The Hon. P. Ruwan Senarath — Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, on the 17th, the new Government presented its inaugural Budget to Parliament. The debate commenced yesterday. We consider 17th February an historic day, as a new government in power presented a Budget with an agenda to rebuild the country. I believe 17th February will be historic for the people.

¶ 02 No great state anywhere was built overnight. Patience and discipline are essential. A society misled for decades cannot be changed instantly. When Singapore was built, its leader endured years of insults — but the country was built. After the October Revolution, when Germany attacked, the leader had, for various reasons, to enter pacts to protect the nation — they did what was needed to save the country. When some plans failed, leaders adjusted to make them succeed. That is how countries forged ahead.

¶ 03 Some in the Opposition quoted Deng Xiaoping, saying he looked at Sri Lanka and went back to build China. But where is China today? Since 1977, Sri Lanka was governed like a feudal clan — exactly how they speak here today. They lied here, but our Minister Dammika corrected what truly happened after 1977. Did our country reach China’s level, or was it dragged to the ground? We took office when the economy was at rock bottom. We are prepared to rebuild it.

¶ 04 The People’s Republic of China, since 1949, had plans — some succeeded, some failed, then they changed and moved forward. In every developed nation, leaders and people made immense sacrifices. When Cuba was liberated from Batista’s dictatorship under Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, it was economically broken and corrupt. Over decades, leaders led by example with the people’s sacrifices, building a small nation that thrives. Hence, when other countries faced obstacles, their leaders united the people and rebuilt — now they shine globally.

¶ 05 We have newly taken power to build a prosperous country and a beautiful life for our people. The President and Cabinet, together with MPs and the people, are working — we are already doing so — and planning ahead.

¶ 06 Those now in Opposition were the Government then. From the moment we began to rebuild, they devised every plan to stop our journey: slander, lies, propaganda, repression, even murdering innocents — to block our rise. Today they talk of democracy, but that is what happened then. We persevered, worked prudently, built this movement, and in September 2024 we achieved that historic victory.

¶ 07 We have 59 years of political experience with a wealth of lessons, working with people at the grassroots. We did not enter politics for personal gain. Therefore, from our very first Budget, we allocate all state revenues for public welfare, saving nothing for ourselves. Previous governments also presented Budgets — we saw how. They brought a big briefcase, came at 1.00 p.m., read till late night. People sat before TV expecting something. At 7 or 8 p.m., they announced a Rs. 20 or Rs. 30 raise, then told their supporters to celebrate. Reduce one rupee of tax and add Rs. 25 or Rs. 30 elsewhere — a Budget that carved out for themselves and threw crumbs to the people.

¶ 08 We presented a Budget and now the Opposition has little to say. Yesterday they avoided the media; we saw them run away from questions. Some called it an IMF Budget; others said it is fine because Triposha got money — yet earlier they claimed we would close Triposha! They waited to attack, but had nothing. In the first 45 minutes allotted to them, they had nothing substantive.

¶ 09 One MP from the East banged the Budget book on the table twice saying, “Nothing for my province.” This Budget is not split by provinces; every sentence is about the whole country. They are trying to stoke ethnic narratives — “nothing for the East, nothing for Muslims.” We presented a national Budget to rebuild the country, leading by tightening our belts. This is system change — do not panic; this is it. Thank you for the opportunity.