The Hon. Chanaka Madugoda

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 Rather than arguing whether Government or Opposition is right, this debate will be fruitful if we discuss how to ensure the success of these reforms deferred to next year. As the SLPP, we strongly support the necessity of reforms. Our disagreements are with certain specific components. With an extra year, if the five pillars are strengthened and presented in a way that wins broad consensus, the aspirations of our people can be fulfilled.

¶ 03 I also wish to draw attention to a major fraud about to occur shortly, which we still have time to stop. On 20 June 2025, tenders were called via newspapers to procure dry rations for the Tri-Forces. Following due process, Beston Enterprises initially won as the lowest bidder for 36 items, confirmed by a letter from the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence dated 13.11.2025. Both the Standing Cabinet Appointed Procurement Committee and the Technical Evaluation Committee followed proper procedures. Yet, at the last moment, the lowest bidder was removed and the tender awarded—very suspiciously—to a higher bidder. The Chief Accountant’s report says this action is contrary to procedures and procurement guidelines. This involves public funds and is a major corruption.

¶ 04 As per the 2024 Procurement Guidelines, Section 6.7, inquiries to relevant institutions—including the Procurement Commission and the banks—confirmed no issues with the securities of the lowest bidder. Still, through invisible forces, it went to higher bidders. We ask: who are these forces? The loss could be Rs. 100 million to a billion. Cabinet approval was reportedly given to award to higher bidders. The company has written to the President, with copies to the Prime Minister, the State Minister of Defence, the Cabinet Office, the Defence Secretary, and the CIABOC Chairman. I table those letters.

¶ 05 In a few minutes, this fraud is set to be finalized. If we love the country and oppose stealing public money, stop this agreement. I also table other related documents. The nation wants to know the political forces behind this, especially since the President was informed.

¶ 06 On foreign employment: we raised issues for workers going to Korea. Now similar problems affect those awaiting jobs in Israel’s agricultural sector. Many qualified youths have waited over two years without new contracts because Ministries have not secured state-to-state agreements. Use diplomatic channels to finalize these agreements so these youths—who left prior jobs and fell into debt—can depart. Others who applied for different jobs in Israel also face problems—please resolve them.

¶ 07 Regarding education reforms, in Elpitiya Saranankara Primary School, 60 children have been denied entry this year to Elpitiya Ananda Vidyalaya, a link that existed since 2012 under the “cluster school” concept. Kindly ensure those 60 children get admission. We are not against reforms; we support bringing a good reform with which everyone can agree. I conclude with thanks.