The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today is a special day—the National Student Heroes Day. Many of us began our political journey from the student movement, inspired by those who sacrificed their lives for noble aims.

¶ 02 On today’s debate over an Order and regulations, our Deputy Minister of Finance made a special statement. The Opposition accuses us regarding forming control in local authorities. I wish to respond. The Opposition seems not to understand this election result: out of 339 local authorities, we won 266. By wards, we won close to 14,000 wards—about 74 percent. We read the result through what people expect by casting their vote. In 151 councils we could easily form control. In a further 115, we could not form single-party control because of the election system—short by one or two seats. In those places we formed administrations with the support of individual members of other parties or independents. This is not secret and not “deal politics.” Those members supported us because their leaders proposed deal politics in their parties, causing them disgust—so they supported us.

¶ 03 For example, in my district, Kantale Pradeshiya Sabha: NPP won 10 seats; SJB 6; SJB won one ward. If they respect democracy and oppose deal politics, what should SJB have done? Accept the people’s signal and allow NPP to form control. Instead, they tried to gather Opposition groups and make offers, suppressing the people’s mandate. Faced with that, should we, who won 10 seats and 90 percent of wards, watch with folded arms? No. We sought individual support to deliver what people expect. Many of those are first-time councillors who want to work with a popular Government to deliver to their people.

¶ 04 We did not do what others do—no Sajith–Namal deal with party orders to vote for SLPP chairmen here and SJB chairmen there under threat of expulsion. Is that democracy? In Dambulla, six SJB councillors were expelled for not voting as ordered. That is a deal. Councillors should be free to decide what is best for their electorate.

¶ 05 On morality: we do not believe in an abstract “ethics” separated from purpose. Our ethics aligns with our cause—to establish people’s power by defeating the old ruling class. We will use all democratic tools to achieve that.

¶ 06 To an economist now popular with the Opposition—Harsha de Silva—who earlier analyzed data under Ranil’s Government: now he has forgotten economics and data, saying growth did not happen, jobs did not form, investments did not come. We analyze with data: in the first quarter this year, the current account recorded a surplus for four consecutive months; tourist arrivals up 19 percent; tourism revenue up 10 percent; worker remittances up 18 percent. Confidence has returned; those who withheld remittances earlier now send money.

¶ 07 The Overnight Policy Rate has been reduced to 7.75 percent. As stability and the foundation for long-term growth emerge, defeated political parties try to drag this topic under other narratives. We tell the people: what you expected from the NPP is now beginning to happen—growth, political stability, punishment of the corrupt.

¶ 08 When a motion of no-confidence was brought over Keheliya Rambukwella’s fake drug import case, Namal Rajapaksa, Chamara Sampath Dissanayake, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, D.V. Chanaka defended Keheliya. Now, with wrongdoing exposed, Namal talks about corrupt elements in Malimawa betraying the people. We say: apologize publicly for defending Keheliya then. We have given a clear message: we are delivering what people expected. We need time to continue this growth. Let us implement these policies with patience. The Opposition’s inability to bear it is irrelevant to us. Thank you.