The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees. On this first sitting day of 2025, I am pleased to speak on the Government’s motion to adjourn the House.

¶ 02 If the Government’s dream is truly to move the country to a better place, and if that becomes reality, we warmly congratulate you.

¶ 03 But how did people eat milk rice for the New Year? By breaking a small piece into four, without even salt. That is not a “Happy New Year.” People voted with hope for a new government, but when we ask about its delivery, we hear the tale of the “gunny bag jackal”—everyone says “fine, good, beautiful” while the truth is hidden.

¶ 04 [An unparliamentary remark was expunged by the Chair.]

¶ 05 Hon. D. V. Chanaka explained the reality of the rice mafia. At Sathosa you get one or two measures, not what people want. To get three kilos, you must buy something else; even then, rice is unavailable. You import rice, cut deals with traders—this is the same old pattern. When you were in opposition, you asked whether governments should import rice at all. The current Agriculture Minister then said, “If you can’t, hand it over to us; we’ll break open Dudley Sirisena’s warehouses and bring the rice.” Before importing, you should have dismantled the rice mafia.

¶ 06 You gazetted Rs. 230 for rice that should be Rs. 220, benefitting Dudley Sirisena and the rice millers who backed you. You promised the moon, but none of it is happening. The Opposition Leader then—Anura Kumara Dissanayake—seems missing now; the then trade firebrand is missing; only Ministers are present. The President is Anura Kumara, but what they said in opposition is not happening in government.

¶ 07 The CID was sent to Parliament accusing officials of a conspiracy in awarding a medal to a Minister; finally it turned out the Leader of the House’s Office had issued it. You created a black mark on parliamentary staff; their leave pay has been cut. This is how governments become obstinate and ignore voters. You are wearing Ranil Wickremesinghe’s coat on your head—not by accident, but to hide your face—while claiming achievements built on his tax hikes and IMF programme. State revenue rose because people paid higher taxes, electricity and water bills under IMF conditions, after the previous bankruptcy. You said you would throw the IMF agreement in the dustbin and abolish PAYE. Instead, you are taking credit for the very path you condemned.

¶ 08 We will not support you unless you deliver what you promised: reduce rice and essential prices, reduce electricity as pledged, and fulfil people’s expectations. Do not suppress the media for reminding you of your words. Within three months, you have turned to media intimidation—an omen for a short lifespan of this government.

¶ 09 Thank you.