The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for this opportunity.

¶ 02 Yesterday morning, the Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Lasantha Chikramasekara, was murdered. How was he killed? While in his office performing official duties, two men came on a motorcycle and shot him without any hindrance. Thereafter, in this Parliament, our Minister of Public Security assassinated the character of the deceased. Is that right? It is not. In the very proposal brought today, it is stated that “every citizen has a responsibility and duty to make society a safer place.” While bringing such a proposal, a public representative performing official duties in his office was not given security—whose responsibility is it? Primarily the Government and its law-enforcement agencies, for which the Minister is responsible to Parliament. Therefore what he did is entirely wrong.

¶ 03 When a homicide occurs, the victim’s character can be considered only to establish motive—such as political, personal transactions, or family issues—not to prejudge. How did the Minister arrive at a premature conclusion that this was revenge for dealings with some criminal gang? That is wrong—do not do that.

¶ 04 Minister Nalinda Jayatissa made a very good speech, calling for unity—we have no issue with that. But the character-assassinating remarks by the Minister of Public Security should be expunged from the Hansard. I will raise this when the Speaker is in the Chair. It is improper and indecent. Whoever the person is, once deceased, we accord final respect—even one sentenced to death, after the sentence is carried out, is not subject to such indecent commentary.

¶ 05 Who was killed? A people’s representative. By abusing privilege to assassinate his character, have you considered the pain to his family, or the humiliation to the voters who elected him? You keep asking why we came in black. Yesterday was a murder. The primary reason behind it is that the law is not being upheld. Whatever he was, he was a public representative, shot in broad daylight while performing official duties—we came in black to express our sorrow.

¶ 06 It was aggravated when the Minister of Public Security then assassinated his character. You must apologize to his family and voters, and that portion must be expunged from the Hansard. I conclude. Thank you.