The Hon. K. Sujith Sanjaya Perera

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, these regulations are brought today under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act with the stated purpose of discussing issues faced by importers during salt imports.

¶ 02 Frankly, as a country, we should be concerned. The current Ministers representing the Government told us repeatedly, before coming to power, that they would protect domestic resources and develop local industry. Instead, priority has been given to imports: first rice, then coconut and coconut milk powder, and now salt. To my knowledge, this situation has arisen for the first time in our history in this way.

¶ 03 The present Government is clearly encouraging importers. On exports, the support extended is inadequate. If we don’t incentivize exports and provide relief to exporters, how do we move forward as a nation? You speak incessantly of a production economy, but unless you support what we can produce and other industries, how will we progress?

¶ 04 We remember what the President and Ministers said then: that our country is surrounded by the sea; that the former government failed to utilize it; that even supplying our people’s salt needs was possible from our seas; that seawater should be used to manufacture sulphuric acid. We also recall repeated statements on fisheries: that we couldn’t provide concessions to fishers, nor fish at concessionary prices to the people. Those who made such accusations are now in power. Have you implemented any concrete plan? There isn’t even a basic plan like an app to help fishers locate fish, let alone a sulphuric acid plant. How will the country move forward under such conditions?

¶ 05 There is also a major allegation regarding the release of certain “red-labelled” containers during recent port congestion. The then State Minister openly said, “We gave the order” to release them. The President appointed a Cabinet committee to inquire. As we understand, the committee’s terms conclude that releasing those containers, and the manner of release, was wrong. The subject Minister is present—I ask: what action will you now take? There are serious allegations that those containers held harmful items—jackpot machines, cigarettes and foreign liquor.

¶ 06 [Interruption by the Chair: Time is up.]

¶ 07 Hon. Presiding Member, please give me one more minute. This is widely discussed across the country. The Government should correct this and issue a public statement.

¶ 08 You talk of a production economy and, again, of the people. But what is the Government actually doing? I hear plans to start new casino operations. Is this what was promised? Back then you accused the former Government: “They run on casinos; they give room to the gaming industry.” Now you are doing the same—allowing new gaming operations, granting tax concessions, enabling import of necessary equipment.

¶ 09 This is not what our people expected. They didn’t want money to be made from casinos or for foreign investors to come and take profits away. They expected quality industries that create jobs and opportunities here. Over the last seven to eight months, none of this has happened. People have received no relief. They are under pressure from all sides.

¶ 10 In conclusion, I ask you to think of the people. They cannot bear the cost of goods; they cannot bear VAT. You are imposing taxes and burdening people. This cannot go on. Please act more sensitively toward the people and the country’s future, and start a proper program. Thank you.