The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi

¶ 01 Reducing external pressure allows us to maintain a stable exchange rate and low interest rates for the benefit of businesses and the public. When external balances are improved, the exchange rate can be kept stable. That builds investor confidence and domestic trust in consistent policy and governance capacity with needed flexibility. The Hon. Harsha de Silva knows this very well; that is why he says it.

¶ 02 However, why did the Leader of the Opposition get agitated? He said even Montessori children could fill the Treasury. Perhaps he does not realize that tossing sand into a sandcastle with a coconut shell is not how you fill a treasury. And let me be clear: he did not say that to our President. He said it to the very person who first used that “Montessori” line, as part of their internal disputes—not abroad in India nor upon return.

¶ 03 The key point is that we have completed a year without presenting supplementary estimates. That consistency has built local and international confidence that policies will not be changed haphazardly, encouraging investment flows. It proves the government’s credibility.

¶ 04 I draw attention to page 6 of the Budget Speech by H.E. the President, which states the goal of keeping government revenue at 15.3–15.4 percent of GDP. If we sustain that, we can secure a 7.9 million dollar debt service relief; this year alone, we have already reached 15 percent. That would translate into about 63 million dollars in debt benefit. Yet the Opposition Leader only says, “You increase taxes to fill the Treasury.” They borrowed and squandered; now the President and this government are striving to repay that debt.

¶ 05 Further, some MPs elected with the votes of estate Tamils complain about the Rs. 200 daily travel allowance to estate workers. I ask Hon. Rohini Kaviratne: is this your position or the SJB’s? Is there no shame in complaining to the CIABOC about giving Rs. 200 to the most underprivileged estate workers—especially after celebrating May Day with them? Is this your party’s policy, to complain against providing a modest allowance to estate workers?

¶ 06 This government follows a definite, democratic path and will not halt until it secures victory for the people. Thank you.