The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, several Members raised points regarding these Regulations under the 2023 Anti-Corruption Act. Especially on post–Declaration of Assets and Liabilities enforcement when errors or omissions occur; the Justice Minister expressed views.

¶ 02 Let me note: the Anti-Corruption Act came before this Government, in 2023. We have since addressed some gaps. We have always spoken against corruption, in government and opposition, and acted accordingly. However, I must also state that there are allegations of corruption even under this Government.

¶ 03 Take the release of 323 containers. A Minister without authority—the Ports Minister has no such power—released them while Cabinet only appointed a committee to propose short- and long-term solutions, with the Cabinet Secretary writing to the Finance Ministry Secretary to coordinate. Yet the Ports Minister released 323 containers. We asked for the CUSDECs and Customs records, but they are withheld. Officers were not allowed to inspect the goods. Instead, we who complained are summoned to the CID, while the Minister who made the decision remains untouched. We are ready to face the CID.

¶ 04 Second, the rice tender. It failed four times. Sathosa has done rice tenders for years, yet then purchases were given to “certain” parties. Is that not corruption?

¶ 05 Next, renewable energy procurement issues and power purchase controversies.

¶ 06 Regarding the case against Keheliya Rambukwella: it concerns salaries paid to his staff being diverted to an account and redistributed among those who worked for him. Many Ministers take staff salaries and share them. I thank you for the extra two minutes.

¶ 07 Further, in Kurunegala District, funds were allegedly distributed to coordinators—Rs. 10,000, Rs. 25,000, Rs. 50,000—though there is no judgment yet, so I will refrain from further comment.

¶ 08 But today, 159 JVP MPs pay their salaries to the party, which then redistributes. What is the difference? Parliament (Powers and Privileges) law and our parliamentary practice are clear—you cannot divert your publicly funded salary to a party. The party also takes the Rs. 21,000 allowance from 3,926 local authority Members—about Rs. 84.46 million per month, roughly Rs. 984 million a year—into the party account, later redistributing. If Keheliya’s staff salary redistribution is corruption, how is this not?

¶ 09 Sir, I rise to a point of order—asked Hon. Sunil Watagala. He challenged my citation of section 11 of the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act. I will point him instead to the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament. I will show it.

¶ 10 I also correct a matter I earlier raised at a press conference about vehicles of the North Central Provincial Council; I later publicly stated there was an error. That is my responsibility. We should accept and correct our mistakes. But now I am attacked for it.

¶ 11 The President once said there was a “rice mafia,” but later, on Sirasa’s “Satana,” he said that was untrue. Another Minister said funds were brought from Uganda, later clarifying it was a COD-type arrangement. There are many such claims: a promised one-third reduction in electricity bills—untrue; a Vitz car for Rs. 1.2 million—denied later; that we would not import rice husk—also untrue; VAT exemptions on health, education and food—not done; bringing Arjuna Mahendran back—still not done. These are repeated falsehoods.

¶ 12 When the Minister boasts, “Without our Government they would not be jailed,” does that mean the Government is influencing courts, or that previous governments pressured the judiciary? Either way, that is wrong. In 1970–1977, Felix Dias Bandaranaike, as Justice Minister, visited courts—are we going to return to that and intimidate judges? Do not pressure the judiciary.

¶ 13 The Court of Appeal President was sent on retirement; there were 114 documents purportedly signed—if so, summon him and investigate. Now he draws a pension while an Acting President sits for months. Is it fair to deny elevation to Lalith Sirimanna? Do not interfere with the judiciary; let judges work freely.