The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva

¶ 01 Thank you. On growth decisions, the President outlined priorities before and after the election. He engaged extensively with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are pleased by the strong bilateral ties. Yet NPP leaders repeatedly said there would be no petroleum pipeline connectivity with India, and no HVDC grid connectivity. Now we hear media reports indicating agreement on both. That is reality; that is what should be done. Similarly, you now say the IMF deal is realistic. We are not saying to stop it; we said to restructure it more favorably for low-income people. But you argued otherwise and now will say this too is pragmatic.

¶ 02 Politics is fine; winning elections is fine. But be truthful with people: say what you really intend to do. Do not say one thing before and another after.

¶ 03 I also noted remarks on industries. If you still believe industrialization collapsed after 1977 and wish to revert to pre-1977 policy, then say so clearly and have a national debate. You cannot develop industries without opening to the world. Even the IMF Agreement commits to SOE reforms. Be clear and pragmatic, as the Acting Finance Minister urged.

¶ 04 My time is up. I will conclude. I table our proposal, its annexes, and the Government’s noon disclosure to international markets which was not tabled in Parliament.