The Hon. Sunil Rathnasiri

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, for the past two days many in the Opposition wailed about a wave of killings and a culture of murder. Briefly, I must remind them: a few months ago, after the killing of “Club Wasantha,” the main suspect accused of planning that murder was the one who cried the loudest. So when I hear the Opposition’s cries about a wave of killings, I remember that accused young man.

¶ 02 While the whole country is discussing the contents of the NPP Budget, the Opposition does not talk about the contents. Their entire speech is about the Budget’s name, parentage, and what concessions are given. We say: we have made a child—an intelligent, virtuous child who can build this country. You can call it whatever name you like—capitalist, socialist, liberal, neo‑liberal. But we have made a child able to rebuild the country—he is here.

¶ 03 They also talk about paternity—first saying it is by the IMF, then by Ranil Wickremesinghe. Do not rush to do DNA tests. We have five years. As the child grows, the people will decide who the parent is. Do not be in a hurry to issue the birth certificate.

¶ 04 Then they lament that relief is insufficient—for teachers, doctors, professionals. We agree—if we could give more, we would be happy. We have given maximum relief to teachers, doctors, engineers and other professionals. Had the past 76 years not been spent pillaging and bringing Sri Lanka to its knees, we could have given more.

¶ 05 A couple of days ago, Hon. Harsha de Silva said the priest is wrong—that this Budget contains the Dhammapada, the Bible and the Qur’an. I say, the priest is not wrong. The Dhammapada, the Qur’an and the Bible are here. But the doctrines of the Satanists are not here. The doctrines of the Shylocks and Satans are not here. The mandate we received was without division by race, religion or caste. Therefore our Budget looks north and south, to all four corners equally.

¶ 06 We must also note: Hon. Kabir Hashim said former Ceylon Chamber Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa is advising the President. While smearing those who serve the nation without pay, he forgets Rosie Senanayake who served as adviser to Ranil Wickremesinghe. He also said our Budget is against beloved comrades who gave their lives for party and country. We tell him kindly: among those who live within our victory are also tens of thousands who laid down their precious lives to rebuild and redirect this country. When their nerves, bones and limbs were severed, they died crying “Victory to the Motherland!” This party has many such martyrs. Those who were silent when 60,000 youth were murdered now write condolence notes in Parliament.

¶ 07 Those dear young men and women had a vision and expectation. We will not betray that with a garland of jasmine. The country they dreamed of is now being built. Hon. Deputy Chairperson, Hon. Kabir Hashim said they criticized every President in history. We say from 1977 this country was ruled by corrupt, predatory politicians. In 1994 Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga came to power—then hailed as a modern Viharamahadevi, but bread became Rs. 3.50 and she left as the “Thief Queen,” passing the Bandaranaike crown to Medamulana. Mahinda came as a modern Dutugemunu, then formed the world’s largest Cabinet, set a record, and was then accused of putting tsunami funds into a private account—“tsunami thief.” After that, to save the country from the tsunami thief, another was brought—born of the very earth of Polonnaruwa—who presided over an utterly chaotic rule, the Central Bank was robbed, Easter attacks occurred, a diarchy of sorts reigned, and bandits were glorified.

¶ 08 Then came “the modern Viharamahadevi” turned “Thief Queen”; “the modern Dutugemunu” turned “tsunami thief”; the next was “acting” even when he left. Then, to save the country from that, a hero was sought to save and rebuild the nation, but within two years people realized that the “hero” was a fraud. Then to save the country from the fraud, 134 in this august House raised hands and chose Ranil Wickremesinghe—hailed in Asia as a “great mind,” and then derided as a powerless “grandpa.”

¶ 09 Then on 21 September 2024, the people decided, choosing a leader who made the people’s suffering his own—Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka.

¶ 10 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, we began rebuilding with sacrifices from the top. This Budget abolishes our pensions as MPs; but the Grade 5 scholarship allowance is increased from Rs. 750 to Rs. 1,500. MP vehicle permits are abolished; but Mahapola scholarships are increased from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,500. No vehicles for MPs this year; but the elderly allowance is increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000. MP insurance is reduced from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 250,000; but preschool teacher allowances are raised by Rs. 1,000.

¶ 11 Hon. Member, your time is over.

¶ 12 Please give me one more minute, Hon. Chair.

¶ 13 We have converted Ministers’ official residences into Government offices; but we have taken steps to raise estate workers’ daily wage to Rs. 1,700. Our Government has 159 MPs...