The Hon. Imran Maharoof

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, many on the Government side now ask us, “Didn’t you once say you would not form administrations with others or bring in people you called corrupt?” You now accuse us of negotiating in local authorities with those whom you used to call wrongdoers. But we must ask in return: with whom is the Government negotiating today to form administrations and secure positions in the Colombo Municipal Council? Those who stood with the Rajapaksas and those labelled corrupt are now being courted by the Government, while blaming only the Samagi Jana Balawegaya or others. This exposes a core issue in the electoral system. We consistently urged that this local authority election should not be held under the present system and that it needed reform. Everyone knew it was unhealthy, yet the Government held the election under it without addressing the flaw, and now says, “We did not lose; you are bargaining with them.” If the system allowed clear majorities, no one would need post-election talks. The present system created this situation. People will understand this more clearly in time.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, those who call themselves the “National People’s Power” should be called the “National Laundry Power.” Before the election you said the previous period was a rule of thieves and the present is a rule of the good. But in the time of so-called thieves we bought a kilo of salt for Rs. 100; now under the so-called good, it costs Rs. 500, with shortages as well. When past shortages occurred—fuel, or price spikes—you alleged ministers were making commissions, costing the country billions. Today there is a salt shortage; which front-row minister is getting what percentage in commissions, and how much loss to the country? Please answer.

¶ 03 In Trincomalee District areas like Kinniya, Muttur, Pulmoddai, and Kuchchaveli, many are engaged in dried fish production, distributing nationwide and exporting. A bag of salt that cost Rs. 2,000 now costs Rs. 10,000. What is their plight? Think carefully whom you blame. Do not keep acting like the Opposition. You have a majority of 159 Members—govern responsibly.

¶ 04 I also request two things. First, during the election, much was said about bar permits. The list of politicians who obtained bar permits has still not been published. Please publish it quickly. Second, after the Presidential Election, the Government displayed vehicles allegedly misused by politicians (at Galle Face in 2006-style “vehicle show”). Please publish the names of those politicians. Stop merely criticising the Opposition.

¶ 05 As for the local authority election results, it is public knowledge how many votes and seats each party obtained. The National People’s Power lost 2.3 million votes. Instead of saying “our vote bank hasn’t decreased,” reflect on why it did—and how to retain votes by serving people. We do not need to attack the Government; we need solutions to shortcomings in our areas. Please fulfil the promises you made to the people.