The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, May is a month of remembrance. This year, it was observed with deep emotion in the North and East where Tamils live. I reflect on the days my family, including my brothers and I, lived in the area where the final war ended in 2009. We cannot forget the human suffering we witnessed—entire families perished; many went missing. Even today, relatives say there is no information about the disappeared. On the 18th, people gathered together in tears to pay their respects. This day remains significant for the Tamil people.

¶ 02 At the National War Heroes Remembrance yesterday, His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated very clearly, “There must not be another war in Sri Lanka; we will not allow it.” In the past, due to the war, people in the North, East, South, and West all suffered greatly, facing immense human tragedies. To recover from that and hand over a better country to the next generation, our government must guide both the state and the people properly.

¶ 03 Specifically, the Tamil people of the North and East have been protesting to this day seeking justice for the injustices they faced in the final stages of the war. None of the Members here were there in 2009. But I was there until the end—stranded on the shore for four days with only shorts and a T‑shirt, without food. I know the pain and suffering as a citizen. On that basis, our National People’s Power government is undertaking various efforts to ensure justice for all, including the Tamil people, by uncovering the truth and communicating it to victims. We are clear about this.

¶ 04 On the 18th, the people in our homeland areas in the North and East prayed for their deceased without obstruction or intimidation. Our government did not create any obstacles. For that, people expressed their thanks to our government, and I record it in this august House. The President made the necessary arrangements, and on behalf of our people, I thank him as well.

¶ 05 Today, I speak for the Government in support of the Adjournment Motion brought by Hon. Sunil Rajapaksha. The Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review for 2025 is not a mere compilation of statistics. It is an official attestation of how our motherland, from the depths of crisis, has moved toward stability and a new economic resurgence.

¶ 06 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, we must reflect on where we started, how past mistakes and economic shocks pushed us into an abyss. In 2022, with the historic economic collapse, the nation’s livelihoods and financial system were paralyzed. A direct example: due to flawed fiscal policy, our foreign reserves fell to near zero, leaving us without dollars to import essentials. Domestic production stalled; in the scorching sun, international media showed our citizens in miles‑long queues for essentials; inflation soared; the banking system was strained by bad debts; and household kitchens were ravaged. Our entire social fabric was pushed to the edge of a national security threat.

¶ 07 Economic mismanagement of the past brought this nation to its knees. Look at the stark example of 2022. Our foreign reserves depleted to near zero, leaving us unable to import essential fuel and medicines, forcing our citizens into miles‑long queues and collapsing domestic production.

¶ 08 Our government undertook bold, planned structural reforms to rescue the country from that abyss. As a result, by the end of 2025, the country moved onto the right path with a stronger economic foundation. Reflecting that, for the first time in our history, the economy surpassed the USD 100 billion mark. Likewise, per capita income rose above USD 5,000. Due to disciplined fiscal policy, inflation remained in single digits throughout 2025.

¶ 09 However, as the Central Bank notes, even as domestic risks receded, we must contend with external geopolitical shifts and supply‑chain realignments. To effectively mitigate these vulnerabilities and sustain growth, we must unlock the hidden economic potential of our regions and fully integrate them into the national economic architecture.

¶ 10 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, the North and East—comprising one‑third of land area and two‑thirds of our coastline—are not peripheral; they are our ‘northern gateway’ and core to the blue economy. Situated just south of India within the Indian Ocean and South Asian maritime geography, these provinces are strategically placed along international trade routes.

¶ 11 Through post‑war reconstruction, our government has advanced coastal trade infrastructure such as Kankesanthurai Port development, initiatives at Poonakary and Mannar, and connectivity through Palaly International Airport. These can transform Sri Lanka into a regional distribution hub linking Colombo, Trincomalee, and South Indian ports. In line with this, our National People’s Power government is pursuing several initiatives. If we are to build a stable and better country, our policies must be genuinely correct—and the world and our people are recognizing that.

¶ 12 Presently, the Northern Province contributes about 3-4 per cent and the Eastern Province about 5-6 per cent to national GDP. Together 8-10 per cent—but their real potential is much greater.

¶ 13 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees: Hon. Member, your time is over.

¶ 14 Madam, I need one more minute.

¶ 15 Through the rich marine resources of the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay, livelihoods for over 50,000 fishing families are being secured. With offshore seaweed cultivation and crab and shrimp farming, our government is increasing marine exports and incomes. Simultaneously, under the irrigation schemes of Iranamadu, Akkarayan, and Mankulam, paddy cultivation, big onion, chilies, grapes, and dairy farms in Vavuniya and Mannar are becoming pillars for national food security and rural employment.

¶ 16 We must overcome geopolitical and natural challenges by strengthening our economic structure through digitalization, export diversification, and value‑addition—without falling for false propaganda. To reach this noble goal and take our country to a new, stable level, I request full cooperation across party lines.

¶ 17 Thank you.