The Hon. Ashoka Gunasena

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate Regulations under the Sports Law, Regulations under the Judicature Act, the Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, and the Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill. Since forming Government we have acted on principle—our policy is “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life,” and these instruments support that.

¶ 02 Regarding Samurdhi, while its stated aims include eradicating poverty and building community-centered livelihoods, history shows prior policies failed, often expanding poverty instead of reducing it, using it for politics. Drugs and crime have also grown with poverty. To correct the socio-economic distortions tied to poverty, we must change laws. Hence we bring Samurdhi community banks and their societies under state (national) audit. In the past, billions deposited by poor people were used for private and political activities. Without audit and reform, we cannot build a prosperous country.

¶ 03 Going forward, our plans seek to truly develop the country, including through economic measures like Rubber and welfare reforms, and also recognizing sports as essential to a beautiful life. We will continue legislative and policy changes without political interference to take the Samurdhi banking systems forward, develop the country in a decentralized, community-centered way, and make Sri Lanka prosperous. Thank you.