The Hon. B. Ariyawansha

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I thank you for the opportunity to express my views.

¶ 02 There are only five days to the Sinhala and Hindu New Year. We have never before seen a situation where 22 million people face such hardship when about to celebrate the New Year. After 76 years, in the 77th year, our people are facing great difficulty to celebrate. We know how those who wore boastful attire ruled this country; that is how it is being ruled now. We also know this Government is not implementing the principles of the Hon. Leader. When the Treasury had excess funds—about Rs. 1.4 trillion over the past one and a half years—this time should have been used to provide relief to the people, not for other agendas.

¶ 03 Using the Iran–Israel–US war as a pretext, fuel prices were increased as soon as the conflict began. Diesel, petrol, kerosene, gas, and electricity bills were all raised, pushing up the prices of all essential food items. Even Keeri Samba rice is not to be found; the prices of dhal and coconut oil have increased. Eggs are now Rs. 46 in the market. As we approach the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, the Government has failed to implement a programme to provide relief using the available Treasury funds.

¶ 04 We also know the construction sector has collapsed in recent days. The price of steel has increased; cement has risen by over Rs. 350; roofing sheets have gone up. Many people work in construction—masons and carpenters—who are now without jobs. During the New Year season, they wonder how to live. Due to lack of fertilizer, vegetable and banana farmers are in difficulty. In Embilipitiya and the Walawe region, fields are being prepared for cultivation, but there is serious doubt whether they will receive urea and other fertilizers in time. If the Government had prepared beforehand—bringing the fertilizers and agricultural chemicals needed—this problem would not have arisen. The Government paid no special attention to this.

¶ 05 The President announced a relief package yesterday, but we do not see relief reaching everyone. A large number of public servants are there. I do not think even ten days of living is possible on their salaries unless they do something else. Workers, daily wage earners, and three-wheeler drivers are all in difficulty. Passengers cannot afford three-wheel fares, and three-wheeler drivers have parked their vehicles. The Government still has not put in place a plan to provide relief to them.

¶ 06 Let me also mention the “Ditsa” cyclone that caused immense damage. The President came and said even if a sheet was blown away, Rs. 1 million would be given. In Rakwana, where I represent, Minister Sundaralingam first spoke—his village is Opata Watta. Twenty-eight families displaced there were staying in a school. They are now told to return to their homes, and to come back to the school if it rains again. No land has been given, nor any programme to resettle them elsewhere. At Madampe, Room No. 1 of Section 2 in Line No. 2 is leaking; we visited—there are no roofing sheets and the roof is blown off. They ask only for some roofing sheets. Across districts, those affected and displaced by the Ditsa cyclone have not received relief. In a few months this will be forgotten. We urge the Government to establish and implement a programme to provide relief to those affected by the Ditsa cyclone.

¶ 07 In Suriya Kanda, the village of Aluthkaella has suffered landslides since 2002—over 20 years now. Previously, those affected stayed at Suriya Kanda School. Even today no housing reconstruction plan has been prepared. Although seven-perch plots were promised, no facilities have been provided to build houses, nor any assistance programme established.

¶ 08 This Government came to the presidential election under the theme “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life.” None of the policies promised are being implemented today. Therefore, people are living with great difficulty. The few New Year “reliefs” actually pushed people further down; relief was not given, but opportunities to celebrate were taken away.

¶ 09 I wish to make another proposal. Banks are proceeding under the Parate law (Act No. 4 of 1990) to recover loans from borrowers. Many people are in debt and cannot repay, so banks are auctioning properties pledged by them. We know the reasons: the war, COVID, the economic collapse under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Ditsa cyclone, and now the war situation. Therefore, I request that the seizure and auction of properties be temporarily halted and loan repayment periods be extended by one or two years. The Hon. Leader of the Opposition earlier raised this here; last year, a one-year grace period was given, but those people still cannot pay. Their industries have collapsed and thousands have lost jobs. I urge special attention to this. Thank you.