Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, as we commence the first parliamentary session of 2025, this august Parliament, the central institution of representative democracy charged with safeguarding popular sovereignty, shoulders a special responsibility. Not confined to formalities or combative rhetoric, we must, through a renewed political culture, deliver a democratic political ethos that fulfills the people’s expectations. I propose that we, as all Hon. Members of Parliament, move forward with a single determination.

¶ 02 I also wish a happy New Year to you, Hon. Speaker, to all Members of Parliament, to the Secretary-General, and to all staff of Parliament. May everyone have the strength and courage to carry out their duties with dedication and resolve in the year ahead.

¶ 03 Hon. Speaker, we all know our Parliament has a strong cadre of officials at every level, working with dedication to ensure its functions and efficiency. Commencing from the period of Hon. Joseph Michael Perera, a procedure related to the allowances due in lieu of remaining vacation leave of officials has been in operation. We obtained the approval of the Staff Advisory Committee to continue that process. The authority to implement this decision rests with you, Hon. Speaker. Recently, you have taken several positive decisions on behalf of the staff of this Parliament, and we thank you for that. In line with that progressive journey, the decision we took at the Staff Advisory Committee—namely, the scheme of allowances in lieu of remaining vacation leave for officials that has been continuously in force for twenty-one years—was agreed upon. I propose to you, Hon. Speaker, that we implement it from this New Year onward. I also wish a happy and prosperous New Year to our motherland and to all the people of this country.

¶ 04 Moreover, we are ready to work together, hand in hand, to build a prosperous and hopeful nation. Thank you.