The Hon. Jagath Vithana

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, in debating the 2026 Budget we often split into sides and argue over statistics. I think it is more practical to go out and ask farmers, public servants, fishers, and workers how successful the Budget is—you will get the answer. Today we see Ministers cannot go to the villages or to investment zones; even the President could not go to Thambuttegama. This shows what the Budget is really like. I am not speaking pessimistically, but addressing realities.

¶ 02 Hon. Harsha de Silva’s words are being repeated—that the Treasury is overflowing. If it is, why are you not giving relief to the people? Is it the duty to keep it overflowing? If the Treasury is full, reduce people’s burdens: reduce prices and provide concessions. What is the Government doing? You import rice during harvest; you said you would not import a single grain. Then you import big and red onions at harvest so traders stockpile. Previously, more than triple the normal quantity of salt was imported and a businessman on our own side marketed Rs. 70-80 salt at Rs. 275 per kilo. He is clearly a businessman who helped the Government. I even named him earlier, but he asked me not to in respect of our village—so I will state facts without naming.

¶ 03 I also raise the impending vehicle imports. The issue is not importing vehicles, but the burden being put on our account and the people. If 225 vehicles are imported, about 20 are excluded for Ministers’ existing entitlements; thus 1,775 vehicles will come, costing around USD 42 million. The Government already has 87,000 vehicles. The public think we are bringing these together for ourselves. During the last election, promises were made to refuse houses, vehicles, and perks. But now all are being enjoyed. Even salaries—many, including me, said we would refuse. I submit documents showing I have spent four times my salary for public service—these bills exist.

¶ 04 I say today: I do not want the double-cab offered to me. But that refusal comes with a condition, which I will submit in writing to the Hon. Speaker: import 1,774 vehicles, but not the 1,775th—mine. I do not want such a luxury vehicle. Four years remain; even if given, do not impose conditions to return it under those circulars. I keep my promise; I do not want that vehicle. I table the letter submitted to the Speaker.

¶ 05 I have also tabled documents proving I work without taking salary.

¶ 06 During this debate many speak of various things, but there are items they do not talk about. The Hon. President said in his Budget speech that by year-end our reserves will be raised to USD 7 billion. Months after coming to power, by last September our current account recorded a deficit of USD 183 million—our dollar expenditure exceeded income. Now reserves stand at USD 6.2 billion; when this Government took office, reserves were USD 6 billion—this is in reports. After nearly a year, only 0.2 has been added. I challenge you to make true the statement that you will take reserves to USD 7 billion within a month and a half, despite a negative current account. These are statistics; you cannot call them lies. We must all know that although the Treasury is said to be overflowing, we are in a highly risky situation—and we are not happy about it.

¶ 07 I especially thank the Hiru CIA media team for exposing a drug-selling den—virtually a drug city—in a housing complex in central Colombo, even with the Police Narcotics Bureau, CID, and Police around. If those who filmed had been caught, we cannot imagine what would have happened. They deserve recognition.

¶ 08 Now, regarding the Anti-Corruption Act passed two years ago: officials are not implementing it. The Finance Ministry’s 2024 stance is that the State Finance Management Act supersedes the Anti-Corruption Act. Since the Act came into force, for two years no funds have been given by this House to the Fund that supports the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The DG of CIABOC, Mr. Ranga Dissanayake—appointed by this Government—says they are trying to control the Commission through the Fund, and if so, they will go to the Supreme Court to obtain an order as necessary facilities are not provided. Are these acceptable? We, as the Opposition, have the right to raise this.

¶ 09 The Government has a more-than two-thirds power, given by the people; thus decisions are taken arbitrarily. We cannot help that; it is the people’s will. But remember—this power, like a luxury vehicle on a lease, is for a limited time. After that you must face the people again. Whatever the statistics, the people are intelligent and watch carefully.

¶ 10 The President warns graduates: there are so many vacancies; sit exams and be recruited; do not stay on the roads. We know where this is heading—towards authoritarianism, slowly. Before these four years end, we will all face great repression. As an MP for Kalutara, I face this—my life is at risk; the Government and authorities run campaigns against me. Still I do my work, but I say: do not allow this.

¶ 11 Let us conduct good politics; otherwise, will future generations do politics? Many politicians do not let even their own family members enter politics now. Yet youth must come to politics, and for that we must set a good example.

¶ 12 Living today is very hard. VAT of 18 percent has been imposed on fertilizers; SVAT too. Will exports be encouraged with 18 percent VAT applied? Exporters will be discouraged. In my area, especially in Kalutara, livelihoods rely on tea. After VAT on fertilizer at 18 percent, people stopped applying fertilizer; tea bushes are yellowing; income has fallen.

¶ 13 On estate workers’ wages: I asked Hon. Mano Ganesan today. The increase is good—we do not oppose it. But when companies are to pay Rs. 200, how will smallholders in tea, rubber, and cinnamon pay Rs. 200? How long will it take to set the proper administrative mechanism? Please address this.

¶ 14 The claim of an overflowing Treasury stems from cutting capital expenditure by about 80 percent. From the decentralized funds of Rs. 10 million, Rs. 4 million was cut—across the board. I asked the District Secretary and DDC Chair not to do this against circulars, and I table those letters. Still, the DDC Chair did it unilaterally. Those funds went to “fill the Treasury,” as Hon. Harsha de Silva says. I will write to him about how you filled it.

¶ 15 My time is up. If we are to reach these stated goals, several things must be done. We need better public finance management than this. Thank you.