The Hon. Aravinda Senarath

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, today we debate a vital Bill—the amendments to the National Audit Act No. 19 of 2018—and two supplementary estimates for the Ministries of Women and Child Affairs, and Urban Development, Construction and Housing.

¶ 02 We must decide how to manage public finances over the next 10–20 years and what powers the Auditor-General, Audit Department and Audit Service Commission should have to investigate irregularities, fraud, corruption and abuse in institutions. Hence, today’s debate is crucial.

¶ 03 By 2022 Sri Lanka became one of the poorest countries due to failure of political authorities to fulfill responsibilities, mismanagement of the economy, and lack of attention to irregularities by officials. International institutions that lend to us recommended reforms. We must acknowledge that those who ruled then—including today’s Opposition—bear responsibility.

¶ 04 The entire country, with the largest electoral mandate and two‑thirds power, now watches to see if this Government fulfills its promises. We are doing so, while the Opposition has no coherent plan except to obstruct. This morning’s media show disrupted Parliament, even affecting schoolchildren visiting the galleries and staff. While law is enforced outside and the public joins hands with the Government, the Opposition performs here. We, with our 159 MPs and local members, will join the people to defeat violence and disorder attempted inside or outside Parliament.

¶ 05 Many things have changed; some cannot accept it. For 30 years some politicians deprived people of basics through taxes on sugar and dhal, and feasted on public money. Yesterday we passed a law removing ex‑Presidents’ privileges; they cannot bear it. However much you shout, we will not stop. We promised to rebuild this country, and as the NPP Government we are acting moment by moment.

¶ 06 Time is precious; we are recovering a fallen country systematically. Youth await jobs and a future; citizens await a prosperous life. The Opposition tries to block our path with noise—an illusion. By 2029, we will take the country to planned heights. While they walk out, we answer questions, table proposals, and bring new laws.

¶ 07 On the supplementary estimates for the two ministries: we are redirecting funds to deliver benefits to the people. This year we allocate most to restart halted projects. While we can begin new ones, priority is to resume stalled works quickly so benefits reach people.

¶ 08 Education, health and rural lives will change. With legal frameworks, we will punish those who wasted public money and end their luxuries. The Opposition gets agitated when we bring such laws. Even on narcotics—heroin, cannabis, ice, kasippu—the worst offenders include Opposition figures. We will defeat all that without stepping back, and pass all necessary laws to build the country. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.