The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, I wish to approach this topic by addressing a few specific points raised today, since leading political figures including the Hon. President, the Hon. Prime Minister, and the Hon. Leader of the Opposition have already spoken.

¶ 02 First, regarding the Chemmani mass grave. This morning, an Hon. Member from the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) asked about the Chemmani mass grave and accused the Minister of Justice that the Government is not investigating it despite pledges to the United Nations. Madam Presiding Member, we are a political movement ready to accept shortcomings. But it is wrong to criticize while ignoring what has in fact been done.

¶ 03 The Chemmani mass grave was discovered in 1999. From then until 2024—over 25 years—only 15 human skeletal remains were found. Between 2015 and 2019, during the previous administration under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, ITAK leaders—particularly Hon. Sumanthiran—though in the Opposition, played a significant role, even chairing oversight committees on public finance, and wielded more influence at times than some Ministers. In that period, funds were provided—around Rs. 45 million—for ITAK Members to work in their constituencies. I do not consider that a special wrong. But during those five years, ITAK leaders forgot Chemmani.

¶ 04 We came to power in September 2024, and only obtained a stable parliamentary majority in November 2024. From November 2024 up to today in 2026—17 months—we have recovered 224 human skeletal remains from Chemmani, under official supervision and with judicial involvement. In 17 months, 224 remains, whereas in the prior 25 years only 15 were found, including periods where those now criticizing held significant responsibility. Justice Wigneswaran served as Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council during that time. Now those who did little then criticize a government that is moving. The polling division where the Chemmani cemetery (SHOE) is located is one we have won; the area MP is from the National People’s Power. We know the facts; we have visited; we are investigating a crime that happened 30 or more years ago, one in which some perpetrators later received leadership and were part of governments.

¶ 05 Madam, you know, as a capable lawyer from the DOS District, that we cannot arrest individuals merely on suspicion, particularly for a case 30 years old; procedural missteps can let offenders escape. That is why I answered today—and Minister Harsha Nanayakkara also responded—that we are studying this seriously and pursuing all mass graves, including in Matale. Justice must be served through due judicial process, which takes time.

¶ 06 Justice is not only through courts; political and social justice can also be pursued. We have acted in the North. No Tamil person in the North today is under pressure for being Tamil. I ask in every small village; they say they no longer feel such pressure. Those who choose divisive politics instead of unifying the country present these criticisms. I also asked the Governor of the Northern Province; to my knowledge, excavations will resume on April 20. Pauses occur for administrative or sometimes judicial reasons, not political ones.

¶ 07 On India’s upcoming state elections, especially in Tamil Nadu: many Sri Lankan Tamils were displaced there due to the war. OfERR estimates about 89,000 Sri Lankan-origin people reside there, and that organization under the leadership of S.J.V. Chelvanayakam’s son has worked for about 30 years. We have many active leaders here who engage with them. I myself visited camps in Tamil Nadu in 2007 with Hon. Minister Chandrasekar; we later established a Select Committee in Parliament and granted Sri Lankan citizenship to 28,500 stateless persons.

¶ 08 Now, during Indian state polls, a proposal has reportedly arisen from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin to grant citizenship to these people; we welcome it. Many have asked for dual citizenship with Sri Lanka because some were born in India. For example, Prashanthini, a member of our party and of the Karachchi Pradeshiya Sabha in Kilinochchi, was born in India, returned with her family in 2014, and is now a local representative. We therefore say to Sri Lankans in India who wish to return: we will receive you with open arms. If, however, people born and raised in India, now married to Indian nationals, prefer to remain there, we respectfully request the Indian Government to grant them Indian citizenship. During earlier amendments to India’s Citizenship Act, our people from Sri Lanka did not obtain citizenship; this time, please grant it to those who have lived there over 30 years if they apply.

¶ 09 Our Minister of Public Security has clearly instructed that returnees are not to be detained merely for immigration technicalities. Many fled without lawful documents to save their lives; their passports may lack exit stamps. The instruction is not to arrest returnees on the basis of “illegal departure” alone. Thousands have already arrived via Katunayake; about 18,500 are expected through the airport, and they have not been detained due to these instructions. Yet when one person was detained at Palaly, former MP Sumanthiran made a great fuss—discouraging others from returning. That is the answer to that matter.

¶ 10 Third, Sri Lanka is a small island; sovereignty and independence are vital. The President explained a recent instance where the Iran–US/Israel war had a direct impact on us, with both an Iranian vessel and an American vessel seeking entry. Amid an economic crisis, the President’s handling was commendable—we said “No” to both the US and Iran where required, relying on international law to which we are signatory.

¶ 11 On Cuba: like us, an independent nation. For 35 consecutive years, over 190 UN members have voted condemning sanctions against Cuba; the US no longer even brings that resolution because it loses. Sanctions strangling a people, blocking even oil for months, are wrong. If the law of the jungle prevails—big swallowing the small—today it is Iran, with 100 million people under decades of sanctions, whose infrastructure is being destroyed; tomorrow it could affect anyone. The UN exists to maintain peace and law. Our President could say “No” to both Iran and the US because we uphold fairness, sovereignty, and international law. We condemn starving Cuba’s people; Cuba has never contemplated attacking the US. Even the UK Defence Secretary has said that Iran had no plan to attack the US. These are statements by major powers.

