The Hon. Sunil Biyanwila

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate regulations on importing salt. First, let me address how Opposition Members look at our Ministers and MPs—as if they were the same as those in power previously. That’s why comrade Bimal Rathnayake brings up containers, and comrade Wasantha Samarasinghe brings up salt.

¶ 02 But these Ministers and MPs have come to stop past crimes and build a future. This is a Government that came to catch thieves and strengthen the economy. They dragged issues like coconuts—now that is settled; a coconut is below Rs. 100. We’re providing coconut fertilizer, strengthening production. They dragged rice—now sorted; by the next seasons the situation will improve further with plans underway. They dragged salt—initial disruption occurred, but now stabilized. Then they switch to something else.

¶ 03 Not only salt—imports such as potatoes, onions, cowpea, mung beans, chilies—we will reduce and restrict these over the next two to three years. Give us another year to eighteen months; there will be no rallying cry against this Government. We are correcting matters. Constructive criticism is welcome; we are geared to adapt quickly.

¶ 04 The Leader of the Opposition said we are hitting the people in the belly. Who did that in the past? We are tightening our own belts to fill the people’s stomachs. Our MPs and Ministers do not enjoy perks; we are empowering the people. They say bringing salt from abroad is shameful. Who created the need? Not us. The economy had been broken for years; agriculture damaged; other sectors too. Now they moralize and claim “it wasn’t us.” It was you. We are correcting it. Give us some time; we will deliver victories for the people.

¶ 05 Opponents who plundered with their families now tell us to be ashamed. They ruled for years, ran down the economy to the ground; now they ask us to be ashamed that we import salt despite being surrounded by the sea. Go among the people; they trust our program. We work closely with them, with an integrated plan involving citizens, public servants and political authority. People rejected our criticisms when we were in Opposition then because they were valid; today, the Opposition’s claims do not resonate.

¶ 06 On salt, climatic changes reduced output. This can happen anywhere, not just Sri Lanka. We faced it and managed it within a very short time. Now there is even surplus in parts; but we will act legally, not arbitrarily, and consider producers’ and traders’ needs. We challenge the Opposition: in another year or two, not only salt—everything producible here will be substituted domestically. We’ve already started: 35,000 hectares of maize in Monaragala; coconut planting in Jaffna; plans to increase minor export crops across districts. We will build the needed economy, end theft, fraud and corruption, and strengthen production. The Malimawa Government has come to fulfill people’s aspirations—not the Opposition’s hopes. We will deliver. Thank you.