The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I wish to recall Karl Marx’s observation that societies either regress to barbarism or advance to civilization. Since 1977, with the open economy introduced by J.R. Jayewardene, our country steadily moved towards barbarism. Since 21 September last year, after Anura Dissanayake became President, we have been steering the country back towards civilization, calmly examining society.

¶ 02 Some Opposition Members dash in after lunch, shout and run off before we can answer; please keep your questions for the next day. As to drugs, earlier they came from Argentina, Pakistan or elsewhere. Now the entire country is being turned into a production base for drugs and “ice,” notably in Hambantota. Therefore, under “Ratama Ekata” we will unite the whole nation against this menace. We will not retreat, however much organized criminals try to intimidate us. This is our generational duty.

¶ 03 This menace affects not only the poor but all classes, with many middle‑class children falling victim. Making Sri Lanka drug‑free is the responsibility of the President and all of us. How do some in the Opposition dress and then speak on behalf of drug traffickers and organized criminals?

¶ 04 Regarding the slain Chairman, according to the IRC he was registered under file 1305/2015 as a “B”‑category offender. As a Government and a political movement, we do not agree to anyone being murdered. That is why we deploy our full effort to suppress crime. The SJB has 35 PS Chairmen. Have any of the other 34 been shot in broad daylight in their offices? No. That indicates particular circumstances in this case. He had at least three cases pending in Kurunegala and Galle, and reportedly had served imprisonment. He was not an ordinary person.

¶ 05 Let me remind you of past atrocities: under the Maithri‑Ranil‑Sajith governments, names of about 80 politicians connected to crime were exposed, Madush was killed, and matters were buried. The Gotabaya and Ranil‑Rajapaksa governments too protected criminals. The present NPP Government protects no criminals; we bring all to justice and have ended street assassinations.

¶ 06 To those dressed in white or black today: do not forget history. Recall the Tangalle case where a foreigner was murdered after resisting the attempted rape of his wife—committed by a PS Chairman aligned to Pohottuwa—he is still serving 20 years. Recall other notorious organizers and henchmen. Do not carry others’ dirt on your shoulders; distance yourselves from such elements.

¶ 07 Our Public Security Minister rightly asked: where in the world do police provide protection to registered murderers, underworld and organized criminals? In no country is that done.

¶ 08 About the containers: the report has been received and handed to the CID for investigation. We assure the public: we will not ferry criminals by helicopter, nor will we cover up any crime or interfere politically. In Negombo, a former powerful figure once arrived by chopper and was arrested at Lanza’s house with drugs. Today, Gampaha and Negombo are plagued by the drug epidemic. We will not abandon our responsibility until Sri Lanka is transformed into a drug‑free nation. We call on the public—principals, teachers, religious leaders and all—to join this mission. Thank you.