The Hon. Arjuna Sujeewa Senasinghe, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Not jealousy. This shows how policies change like a chameleon. I don’t know your background; you shout and jump—I can check and tell the country tomorrow what you have done.

¶ 02 You spoke of vehicles. I will only state the registration numbers, not names: PK-6305 – Director General, Urban Development Authority. PG-9359 – Secretary, Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development. CAT-1605 – Director General, Department of Wildlife Conservation. PD-9097 – Director General, Samurdhi Department. CAE-7785 – Secretary, Ministry of Education. PD-8669 – Indian Institute of Higher Education (Private). PG-7178 – Commissioner-General, Department under Buddhist Affairs. PG-0813 – Presidential Secretary. 1715-8853 – Southern Province Ministry of Education. 1011-0741 – Southern Province Governor’s Secretary. 1818-5111 and PG-5772 – Eastern Province Chief Secretary. PC-4109 – Nuwara Eliya District Secretary.

¶ 03 Hon. Deputy Chairperson: Your time is over.

¶ 04 We say this: Don’t falsely boast about abolishing the small number of MPs’ pensions—

¶ 05 Hon. Deputy Chairperson: Conclude, Hon. Member.

¶ 06 Give me one minute.

¶ 07 Many here are not career politicians; after five years they can return to their professions. But you have made a spectacle of this. We do not need a pension. If someone has done 30–40 years in politics and is struggling, give him a pension—no problem.

¶ 08 Hon. Deputy Chairperson: Conclude.

¶ 09 But do not lie that you came to change the country simply by talking about pensions. Only a year has passed. The Rajapaksas ruled for 20–25 years—that is when the real damage was done. What have you done in a year? The President travels from luxury to luxury; you use vehicles, houses, and all comforts. Ministers have grown big bellies; belts don’t fit. You were of small size then. We say: “Stand by your principles.” Don’t lie. You are engaging in maximum self-indulgence.

¶ 10 Thank you.