The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak in this debate on our Government’s Appropriation Bill. A verse from the Holy Qur’an came to my mind when responding to some speeches: “Why do you say what you do not do?” (Lima taqooloona ma la taf‘aloon).

¶ 02 We all know a ruler must make all citizens happy. When presenting a Budget, it must consider all people and deliver fairness to everyone. A Budget is meant to steer the country from its present condition to a better state in the coming year—economically, socially and politically. It has been 76–77 years since Independence. Looking back, we know where we stand.

¶ 03 Past Budgets pleased the rulers—their families, cronies and mafia businessmen—who became wealthy, even stealing medicines meant to heal our people. The public knows this.

¶ 04 Let me quote what one person wrote, inviting the President: “Dear brother, the day you cut your Vote to the maximum, reduced security, gave up luxury official residences, and played a game with the MPs chosen by the people—that was a day that truly touched us.”

¶ 05 This is a bankrupt country, under severe economic pressure. Even in such a situation, Ministers in the past robbed enormous sums. Previously, Presidents kept increasing their own provisions repeatedly. But our President has substantially cut his expenditure.

¶ 06 We also discussed economic models—capitalism and socialism. In different eras, contexts and sectors, ideologies adjust. The same applies to religion. We must adapt to the world. Let me give an example: Kodak. In 1997, Kodak had about 160,000 employees. In the 1990s, about 85 percent of the world’s photography was done on Kodak cameras. But with the rise of mobile phone cameras in recent years, Kodak vanished from the market and became bankrupt, laying off all their staff. If we do not change with the world but cling to the past, the same fate can befall us. Even the two main post-independence parties have become bankrupt.

¶ 07 Today the Opposition has expressed views—about national pride and investors leaving. They forget that during their rule they bankrupted this country. Some have even been named “economic assassins” by courts. Who will invest in a bankrupt country? Generally, no one provides finances or investment opportunities to such a country. Let me remind them of that.

¶ 08 Some Hon. Members also cried out about killings. If we examine the past, it is worth recalling who nourished the political culture that fostered criminals, even offering them local, provincial and parliamentary positions.

¶ 09 We know how much Ministers in previous governments enjoyed state resources. The people know it well and have openly said so. We are not here to benefit ourselves. We are here to deliver what is needed for national development and to take this country to a better place.

¶ 10 Many in this House spoke about the Eastern Province, alleging that the Government, while allocating to the North and the Hills, has neglected the East. I ask: when they held Ministries for years, what development did they execute for the East?

¶ 11 This Budget is inclusive—for everyone in this country. The good news is that justice has been done to the long-neglected Northern and Hill Country people. Do we truly recognize everyone in this land as Sri Lankans? On that basis, we have given opportunities to all. Sadly, some have not read and understood the Budget properly. If they read it properly, they would clearly see how much has been allocated to the East.

¶ 12 For example: to complete a sports complex in the Kalmunai area, Rs. 150 million; to the Eastern University, Rs. 450 million; to establish ETU buildings—a sum of Rs. 600 million, allocating Rs. 300 million each to hospitals in Trincomalee and Ampara; Rs. 1,500 million for a dockyard in Trincomalee; around Rs. 400 million for infrastructure development in the East; Rs. 300 million to the Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies; Rs. 200 million to start a cardiology unit in Ampara; significant allocations for rehabilitating the Ukanay–Maha Oya road; funding for rainwater harvesting schemes; resources for resettlement and fisheries-related development in the region. In this way, allocations have been made across all regions.

¶ 13 Hon. Muneer Mulaffer, your time is up now.

¶ 14 Thank you! I will conclude.

¶ 15 Elections aside, we have clearly stated in this Budget that the prime causes for the nation’s destruction are corruption, waste, bribery and disunity. As promised to the people, we will end bribery and eradicate corruption, safeguard tax revenues carefully, and invest correctly. Through this Budget we present that program.

¶ 16 Finally, Hon. Deputy Speaker, those who always distorted news, incited racism, and traded on it to ruin this country are now nitpicking our Budget. But the people have taught them a good lesson. Let us use this Budget to take the country to a new place. Thank you for the opportunity.