The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake – Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament

¶ 01 [3.58 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the time. Today’s debate concerns regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, particularly related to vehicles.

¶ 03 We acknowledge the world’s vehicle technologies are changing—diesel and petrol, then hybrids, now EVs and mixes. As new types enter Sri Lanka, customs and related processes need timely updates. Our departments must be more proactive because delays affect both the economy and individuals importing vehicles, including professionals who cannot afford heavy demurrage. Ultimately, congestion hits the port. This is not any individual’s fault; technology evolves over years through testing, and we must engage accordingly.

¶ 04 A previous Member said an international bank is closing its Sri Lankan branch. I discussed this with the Acting Finance Minister this morning; he can respond if needed. Recently, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch have upgraded Sri Lanka’s ratings. The Colombo Stock Exchange index has risen from ten-thousands last year to over twenty thousand. Exports have grown to their highest levels in this period; remittances by overseas Sri Lankans have increased; tourism receipts have risen. FDI—critically—requires a healthy economy; we have recorded about USD 1 billion in FDI within a year.

¶ 05 Thus, multiple international indicators show improvement. On domestic revenue, we collected more tax not by introducing new taxes, but by better collection. We reduced PAYE somewhat: when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office on 21 September 2024, PAYE thresholds and rates were higher; now tax starts at Rs. 1.5 million per annum, with lower rates up to Rs. 4 million.

¶ 06 Despite a Rs. 60 billion reduction from PAYE changes, we still increased total tax revenue. The economy is moving forward. Companies open and close worldwide for many reasons; a bank’s branch closure does not automatically reflect national economic failure. Decisions are planned months or years ahead, not overnight. We expect more international banks to enter as our economy grows.

¶ 07 A note on the Opposition’s questions: they use Standing Order 27(2) frequently; yet why have they not asked 27(2) questions on narcotics and “ice”? Many arrests have been made; we do not do media shows—if we did, we’d have to hire Bollywood! We speak about only a fraction of our work. But we have a serious concern: why no pointed questions from the Opposition leadership on these drug matters?

¶ 08 We act, including internationally—were the arrests in Indonesia or the major busts at Middeniya, Tangalle, and Seenimodara done for media? Social media shows links, for example, to a coordination secretary of a Provincial Chief Minister from the Pohottuwa, who contested from Manampe. As far as I know, that is true. Let Namal Rajapaksa respond—even if he arrives at 1.30 p.m.—because he avoids our speaking slots.

¶ 09 Hon. Chanaka Madugoda: He answered—said an MP from your National List was linked to the Easter attacks.

¶ 10 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake: Thank you. Now, tell us about that coordination secretary—why the silence from the Pohottuwa? Also, some Members here are clearly under the influence of drugs. I say this kindly: do not do drugs. Proceed independently in politics if you wish—that is your right. But we ask, as a matter of responsibility: what is the Pohottuwa’s stance on the coordination secretary’s alleged links?