that under the 2015 good governance government, these cases were filed. Then this Government can say, “Though they filed them, we delivered the verdicts.” But it is not about taking credit. If wrong has been done, whoever it is, the law must act; that is what matters.

¶ 06 A larger issue: it takes too long for judgments—10, 20 years. Even this recent case took around a decade. Rather than making platform comments, the Justice Minister should focus on expediting judicial processes—procedural reforms, legal amendments, more courts.

¶ 07 To bring investment, we must minimise corruption and ensure independent, trusted institutions. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption is active, which is good, but concerns remain about politicisation. The Attorney General’s Department also created doubts when, in the past, many cases were withdrawn on technical grounds and not refiled. Now you have the opportunity—if past pressures have ceased—refile them and act to reduce corruption to the minimum. Investigate alleged corruption in projects of the Rajapaksa era—Hambantota Port, Mattala Airport, highways, Malwana property, etc.—and enforce the law without personal vendettas. We, as the Opposition, will extend honest support.