The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda

¶ 01 Thank you, Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees, for this opportunity. While we debate the Order under the Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act, I first wish to respond to an issue raised yesterday.

¶ 02 Yesterday, Hon. Ananda Wijepala alleged that our party’s National Organizer, Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, lied in Parliament under cover of parliamentary privilege. I wish to state that Hon. Wijepala repeatedly claimed here that he did not receive salaries or allowances when he served as a Director at the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Secretariat. He challenged us to prove otherwise. We have no issue with whether he drew a salary or allowances; that is not our grievance. The point is that Hon. Namal Rajapaksa’s claim relates to the argument Hon. Wijepala presented in this House. Specifically, according to CIABOC Secretariat records I table, Hon. Ananda Wijepala had taken Rs. 1,285,167 as salaries and allowances.

¶ 03 Though the Opposition levels accusations, we state what we say with responsibility and accuracy. Having recalled that, I turn to today’s topic.

¶ 04 This government came to power promising not to impose taxes on the people and to give relief—like a New Year relief pack—which never materialized, citing election issues. They also promised to reduce electricity bills, among other things.

¶ 05 Now, through this Order under the Stamp Duty (Special Provisions) Act, additional burdens are being placed on society. Therefore we do not agree. Consider a public servant renting a house, or a lower-middle-income person without land or a home, compelled to rent. Someone paying Rs. 30,000 monthly rent earlier paid around Rs. 7,200 as stamp duty. Under the new Schedule, they must pay Rs. 14,400—hard to afford in this economic hardship.

¶ 06 Similarly, when starting a new business, many operate on lease or rental bases. The government claimed to support startups and entrepreneurs; yet measures like this discourage them.

¶ 07 I also raise a current issue: politicization of the National Youth Services Council (NYSC). I won’t revisit past wrongs, but today village youth societies are being forced to involve local council candidates and sitting members. Engagement with youth should be deep and constructive. Sri Lanka’s youth movement under NYSC is the largest voluntary society movement in South Asia. We question how dealings within these societies are conducted—compelling members of socialist youth societies into village youth societies and even altering official logos with stars and other symbols. If the government understands the correct way for politicians to deal with youth, it would be beneficial.

¶ 08 Further, NYSC officers face significant challenges. Many trainees recruited from the youth sector performed well. I request the Minister of Youth Affairs to absorb these trained probationary officers to strengthen the NYSC and the youth field.

¶ 09 Finally, regarding today’s Order, especially the adverse impacts on housing rentals and related matters, we register our opposition and withhold our consent. Thank you.