The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, six years have passed since the Easter attacks; still no justice for victims. The majority affected were our Catholic people: 270 dead, about 500 injured. The suffering of Catholics was exploited in two elections to get votes. While Catholics paid with their lives and property, Muslims were vilified. Therefore, our Yahapalana Ministers Kabir Hashim, Rauff Hakeem and Rishad Bathiudeen and others resigned. I regret the Justice Minister does not seem to know that.

¶ 02 We heard the Public Security Minister. He cites investigations — Vavunativu, Wanathavilluwa, Mawanella, hotel bombings — but those were already told to us by officers at that time. Tell us what is new. We all accept that from 2019–2024 there was no proper investigation. We repeatedly raised this in Parliament. I myself was then Minister of Law and Order for a period; I recall the very first court orders to arrest Zaharan were obtained under me. We went to court then, though we paid a heavy political price in 2019; “national security” was used to defeat us and Sajith Premadasa. In 2024, too, this issue was used to come to power. Now you must deliver justice to the 270 who died. You won the Catholic vote; I will remind you what your leaders said.

¶ 03 Your chief organizer Nalinda Jayatissa has said: “From the Easter attack to the presidential election; the port sale; handing oil tanks permanently to India; taking over Mattala management — lay these in one line and see; the story is clear. The wife of the Katuwapitiya bomber, Sara, was secretly flown to India. She is the most important witness. Not even when India’s Foreign Secretary visited or when the President went to India did they ask to bring her.”

¶ 04 What have you done with India to bring Sara back? You cite actions — oil tanks, docks, state assets; but what did you do to bring Sara?

¶ 05 Your manifesto “A Prosperous Country — A Beautiful Life” says: “We will reveal all information on those who targeted groups of people for political power in the Easter attacks and punish the criminals.” Nine months have passed. The Catholic community and other victims are watching. The President must name who was above Zaharan. A senior officer wrote the mastermind’s name on a piece of paper to the Commission — reveal it. Six years have passed; nine months in power.

¶ 06 The President, then in Opposition, said: “If we find ‘Podi Zaharan’s’ adviser, the truth of Easter will emerge.” The FBI report has names — who is above “Podi Zaharan,” and to whom he spoke — reveal them.

¶ 07 The Deputy Minister Watagala is quoted in social media as saying the Dalada Perahera might delay revealing the mastermind. I will send the link. The President also said: “We will reveal the secrets of Easter before April 21.” Has that been done? No. The Catholic people have been deceived. Hence His Eminence says they supported a change expecting deep-rooted issues to be solved, but now still await a just response; otherwise, they will return to the streets.

¶ 08 You promised several times to reveal matters before April 21; you have not done so. You came to power selling this issue — in 2019 they did it; in 2024 you did it. In both instances, Sajith Premadasa paid the political price. You took 70–80 percent of the Catholic vote but have not proved what you claimed. We will support any effort to arrest the culprits. Please reveal, without falsehoods or fear of international questions, who is responsible, swiftly. Seek help from the FBI, Scotland Yard, German intelligence who were involved. Thank you.