The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the second Budget of the National People’s Power Government.

¶ 02 The Leader of the House spoke about Pelawatte and Governments falling. We never said this Government would fall tomorrow. Perhaps he fears it, but we did not say it. With 159 seats, no one thinks it will collapse imminently.

¶ 03 On Pelawatte: we long believed Cabinet governs, with the President’s Office. Yet now even the Leader of the House admits Pelawatte — the party office — calls the shots. Our concern is whether party office directs state administration. For example, at the Colombo Municipal Council, a Pelawatte appointee sits inside the Mayor’s office and instructs operations. That is what we mean by “Pelawatte governance.” Run your party as you like, but do not run the State from the party office.

¶ 04 On the Budget speech: the President essentially reprised his election rallies, which helped him win the Presidency and a two‑thirds in Parliament. But by the local polls, your vote had dropped by 2.3 million. As Opposition, we highlight the Budget’s flaws; whether you accept is up to you.

¶ 05 Government speakers brag about higher revenue but won’t say how. In 2023, President Ranil Wickremesinghe raised VAT from 15% to 18% and imposed a 2.5% Social Security Contribution Levy; thus revenue rose in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Back then you told people not to pay taxes; your then‑Opposition media briefings said so. Yet you have carried forward Ranil’s taxes unchanged into the 2025 and now 2026 Budgets.

¶ 06 You even taxed essentials: Rs. 65 per kilo of rice — unprecedented — bringing Rs. 9 billion; and about Rs. 40 on salt, raising around Rs. 5 billion, pushing retail salt to Rs. 340 a kilo, benefitting a salt mafia. Vehicle duties are 200% to 400–500%. Customs revenue is Rs. 100 billion, 70% of it from vehicle duties. A used Vitz once Rs. 1.2 million is now touted at Rs. 14 million; yet Japan no longer makes the Vitz. An MP even wept that he alone could not get a vehicle; now he is silent. Altos have gone from Rs. 2.5 million to Rs. 7.5 million; three‑wheelers over Rs. 2 million. The President promised Japanese motorbikes; now even Indian bikes or a decent bicycle are unaffordable.

¶ 07 You once called VAT on school supplies anti‑people. Why then haven’t you removed VAT on school items now? If you speak of justice and people’s hardship, remove VAT on children’s school supplies.

¶ 08 Poverty has worsened; inequality has widened; purchasing power has fallen; many now eat one meal and starve the next.

¶ 09 You also deceived potato and onion farmers. Every Government faces gluts; responsible ones procure. You did not. You left farmers to rot and sat with smugglers. Now Minister Lal Kantha admits little can be done this year and promises answers next year — at least he faces reality; we will watch next year.

¶ 10 This year’s “new” proposals recycle last year’s — old wine in a JVP bottle. Much is directly lifted from Ranil Wickremesinghe’s “Let’s Reawaken Sri Lanka” and IMF program. We said go to the IMF; you opposed it then and boasted alternative plans. Now you walk the same IMF path while denying it.

¶ 11 [Speech continues.]