The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chair, a State Minister who spoke earlier claimed an “excellent economy.” What excellent economy? Australia has technically categorized Sri Lanka as in default regarding repayments. Within three days, the dollar appreciated by Rs. 11; today it is Rs. 346. The rupee is depreciating daily. In a government where the Deputy Finance Minister says depreciation is not harmful, we are forced to speak on the Central Bank.

¶ 02 In mid‑2021, when the crisis began, I said in this House a black crow was running the country. That crow bankrupted the country and flew away. By 2026, hackers and a few tycoons are running the country. These hackers have misused funds—Hon. Kavinda Jayawardena also spoke on institutions and figures. Then the black crow; now hackers; and a few black‑money tycoons.

¶ 03 We have returned to conditions of late‑2021/early‑2022: milk powder, gas, electricity, and fertilizer prices up; farmers destitute; cost of living unbearable; the rupee again depreciating badly—Rs. 11 in three days means over Rs. 3.65 per day.

¶ 04 Under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in 16 months, Rs. 5 trillion in new debt has been raised. When you began heavy borrowing a month after coming, I asked here what could be done; now those warnings are materializing. Inflation has moved beyond 5.7 per cent and, at this pace, could exceed 20 per cent as in Basil Rajapaksa’s time—early signs are visible.

¶ 05 For a month now, the government keeps saying everywhere there is crisis—India too, others too—as does the Central Bank Governor. The issue is the absence of proper economic management. First, accept that there is an economic crisis. This government seems unable to even grasp that.

¶ 06 Senior Cabinet members also lack the capacity to understand and act on advice from knowledgeable officials. Remember: the same public servants who struggled to stabilize the economy then are here today. So identify where the problem lies.

¶ 07 About the Central Bank Governor: Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe resigned as Deputy Governor in September 2020 and prepared to leave for Australia at a time similar to today. Central Bank accounting trails disappear; funds from other banks also vanish daily. He now says, “It happens everywhere; it happens here; it happens to us.” Inflation increases—again: “It happens elsewhere; it happens here.” So for him, this is normal.

¶ 08 Nandalal only became effective from August 2022 when proper political leadership enabled him. Otherwise, during the Nandalal era itself, Basil Rajapaksa bankrupted the country; today, again during the Nandalal era, hackers are bankrupting it. The problem is that the Executive—the President and Cabinet—do not understand the economy.

¶ 09 There is a widespread doubt among our people, as well as Sri Lankans overseas, whether this government can do the job. That doubt is reasonable.

¶ 10 According to Central Bank reports, domestic debt raised via bonds increased by Rs. 1,348.7 billion from January 2025 to January 2026. Today you speak of building bridges to India, but you could not yet rebuild the bridge washed away by Cyclone “Dittha” in front of the Moragahakanda Reservoir. At the Matale District Coordinating Committee, the President asked what had happened—people are wandering everywhere looking for land to resettle; that is how dire the conditions are.

¶ 11 Hon. Deputy Chair: Your time is up, Hon. Member.

¶ 12 Please give me one more minute.

¶ 13 Flood victims in Atnwala, Nagala in Ambanganga Korale, Alkaduwa, Ovilikanda and such areas are still in great distress.

¶ 14 Before I conclude, on 06.05.2026 I tabled in this House the Matale District data on relief payments and loss of life.

¶ 15 [Placed in the Library.]

¶ 16 The Opposition Leader spoke of a rule‑book. Let me show how you have acted. I have here a circular dated 06.05.2026 from the Matale District Secretariat. It states, for construction of houses on state land, the payment percentage is 12.8; for purchasing houses, 7.41. Of 524 designated high‑risk beneficiaries for house purchase, only five have been paid. Twelve were selected to buy land, but none received it. We are back where we were in 2022.

¶ 17 Finally, there is an energy crisis: fuel, gas, coal—everything. Today, there is only one thing devaluing faster than the rupee—your government. Thank you.