The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. On import taxes: you came to power promising to strengthen farmers and people’s livelihoods. Yet while claiming to empower farmers and fishers, you reduce duties on imported vegetables, fruits and foods daily—undermining local producers and strengthening traders who import food. You said you allocated Rs. 10 billion to buy paddy, but farmers cannot sell at fair prices—farmer organizations and millers raise this. Instead of addressing it, you try your usual repression, pushing farmers aside while your traders import rice. You came to end mafias “with one pen stroke,” but you depend on them more than us. Farmers who can’t even buy a bicycle are now bankrupt.

¶ 02 Fertilizer wasn’t provided on time despite promises of subsidies. You do not purchase the harvest; “Ditwah” cyclone caused crop and land damage, yet compensation is unpaid. Houses damaged—promises made of land and houses—but on the ground people still wait without clarity. You promised Rs. 1 million—Rs. 500,000 for land if none, and Rs. 500,000 for rebuilding fully damaged houses. The President said in Parliament, “If you must lie, lie in the House; speak truth outside.” Both happened—lies in and out. You cut duties on imported goods for corporate needs while raising taxes on ordinary people.

¶ 03 You said there is a trillion in the account to pay compensation anytime; cheques bounced. Is that Rs. 10 billion actually there, or was it transferred elsewhere? We ask you: please resolve farmers’ issues.

¶ 04 Recently, stilt fishers and graduates met the President; they left encouraged. We now watch if you will fulfil those promises. Those who worked for you and voted for you deserve delivery.

¶ 05 On foreign employment: the Government quota for Israel’s production sector has been handed to the private sector. Officials and the Minister said 750 people would be sent; now the Minister cannot be met; the Deputy Minister gives no time; the Bureau turns people away. That batch—after training—has waited 10–12 months; meanwhile new groups are assembled and sent through private agencies for big fees, while Government quota remains unused. If you have friendly agencies, send through them—fine. But do justice to the 750 who quit jobs waiting. Similar issues exist with Korea jobs—please address.

¶ 06 You talk of national security citing the Cricket World Cup. Throughout history—even during war—we hosted international tournaments safely. Our team was shot at in Pakistan years ago; still they went back later. If the President or SLC helped recently, good; such interventions are needed. But do not say national and citizen security are assured while, near your party office on the road by Akuregoda Army HQ, a lawyer and his wife were murdered—what is your answer to that?