The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I am pleased to speak on the first Budget of the Reconstruction Government.

¶ 02 When our long-time colleague, now the President, came to read the Budget as Minister of Finance, I was happy because he brought a five-bundle file—the Budget was not a secret kept in a lockbox as under liberal, capitalist traditions. I first thought this was a new step. But as he read, I felt as though my long-time Opposition colleague Anura Dissanayake was reading it, the same person who fought since 1978 against Yankee-dickey neoliberal policies as JVP leader.

¶ 03 Those most pleased with this Budget are neoliberals—capitalists, social-market advocates. Our friend Harsha de Silva spoke glowingly of Hon. Anura Dissanayake, whose economic model he believes in and wants to implement. Kabir Hashim too was delighted. Even Murtaza Jafferjee of Advocata hailed it as pro-capital. I now ask Minister Lal Kantha—are you pleased?

¶ 04 We remember JVP seminars against the IMF—“No country rose through the IMF.” We spoke of past corruption, and of Ranil Wickremesinghe imposing taxes with the IMF hurting people—yet now it is claimed the economy has been stabilized in three months. When the coconut issue came, it was blamed on history; when power cuts came, again blamed on predecessors; told to be patient. Now President Anura Dissanayake says he stabilized the economy in three months. How? At least admit Ranil’s harsh tax measures contributed to stabilization; no need to lie. There were issues we opposed—bar permits, luring MPs across, etc. But some who were threatened with jail still serve: the Central Bank Governor and Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana, both working on this Budget. The CBSL Governor’s close relative was a JVP victim; yet he works to rescue the country. We should acknowledge that.

¶ 05 Remember the JVP’s violent past—anti-Provincial Council, “Drive out Indian troops!”, murders of artistes like Vijaya Kumaratunga and public servants, and agitation over Trincomalee oil tanks—yet now they accept 50:50 or 49:51 with India. They once opposed CEB reforms; now propose new ones, reportedly stripping powers from the PUCSL. They once decried giving underutilized lands to multinationals; now plan to hand such lands—let’s see to whom. They now talk of turning Sri Lanka into special free trade zones beyond what even J.R. Jayewardene did, and extending BOI-type zones; new boards give sweeping powers and case immunity.

¶ 06 Is Anura still JVP? Or has he become a liberal capitalist alongside Malsha Amarasinghe? People are being deceived at scale; no government has lied like this one.

¶ 07 On national security: despite boasts of “bring a table and I’ll teach” and “finish drug dealers in two days,” we now have four Poya days of shootings, 138 gun incidents, 128 deaths, including two innocent children. Judges’ security has been curtailed by circular; how can judges rule on drug lords and killers without protection? We remember Justice Sarath Ambepitiya’s assassination.

¶ 08 Yesterday’s killing occurred inside the dock before a judge hearing cases. The suspect was brought by STF and police. How did the shooter operate and depart? I say there is internal complicity—please investigate. Meanwhile, on the same day, many office-holders were at the Bar Association vote; but our Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala could not be found—his driver was called a fool and turned away by police.

¶ 09 You, Hon. Speaker, are the protector of MPs. We are not afraid, but if one of us is killed, we cannot speak. Please take responsibility for MPs’ safety. Some have armed escorts; we do not. Do not let a repeat of past political assassinations.

¶ 10 On graduates: the Government gathered 35,000 graduates, promised 20,000 teaching jobs; 3,000 STEM graduates and 9,000 non-STEM to IT; and 3,000 to Inland Revenue, Customs, Foreign Service, and tourism. Now it is reduced to 30,000 under a youth employment scheme. In the past, Presidents Premadasa and Mahinda absorbed large cohorts with phased schemes. You promised a new scheme; now nothing. Please resolve this—it was a colossal false promise.

¶ 11 On electricity: previously the Minister falsely claimed Rs. 232 billion loss; when sent to Privileges he backtracked. We asked COPE to inquire because the CEB misleads Ministers. Your manifesto promised adding 2,000 MW solar; already 1,500 MW potential exists. Yet a “committee to design and implement NCRE generation curtailment mechanism” was appointed on 7 February, led by the Additional General Manager Weerasinghe and Chief Engineer (System Operations) W.A.R.S. Weeratunga—already implementing curtailments, cutting renewables and substituting fuel-based generation that benefits certain engineers. We warned you.

¶ 12 On SVAT: removing SVAT and imposing 18% VAT on export supply chains (e.g., coconut-based products, apparel inputs) will lock up working capital and hit competitiveness, as VAT refunds can take up to 18 months despite a 45-day promise. India will undercut us; investments will shift elsewhere. Reconsider and adopt a proper mechanism.

¶ 13 On pensions: address anomalies for teachers retired in 2020–2021, and broader anomalies for officials retiring 2021–2024 where base pay/pension drop significantly due to the new structure.

¶ 14 On universities: support staff currently receive Rs. 49,591; under the new proposals they would get Rs. 47,610 due to removal/reduction of allowances, despite a headline “increase.” Please review.

¶ 15 On farmers: agricultural income tax exemption granted under Gotabaya Rajapaksa ended last year. Will you restore it? Do not intimidate farmers with threats about fuel, fertilizer, water. This is not proper administration; help them without coercion.