The Hon. Wasantha Piyathissa - Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, we are debating several amendments including to the Samurdhi Act No. 1 of 2013. Before that, let me respond to Opposition points.

¶ 02 Hon. Sathiyalingam said Indian returnees are being arrested and therefore fear to come. In every country, those entering by air or sea unlawfully face the law. If anyone enters our maritime zone or country illegally, investigations are conducted and lawful action taken; often, they are then released. That is how law operates everywhere.

¶ 03 Another Hon. Member presented a household cost calculation to suggest the government has no alternative but cash handouts. Our Ministry’s approach is precisely to empower households and raise incomes. Our target is to cover 400,000 families per year for five years—two million families—under a major empowerment programme. We have mobilized resources: Rs. 1 billion from the central government, Rs. 1 billion from the World Bank, and Rs. 1 billion from ADB. In each of the 14,008 Grama Niladhari divisions, 50 low-income families (12 former Samurdhi, 38 current Aswesuma) are being selected to receive tailored support—based on their abilities, preferences, and skills—through a planned, step-by-step process, not ad hoc cash.

¶ 04 On the broader economy: international experts, World Bank, IMF, and the Central Bank affirm that the government is restoring stability faster than expected; reserves could exceed USD 7 billion before year-end; rupee liquidity at the Central Bank is rising toward Rs. 2 trillion by year-end. We inherited a bankrupt economy and are strengthening it across sectors with maximum effort.

¶ 05 Why this amendment now? There are Rs. 250 billion within 1,097 Samurdhi banks, contributed by around four million members, and loans to over a million borrowers nationwide. There are 29,687 Samurdhi community organizations. This is a vast financial system, but past governments did not subject it to proper audit, study, discipline, or accountability. As a result, funds were used for politics—posters, goods, rallies—causing significant financial damage and corruption. We receive appeals from officers suspended amid irregularities, often due to systemic weaknesses. Without clear financial procedures, money was held in cash for weeks or months, inviting abuse.

¶ 06 Therefore, this amendment inserts Section 28A under Section 28, applying the provisions of the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018, to the accounts of Samurdhi Community-Based Banks, bringing them under audit. This is essential to correct long-standing deficiencies.

¶ 07 I also table information from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, indicating that within the last year, courts have convicted about one hundred individuals—including politicians and senior officials—in cases involving millions and billions. The current government, under the President, is proceeding against corruption from the highest to the lowest levels, to restore public trust.

¶ 08 In sum, this amendment strengthens financial governance in the Samurdhi sector. I conclude my remarks.

¶ 09 Thank you.