The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today is an important day as we take part in the debate on the second Budget presented by our Government. Today also marks 19 years since former MP Nadarajah Raviraj left this world — a great man who, without abusing power or engaging in corruption or fraud, spoke fearlessly as a voice of the Tamil people. I pay my respects to him.

¶ 02 As Thiruvalluvar said, “Learn thoroughly what is worth learning, and once you have learnt it, live according to it.” We in this august Assembly claim to be learned, but how far do we live by what we have learned?

¶ 03 Safeguarding the dignity and authority of Parliament — the supreme body of our country — is vital. Yet a few Members continuously damage its dignity, using unparliamentary words and breaching others’ Privileges. I humbly request all to protect the dignity and authority of Parliament. One who mocks another’s weakness is himself weak.

¶ 04 Turning to the Budget presented by the Hon. President as Finance Minister, we can now see, step by step, a path toward economic stability. When we took responsibility, the economy was declining; now, from around -7% growth then, it has rapidly turned to positive — reaching about +4%. Our foreign reserves have reached USD 6 billion; the Government holds LKR 1 trillion in cash. Within a year, this stabilization has been achieved while combating corruption and protecting stability.

¶ 05 The Opposition had said that by 2028 the country would be irretrievably mired in debt, unable even to meet interest. But we are paying debts and interest. For 2026, we intend to repay Rs. 1,878 billion in principal.

¶ 06 Hon. Member, your time is up.