The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 02 I am pleased to speak at the Second Reading debate of the 2026 Budget. The Deputy Minister who spoke earlier said they will “destroy” the Opposition, send us to hospital beds—perhaps recalling 1988–89 methods. We are not afraid. We in the Opposition are ready to answer.

¶ 03 People who love this country believed that only the group led by the JVP/NPP could rebuild the nation, granting them mandates at the Presidential and subsequent elections. Their noble expectations are now being shattered by brazen corruption. This is the second Budget of this government; even if the first Budget could be excused as a start, with the second they are trying to drown the truth in fairy tales. We draw the public’s attention to this.

¶ 04 As an MP, Anura Kumara Dissanayake—now the President—long claimed in Parliament and outside that the JVP was the sole saviour of the ordinary people, public servants and graduates. People applauded then. Today, he has turned away from those positions without hesitation.

¶ 05 I remind the House of a few things the President himself said. He once asked whether the post-independence debt was a “big deal.” Now, as 2026 approaches and debt service resumes in 2027, how will the President—who mocked the debt—repay it? The government currently survives on a debt relief package of USD 1,982 million. Further inflows are expected in 2026—USD 679 million from the IMF, and USD 638 million from the World Bank and ADB—enough to push things to 2027. But what about beyond that—2028 and after? What investment plan will actually generate export income? What concrete export diversification projects exist? None are evident.

¶ 06 We have also never seen salt shortages like now—salt has been scarce for nearly two years. There are allegations of corruption in salt procurement, rice imports and the release of 323 containers. Complaints have gone to the CIABOC, yet we see no concrete outcomes. People expected a clean government, free of allegations, led by blameless persons. Where is the transparency you promised? Was the salt procurement transparent? Was the release of 323 containers transparent? Even on narcotics—allegations fly, but where are the responsible officials named and action taken publicly?

¶ 07 Minister Sunil Handunnetti, though absent now, once grandly said the government needs no privilege not enjoyed by the people. He said they did not need official residences if people lacked houses. But today every JVP/NPP MP has taken an official residence. They also said they would not take salaries. If they do not, then the funds should be returned to the Treasury to benefit the people, not diverted through other accounts.

¶ 08 On the 1,700 vehicles procurement: there are serious concerns that the tender process contains major irregularities according to the Technical Committee’s own review. You promised a government that would not steal even 5 cents. Before discussing why you need so many pickups, explain whether the procurement process itself was proper. Even Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday, “Do not misinterpret—our 159 MPs do not need vehicles; mostly ministers do.” If that is so, withdraw the proposal altogether. Do not pretend you are helping Opposition MPs who supposedly come by bus—none of us said that. We have vehicles and manage.

¶ 09 Now they say they must woo the North as they cannot win the South again after misleading people. Helping Tamil people is right; they deserve it. But if this is done cynically to shore up collapsing vote shares, it is political manipulation.

¶ 10 On housing, Deputy Minister spoke. The one leader in recent history who truly responded to people’s burning housing needs was Sajith Premadasa—he acted practically without considering party colour. For example, in my Rakwana seat, we began a housing project under Indian assistance. We built 30 houses and people are residing there. Later, one of your ministers came and “opened” it as if it were his—like many others now counted as this government’s. Fine—build more. But I hear the Deputy Minister is building a multi-storey personal house these days—good luck to him to complete it swiftly.

¶ 11 To graduates you said: “Do not protest—study and sit exams.” The JVP used to march with graduates and youth. Now you tell them to go home—admitting you have no answers.

¶ 12 Finally, the Speaker should note: the President said MPs should travel economy class, not business. But the country knows he doesn’t travel economy. If your policy is genuine, apply it from the top—the Speaker and ministers included. Do not mislead the country: ministers routinely upgrade to business class. If that is the policy, say it honestly.

¶ 13 In history, every government said they could deliver at least 50% of promises. This government does not even grasp what it can do. After a year and a half in power, soon it will be clear whether it is the Opposition or the government that ends up on a hospital bed, as your Deputy Minister said. Thank you.