The Hon. Sunil Biyanwila

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chair, we are discussing the Central Bank’s Annual Economic Review for 2025. Before that, I must respond to some Opposition claims: they said the economy is collapsing, the dollar is surging, and the same fate that befell Gotabaya Rajapaksa will befall this government. Do not doubt this: we are controlling the dollar and we assure the people there will not be another collapse.

¶ 02 Another Member called our people criminals. Let me remind you: after we took power, not a single stone was raised against anyone; we did not act unjustly. Contrast that with 1977 and 1983—our Hon. Ponnambalam remembers—when houses were burnt and Tamil people were thrown into fires. Those are the ones now speaking about the JVP. The people understand our conduct and ideals.

¶ 03 Speaking of 2025 growth, we must recall 2024. During the presidential election period, we saw shops with “Meals Available” placards, but when we went inside, they were closed. Industries had fallen; fertilizer subsidies removed; farmers abandoned; the economy had collapsed. After we came to power, we changed this quickly. Within 2025 we increased public sector salaries. When we did, some tried to spread narratives—Rs. 500, Rs. 2,000, Rs. 5,000—but after salaries were paid, they fell silent.

¶ 04 Then we increased estate workers’ wages; again, many narratives—could they stop it? No. Then they tried to sling mud at our Ministers—coal fraud, container scams—but as time passed, they could not sustain these lies. The Opposition Leader and others also claimed we cannot go to the grassroots. We proved otherwise on May Day with events in 21 districts at an unprecedented scale, showing where the people stand.

¶ 05 We return to the grassroots after Parliament. We changed the culture you criticized—that we gave from the backhoe while taking by the ladle. Now we do not do either. We are planning and going to the grassroots under the Praja Shakthi program and through divisional councils, together with public officials, to strengthen village economies. We will not allow those who broke this country to return to power.

¶ 06 You said we appointed our rally speakers to institutions. Who took the stage at Galle Face then? Public servants and intellectuals came because conditions forced them. We gave them opportunities—at Sri Lanka Cricket, for example—if they were suitable. We have no problem with that. Our focus is strengthening people’s livelihoods.

¶ 07 A great transformation is happening in agriculture and livestock. We are building dairy hubs to strengthen milk farmers. Daily production is around 1 million litres; our plan is to increase it to 3 million litres, addressing fodder through a new grass industry. When the economy collapsed, farmers also collapsed. On taking office, we launched a plan to bring fallow fields back; as a result, we achieved a higher harvest in the last Maha. We know farmers face problems amid global crises, but we are managing them and building needed facilities.

¶ 08 We are creating a beautiful country as pledged in our policy. Our people sacrificed their lives for that. We will not step back.

¶ 09 We are also building national reconciliation. For 76 years, disunity severely harmed the economy. We are changing that—uniting Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities and engaging them in the economy. With that message, I conclude. Thank you.