The Hon. (Dr.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I thank Hon. Rasamanickam for moving this debate. It is timely, though I do not agree with everything in the Motion. We have spoken on Easter not as politicians alone; we worked with victims at Katuwapitiya; we protested every 21 April because justice was not delivered.

¶ 02 It is incorrect to say nothing was done for six years; but also recall, we were not in power those six years—we have been in power seven months. The Easter attack happened under Yahapalana. The Presidential Commission Report says the government failed to appreciate the magnitude of the threat—an incompetent government. The then-President Sirisena, the Prime Minister, and that government are responsible. Many of those ministers now speak here; politicizing this causes us shame.

¶ 03 Easter is a tangled thread. On Sara Jasmine and DNA, on “Sonic Sonic,” on Jameel, on Ibrahim—you must probe, but it is not easy. Who are the masterminds—Sallay? Rajapaksa? Nilantha Jayawardena? All? We are not naming a single mastermind lightly because there are political and official linkages; clarity is needed.

¶ 04 The President said the State must scrutinize itself; members here too have said segments of police and military intelligence were connected. This is not a trivial link; it is political. How do we investigate when those who must question are under those who may be implicated? That is difficult. You ask why not move faster—we are moving: police investigations, AG’s Department work are ongoing. If we rush to court without complete evidence, accused will be acquitted. We cannot, and will not, rush weak cases.

¶ 05 The Commission also recommended de-politicizing schools and changing culture—moving away from ethnic segregation. Our education policy reflects this and is being implemented. Police culture must change; we are doing so, removing political influence, insisting on rule of law. National security, absent under Yahapalana, is now ensured—people can walk freely North and South.

¶ 06 On welfare, the Report recommended a sustained five-year programme with a budgetary basis for victims. Five years have passed—what was done then? We are now setting up a dedicated clinic at Katuwapitiya, to be opened by August/September, with full facilities and nurses for home visits to victims.

¶ 07 “One country, one law” is in place; judiciary and AG’s Department are independent. Independence does not mean perfection; we remind them to be efficient.

¶ 08 As for UNP/SJB—do not pretend they did not govern then. If not for an NPP government, where would we be today? We will find the truth of Easter, not as a political duty alone but a personal one. We will see this through.