The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, on the Finance, Planning and Economic Development Head: what the people asked for is now being delivered, and they understand this. Whatever the Opposition says, people see this is a government standing for their demands. Those accustomed to lying now accuse others when caught; we should note that.

¶ 02 Across Pohottuwa, SJB, and “Cylinder” camps, we saw contradictions during this debate—one Opposition group cancelling out another’s claims. Let me add a core point, also from COPE experience. Under this Ministry are the Department of Public Enterprises, the National Budget Department, and the Department of Management Services. About 430 state enterprises, authorities, boards and subsidiaries are identified. The Department of Public Enterprises bears responsibility for oversight, with support from Budget and Management Services.

¶ 03 However, COPE observed that monitoring of subsidiaries and sub-subsidiaries must be further strengthened. For example, the National Youth Services Council is established under the National Budget Department by law; it directly can be overseen. But entities created around it—like Youth Services (Pvt) Ltd., NISCO Cooperative, and the Youth Services Federation—require enhanced oversight capacity. If we are to secure fiscal discipline and proper stewardship of public funds via parliamentary democracy, we must reinforce the DPE and the whole affiliated institutional network.

¶ 04 Under our new administration special focus is being given to improve supervision and accountability so Budget goals translate to results. Unfortunately, instead of constructive, evidence-based debate, much time was wasted on baseless, illogical points to derail this House. As new MPs bearing responsibility for the country’s future, we regret that.

¶ 05 Today, we should have conducted a calm, substantive discussion under this Head. Instead, the Opposition made mutually contradictory claims—some saying we should raise more taxes; others saying the way we raised them is wrong; one moment accusing us of import bias; next, saying we neglect production. Despite this, we thank Members who engaged constructively. Thank you for the time.