The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, at this debate on the Vote on Account, first I must thank the people of Mawathagama and Kurunegala District who elected me to the 10th Parliament. The people have given this government a massive mandate. Many government members said the opposition does not understand it. Let me state clearly: we understand it well, and we wish you well. For every good deed you do for the country and the people, we, as the opposition, will extend support. Equally, if the government engages in any act against the people or country, we will stand up fearlessly on behalf of the people.

¶ 02 Listening today, I see the same themes from the political stage now being repeated in Parliament. Government or opposition aside, the country is in a very dangerous place — hence the people gave you power beyond two-thirds. Our Leader of the House said you did not ask for two-thirds. You may not have asked, but the people gave you more than two-thirds. You must understand why society granted that power.

¶ 03 Gotabaya Rajapaksa received 6.9 million votes for President; similarly, you received 6.9 million at the parliamentary election. When he came to power, youth, full of hope, painted murals on walls. Now it is your government’s time. Then, within a month or two, those hopes faded. So we kindly request you: under Gotabaya, the country went bankrupt — though earlier governments also contributed. There is no use repeating that. From now on, move the country forward and ensure people can live, because today many people struggle to live. We talk of rice and coconut prices. I heard some say they had no time to cultivate. But the government must focus on the heavy cost of living; 40–50 percent cannot afford three meals a day. Because of that, people placed great trust in you. Through your economic program, resolve this and build a prosperous country, and we, as the opposition, will give full support in the interest of the people.

¶ 04 We can keep talking about the past 70 years. But in those 76 years, remember where we were before 1948. In education, since C. W. W. Kannangara’s free education, how many achievements have we had? We have shown one of the best standards in South Asia. Thanks to free education, you are here today, as Hon. Kabir Hashim also explained this morning. We must view those as achievements.

¶ 05 Likewise in health: in 1948, life expectancy was under 50; now it is around 76. Compared with South Asia, our health sector stands higher, close to developed countries. To say we did nothing in 76 years is not just politically incorrect; it is unfair to all who contributed to progress. Rather than dwelling on the past, the people expect you — who speak well — to deliver for them. You got this mandate amid great public suffering. If you do not swiftly provide relief and meet expectations, there could be a different outcome — I caution the government.

¶ 06 We have large debts to repay and need US dollars. We must take short-, medium-, and long-term measures. A significant portion of our dollars comes from foreign employment remittances; we must address bottlenecks in that sector methodically.

¶ 07 Please also address tourism issues urgently. If we do, we can increase dollar earnings and by 2028 bring the country to a position to service debt. I remind the government to focus on this. Thank you for the time.