The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, the Government promised a “Prosperous Nation – Beautiful Life,” yet today the country and society are descending into barbarism, a culture of killing and murder. I wish to ask whether this wave of assassinations, this spate of killings, is not being recognized even now as a threat to national security. While we repeatedly warned that it is a national security issue, the Government brushed it aside. In a democratic country the rule of law and the administration of justice are vital. But today, the law has become lawless; jungle law prevails. A public representative cannot perform his duty to the people who elected him through a public vote. Such an environment has been created in the country.

¶ 02 Lasantha Wickramasekara, elected with 67.3 per cent of the vote to the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha from the Midigama-West ward, who secured the chairmanship with the support of all opposition members amidst many challenges, was gunned down in his office while carrying out his duties. Regarding this wave of killings and the emergence of underworld rule, look briefly at the 850 case records compiled. From 01 January 2025 up to 22 of this month, there have been 101 shootings, 52 deaths, and 56 injuries reported. Is this the “revival” that this Government promised?

¶ 03 I wish to highlight a fact that few have noticed. On 29.08.2025, Lasantha Wickramasekara, Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, wrote to the Inspector-General of Police under the heading “Regarding Ensuring My Personal Safety,” specifically alerting the police. The police in turn told him to be cautious. He stated that there was a plan to assassinate him when attending court or when leaving for the Pradeshiya Sabha. He wrote directly to the IGP with a sworn affidavit: “I respectfully request that suitable security be provided to me during and after my official duties.” I hereby table the letter and sworn affidavit sent by the late Chairman to the IGP.

¶ 04 Placed in the Library.

¶ 05 Even in such circumstances, why did the Government fail to provide him security? If the Government can suppress the numerous underworld gangs, narcotics networks and killer groups, why is a Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman denied the freedom to attend his office and serve the people in this so‑called “revival”? Is this the “prosperous country and beautiful life”? What has been created is a murder culture, a wave of assassinations, a depraved culture. Therefore, I ask why, even after such a request in writing to the IGP, security was not provided.

¶ 06 Hon. Deputy Speaker, you also know how difficult it was for the Opposition to secure control of that Pradeshiya Sabha. At one point there were lies that two members were abducted and threatened; all of that was false, and it too was in Weligama. Then there was another claim that a member had been shot; later a phone recording revealed, “No, the shooting must have been done by our own people.” The entire country knows how the present Government attempted to snatch control of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha despite the Opposition’s clear majority. Therefore, I state that the Government must accept responsibility for failing to provide protection to that Chairman. The Government must be accountable.