The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I will use this brief time to highlight how people have been misled by lies and manipulative politics.

¶ 02 SMEs contribute 50% to GDP and provide incomes to over 4 million people. They were devastated by the Easter attacks, COVID, and bankruptcy; over 260,000 enterprises closed. While in Opposition, the current Government promised in its “Prosperous Country – Beautiful Life” policy to abolish parate, waive accumulated interest and capital, and grant relief. Instead, during the previous administration they temporarily paused parate before the election but did not restructure SME debts. Again, before local elections, parate was temporarily paused; yet no restructuring occurred. It is clear who is following Goebbels’ doctrine.

¶ 03 Under an unjust system, SMEs are being punished. Example: Mr. Kosala Vidanaarachchi took a Rs. 38 million loan for 10 years and has already paid Rs. 52.4 million. To settle the original Rs. 38 million now, the bank demands a further Rs. 80 million—making a total of Rs. 137 million. I have the documents and submit them to the Library.

¶ 04 This is a systematic crime against SMEs who contribute half of GDP. Where is the promised relief for interest and capital?

¶ 05 Online loan mafias operate outside Central Bank registration, starting with “Cashwagon,” using private capital, charging usury, and collecting with abusive, unlawful methods. The stock answer is “they are not registered with the Central Bank; we can’t act.” If you can fight narcotics, you can act with similar resolve to stop this online loan mafia.

¶ 06 On leasing repossessions: the 2000 No. 56 Finance Leasing Act is being blatantly violated. Groups known as “seizers,” in collusion with security elements, ignore police guidelines and resort to thuggery and force on public roads. This is shameful; establish ethical, lawful procedures that protect citizens’ dignity.

¶ 07 As the Opposition, we campaigned today to safeguard the independence of the National Police Commission—created for good governance, to decentralize power, and ensure checks and balances for a strong police service. Protect its independence from politicization.

¶ 08 On education reform: we support moving toward STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics—along with robotics and AI. But we must not forget our roots. Our children must learn the proud history of the royal era that sustained our people. When imperial forces sought to subjugate us, the royal children unified the nation and resisted—history cannot be erased. As we build a modern motherland with skilled youth, protect our heritage, culture, and identity. Make History a core subject again.

¶ 09 Thank you.