The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, it is not possible to speak about the economy in just five minutes.

¶ 02 However, first, let me extend our respectful thanks to the dear people who voted for all Opposition parties at the local government elections. An extraordinary level of government power was deployed in this election. In just six to seven months, about 2.3 million votes were lost; the vote share that was at 61% fell to 43%. Of the 264 institutions the National People’s Power claims to have won, in truth, they can establish administrations in only 116. Likewise, in 149 local authorities they do not have a majority. Twenty-nine institutions are tied. What does this mean? One must first look at whether 116 is large or 149 is large, looking at councils secured.

¶ 03 Now to the real issue. From the beginning I said this was a “bribery government.” They won by bribery; they governed by bribery. In this election, the President himself said there would be no policy pledges. They called the Opposition thieves, invited the diaspora, promised paddy to 400,000 families, distributed hidden gold, promised land, even took children to rallies and brought them back again, worshipped the Sacred Tooth Relic, brought 5,500 buses, and spent Rs. 2.75 billion to pack Galle Face with crowds. Even after all this, there was no overwhelming victory. What happened was that within seven months they lost the public momentum they had. They tried to compare this to 2018, claiming a greater victory than the Pohottuwa then. That is also a lie. In 2018, the Pohottuwa was in Opposition and obtained 4,941,952 votes; 44.5%.

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, please allow me to continue.

¶ 05 In 2025, with a National People’s Power President, a government in place, Parliament in place, and 159 MPs, they received 4,503,930 votes; 43.26%. Taken together, this shows the government has lost popular power; public confidence is broken. Accept that. This result is the people’s response to arrogance and pomposity.

¶ 06 See what happened this morning—half an hour was wasted; otherwise you would not be cutting my time. This morning, time had been given to Hon. Srinesan—half an hour. When trying to give that time, the Leader of the House directly intervened and said, “No, no, stop at 5.00 and just sit.” On the 10th, I spoke for many minutes; Hon. Srinesan had 16 minutes left but ended up speaking for 46 minutes up to 5.30. They prolong sessions by raising hands and then speak themselves. If needed, today’s sitting could have gone to 5.30, but because that time was lost, my 7 minutes have now gone; even the extra 2 minutes you added are now gone. You got to run the House for half an hour longer in the morning; we worked then, but that time wasn’t given back. They extend time when they want to speak. We are not allowed to run this House.

¶ 07 Next, I must raise this: Our colleague Harshana Rajakaruna asked about the President flying back from Vietnam on a private jet. First, it was said the cost was borne by the previous government; then said a Buddhist society bore it. I ask: this is the President of our country. Protocol Division—what did they do? If the U.S. Air Force One carried him, fine; but this was a private jet. Who in Protocol Division allowed it? Who in the Civil Aviation Authority permitted it? How did it come? Cheap travel isn’t the only issue—be cautious. What if a private jet is “set up” with some energy payload, risking the President’s life? We especially request that such matters be carefully considered.

¶ 08 Also, on councils: if the NPP says they won, let six or seven months pass and see if the reality worsens. Let me note Paduwasnuwara Pradeshiya Sabha: there are two independents. They are being approached with money. They’ve said, “No, we are independent, we will decide.” Reports say in Colombo MC it is Rs. 20 million per head; in Paduwasnuwara Rs. 2.5 million. You said you won’t collect people from other parties; now you are trying to. The very “thieves” you decried are being laundered and brought to your side. This is the old buy-over method returning. If you said you would do it alone, then do it alone. Everywhere, steps are being taken to split independents. When power slips, they are reviving regressive practices to cobble majorities. Fine—go ahead; the people will decide.

¶ 09 Thank you for the time, Hon. Presiding Member.