The Hon. M.K.M. Aslam

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am fortunate to speak on a measure addressing a real need of schoolchildren. In the past, Supplementary Estimates funded foreign trips of Presidents. Today, the NPP, as a people’s movement, prioritizes our children suffering under the economic crisis. About 53% of students reportedly reuse others’ old supplies; many have stopped getting new items. This grant offers relief.

¶ 02 We recall tragedies—like a child in Anuradhapura who took his life because he had no shoes to go to school; children collecting money in villages to buy shoes for trips; and a child in Galle who died by overdose after quarrelling with parents over tuition fees. Our mothers once pawned their earrings to educate children—today many have nothing left to pawn. Therefore, I welcome the initial Rs. 6,000 support.

¶ 03 I was saddened to hear a Member suggest biased distribution; our President and Government reject communalism. We are Sri Lankans. We treat all children equally—north, south, east, or west.

¶ 04 Some said J.R. Jayewardene and R. Premadasa gave free books and meals to all; indeed, meals cannot be given to one child and not the next. But those who bankrupted the country now advise us to “give all.” Today’s step is noble and cannot be opposed; even the Opposition did not reject it. The nation needs not a regressive Opposition but a humane, progressive one.

¶ 05 To our Sinhala, Muslim, and Tamil people: this mandate shows the people chose only the NPP over communal parties. Let us unite as Sri Lankans.

¶ 06 Dear Tamil-speaking people, we live under a new government that rejects racism. Let us not see the country as Sinhala, Tamil, or Muslim, but as one Sri Lanka. Jaffna is ours, Mannar is ours, Matara is ours, Kurunegala is ours. Wherever there is a problem in this country, we will care. Let us work across ethnic and religious lines for our children’s beautiful future. Thank you.