¶ 12 Turning directly to our overseas Sri Lankans in the Middle East—Qatar, Doha and elsewhere—the Foreign Ministry is making special interventions, as are our National People’s Power organizations. As the war increasingly targets civilian infrastructure, civilians are suffering.

¶ 13 We are not acting alone. The President today met parties in the Opposition for about an hour and a half, including the Hon. Leader of the Opposition—discussions were cordial yet constructively critical. We can solve much through dialogue. They raised agriculture and fuel in remote areas; we clarified our actions and hope to resolve issues raised.

¶ 14 On the QR code system: there were initial issues. We fixed the problem night before last; registrations have since risen significantly. Some vehicles remain unregistered—many are state vehicles because officials are uncertain about which phone number to use to open the 070006 account. A circular from the Ministry of Public Administration has gone to all Secretaries on issuing fuel to state vehicles under the quota system. Transport Officers or assigned drivers must register vehicles using their phone numbers to open the QR. Once opened, special categories can be configured; for ambulances we will not impose 070006 limits—they receive as needed.

¶ 15 We request all state officials to register vehicles under your telephone numbers. If more fuel is needed, we can provide under special provisions. Earlier only about 300,000 registered per day; yesterday 650,000 registered—issues are being resolved, though small problems may persist.

¶ 16 Public transport: 103 SLTB depots are ready to fuel buses; private buses have QR codes. By noon today, about 593 private buses had fueled at depots. For large private construction projects, upon verification through the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, required fuel quantities are approved. For garment factories, buses transporting employees can register with Hon. Sunil Handunnetti’s Ministry; once listed, those buses receive fuel. Some edge cases remain—e.g., lawn mowers lack QR codes; we are devising a method. Hon. T. B. Sarath raised that the “Madurawa” bicycle (model 4800) could not be registered—we are enabling chassis-number-based registration. Give us a day or two; we will streamline. We aim to complete the network adjustments before the weekend. For tea estates, if a factory needs larger deliveries, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation can deliver to storage at estates (25,000–50,000 liters), with costs paid by the client—more efficient than multiple trucks. The Central Expressway also requires bulk deliveries; we will deliver centrally for distribution. We act with collective leadership—no internal tug-of-war; the President and Government are one team. We ask the Opposition to point out our shortcomings. Parliamentary administration is supported by the Secretary General and the Speaker; Parliament functions as a partner institution. Thank you for the extra time.

¶ 17 I request two more minutes. For industries: we do not manage by fueling vehicle-by-vehicle; under our industrial classification (21 sectors), priority is for export industries and service providers in value chains. As of 9.00 a.m. today, 2,298 institutional requests were received; by 4.00 p.m. yesterday, recommendations had been issued to 1,848 institutions, including 757 export industries. CPC has accepted 293 loads (6,600 liters each); 180 have been released. Sectors prioritized include automobile components, board, granite, coir, cosmetics, electrical/electronics, gem and jewellery, machinery, packaging, paint/chemical/printing, pharmaceuticals, processed food, rubber and plastics, spices, value-added tea, wood-based industries, and event management. Chains like Food City are supplied at company level, not per vehicle. Gig logistics (Uber/PickMe), bakeries and associations are encouraged to apply as entities. For micro users, a form via Divisional Secretaries allows access. Hoarding beyond normal needs is occurring due to uncertainty about war duration and narratives of “no fuel”; both contribute to spikes.

¶ 18 An example: a bank manager said their generator lacked fuel—needed 30 liters, had 20; generators operate only during outages. We still facilitated via Divisional Secretary forms. Special cases—vehicles newly released from customs lacking 070006—are being managed.

¶ 19 Our main aim is to avoid lockdowns, keep the economy functioning while managing within constraints. Tea factories have no major issues; if any, even Opposition MPs may inform us—we will intervene. Every crisis presents opportunity; we believe export markets will remain due to our non-aligned trading relationships across regions. A multi-ministerial team—Trade, Industry and Entrepreneurship, Fisheries and Aquatic/Marine Resources, Plantations and Rural Infrastructure, and Agriculture/Livestock/Lands/Irrigation—is managing this collectively; the public recognizes this teamwork.

¶ 20 This crisis was not created by our Government, nor by our dollar earnings, nor is it merely a revenue problem. Media and partisan narratives will say otherwise; the people will answer that in due course. We are preparing for the next phase—diversifying tourism and export markets, and managing supply chains. We will table comprehensive documents showing institutional, divisional, and district-level allocations for industry fuel—consumer order delivery allocations for 19.03.2026 and 20.03.2026—so no one can later claim we did nothing.

¶ 21 We thank the Opposition for moving this adjournment debate, allowing us to present our actions. We continue to meet under the President’s leadership, and with the Prime Minister and Ministers on public administration, infrastructure, and essential services.

¶ 22 Let me conclude by appreciating our public servants who, despite their own fuel and transport constraints, work tirelessly. In my Ministry, the Secretary Ms. Thilaka Jayasundara and staff have worked day and night. We did not seek any special quota; our officials obtained fuel strictly per allocations to our vehicles. CPC, the Ministry of Power and Energy, Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne from Digital Economy, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya and team, and especially Mr. Sumudu Rathnayake coordinated tirelessly. Again, in crises—like during Cyclone Dithwa—our Tri-Forces, Disaster Management, Divisional Secretaries, and public officers have proven exemplary. I thank everyone.