The Hon. Sunil Watagala, Attorney-at-Law - Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, as we debate the Resolution under the Customs Ordinance, I wish to recall a few matters related to vehicle imports. The President, in presenting the Budget, said no vehicles would be imported for MPs this time. However, after six years, the vehicle market has been opened to the public. Those who told the public to tighten their belts—our President has first tightened the public representative’s belt, so that the people can loosen theirs. After six years, people can import vehicles.

¶ 02 The Opposition complains of high prices and taxes and issues with used vehicles. We ask them to be happy for now: we took over a bankrupt state and reopened the vehicle market within six months. If there are tax issues, this is not like asking the old “how much for onions, dhal, salmon tins” — you cannot ask “How much is a Maruti or an Alto?” Vehicles aren’t like onions. If there are real tax anomalies, we can discuss with the Finance Ministry as the country stabilizes. After a six-year halt, we have reopened the market.

¶ 03 There are many issues now for importers; they have discussed several times with the Deputy Finance Minister and resolved many. A current complaint is the daily clearance capacity: only about 50-60 vehicles are cleared per day; at least 250 should be cleared. If there is a shortcoming in Customs or Ports processes, it should be corrected, and we will intervene.

¶ 04 On this Gazette under the Customs Ordinance, most of the debate turned to elections. Let me be clear: a presidential election is one person wins; a parliamentary election elects 225; a local election is yet another different dynamic. After winning the Presidential Election, we faced the Aluthgama/Elpitiya local body poll context; in Elpitiya we got 47.64%. A month and a half or two later, in the General Election, that 47.64% rose to 61.56%, securing more than two-thirds. In the recent local election, we got 43.26%. Those lecturing us should read their own results: the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) recorded a result lower than their last presidential tally.

¶ 05 Colombo MC results were highlighted. We have 48 seats; SJB has 29. We need 11 more; they need 30 more. Which is more ethical and stable—forming an administration from 48 seats, or attempting with around 30? Members from the other side, thinking fairly, are discussing with us to help manage the council because we hold state power and 48 seats. We have created no improper situation. We understand the mandate and have behaved ethically.

¶ 06 They accuse us of using state power. In past elections people handed out cloth, water bottles, bananas. We, instead of cloth, gave democracy; we gave peace and rule of law. After winning the presidency, we kept state power but held a parliamentary election without taking even five rupees from any state entity. In this local election, no one can show any state resources used for campaigning. We have set a good example; we did not abuse state power. These accusations are baseless.

¶ 07 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member. My time is up; I cannot go into the North as requested.