Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathna - Deputy Minister

¶ 01 We obtained Cabinet approval in 2024 to provide free ambulances primarily to the Suwaseriya Foundation. Ambulances donated by India are arriving without airbags. A special Cabinet approval was granted to import such vehicles, and regulations have been prepared to clear 150 of these unregistered ambulances without airbags from Customs.

¶ 02 We must recognize why these kinds of regulations matter now. Recently, Sri Lanka received substantial assistance in goods and funds from Sri Lankans overseas and from foreign countries. With particular reference to disaster relief, I note that our newly established “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” fund has received significant financial support from both domestic and overseas donors. According to the latest data, Rs. 4.1 billion has been raised and deposited in a separate account at the General Treasury, subject to audit. Beyond special international aid, this reflects the confidence placed in the Government.

¶ 03 There was a time when people lacked confidence about where donations would go, like during the “Helping Hambantota” era. Today, both public and international confidence has been restored, and we are collecting these funds with integrity. We are drafting legislation to place this fund under Parliamentary oversight, as Parliament wields the audit power over public funds. We expect to bring a legal framework to Parliament to govern management of the fund. Donors will be able to verify their contributions, and next week we will launch a website providing up-to-date information on Rebuilding Sri Lanka.

¶ 04 We are witnessing a faster-than-expected national recovery. In our history we have endured many disasters—tsunami, landslides, and war. No past government initiated housing projects within six weeks of a disaster. Today, under Rebuilding Sri Lanka, the President ceremonially laid foundation stones for new housing projects in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala and distributed Rs. 5 million cheques.

¶ 05 After the tsunami, housing restoration was slow. I recall how the then-opposition JVP rushed to Hambantota and built a separate “Rala Jayapura” due to government delays. For nearly 2,000 war-displaced families who had not been resettled by previous governments, the President promptly initiated a new housing project in Jaffna. Landslides such as the 2014 Meeriabedda disaster still leave 135 families without homes. At Kabbaragala Hill, 52 families were residing in a tea factory. Late last year we began a housing project there with foundation stones laid.

¶ 06 No government has delivered relief this quickly. Unlike past policies that favored elites while giving crumbs to the people, we changed course. Two days ago we presented the Bill to abolish Parliamentary pensions, an election pledge we made. We know how some benefited from state resources—obtaining houses from “Viyathpura,” and claiming large compensation for alleged damage to their homes during Aragalaya. Some who took money from the President’s Fund now sit in the Opposition and speak to the IMF saying Sri Lanka should not get funds and complaining of delays in appointing an Auditor General. This is base, bankrupt politics.

¶ 07 I must also address the dignity and decorum of this House. Some speak without scientific basis or knowledge, parroting social media. Even if a rainbow appears, the next day they say it is “unsuitable for children.” Recently, an Hon. Member, Rohana Bandara, used vile language at the Hon. Prime Minister. Beyond personal insult, this degrades the quality of this Parliament. I ask the Leader of the Opposition whether he condones that language. I also ask the Chief Organizer of the Opposition. Two Hon. Lady Members—Hon. Rogini Kavirathna and Hon. Chamindrani Kiriella—are present; do they approve of such speech? The public is watching us; this is Parliament.

¶ 08 Hon. Ramanathan Archchuna disrupted Hon. Thushari’s entire speech just now—shouting throughout. If he thinks the Red Book is the sum of Parliament, he is wrong. Parliament does far more. People of Jaffna deserve better representation. Learn from the other Hon. Members from the North who represent their people responsibly.

¶ 09 In 2024 the people voted to cleanse Parliament. Yet the Opposition has not fully reformed itself. There are thoughtful Opposition MPs, but there are also MPs who do not even understand what a Constitution is. We have a responsibility to the people, and it is unfortunate if we must proceed with such an Opposition. We will, however, fulfil our duty.

¶ 10 Thank you for the time, Hon. Presiding Member.