The Hon. Shantha Pathma Kumara Subasingha

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, before I begin, I must respond to points raised by the Opposition. They say, “Do not speak of the 76-year curse,” but how can we ignore it? As the Dhammapada says, our actions follow us like the wheel follows the ox; for 76 years, culminating in 12 April 2022 when the Central Bank Governor had to announce we could not service our debts, we have faced the consequences. Therefore, we must speak of this history.

¶ 02 On elections — Seethawaka Pradeshiya Sabha and Provincial Councils: the Opposition has a history of postponing elections — from J.R. Jayewardene’s 1982 referendum that replaced the parliamentary election, to missing ballot boxes in Jaffna, to the recent postponements under Ranil Wickremesinghe citing lack of funds. We state with responsibility that we will hold Provincial Council elections. The President, during the Budget Speech, said funds are available. He asked us to prepare the necessary laws, and we invite the Opposition to join us in enacting a proper legal framework so elections are held on time.

¶ 03 Regarding the Local Government elections — after the Supreme Court ordered holding them, a new Government came. We discovered distortions in the system. For example, after the Presidential Election, the vote at Elpitiya PS was held and we won more seats; yet forming the administration had issues due to the flawed 2016 system introduced by you. We will still hold elections even if disadvantageous to us because we are a law-abiding Government.

¶ 04 On allegations about buying councillors in Seethawaka — that is your history. We did not buy anyone. Even in the recent Budget second reading, several Opposition ministers voted with us because our policies and Budget are good.

¶ 05 On pensions: the 2017 Circular 21/2017 introduced contributory pensions for new State recruits and abolished the prior pension; in our Budget we restored the traditional pension for State officers and will resolve 2016–2019 retiree issues by aligning them as if retired in 2020. A Wages and Pensions Commission will implement recommendations so, for example, those retired in 2024 will be treated as if retired in 2027 for pension calculation.

¶ 06 We are strengthening the public service with pay increases — Rs. 110 billion already allocated, another Rs. 110 billion now, and Rs. 110 billion in 2027 — totaling Rs. 330 billion. The next tranche will be paid in January. We are recruiting 76,782 new officers through proper procedures, not through politicised shortcuts. We will also regularise about 9,800 temporary/contract/substitute staff. We have increased principals’ allowances and teachers’ difficult-area allowances, and allocated Rs. 10,000 million to streamline disaster loan advances. For the State officers’ housing loan of Rs. 5 million, the Government will subsidise interest at 4% on the first Rs. 3 million and 2% on the remaining Rs. 2 million.

¶ 07 The Opposition today lacks a coherent case; they avoid discussing the Budget and instead stir divisive issues. Thank you for the opportunity, Hon. Chairman.