The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we are discussing a grant for school supplies. Some Members spoke as if nothing had been done in education previously. Thanks to Free Education, free textbooks and uniforms, many people here benefited.

¶ 02 I recall J.R. Jayewardene in 1977 noting that 20–25% of children could not attend school for lack of books, and he funded free textbooks. Under President Ranasinghe Premadasa, 4.3 million children received free uniforms to address classroom disparities. Today you plan to grant Rs. 6,000 to 1 million children out of 4.1 million. This will again expose the poor–rich divide within classes. We urge that assistance be universal.

¶ 03 You also promised as Opposition to allocate 6% of GDP for education. Now you talk loudly while allocating only Rs. 6 billion. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged to remove the 18% VAT on educational supplies and food. Instead, VAT at 18% is taken from 4.1–4.2 million children, while only 1 million receive a small grant. What is the metric? Aswasuma—the most flawed beneficiary selection in our history. Unqualified people got in; deserving ones were left out. Are you adopting Ranil Wickremesinghe’s same measuring stick? Do not divide poor and rich within classrooms—give to all children.

¶ 04 There are 1.4 million public servants, surviving with difficulty. In 2015–2020 we raised salaries cumulatively by about 107%. Today utilities and costs have tripled while salaries stagnate. Extend this grant to children of public and private sector workers too.

¶ 05 The President went to India. He spoke here about IMF reliefs, not about what he agreed to in India. I have an old poster: “ETCA no—do not sacrifice our economy to India,” with Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Mahaweli Centre. Now, does he oppose or support ETCA? Clarify.

¶ 06 He also opposed giving the West Terminal to Adani, the oil pipeline, and the Indo-Lanka land bridge; opposed leasing Kaveri Basin blocks, renovating Duraiappah Stadium and Palaly Airport, and leasing 4 acres at Nilaveli to Indian hotels. He must explain what he told India, why policies have changed, and, if he now agrees as a global village participant, apologize for past positions and clarify to the people.