The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage

¶ 01 Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity, Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

¶ 02 As a result of proper state governance as well as sound economic management, we are pleased today that a government has been able to steer the economy of this country in the right direction. Because, with respect to economic management for the year 2025 and its progress, we are in a position to present our views to this august House today.

¶ 03 At this moment, I must especially note something. The Opposition was always daydreaming. We know they dreamt even during the election period. According to that, now we cannot even have a traditional political movement. They were so busy dreaming how to somehow capture power. But they could not do so. The people of this country rejected the traditional political camps and entrusted power to a new political camp to manage the state and economy. As a result, by 2025, we were able to reach our economic targets in a very commendable manner. I must note that, to reach those targets, a vast majority of our people placed their trust in us and made sacrifices for it. Therefore, I wish to pay respect in this House to those people.

¶ 04 We know, in 2022, economic growth was negative 7.3 per cent. However, through correct economic management and timely interventions, by 2025 we were able to bring growth up to around positive 5 per cent. We were able to increase economic growth. Especially, according to the 2025 Budget projections, we expected estimated revenue of about Rs. 4,990 billion. We are on track to exceed those revenue targets. That means we are obtaining revenue above what was projected. Generally, that has contributed to faster growth in our economy.

¶ 05 I must also mention the per capita GDP. We have been able to increase per capita GDP to a level exceeding USD 5,000. In my view, these are commendable achievements. The Opposition keeps trying to socialize lies. Let them continue like that. As a government, we should continue to move forward successfully.

¶ 06 Given the global economic situation, almost every country is facing economic crises due to external pressures. Our country too was affected rapidly. Even with such external pressures, we have been able to manage the economy to some extent by controlling certain imports using successful measures. Had we not done so, the rupee cost per dollar would have risen further. Thus, we have moved forward with measured interventions and management. The Opposition is pained by this. They believe only they can run the economy; that they are the “economic maestros”. We have nevertheless managed to bring the economy to a better place. We can see and feel their pain when they raise certain allegations. The people know the Opposition is mired in a severe crisis.

¶ 07 They can continue such accusations for the next three years as well. We have confidence we will move forward successfully.

¶ 08 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, we achieved economic victories. But no one—especially not our Cabinet, our MPs, or the chairs of state enterprises—used those gains for personal benefit. We systematically delivered those benefits to the people at the grassroots. That is the distinction, and that is why the people have confidence in this government. Historically, public sector salaries were rarely increased unless people took to the streets. We did not wait for that. We increased public servants’ pay year-on-year, and we have set out the path of increases up to 2027 in the Budget. Likewise, university students’ Mahapola scholarship was increased to Rs. 10,000. We also increased estate workers’ daily wage by Rs. 400, which brought them much relief. Such economic reliefs were provided.

¶ 09 After 2022, the construction sector had completely stalled. But from 2025, we restarted government construction, resumed halted projects, and accelerated development initiatives under our government. The Opposition cannot bear that we have executed sound economic management. They waited for this government to collapse—after three months, six months, a year—they said April last year it would fall. They worked with that hope. That is not how an Opposition should act.

¶ 10 I have a request from the Opposition: present constructive criticism. A government needs constructive criticism and we are ready to accept it. But scaremongering and heckling is not what the country needs. When managing the economy, the Opposition should propose sound ideas. We have seen two or three Opposition MPs who do present constructive ideas; we are ready to accept those. But many others only try to break the bond between the people and the government, fearing that as we progress, the people will rally with the government. We strongly reject such deceitful behavior.

¶ 11 The younger generation does not ask for such conduct. They want both government and opposition to work together constructively to take the country forward. Inviting the Opposition to adopt such a posture and present constructive criticism, I conclude. Thank you.