MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva told Parliament that a lawyer who recently made derogatory remarks about him was inciting hatred and violence.
He was referring to MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, whose recent comments against the visually impared MP have drawn widespread criticism.
“I wouldn’t be upset if these remarks came from an unknown person. But they came from someone who called us ‘brother.’ This person not only insulted my vision impairment but also questioned my intelligence and vision,” de Silva said.
Responding to Jayasekara’s claim that he was spreading hatred by speaking of a “76-year-old curse” affecting Sri Lanka, de Silva said. “As a scholar and historian, I can speak not just about a 76-year-old curse but also about the country’s history over centuries.”
“It is this lawyer who spreads hatred. I tell him that my anger, pain, and sadness are justified. The 1978 Constitution described us as disabled persons. Wouldn’t you feel hurt and angered?” he asked.
De Silva expressed disappointment over the lack of progress for disabled individuals, particularly in state-sector employment, despite policies and quotas meant to support them.
“If I don’t call this a curse, what should I call it?” he questioned.
He also asked whether Jayasekara’s remarks reflected the stance of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the broader opposition toward disabled persons. (Newswire)
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