The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Sir, I will begin by correcting some misinformation that has been repeatedly raised. One Member today again went off-topic to accuse us of not keeping election promises and changing our positions. On the Prevention of Terrorism and related laws, let me be clear. Before the election, the National People’s Power said we would repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act. We also opposed the Anti-Terrorism Bill brought by the Ranil Wickremesinghe Government. Now, three months into our Government, the President has appointed a committee headed by President’s Counsel Rienzi Arsekularatne to review both the old PTA and the newer Anti-Terrorism Bill. This is not a delaying tactic until the next election. We will very soon bring a modern law to combat global terrorism and new challenges, while being fully consistent with internationally accepted human rights principles. Once that new law is in place, the PTA will be repealed. There should be no doubt about that.

¶ 02 The Opposition also tries to invent conflicts within the Government – between JVP and NPP, between the Government and the Attorney-General, and so on – because they themselves have nothing positive to say and are waiting for something to fall into their lap. They are the bankrupt Opposition.

¶ 03 They spread fantasies before the presidential election, claiming there would be a clash between Harini and Anura (the President) for candidacy, and that monks said we would ban the Dalada Perahera, stop alms at temples, burn houses, seize private property, and similar fabrications. I tell the Opposition: you were decisively defeated by your own fear-mongering. Do not go down that old, decayed road again; there is no road back from there.

¶ 04 Now they claim we are creating a Prosecutor’s Office because we do not trust the Attorney-General. That is false. Many countries, such as the UK with the Crown Prosecution Service and Australia with a federal prosecution service, separate public prosecution from the Attorney-General’s advisory role. There is a perceived conflict of interest when the AG advises the State on constitutional matters and also prosecutes. Civil organizations have recommended an independent public prosecution institution. We promised this in our Manifesto – an independent Prosecutor’s Office – and we are implementing it as a policy for efficient, impartial prosecution and justice for the people, not out of any animosity towards or distrust of the Attorney-General.

¶ 05 Those were the two items of misinformation raised with loud voices. There are many other allegations, but I will preserve time for this Committee Stage Debate.

¶ 06 Mr. Chairman, this is a historic, people’s Budget. We have clearly outlined the benefits for citizens, children, and low-income families. This is also the fiscal roadmap for governing the economy. But no matter how much we develop and attract investment, if public funds are wasted or stolen, it serves no purpose. That was the political culture before our Government – the Treasury was as if padlocked by a thief; nothing was left, everything was lost. Under our Government, corruption and fraud have been stopped at the root.

¶ 07 It is three months since we took office. Has anyone heard of a Minister grabbing land, an MP harassing citizens, or a Minister’s spouse touring at State expense and billing the Government in millions? No. When asked what is different about us, I say: we first stopped national ruin and showed that even the rulers are subject to the law. We promised that we would not take even five cents of State money for private benefit and would not damage public property. The President has often said we will protect State finances like sacred property and use people’s tax money prudently. Even in Opposition we repeatedly criticized wasteful expenditure.

¶ 08 We have always stood against fraud and corruption and have openly rejected wasteful spending. When people queued for gas, when mothers could not afford food for their children, when hospitals lacked medicines and the country’s food inflation hit 70 percent, those then in power reduced none of their privileges; not even a litre of petrol; they told the people to tighten their belts while granting no relief. When we came to power we said: as rulers we will not take benefits denied to the people; we are part of the people. That is why we can now address these other issues.

¶ 09 Today we debate the President’s Head of Expenditure. We know SJB and UNP are not used to living without State power because they need public funds to survive; wasting State money is their main recreation, maintaining families and cronies from the Treasury.

¶ 10 After the 2019 victory of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the UNP collapsed. Then, because Gotabaya was trapped, Ranil Wickremesinghe became President by the back door. People said: “He dresses well, speaks good English, is a democrat and liberal.” I say he was a thief and a squanderer, and I will explain why.

¶ 11 Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, an appointed President, had 39 Presidential Advisers. A President may have advisers, but 39 implies he knows nothing. Beyond advisers, numerous positions with different titles were created – Media Director-General and various Directors – all temporary posts effective only during Ranil’s time. Including the advisers, there were 67 such posts. Let me speak about vehicles first, which we took into the Presidential Office and which should be auctioned in March so that proceeds go to the Treasury.

