The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to speak briefly on the Anti-Doping Amendment. We do not hesitate to internalize sound international norms—2013’s Act No. 33 did so; today we refine it further to suit domestic needs while aligning with the Convention and WADA.

¶ 02 I must also address baseless Opposition attempts to mislead. The Hon. Ajith P. Perera previously argued for inserting “good faith” language into another law. The Hansard shows I demonstrated that “good faith” already permeates that bill via Section 74 of the Penal Code context, making a further insertion unnecessary. Yet now he claims the amendment harms children. Let us not misrepresent.

¶ 03 Recently, an Opposition Member used this House’s time to allege that our Deputy Minister Geetha Jayasinghe and Minister W. A. Samarasinghe were to be named suspects in a case before the Kalutara (Galkissa referenced) court. The court, on 26th, expressly rejected the complainant’s application to name them as suspects or to order arrests, stating there was insufficient basis and directing police to conclude investigations and act per the AG’s advice. Thus, that Member misled the House.

¶ 04 On sport, we remember Wasim Thajudeen’s murder. Investigations were buried; evidence tampered with. Now CID has identified “Kajjja” (Vidangamuge Aruna Priyashantha) in the footage; his spouse’s statements and telecom data are being used to trace the route and accomplices. Some politically linked persons seem agitated—perhaps their past patronage haunts them. Let investigations proceed without interference.

¶ 05 We also see former associates, expelled from our party, now falsely claiming JVP identity and spreading mud. One claimed our leaders dined with “Puwakdandawa Sanaa” and then evaded police summons. Another made wild pension-related claims about appearing before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC); the Director General asked him to produce documents—none so far.

¶ 06 We are proceeding with investigations, including into the alleged sale of a parliamentary seat for Rs. 800 million, and the independent inquiry ordered by the President on the container matter. Do not fear accountability.

¶ 07 Thank you.