The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to speak on this Bill. It fulfills a pledge in the Government’s policy statement. There is public support; thus we will not oppose it. However, I raise a few points, considering what the Minister said.

¶ 02 The Government declared, “Nothing denied to a citizen should be given to a ruler.” Such slogans mobilized the public. But today, that promise is fraying. Many Government MPs use official vehicles; official residences are used and even upgraded. Some Ministers draw both ministerial and MP fuel allowances. This shows a difference between “citizen” and “citizen’s representative.” We accord protocol to office: we rise for the Prime Minister, Speaker, and President. That is how institutions function.

¶ 03 The current President first appointed the Chitrasiri Committee to review these matters. I ask the Government to table the Chitrasiri Report in Parliament, as it underpinned decisions, including on MPs’ pensions.

¶ 04 Regarding international practice, several countries grant limited support to former leaders tied to continuing public roles—e.g., the UK’s use of committees and defined roles, not open-ended largesse. Our former leaders have served, with flaws as all do. A President makes hard decisions—war and peace—with immunities to act for the nation. Misuse of perks is the issue, not the principle of modest, bounded support.

¶ 05 This expense is minor—about 0.0011968 of GDP and 0.008874 of total revenue, by my calculation. The Government has inflamed public resentment to advance this agenda. We will not vote against the Bill, but we question the narrative.

¶ 06 The Government should also focus on governance: many NPLs burden banks; entrepreneurs say IMF work is done but benefits have not trickled down. On other matters like the containers issue and specific allegations, we still await CUSDEC documents and clarity.

¶ 07 People may turn against you if promises fail—especially youth facing unemployment and unmet expectations.