The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe

¶ 01 That is exactly what I am doing—mentioning the names, Hon. Ganesan. Do not first hunt for the vehicle number; first identify the person. If there is an issue at your house later, you could have spoken to save them. As you say, I will name them. There are 68 names on this list. If I am to speak about all 68, even the extended time of Parliament will not suffice. Therefore, I will conclude by mentioning several names.

¶ 02 Mr. B.K. Thilakarathna, appointed as Presidential Advisor – BB Affairs. Dr. M.H.S. Batagoda. They were appointed as Presidential Advisors and given vehicles. Ms. Bernadine Rose Senanayake—you may know her. Then, Mr. R. Paskaralingam was appointed; he too was given a vehicle.

¶ 03 These persons did not get vehicles on their own; these were issued from the Presidential Secretariat. Similarly, Mr. Saman Kumara Attavudapitiya served also as a Chairman of an institution and had taken a vehicle from the Presidential Secretariat. Next, Ms. Priyani Wijesekera, former Secretary-General of Parliament. Next, Prof. Chandrajith Ashu Marasinghe. These are some of the names of those given vehicles. I am reading these from the list at different points. Next, Wadiwel Suresh, our friend—he too took a vehicle from the Presidential Secretariat. Our Hon. Thondaman also knows him. These are some among those who took vehicles. To whom else were vehicles given? Next are Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Sagala Ratnayaka, R.B. Vidanagamachchi, Palitha Wickramasinghe, Dr. Ananda Leenawaththandri. In this manner, 64 vehicles were given to such individuals—advisors and associates.

¶ 04 This is how the vehicles of the Presidential Secretariat were used to burden the public. However, today the President’s staff, including the private staff, has only 11 vehicles. This is how we changed things. Most vehicles now are with the security agencies: about 200 in transport; around another 250 with the security sector. For the security agencies, we have provided more motorcycles, three-wheelers, and other vehicles.

¶ 05 We assumed office protecting the trust the people placed in us. Therefore, the President, the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, Members of Parliament, as well as this Parliament—the Office of the Leader of the House, the Office of the Chief Government Whip, and related institutions—were all taken from their previous state and reorganized to protect public trust and the promises made to the people. That is why this year’s expenditure has been reduced compared to last year. How was it reduced? By stopping wasteful expenditure—on vehicle maintenance, renting houses and premises, and similar costs. Unable to bear that, within three months they began slinging mud and spreading lies about our Government. To them we must say: what were you trying to assert? Even Hon. Mujibur Rahuman said that what they tried to do, we are doing now. If so, you should have supported this, saying “We and you are the same on this.” Why did you not? You oppose these measures just because you are in the Opposition. There is no need to oppose for the sake of opposing. Show any misuse within our conduct; otherwise accept the reality that we are working with the people.

¶ 06 You also spoke of salaries. Yes, the largest pay increase in Sri Lanka’s history was granted through this Budget—both to public servants and to private sector employees we intervened for. Thus, fulfilling our promise to the people, the President and the Government presented this Budget. If the Opposition’s duty is merely to oppose this, and if you choose that line, we will endure that too. But understand: we took office to rebuild this country. You handed us a bankrupt country ruined by theft, fraud, corruption, and waste. We took it to fix it. There is space for you as well—do not delay. The National People’s Power will rebuild this country irreversibly.

¶ 07 Finally, I recall a famous song by our singer Chamara Weerasinghe: “The moon has its light; the flower has its bouquet; verses have their rhyme; but people’s minds change.” Whatever we say, it seems “the Opposition has changed” in that way. I conclude. Thank you for the opportunity, Hon. Chairman.