Firebrand Opposition Parliamentarian Harin Fernando yesterday flayed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the selection of the Chair of a key task force, which the Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP described as his “One Country One Crazy Law”.

Issuing a statement following President Rajapaksa’s decision to appoint the controversial Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Leader Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero as Chairman of Presidential Task Force to recommend proposals to implement the ‘One Country, One Law’, Fernando said: “Seeing the team appointed for such a task gives everyone chills down their spine.”

“Not to forget that they got reminded of the base of their mandate i.e., ‘One Country, One Law’ after a whole two years, before actually taking steps to implement it,” Fernando said.

He opined that the leadership of such a task force had been given to an individual whose name merely being mentioned would be sufficient to be blocked from social media platforms.

“We can correctly predict and assume the kind of one country and one law that will be built with the leadership given by a person known for his quarrelsome nature, and who is not known for speaking out on unity among communities, and being cordial with fellow ethnic groups,” he said.

“Every person makes decisions based on their level of intelligence. But, if such a decision is going to affect the country as a whole, then no citizen shall stay quiet or indifferent about it,” warned Fernando. “It is said that a person’s true inner self will be revealed when he speaks and through his actions.”

The SJB MP also alleged that the gigantic image made up by vested interests was visibly falling and that the entire country was now vouching for its nakedness.

In his statement, Fernando also said the following:

“Ceylon gained its independence because of the freedom struggle of all ethnic groups, including Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and Malays. Despite achieving independence more than seven decades ago through a united front, we still dream of unity between ethnicities. There have been bloodbaths aplenty in this little island, due to the immature and opportunistic decisions taken by opportunistic political leaders of this country.

“Some so-called leaders took opportunistic decisions, only for the sake of expanding their vote base. Some did so for the inherent racist ideologies they had, while some of them became opportunistic in order to affirm their power. Some did so because they were foolish, idiotic popinjays.

“We, as a country, had to compensate with thousands of invaluable lives because of such decisions. Ever since we achieved independence, we haven’t been able to live united as Sri Lankans. We have not been able to stand together as one, while respecting the identities and cultures of our own people.

“A leader of the country must be someone who can think and who allows his conscience that he is the leader of every one of the country. Decisions made by such a leader shall serve justice to the past, present and the future of the country. Instead, what is being proven day by day is a horrifying truth.

“Freedom fighters such as Ponnambalam Ramanathan, Ponnambalam Arunachalam, Siddhi Lebbe, Arumuga Navalar, T.B. Jayah etc., fiercely told the world that this country shall be united under one flag and that the minority ethnic groups can certainly live in peace and happiness with the Sinhalese. But still, we continue to boast of a ‘one country,’ despite being wounded and shedding blood and tears due to racist rants and actions.

“Ever since this Government came into being, we, as a country, have suffered immensely due to the obnoxious and arbitrary decisions of it.

“If the economy falls, it can be revived. If the health sector sees a downfall, that can be repaired. But if/when harmony, trust and cordiality between communities, the country’s fall as a whole is inevitable, and if ‘Sir’ can teach us that it is not so, we are ready to listen to him.”

Gotabaya appoints Gnanasara Thero to head ‘One Country, One Law’ Presidential Task Force