2026-02-06 / Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations under Public Security Ordinance 2026-02-06
## Summary
Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe defended the government's record across several policy areas, arguing that the administration has stabilized the economy, managed a major natural disaster, and delivered development projects to village level, while rejecting Opposition accusations as baseless. He challenged the Opposition Leader's recent statement that he would "write it in blood" regarding Development Officers, questioning whether this implied an intent to circumvent established service codes and legal frameworks. On education reforms, he drew a distinction between the government's approach — which he said strengthens the state's role and ensures equal opportunity — and what he characterized as the Opposition's previous agenda of privatization and reduced public funding, accusing them of dishonestly reversing their stated position after public protests backfired. He concluded by listing a series of ongoing legal proceedings against former ministers and officials from previous administrations — including the arrest of Chamithri Rambukwella by the Bribery Commission on the day of the speech — asserting that the government is pursuing accountability through the courts systematically and without political interference, while acknowledging public demand for faster action.
Madam Presiding Member, the Opposition imagines we will use Emergency as they did. Sorry. From day one we challenged them to cite a single instance of using Emergency against the people. Even after Emergency was declared, many protests took place—including in front of the Presidential Secretariat. Never did we use Emergency to suppress them. Within two months, we managed the worst natural disaster in our history.
We have stabilized the economy and pushed indicators upward in 2025; the Opposition is silent on that. Development has reached the villages; many projects reached 90–100% physical and financial progress.
Some try to stoke communalism in North, East and South; we have given no space for that. The Opposition levels baseless accusations—these have fallen flat.
The Opposition Leader recently told Development Officers he would “write it in blood.” It reminds me of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s infamous “my word is the circular.” This is from a man who sought and seeks the Presidency. The law of the land is not just the Constitution; each service has its own Establishments Code—teachers have a Teacher Service Constitution, others have service statutes. What did he mean by “write it in blood”—that he will break the law? He spoke as if oblivious to the difference between primary classes and A/Ls.
On “Ditva,” the Opposition Leader visited relief centres with a notebook, recording complaints. I invite him to table that report. If there are gaps on our side, we will address them.
On education reforms, their “bag man,” the Opposition Leader’s media spokesperson, crowed that we have always opposed reforms. We opposed their kind of “reforms”—abandoning the State’s responsibility, cutting public funding and privatizing education. Our reforms strengthen the State’s role and provide equal opportunity for every child to advance on merit. They tried to brand this as “sexualization.” When public opinion turned against that lie, they now say they never opposed reforms. Yet they held protests in Homagama and elsewhere. Having turned it into a boomerang, they now backtrack.
The Opposition Leader now faces a big challenge—holding on to his leadership, as others in his ranks angle for it. We wish him a long stay in that chair.
As for the theatrics of Hon. Namal Rajapaksa—going to the CID with crowds, whipping up drama—today, as I speak, Chamithri Rambukwella has been arrested by the Bribery Commission. No wonder there are tears and panic.
The public’s critique is not that we are not acting; it is that action against fraudsters is not fast enough. Let me remind: many have already been punished—former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando have received heavy sentences; former Chief Minister S. M. Ranjith and his relative are in remand; Ranil Wickremesinghe is on bail over misappropriating Rs. 16 million in public funds; the Rambukwella family faces cases; Chamithri Rambukwella was arrested today by the Bribery Commission; Douglas Devananda was remanded; Chamara Sampath boasts of having five cases; Lakshman Yapa faces a bribery case on bail; Namal Rajapaksa has a case on the 16th; Rajitha Senaratne is on bail over the Dikowita harbour case; Chandrani Bandara is on bail. This Government proceeds systematically through the courts; we do not interfere. We did not drag anyone like Sarath Fonseka to prison; we proceed lawfully.
Yes, people want greater speed. We will honour the trust placed in us—lifting the country step by step, strengthening the economy, bringing development to the village, ending communalism and building national unity. No surprise the Opposition is agitated, Madam Presiding Member.
Thank you.