The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna

¶ 01 Here is the point: until yesterday it was “Sama Posha.” You have now corrected it. You thought with that sweet little mind to add a “sweet little piece” and then it would be fine for your friends.

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, it is said J.R. Jayewardene and Ronald Reagan spoke like cousins; likewise Sir John Kotelawala and Prime Minister Nehru as elder and younger brother; and Sirimavo Bandaranaike with Indira Gandhi as elder and younger sister. We have also heard Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Cameron spoke like classmates. Now we see that our country’s “kingmaker leader,” President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, too, has such a friend—IMF’s Kristalina Georgieva. According to her “X” post, they are like close kin. So I say to her, “Kristalina, you are the best. Congratulations!”

¶ 03 Throughout this debate, we saw that Kristalina did very well. Sri Lanka became the IMF’s 50th member, and we have borrowed 16 times. In 16 instances, Sri Lanka did not receive the fully agreed tranches because we failed conditions and programs were abandoned. Under J.R. Jayewardene and U.B. Wanninayake, about 75% of agreed funds were received; in 1974 under Felix Dias Bandaranaike, 29%; in 1978’s strong J.R. government, by 1993 about 50%; in 1994 under D.B. Wijetunge/Chandrika period, 83%; and in 2003, the probationary government formed by the JVP with Chandrika, 148%.

¶ 04 However, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s IMF program is today being carried forward even better by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Now IMF is with Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka is with the IMF. But Ministers must note—remember I said this today—if from the capital allocations to Power, Highways, Irrigation and Community Infrastructure, Health, Education, Fisheries, Agriculture, etc., you can draw at least 60%—or better yet more than 65%—then we should build a statue of Kristalina in Sri Lanka.

¶ 05 I also observed many speak of the Central Bank and the bond scam, and then about Ranil Wickremesinghe’s love of banks. I must say, breaking banks you did very well—between 1985-1990, 62 bank robberies occurred and funds looted. Let us not speak of that now; our day will come to discuss it.

¶ 06 You broke them in broad daylight. Ask yourselves with your own conscience whether those involved sit on your side.

¶ 07 As we debate the Ministry of Finance, Fiscal Management and Economic Development, I must also say this: a nation’s greatest asset is human capital. We must develop it. We heard Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon visit Sri Lanka. Our Government says a great cultural, economic, and social linkage with India is being forged and will be advanced. We know we cannot move forward without the Indian economy. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake too now understands this—good. It is important that all 158 MPs here share that understanding and its importance for engagement. We saw Adani is returning and there are dealings; that is very good. You are laying foundation stones with India for a fully solar power plant; excellent. The insight you now have also came to President J.R. Jayewardene then; hence his work with India. After 38 years, we are glad you have come to that wisdom.

¶ 08 But leaders, members, trade unionists, youth and women leaders of the UNP who held that wisdom were killed—over 1,100—simply because they were UNP, and because they believed in dignified, vital relations with India to rebuild Sri Lanka. For believing one could partner with India to advance, they were assassinated. I now table a document listing 1,783 UNP members and another 1,661 from other parties; it contains over 1,300 names.

¶ 09 Placed in the Library.

¶ 10 Yes, yes—ask Hon. Dinesh; he will clarify. Hon. Leader of the House, you made a very emotional speech here about Batalanda, but you cited only four or five names. I have now tabled a document with over 1,300 names killed by gun, sword, machete, and knife at the hands of the JVP. Do not be upset—please listen quietly; you are a good teacher. I will narrate details of five names from that list. Before the LTTE, it was the JVP that used child soldiers—the best example is Kanthale Bonikki.