2026-02-18 / debate: Special Commodity Levy Act Order, Customs Ordinance Resolution, Motor Traffic Act Regulations
Hon. M.A.M. Thahir
2026-02-18
Hon. Mujibur Rahuman accused the opposing side of political inconsistency, contrasting their past actions during the 1987-88 Indo-Lanka Accord period — when they mobilized schoolchildren in street protests under nationalist slogans — with their current criticism regarding student welfare during O/L examinations. He further highlighted a contradiction in their position on the military, noting that they previously opposed military training and "militarization" while in Opposition, but now advocate for expanding the Army's role to include civilian economic activities such as selling produce.
Hon. Deputy Speaker, he spoke about schoolchildren. So I must say this, too. He feels sad about the children sitting the O/L examination now. In 1987-88, those who said “Motherland or death” dragged schoolchildren to the streets and told them not to go to school. When the Indo-Lanka Accord came, children in Colombo were taken to the streets and told, “Not school first, the Motherland first.” Those who spoke like that now talk about strikes. When they were in the Opposition, they opposed giving training to the forces; they said do not militarize. But now they say the Army should even be trained to sell ‘kochchi’ chillies.