The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe

¶ 01 By the end of last year, we had built foreign reserves of USD 6.8 billion; we increased workers’ remittances and tourism income. After 2018, 2025 saw the highest tourist arrivals. So far this year, over 500,000 tourists have arrived. Therefore, we are boosting our reserves and bringing in foreign exchange to the country.

¶ 02 Large amounts of foreign exchange are brought in by our citizens working, especially in the Middle East, who are currently facing difficulties. As a government, we are taking all possible measures for their safety and welfare. We must protect the foreign exchange they earn through hard work. Over the past one and a half years, we have shown how we safeguarded that foreign exchange. Our President, Comrade Anura Dissanayake, undertook seven foreign visits to eight countries in that period, at a total cost of Rs. 14.94 million. But how did some others squander foreign exchange in the past? We remember how the gentlemen who shouted from the Opposition spent when they were in power. From 2010-2015, under Mahinda Rajapaksa, it was Rs. 3,572 million; 2015-2019 under Maithripala Sirisena, Rs. 3,848 million; under Gotabaya Rajapaksa (who then resigned) during 2020-2022, six visits cost Rs. 126 million; under Anura Kumara Dissanayake, seven visits cost Rs. 14.98 million; and during the short period of Ranil Wickremesinghe, 168 visits cost Rs. 533 million. That is how foreign exchange was wasted. We say that as a government we will expand facilities so that the foreign exchange we bring in is invested productively.

¶ 03 The Opposition now levels various allegations and gives us advice. The Leader of the Opposition gives us many instructions; the President too is told, “please!” I also say: please, do not give us such advice. It was following such advice that the country fell into this state. The Opposition Leader was a powerful minister in the 2015-2019 government — the Maithri-Ranil-Sajith administration. They could have guided the country then. Instead, economic growth fell from 5% to 2%, and they borrowed USD 12 billion in ISBs, piling up debt. Why did Sajith not advise then? So please, keep those instructions to yourselves.

¶ 04 The NPP is a government that adapts to changing global realities and responds to change; not one that is static. But the Opposition seems destined to remain in opposition. They look for light by another’s lamp — lately, from those at the fuel queues. We saw how they stood with protesting public servants outside the Presidential Secretariat, writing in blood, giving guarantees and promises — seeking light from others’ lamps.

¶ 05 They went to fishermen’s protests, too, seeking light from others’ lamps. Recently they tried again with the fuel queues. They tried their best, but fuel queues have now largely ended. A TV channel here in Parliament that gave voice cuts to fan that situation is today even airing voice cuts insulting those who stood in the queues. When there were queues, they ran around taking voice cuts; now they mock those same people.

¶ 06 These queues were created by the Opposition and certain media — manufacturing a crisis that did not exist, unsettling the people, and then blaming us. We have never needlessly agitated the people. Even when in Opposition, we led on genuine issues; as a government, we are intervening to resolve them. Do not seek light from another’s lamp; if you can, show that you can do something on your own. Even at a gathering of monks, Sajith Premadasa tried to seek light from that event by sitting in the front row. They cannot do anything alone — not even muster 50 of their own for a protest at Polduwa Junction; only 10-12 turned up. They live on others’ light.

¶ 07 Every morning they come to Parliament to create little dramas. Today too, they jumped to the front for a small show, videoed it and put it on Facebook. That is fine — take your little thrills. We are not like past government benches — when you jump to the Well to make a show, we will not jump to hit with chairs, water bottles or chili powder. Do not expect that from us.

¶ 08 On 99086, you keep repeating. Who released Ibrahim? When was he released? On 25 May 2022 — during the government of those on that side — Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration. He was released by court under that government. We did not release 99086; we have not interfered with legal processes.

¶ 09 You also speak about the intelligence officer arrested recently. Those are legal matters, handled by law and the courts. Whoever is remanded or not is not our business; due legal process is followed, and as a government, we do not interfere.

¶ 10 Some said these are matters for ministers, not the President. But how many ministers already explained? Minister Kumar Jayakody clarified the fuel matter; CPC Chairman Janaka Rajakaruna explained; and both Minister Nalinda Jayatissa and Chairman Rajakaruna held a 6 p.m. discussion yesterday and explained again. Since they would not listen, the President came to Parliament to speak so that at least then they would hear — yet they still did not.

¶ 11 Give me one more minute, Hon. Presiding Member. Even after that, Sajith and the Opposition keep repeating the same lie, refusing to accept facts. We do not understand such an Opposition. That is why the President himself clarified — there will be no more room for misleading the people. Fuel queues last a day or two and disappear. We bless the Opposition to keep working like that, while we steadily take forward our program to rebuild the country. Thank you very much.