The Hon. B. Ariyawansha

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I wish all Members and the parliamentary staff a Happy New Year.

¶ 02 I will be brief. While developing the economy, the Government must ensure targeted relief reaches the poor. In many DS divisions, the highest Aswasuma benefits have gone to wealthy households, and then their children also receive the Rs. 6,000 school equipment grant, while actual daily‑wage labourers—coconut pluckers and estate workers—do not get benefits. For example, in Godakawela DS: A. B. Dinapala (Niyangama, Godakawela), Kodippiligé Lasantha (Godakawela), and Jagath Kumara (Pallekumbura, Godakawela) are wage labourers who have not received benefits, but the landlords they work for have.

¶ 03 When re‑granting Aswasuma, institute a transparent selection process in each GN division with a committee of six state officers to rank households from poorest to richest and allocate Rs. 15,000 / 10,000 / 5,000 accordingly.

¶ 04 On school meals: in Ambilipitiya Educational Zone, all students in schools with fewer than 100 students receive lunch from Grades 1–12; where enrolment exceeds 100, only up to Grade 6 are covered. Suppliers say Rs. 110 per child per day is insufficient given price rises of rice, eggs, and coconuts. Please increase this so children receive a nutritious meal.

¶ 05 On rice: kekulu rice is Rs. 280 per kg in our areas (Sabaragamuwa and the South), and there are shortages at retail level though main mills have stocks. Some retailers buy from mills at Rs. 250–260 and sell at Rs. 280–290. Please act to stop this.

¶ 06 Another issue: at the Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya in Ratnapura, a businessman from the area has been appointed Basnayake Nilame, leading to protests, stoppage of pooja, and severe inconvenience to devotees. Please ensure appointments follow traditional electoral procedure and law.

¶ 07 Thank you.