Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

## Summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman used the debate on a Foreign Exchange Act regulation to raise concerns about Sri Lanka's foreign policy stance amid escalating Middle East conflict, particularly regarding US-Israeli military actions against Iran. He criticised the Government for failing to formally condemn the killing of Iran's spiritual leader and the bombing of Gaza, arguing this represents a departure from Sri Lanka's traditional non-aligned foreign policy and the JVP/NPP's own prior anti-imperialist positions when in Opposition. He also raised specific concerns about growing Israeli presence in Sri Lanka, including alleged IDF encampments in the Eastern Province, visa-free entry for Israeli nationals, and the continued operation of an allegedly illegal Chabad House despite a government acknowledgement of its illegal status. He called on the Government to adopt a foreign policy consistent with Sri Lanka's non-aligned tradition and to take a clear public stance against the ongoing military aggression in the Middle East.

The speech provided contains insufficient content to summarize meaningfully. Hon. Mujibur Rahuman's contribution on 2026-03-03 consists only of the procedural statement **"I raise the Question,"** indicating he was formally tabling or presenting a question in the House, with no substantive argument, proposal, or contextual detail included in the text provided.

## Summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman (Samagi Jana Balawegaya) defended the Opposition's role in exposing government irregularities and rejected corruption allegations directed at his party, asserting that no SJB member faces corruption charges or court cases. The central focus of his speech was a CEB report dated 19 February 2026, signed by General Manager Engineer Kumara, which he cited as documenting a loss of Rs. 7,672 million (approximately Rs. 7.6 billion) arising from the first eight coal vessels under a government procurement deal, with penalties not yet factored in. He argued that two material conditions of the coal tender had been breached — substandard (off-spec) coal and late delivery — and questioned why the agreement was not cancelled, suggesting the deal had been improperly protected. He further alleged that the resulting losses were being passed on to the public through a proposed 13% electricity tariff increase, and referenced additional procurement concerns including the wheat tender withdrawal, unreleased findings from a Presidential committee on 323 containers, and the award of the 50 MW Mannar wind power project to Dhammika Perera — alleged to be a close associate of the President — despite his appeal having been rejected.

## Summary Hon. M. A. M. Thahir, speaking during a postponement motion on alleged coal procurement fraud, distanced himself and minority community representatives from partisan point-scoring, urging both Government and Opposition to focus on substantive governance rather than mutual accusations. He raised the non-functional Oluvil fisheries and commercial harbour in the Ampara district, citing severe coastal erosion, siltation, and the loss of approximately 250 acres of farmland and private land, and demanded that the Government either render the port operational or pay outstanding compensation promised by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Ministry of Fisheries. He also highlighted ongoing erosion damage in Nintavur and Attapallam, including the rapid loss of a four-acre plantation, and drew attention to flooding affecting harvest-ready farmers in Ampara following a week of heavy rains. The Member concluded by calling on the Government to fulfil its campaign commitments on the port works and to address these constituents' grievances with concrete action.

## Summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman raised concerns about a February 10, 2026 Gazette notification requiring re-registration of SIM cards issued before August 2019, arguing it undermines ongoing investigations into high-profile murder cases including those of Lasantha Wickrematunge, Wasim Thajudeen, Prageeth Eknaligoda, Dharmeratnam Sivaram, and Poddala Jayantha—cases President Dissanayake had pledged to resolve. He contended that telecom operators are legally required under TRCSL licensing conditions to retain subscriber identity data, and that the Gazette effectively provides operators a legal shield to claim missing records in court, causing cases to collapse. The speaker questioned whether the Gazette was designed to protect specific individuals, pointing to the appointment of former Dialog CEO Hans Wijesuriya as the President's economic advisor and a former CCD officer implicated in the Thajudeen case as a Ministry advisor. He demanded that rather than issuing protective Gazettes, the Government should pursue legal action against operators withholding data and hold licence cancellation as a remedy, warning against allowing these cases to be buried indefinitely.

Hon. Mujibur Rahuman acknowledged the Government's electoral mandate while cautioning against its misuse to suppress the Opposition. His remarks served as a closing statement, urging the Government to exercise its mandate responsibly.

Hon. Mujibur Rahuman directed remarks at the Speaker regarding the management of parliamentary order, alleging that the Chair was failing to adequately control a government member and was showing deference toward him. He warned the ruling party against attempting to silence the Opposition or diminish the status of the Leader of the Opposition. Rahuman reminded the government that electoral mandates are not permanent, citing the example of the previous administration's rise and fall between 2019 and 2021 as a cautionary precedent.

Hon. Mujibur Rahuman raised a point of order concerning perceived procedural inconsistency in the recognition of speakers by the Deputy Speaker. He argued that while ordinary members are required to state the point, the relevant Standing Order number, and other details before being recognised, the Deputy Speaker's microphone is activated without such requirements. He asserted that parliamentary traditions and Standing Orders apply equally to all members, including the presiding officer, and called for uniform application of parliamentary procedure.

Hon. Mujibur Rahuman made a brief procedural complaint directed at the Speaker, objecting to the practice of microphones being activated as soon as certain members stand up. He also made a passing reference to a member having crossed over from another party, suggesting this context was relevant to his concern.

Hon. Mujibur Rahuman criticizes the current government party for inconsistency, contrasting their past opposition to militarization with their current proposal to deploy the army in agricultural activities such as selling chillies. He accuses the party of historically damaging the country through what he characterizes as contradictory and divisive politics, citing shifting positions on relations with India as an example. He suggests, with apparent irony, that the public should be relieved the party is now in government, as their conduct in power reveals them to be no different from previous administrations.