A press release issued by former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena is shown here.
Press Release
This is to inform the general public regarding the false statement made by the Honorable Leader of the House and Minister Bimal Ratnayake on February 27, 2025.
I would first like to state that from the day I first entered Parliament in 1983 until I assumed the office of Speaker in August 2020, I have never obtained an official government residence. I also had to visit the Speaker’s official residence for official and security reasons. I declare with great responsibility that I spent my personal money on my food and drinks throughout the entire time I spent in that official residence. There is no legal provision for spending government money on the food and drinks of a Speaker. However, when special guests, foreign ambassadors, or foreign diplomats visit, since it is a duty to entertain them, such expenses are considered as the Speaker’s expenses and are incurred at the expense of the government. I would like to express my disappointment that all such expenses have been added up and presented as an expense incurred for my personal meals.
Also, from 1983 until I assumed the office of Speaker in August 2020, even during my various ministerial positions, I had to travel in a single vehicle. However, after assuming the office of Speaker, I had to travel with security escorts, as happened to the Hon. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. Three vehicles are allocated for each Speaker (an official vehicle and two escort vehicles), and in addition, a jeep belonging to the Police Special Task Force was also allocated. I would like to inform you that these vehicles were the only ones allocated for my needs and those of my security officers. In addition, five vehicles and fuel were allocated for five key officers of my staff. The vehicles and fuel provided to those officers were provided in accordance with the circulars mentioned in the instruction paper on the allowances of MPs and Ministers issued by the Secretary to the President of the current government on January 21, 2025. Therefore, since it is numerically impossible to provide fuel of 3.34 million for nine months for the three vehicles provided to me, and since the running schedules related to the vehicles are in the possession of Parliament, I request that a special audit be conducted in this regard.
Although it is futile to present more detailed data in a social setting that expects short answers, I would like to request journalists who are interested in investigating the truth to obtain the above details and other allegations made by Parliament under the Right to Information Act. This request applies not only to the years 2023/2024 but also from the year 2020 when I was appointed and before that. I encourage a complete analysis and publication of these findings. I also request that legal action be taken immediately if any irregularities have occurred in this regard.
Although lying is a successful tactic to gain power, I believe that using lies to convince the people who voted for them that the decision they made was correct will not be successful in the short term. Although some may interpret it as a stroke of fate that the same people who destroyed billions of rupees of state property and made the state service ineffective now have to make the state service efficient by protecting state property, I see it as a blessing for the future good of our country in both the short term and the long term.
I fully agree with the statement made by Minister Bimal Ratnayake that a person is not a gentleman just by wearing a tie and coat, but a gentleman is made by attitude and actions. Additionally, I would like to add that a person is not a gentleman, no matter what rank or position they hold. I will conclude my explanation by recalling the following two verses from the Dhammapada:
“Ekan Dhamman atitassa – musavadissa janthuno
veetinnaparalokassa – natti paapan akariyan“
(Dhammapada: Loka Vagga 176)
There is no sin that cannot be committed by those who speak falsehood, ignore the Dhamma, and have no hope for the next world.
‘Yo appaduttassa narassa dussati – sudhdassa posassa ananganassa
tameva balan pacceti paapan – sukhumo rajao pativatamva khiteta”
(Dhammapada: Paapa Vagga 125)
Whoever harms an innocent person who has not harmed others and is pure in mind, that harm will return to that ignorant person like a lot of dust thrown up in the wind.
Since it does not take long for the realities felt by the people to transcend their mental illusions, I hope that the government led by Minister Bimal Ratnayake will soon develop the interest and intelligence to manage the state machinery well, lead the country towards development, and fulfill the good promises made to the people.
Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena
Former Speaker
