The Hon. Hector Appuhamy

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the time and the extra two minutes. Many speaking on “prohibited stimulants” have dwelt only on ice, heroin, and cannabis. But we must remain within the topic of doping in sport.

¶ 02 This is called the “Supreme Legislature.” Under past governments, Parliament fell into public disrepute because instead of constructive, planned, creative debate for the people’s benefit, there was endless finger-pointing and mudslinging. Sadly, the same is happening today. The media runs wall-to-wall stories of the underworld, drugs, murders and gore. This corrodes society. As a government, stick to your lane—make laws; allocate funds; plan; coordinate with officials; engage internationally; and let police, courts, and ministries do their roles. Do not do police or judicial work from here.

¶ 03 On schools: you have turned into a government distributing condoms; after 16 years, giving Rs. 5,000 to a child and saying “go anywhere,” causing serious issues between teachers and parents. On labeling people as “homosexuals,” individuals may have their preferences, but do not legislate to impose new norms on everyone. Likewise, do not convey the idea that banned stimulants are “not a big deal” through these amendments.

¶ 04 Developing sport requires much work. A Member from Jaffna today touted an international stadium there—an idea brought by Sajith Premadasa. Implementing it is good; do not use it for cheap politics. Your job is to correct past wrongs and implement good ideas, even from the Opposition. Yet today, to do business here takes six months for approvals that once took one; institutions are sluggish; investors leave due to delays. Free those bottlenecks.

¶ 05 Regarding the Easter Sunday attacks—you promised solutions after a year in power. Focus on delivering justice. Internationally, I represented Parliament at UN engagements on disaster management, and at the Italian Parliament’s committee on migrants (chaired by Sri Lankan-origin councillor Rachindra Jeganeshan). We have many opportunities with Italy—e.g., renewing the lapsed MoU for converting Sri Lankan driving licences in Italy. Despite your many meetings and fundraising from the diaspora, you have still not restored that service. The Sri Lankan mission in Rome needs strengthening, including premises to serve our large community who remit vital foreign exchange—many with tears, working off debts. Provide services to them.

¶ 06 The Speaker has a duty to connect our Parliament globally; use the Speaker’s official residence for international engagement. Instead of dividing society by harping on drugs and sexuality and pitting children, parents, and teachers against each other, let us unite to rebuild the country. Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member, for the extra time.