The Hon. Dilith Jayaweera

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, good to see you in the Chair. In the presence of the Hon. Minister of Justice and National Integration, I note that, at May Day rallies, Cabinet Ministers and even the President referred to court judgments and timelines. This places the Justice Minister in a very uncomfortable position, as it is unprecedented for the Executive to speak about when judgments will be delivered. May Day showed how far we are sliding: State power was used across the island, and the speeches were coordinated to intimidate the Opposition while challenging the Supreme Court’s independence.

¶ 02 At the same time, state officers die under mysterious circumstances, and the Government treats it lightly. Amid a war-driven global shock to our already fragile economy, did any Minister use May Day to educate workers about the real challenges and a path forward?

¶ 03 We can do partisan politics, but we are in dire straits. Merely talking about a primary surplus while raising taxes will not move the country forward. The rupee is depreciating; taxes rise; the economy contracts; opportunities vanish. Industrialists—small, medium and large—do not know how to pay rising electricity bills alongside higher taxes.

¶ 04 I am not an economist, but basic facts are clear: private sector gross capital formation—about 23–26 per cent—drives growth. If you tax away the funds and park them in government accounts, how does the economy grow? How do people prosper? Instead of addressing this, you do intimidation politics—threats and fear. If there are cases, hear them; if there is theft, punish it. But that cannot be the nation’s first and only narrative. We must discuss how to move the nation forward. I urge the Government to abandon low-grade politics and speak to solutions for our shock‑amplifying, highly sensitive economy. Inform people of your preparedness. Thank you.