2026-02-06 / Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations under Public Security Ordinance 2026-02-06
Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised several criticisms of the Government across multiple policy areas. He condemned what he characterised as the Government's failure to respond adequately to Indian Navy assaults on Sri Lankan fishermen in domestic waters, demanding a more assertive diplomatic stance toward India. On the Easter Sunday attacks, he questioned the Government's contradictory statements regarding the whereabouts of a suspect referred to as "Sara," urging that legal proceedings not be concluded before the alleged mastermind is brought to justice. He also warned against misuse of emergency powers to intimidate social media users and parliamentarians. Additionally, he addressed a circulating audio recording allegedly involving a Member of Parliament from Puttalam, cautioning media against using covertly obtained material to damage individuals, and called on the President to investigate the matter and uphold the integrity of his administration.
You are building Prabhakaran’s house. You should be ashamed. Listen carefully to what that Hon. Member said — you should be ashamed.
Look now — the Indian Navy assaulted our fishermen in our own waters. Do you not have the backbone to take it up with India and stop it? Did you take any steps? Even now you have not visited those fishermen. A Government must first stand upright in front of any country.
On the Easter Sunday attacks, you said “Sara” is in India; then you said, “Not in India, but Sara is somewhere.” If Sara is “somewhere,” are you hiding him? We know some are trying to hurriedly conclude cases. We ask you not to conclude proceedings without bringing the mastermind before justice. Do not insult the people under cover of emergency. Use it properly — not to intimidate social media users or MPs. If you think you can scare people that way, you will face a big problem.
I also note a social-media “audio” circulating about an MP from Puttalam. I say even to that media: do not use a secretly recorded clip to destroy a person. We tell the President, you claimed to be a clean team — then protect that. Find who did this, and how. Do not point fingers at everyone. Your “saplings” are now turning into weeds, and more will come out in future.