The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana — Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security

¶ 01 [3.55 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, over the last three days we have exchanged many views and proposals. Representing Monaragala District, I thank our people for sending five NPP representatives to Parliament.

¶ 03 Today’s topic is the Vote on Account for four months. We lacked sufficient time to prepare and present a full Budget; hence this Vote on Account is necessary.

¶ 04 Opposition members presented many ideas. We must consider them. But the monies under this Vote on Account are to keep the country functioning. The people’s expectation is that we move forward with a program capable of rebuilding the country — how to revive agriculture and industry, the economy, and the health system. We presented a comprehensive plan before the presidential election. To implement it, we need a Budget aligned to it. Until that is prepared and passed, we need this Vote on Account. If anyone thinks a Budget can be made and passed in a day or two and the country rebuilt that way, that is naive and unfortunate.

¶ 05 The general election was on 14 November; MPs took oaths on 21 November; Ministers and Deputies on 18 and 21 November. Only 14–15 days have passed. Anyone who studies the country we inherited knows the situation: the rural economy collapsed; SMEs ground down; agriculture and farmers flattened; fisheries and other sectors in crisis. If, after handing us such a country, we are asked for immediate answers in 14 days, it is unfair.

¶ 06 Many raised commodity prices. The latest Central Bank data for the roughly 75 days since President Anura Dissanayake assumed office show notable price reductions. Apart from a few items like coconuts and rice, most prices have declined. This contributes positively to the economy. In a shattered economy, we resolved to move forward and rebuild as people expected.

¶ 07 They turned a fertile land into wasteland, as they did with the economy. We saw many booby traps laid. Yesterday they questioned fuel prices and called a Rs. 2 reduction “a crime.” But fuel prices had been reduced by around Rs. 200 from peaks near Rs. 300. The President clearly explained what happens if we reduce further now — per existing agreements, reductions would funnel money to a few private companies, not to the public nor benefit government revenue. Those contracts are a trap.

¶ 08 They also spoke of breaking up and selling the CEB in eight parts. We will not allow that. They spoke of layoffs. In our district are two major sugar factories: Pelwatte and Sevanagala. Both are in dire straits, unable to function, due to overstaffing for political reasons: Pelwatte needs about 2,800 but has around 4,200. This raises production costs; sugar and ethanol cannot be sold competitively. Over 23,000 metric tonnes of sugar and over one million liters of ethanol are stuck as unsold stocks. This is the crisis. Many state entities were stuffed with workers. But the NPP government has no plan to sack anyone.

¶ 09 Despite inheriting a collapsed economy, we have begun delivering on our pledges: to stop corruption, waste, and excess. From the President’s swearing-in to now, expenditure heads — including ministerial oath ceremonies — demonstrate we are doing what we told the people. We curtailed spending; the rupee appreciated towards Rs. 290 to the dollar; the stock market stabilized and is improving; remittances rose by about 3.9 percent. We have done much already. Those who wished to help rebuild — professionals abroad — are now satisfied with our forward plan and many are returning voluntarily to contribute. There is new hope.

¶ 10 Under the President’s “Clean Sri Lanka” program, some may think it is only about garbage. It is more — we said during the election we must make this Parliament, which became disreputable, into a better one. That is why about 145 newcomers among 159 MPs came here. We cleaned Parliament; now we must clean society — environment, mindsets, institutions, and ways of thinking. We will implement “Clean Sri Lanka.”

¶ 11 At village level, we have plans to strengthen the cooperative sector for distributing essentials.

¶ 12 Hon. Deputy Minister, your time is over.

¶ 13 With new hope and a new program, we are ready to take the country forward. We will also consider constructive proposals from the opposition. With maximum effort, we will rebuild the country — that is why the NPP sought a mandate. I now conclude. Thank you.