The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, during this discussion on the economy, we are astonished by the Government’s claims. They have forgotten their promises to reduce a Rs. 9,000 monthly electricity bill to Rs. 6,000, and Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 2,000—promising a 33 percent cut—betraying about 7.5 million consumers.

¶ 02 They promised to sell fuel at landed cost, to remove commissions to Ministers and officials, and to remove all taxes on fuel—then provide cheaper fuel. Instead, the people have been deceived. Farmers lack fertilizer; what is available is of poor quality and sold at high black-market prices. They once promised Rs. 150 per eight kilos of paddy. Today, farmers have no fertilizer, no fuel, no guaranteed price for paddy, and no solution to human-elephant conflict. Fisher folk were promised fuel subsidies and equipment under relief schemes—nothing has materialized. Cost of living and burdens have increased. Pensioners and seniors have lost the 15 percent interest income on their deposits. Factories are closing; the garment sector’s earlier 200-factory programme has reversed—brands like Brandix and Hydramani are shutting plants in Sri Lanka and opening in India and Bangladesh.

¶ 03 Poverty now ranges between 30–40 percent. The Government ignores the poor. There is no clear programme to eradicate poverty in rural or urban areas or for vulnerable communities. Food insecurity exists; medicine shortages and lack of equipment in hospitals persist; to get surgery in a state hospital one must wait in long queues.

¶ 04 One Minister who promised to give a Witz car for Rs. 1.2 million accused us of blocking education reforms. We did not. We opposed including obscene video clips in the curriculum under their policy. Meanwhile, they cannot even provide smart boards, TVs, or necessary equipment to schools, nor properly train teachers to implement reforms.

¶ 05 We firmly believe the Government that promised a Rs. 1.2 million Witz is deceitful and has deceived the nation. They promised cheap cars, but now impose a 50 percent surcharge on imports, announced on the 15th to be effective from the 16th—yet this information was leaked to cronies who opened LCs for about 4,000 vehicles beforehand, causing losses of billions to the country. They do such base acts to enrich themselves and their cliques, sacrificing 22 million people.

¶ 06 I ask the Government: the Central Bank Governor has stated that due to a special law the Central Bank is independent and therefore is not responsible for the USD 2.5 million (25 lakhs) remittance that went to a fraudulent account; he says responsibility lies with the Ministry of Finance—pointing directly at the President-led Finance Ministry. What is the Government’s position? Who paid out the USD 2.5 million? Does the Central Bank truly bear no responsibility?

¶ 07 Recall that the current President voted against the Central Bank independence law when it was brought. Does the Government still hold that view? Today, the CB Governor himself says that because of independence, they are not responsible.

¶ 08 He also says the country is in a difficult fiscal and economic phase. What is the Government’s answer? The President-led Government paints a rosy picture every 24 hours. I say—go to the villages and cities and ask the people whether they are better off today. You cannot, because you have not implemented what you promised. You have failed.

¶ 09 You came with a policy statement—“A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life.” Stop deceiving the people and immediately fulfill your promises. Until then, we will stand with the people and fight for their rights. Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.