The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I expected a constructive debate. Unfortunately, the Opposition could not conduct itself accordingly. They tried to drag in salt, milk powder, and now to manufacture a “fuel mafia” to destabilize and regain power. Let me assure the public: your fears are unfounded. This Government will not allow any crisis. We will act responsibly.

¶ 02 This Budget is historic — the first after rescuing the country from bankruptcy — people-centric, providing relief, and stopping the sale of national assets.

¶ 03 On energy, attempts to create alarm have failed. It was the energy sector that helped topple the previous regime amid blackouts and fuel queues. Ensuring security of the energy sector is paramount; this Budget achieves that. We are establishing a sound energy policy.

¶ 04 Media recently carried falsehoods to create panic. Some media, however, conveyed the truth — we thank them. In my district, there were no fuel shortages; we checked sheds and spoke to people. This time, protests are not against the Government but against the Opposition’s falsehoods. Act responsibly.

¶ 05 I table three documents. First, a National Audit Office report dated 04 Aug 2022 on CPC dealer commissions. It notes:

¶ 06 - “Accumulated overpayment of dealer commission up to 17 July 2022 amounted to Rs. 4,349.93 million. Audit was unable to verify whether these overpayments had been recovered, or a basis established to recover them.”

¶ 07 - “Audit was unable to ensure whether Board consent had been obtained by circulation or virtual meeting over more than a week.”

¶ 08 - “The decision to remove the approved upper and lower cap on dealer commission was taken without proper financial evaluation of the Corporation’s present and future condition, or the financial impact on the general public. Due consideration is necessary before continuation.”

¶ 09 COPE discussed this, and there are two court decisions. Yet the Opposition ignores all that and attacks the Government.

¶ 10 Second, on fraud and corruption in CPSTL and CPC. I have details of five individuals linked to union activities who abused “release” time (granted for union work) to claim overtime, which is illegal. For example:

¶ 11 - S. M. D. Wijayagunaratna: 13,120 hours OT (2015–2024), Rs. 8,513,793 claimed.

¶ 12 - M. A. S. V. Nishantha: 2,192 hours OT; over Rs. 2 million claimed.

¶ 13 - S. D. J. Paregama: 13,900 hours OT; over Rs. 8.4 million claimed.

¶ 14 - W. A. J. Premalal: 421 hours OT; over Rs. 200,000 claimed.

¶ 15 A representative from the union affiliated to the SJB took release in 2015–2018 and still claimed 6,581 OT hours, totaling over Rs. 3.1 million. He also used two vehicles improperly, causing about Rs. 163,500 VAT loss per month to the institution; in 2015 he took 4,717 litres of fuel for vehicle NB-4690, 5,255 litres in 2016. I table the documents.

¶ 16 Third, I table a document listing political links to petroleum dealerships across provinces. It includes references to Hitech Carbons (Pvt) Ltd.; mentions Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga; Prasanna Ranatunga; Werman Gunaratne; former MP Kumara Welgama; Mayer Kaduwela; Harshana Rajakaruna; the PSO of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa; a shed in the name of the son of Piyasena Gamage; a brother of Gamini Senarath; a relative of Gayantha Karunathilaka; in my district, names linked to political authorities; Akila Viraj Kariyawasam; and a former Provincial Council Chairperson. Also, a shed in the name of Nilani Dharmadasa reportedly linked to Ranjith Madduma Bandara.

¶ 17 So the Opposition’s agitation is understandable when their business interests are affected. The Government will not be deterred. Our compact is with the people, and in four months we have shown progress. Do not panic.