The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, today we debate regulations, orders, and a resolution under existing Acts: one under the Special Commodity Levy Act, No. 48 of 2007, and matters under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 19 of 1962.

¶ 02 Listening to many in the Opposition, one feels they think we were born dead. Not so on this side. Let me first comment on the two Gazettes, then proceed further.

¶ 03 Through the SCL Gazette, we intend to adjust the current LKR 120 per kg levy on imported hybrid varieties of mandarins. We recently entered into a trade agreement with Pakistan. Under its concessions, Sri Lanka imports around 1,800 items from Pakistan and exports over 600 items there. Charging the SCL on mandarins from Pakistan under an FTA led to a diplomatic request from Pakistan to change it. Hence this Gazette.

¶ 04 On SCLs generally: we use them to manage market prices and protect farmers. For potatoes and big onions, when local harvests reach markets and import prices are low, local farmers suffer. Therefore, on the recommendation of the Food Security Committee, with Cabinet approval, we increased the potato SCL from LKR 60 to LKR 80 per kg, and big onions from LKR 10 to LKR 50 per kg—responding to farmer protests from Dambulla and elsewhere.

¶ 05 Big onion is harvested once a year; potatoes across three or four seasons. At each harvest peak, duties must be imposed to manage prices; otherwise there is pressure to keep SCLs perpetually high. This Gazette manages that practically.

¶ 06 The Opposition makes noise and spreads falsehoods. Verité Research has reported that public approval has risen to 65%. Some may get unhinged hearing this. The report says trust in the Government’s work is steadily rising; approval of the economic situation rose from 28% (2024) to 35% (2025), and now 57%. People now say the economy is improving: from 30% to 64%. Satisfaction with how the country is run increased from 17% (2024) to 46% (2025), now 59%. This trust does not come free—it comes from stabilizing the economy and delivering benefits to the people. This year, the people will receive several benefits.

¶ 07 Housing is a key issue. Five ministries together are building thousands of houses. In Colombo city, under six high-rise projects, we plan around 5,000 apartments for the underserved; these commence this year, with Minister Bimal Ratnayake already initiating work.

¶ 08 They say we follow Ranil Wickremesinghe’s policy. What was his stance? He closed all money flows in the economy; restricted imports; even halted construction. With all channels choked, any residual uptick can be touted as growth—does that hold? We have now opened all: development projects, construction, roads are active. We freed USD 1.9 billion for vehicle imports; paid USD 3.9 billion in external debt; and still took growth to 5-point levels. The Opposition keeps saying “nothing is happening.” While they say that, we are moving forward with the people according to a concrete plan.

¶ 09 The IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, recently said: “With the Government’s commitment to good governance and anti-corruption reforms, Sri Lanka has a unique opportunity for accelerated development and sustainable progress.” The IMF is not ignorant of our finances. They recognize the combined effort of the President, Government, and public officials in establishing orderly governance.

¶ 10 The Opposition also makes a din about abolishing MPs’ pensions. A normal public servant needs at least 10 years to be eligible for any pension and 30 years for a full pension. But a person sits here for five years—work or no work—and gets a full pension, with extras. When we move to abolish that, they tremble—it is natural. Where else do people who came from nowhere, made money here through corruption and commissions, and then still get a pension? If anywhere, it is Sri Lanka. We have a responsibility to the people who elected us.

¶ 11 Further, for those affected by the “Dittha” cyclone, the IMF has decided to provide USD 200 million; the World Bank funds as well; other countries assist us. The Opposition may not see it; we appreciate it. We will surely steer this country out of corruption and toward development.

¶ 12 Thank you.