The Hon. (Dr.) Dammika Patabendi - Minister of Environment

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson, today’s debate is on the Supplementary Estimate presented by the Hon. Prime Minister as Minister of Education. Some, styling themselves with legal titles, are diverting the House from the core subject; the public should note this.

¶ 02 We were elected to legislate, not to turn Parliament into a spectacle. Those calling themselves attorneys seek to do so; the people should be vigilant.

¶ 03 This Supplementary Estimate allocates Rs. 6,500 million as a Rs. 6,000 grant per eligible student to purchase stationery and supplies for 2025. It is important for three reasons:

¶ 04 1) In a country still recovering from economic collapse, this Government is, despite constraints, taking measures to extend relief to the people. Unlike previous regimes that sought excuses to cut benefits, we are delivering support even under hardship.

¶ 05 2) The support targets education. As Nelson Mandela said, education is the most powerful weapon to change the world. Even amid difficulty, prioritizing education—as well as health—reflects the NPP Government’s core priorities.

¶ 06 3) The proposal will be implemented collaboratively by the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment—an integrated approach absent in prior administrations, which worked in silos focused on patronage. We now coordinate ministries towards common goals.

¶ 07 We therefore invite the Opposition—especially those brandishing half-baked legal or doctoral titles—to support this proposal without malice.

¶ 08 Thank you.