The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, as a Government we are stabilizing the country and rebuilding a strong economic base. Agreements with strong economies like the UAE provide a diplomatic framework to accelerate recovery under mutually beneficial terms. While we debate this important agreement, the Opposition has dwelt on unrelated topics since morning, compelling us to respond.

¶ 02 Our youth are being devastated by narcotics. In areas even around Colombo, 35–40 percent of young people are affected. Families are breaking. While individuals may consume small amounts, we are discovering metric tons in seizures. Following the arrests of key traffickers like “Kehelbaddara Padme” and others, political links are surfacing. Some claim to explain how containers arrived but turn a blind eye when they reached “Medamulana’s gate”. We say to the SLPP leadership: do not rush to strip memberships in panic; let investigations proceed. The trail shows real political connections behind these crimes.

¶ 03 On community facilities: in 2012, public access to Parliament Grounds and Pahalawatta grounds for youth sports was cut off on “security” grounds, though not even during 2009. We pressed to reopen them. The Urban Development Authority granted approvals, but the Parliament Security Council blocked it. Today, the Parliament Security Council has principally approved reopening Parliament Grounds to the public under conditions, and to free the Pahalawatta ground and an adjoining acre behind the so‑called “sandalwood garden.” I thank the Speaker and members of the Security Council for their positive consideration.