The Hon. (Mrs.) Anushka Thilakarathne, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, many Opposition MPs spoke this morning on our second Budget, alleging it lacks coherence and that we have not fulfilled our promises, misleading youth, etc. One Hon. Member compared our President to Ronnie de Mel, saying he began his Budget speech by praising open markets over a controlled economy. Let me be clear: comparing Ronnie de Mel — known in my father’s time as “jumping Ronny” for his policy flip-flops — with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is absurd. Our President has earned the trust and love of millions, is policy-driven, does what he says, and is accountable. We are not bound to Ronnie de Mel’s analyses or policies. As the NPP, we act to protect public trust and to deliver on our policy declaration: “A Prosperous Country — A Beautiful Life.”

¶ 02 In his speech, the President outlined six strategic goals: sustainable, inclusive growth; higher income through export diversification; ensuring debt sustainability; strengthening the productive economy; eradicating rural poverty; and advancing digitization. Based on these, the NPP Government’s second Budget for 2026 will succeed.

¶ 03 Last year, the Opposition said people had handed power to those who could not even run a tea kiosk. But look now — in every province, district, and village, how many small rural roads are being built or rehabilitated. We promised to eradicate rural poverty and uplift the rural economy — and we delivered, prioritizing rural roads as a key element.

¶ 04 We brought education reforms to reduce children’s burdens — something the people asked for. Reforms may displease some, but they benefit thousands of children and families. We also advanced digitization. In just one year, without scandals or corruption, NPP MPs implemented much that previous rulers over 76 years failed to do. The people are not scolding us; check social media and read the comments beneath Opposition statements.

¶ 05 Hon. Presiding Member, I am glad you are in the Chair — both you and my father fought for estate workers. Though time is short, I will quote from “Camellia” by Virajini Tennakoon — winner of Best New Novel (2019) and the 2024 Swarna Pusthaka — to honor you and all who struggled for the plantation community. If I misinterpret the author, I apologize; but as a reader I cite page 191, where the estate owners’ cruelty is depicted, and the character Geoffrey, an estate superintendent, says during workers’ struggle:

¶ 06 “He loaded his gun with rounds of fear from his anger and held it above every worker’s head. ‘If you can, tell your big chief to raise your wages.’”

¶ 07 That is how they spoke to workers. Recently, some defeated politicians in Nuwara Eliya held meetings challenging us to raise wages if we could. We did. At the first opportunity, the NPP Government increased plantation workers’ wages by Rs. 1,750 to uplift their lives.

¶ 08 Hon. Member, your time is over.

¶ 09 I will conclude with another quote from the same book, which notes: “The loss of those who die is natural; the loss of those still alive is fatal.” Plantation workers lived such fatal lives. Today, thousands of estate workers bless and praise the President and Government for uplifting them. No matter what is said against the Budget, it is the Opposition that is demoralized, not the Government. The Opposition, caught in a storm, cries and wails in a leaky, powerless boat. None of that will deter us. The people are with us and will join us over the next five years to build “A Prosperous Country — A Beautiful Life.” I conclude.

¶ 10 Thank you.