The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I am pleased to participate in today’s debate on the Bill to repeal the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986. I listened to many who spoke for their masters, blowing their flutes without realising their flutes are rusted and full of holes. From such flutes only air comes — not melody. They must either change the flutes or stop playing.

¶ 02 This Bill is crucial. Looking at past Presidents, they used their powers to secure benefits, facilities and opportunities for themselves by tailoring Cabinet Papers accordingly. One former President, during “Covid-19” when people could not work and were suffering, spent over Rs. 400 million to renovate the official residence at Wijerama — beautifying and making it luxurious. It is like Nero fiddling while Rome burned. Is this the service to the people? If that money had been given as relief to the suffering people, we would be proud. We do not need such a weak law which enables enjoyment of such privileges. A President is not a god from the sky but elected by the people; therefore, such laws must be repealed.

¶ 03 Another President submitted a Cabinet Paper to renovate his own house so it would be a comfortable residence he could use even after retirement, merging two houses into one. Another rented out his own valuable house and then asked the Government for a State house. Is this the duty of Presidents who loved the people? People understood all this — that is why they voted for the National People’s Power and sent 159 Members here.

¶ 04 You know there are still many homeless in our country. In the North many lost homes due to war. In the Hill Country, people need housing too. Therefore, when any President, Minister, or MP spends public money, they must remember every cent is the sweat and blood of poor people and not waste it. Repealing the Presidents’ Entitlements Act is essential for that. We will bring new laws to create facilities that let people live with dignity.

¶ 05 Our present Hon. President shows great concern for the Tamil people. In the past, when Presidents visited the North, they used two helicopters, then bullet-proof cars at huge cost to go a few kilometres — wasting people’s money. Our Hon. President discards such privileges and serves the people. Our Ministers and MPs are the same. In future we will take appropriate actions for our people, eliminate wasteful expenses, and use the savings for people’s welfare.

¶ 06 Let me add: our Government is not racist. The Hon. President has been visiting the North with care, and Ministers too, to implement projects and progressively solve issues. We will not do “YouTube business” or tell empty stories; we will act and deliver, building a country where all communities live in unity and happiness. Thank you.