The Hon. Ashoka Gunasena

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we discuss Central Bank regulations on safeguarding and converting export income—dollar reserves—into rupees. A Government’s responsibility is to face challenges as they arise and lead the country forward. The Opposition has misunderstood how our Government confronts challenges.

¶ 02 When we took office, the economy, the rule of law, the public service, and our culture were all in crisis. Nothing was properly arranged for a positive future. In the past 18 months, we collectively fought to rebuild the economy, strengthen law and order, and revitalize the public service with recruitments. The general public understands this reality; the Opposition pretends not to.

¶ 03 Rather than view the future constructively, they twist every situation for political gain, dreaming of power. For decades they governed and drove the country into the ground; the public is rejecting their protests and agitations—they draw only small crowds. The people know which government can collectively overcome challenges.

¶ 04 Upon assuming office, we faced natural disasters: the major floods as we set foot in Parliament in November 2024; the “Didva” cyclone in November 2025; and since early 2026, the Middle East war creating new challenges. We overcame earlier challenges through exemplary political leadership and a committed State apparatus. Through the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, we allocated Rs. 25,000 million to organize and uplift rural communities.

¶ 05 We are now proactively enacting necessary regulations before a challenge turns into a crisis—hence these measures. The Opposition can keep dreaming; we plan ahead to avert future crises. The previous regime bankrupted the country. The Opposition Leader claims poverty has surged; we recall past failed poverty alleviation efforts that squandered money for decades without results. They seek to leverage present difficulties to regain power and drag the country back. The people will not allow that.

¶ 06 Our duty is to increase and safeguard income and ensure prudent use. That is what we are doing. This Government prepares and implements programs to overcome challenges. I conclude.

¶ 07 Thank you.