¶ 12 - Sunanda Maddumage: Nissan Sylphy car. - Saman Rathnapriya Silva: KI-3156 Mitsubishi Montero jeep. - Kodituwakku: Land Rover Defender. - Dayaratne: Mitsubishi Montero jeep. - Ranjith Keerthi Tennakoon, Director-General (Public Affairs): Toyota Land Cruiser. - K. P. Dayaratne: Mitsubishi Montero jeep.

¶ 13 All are high-expenditure vehicles. Next:

¶ 14 - Hon. P. Harrison, Chief Coordinator – Land Ownership Programme. These are tasks a Ministry Secretary can do, but advisers were appointed and paid. - For some, I could not even find what advice they gave. I went to the Presidential Office to check their files. Some had “work,” but nothing of substance. - The best example: Bernardine Rosy Senanayake, Presidential Adviser (Provincial Administration), had a Porsche. Yes, Rosy Senanayake – full name Bernardine Rosy Senanayake. - Saman Kumara Attawudahetti: vehicle no. 118208. - Prof. Chandrajith Ashuboda Marasinghe, Presidential Adviser (Parliamentary Affairs): Toyota Land Cruiser.

¶ 15 About payments and allowances, the list shows “designation, basic, one-fourth allowance, transport, fuel, telephone and other allowances.” For instance:

¶ 16 - B. M. S. Batagoda: Rs. 2.6 million. - Sagala Ratnayaka, for security advisory: Rs. 7.4 million. - Madduma Bandara, Adviser to the President: Rs. 4.3 million over a few months.

¶ 17 In total, Rs. 59 million was spent. Compare that with the current President: three advisers, total cost zero, because all three volunteer their services. That is how public money is protected: Rs. 59 million on one side; zero on the other.

¶ 18 On Members’ salaries: our salaries are credited to our accounts; we voluntarily contribute to the common fund. We do not personally use our salaries because our comrades work hard – cycling in the rain, carrying posters – and we support each other. We came here to serve. I have been a practicing lawyer for 25 years; I live on my earnings and beg from no one. People accused us of begging for shirts and meals; let those who looted the country be laughed at, not our comrades who uphold integrity.

¶ 19 We are proud to be here through collective effort. If I face difficulties, I inform my party and they help. This is a culture of mutual support; those living in filth cannot understand honey. We have never stolen five cents of public money nor given State-funded perks to cronies or UNP friends.

¶ 20 Curbing corruption must start from the top, and our President has set that example.

¶ 21 On the Prime Minister’s Head: the PM’s Office has two programme heads – for the PM’s duties and for administration.

¶ 22 Hon. Chairman, I will finish quickly. In 2024, the PM’s Office estimate was Rs. 630 million; actual was about Rs. 350 million, a 44 percent saving – Rs. 350 million saved. For 2025, the PM’s total estimate is reduced by Rs. 10.6 million compared to 2024.

¶ 23 Fuel costs: from January to 30 September 2024, the average monthly fuel cost for VIP official vehicles was Rs. 3.24 million. After the new PM assumed office and reduced the VIP fleet, from 28 October 2024 to January 2025 the average monthly fuel cost fell to Rs. 0.33 million – Rs. 330,000, down from over Rs. 3 million.

¶ 24 Bulletproof vehicle insurance: in 2024, Rs. 37.61 million was spent for insuring PM’s security vehicles. After the new PM took office and handed over those bulletproof vehicles to the Presidential Secretariat, an annual saving of Rs. 37.61 million was made; and Rs. 16.15 million previously spent on maintenance is now fully saved.

¶ 25 Personal staff: approved cadre for the PM’s personal staff is 65; the PM uses 7. For the PM’s personal media unit, approved cadre is 47; she uses 10. This is how we save public money.

¶ 26 Overall savings at the PM’s Office: fuel Rs. 348 million; bulletproof insurance Rs. 37 million; protocol functions Rs. 15 million; personal staff salaries/allowances/overtime Rs. 228 million; PM’s medical unit Rs. 4 million; non-use of bulletproof vehicles Rs. 168 million. Say anything you like, but do not claim we waste people’s tax money. We do not waste a cent or engage in fraud. We are here to rebuild the country, and we will not turn back. I am proud to be part of such a Government. Thank you for the time.