The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Sri Lanka–UAE Agreement on investment promotion and protection.

¶ 02 Sri Lanka has long-standing ties with the Arab world. Around 1.3 million Sri Lankans work in the Middle East, remitting over US$1 billion annually, crucial for our reserves. The ongoing crisis in Palestine and the declared “Greater Israel” policy by Netanyahu’s administration risk drawing the Arab world into wider conflict, which will affect our economy.

¶ 03 Global protests have risen against the mass killings in Gaza since October 23rd last year. Over 64,000 Palestinians have been killed, including about 20,000 children; 376 have died of hunger due to the blockade, including 130 children; 248 journalists have been killed by the IDF; and aid workers too have been targeted. Even media like CNN and BBC now highlight these atrocities.

¶ 04 Against this backdrop, on August 30, sixteen “journalists” from Sri Lanka reportedly travelled to Israel. Among them are representatives of state institutions: two from the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, a lecturer from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, and a Senior Manager (Communications and Public Relations) of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority under Minister Bimal Rathnayake’s Ministry. What is the Government’s policy? You claim to stand with Palestine, yet state media officials go to Israel. What journalism are they going to learn from a state killing journalists?

¶ 05 There are also two YouTube channel operators known for campaigns against certain communities who went. Is this Mossad training? Will the CID question them on purpose and training obtained, to prevent any attempts to sow discord here? CID officers have reportedly questioned local pro-Palestine activists and even asked the media officer of the Palestinian Embassy not to promote content against Israel. Is Mossad directing our CID? The Government must clarify and act.

¶ 06 Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara, posted that the group, selected by the Israeli Embassy in Colombo, would meet the Israeli Foreign and Defence Ministries and “observe humanitarian operations” in Gaza. Are those “humanitarian operations” or inhumane operations? If this contradicts your Government’s policy, recall the Ambassador immediately. Otherwise, your silence implies consent.

¶ 07 While the world isolates Israel, you granted free visas to Israeli tourists. The President should visit places like Arugam Bay and Weligama instead of Katchatheevu. Katchatheevu is under India’s central government; even major Tamil Nadu leaders could not change that.

¶ 08 Stop double standards. Either stand with Israel or with Palestine; do not play both sides. During the presidential campaign, the President twice visited the Palestinian Embassy; now he is silent. Is this due to US pressure? We register our strong objection to this policy drift.