The Hon. Jagath Vithana

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, our Health Minister Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa presented statistics yesterday and today on salary increases for doctors and supplementary medical professionals. After that, I saw doctors stating this is the third time the budget speech is being read and that the proposed salary structure should be revised; they will decide later what action to take. I urge the Government to pay close attention. They are doctors — a highly learned group. They did not decide to strike due to ignorance of the increases. This is a major challenge to the Government.

¶ 02 The allowances and increments for supplementary medical professionals were also announced. Whether they are satisfied can be known today; tomorrow they will decide their actions. I am not saying it is fair to strike and inconvenience patients. But before passing the Appropriation Bill, they ask for amendments because they fear disadvantages in this structure. Therefore, it would be good if the Health Minister or the Government takes a special decision or makes some changes.

¶ 03 Yesterday I saw a group of graduates protesting in front of Parliament, some holding their small children. They were asking for livelihoods. This same group was on the streets about a year ago. Most of those trade union leaders — 99 percent — are now inside Parliament. I can see them on the front benches. They led those people to this situation. With baton charges, water cannon and tear gas, they brought a Government to power. It has been three months; now they know people are struggling, hence they protest outside Parliament. The Police cannot stop it now because if they use batons, threats, water cannon and gas as before, they will be acting against their own. We are in a very serious period.

¶ 04 Due to limited time, I will be brief. Our Hon. State Minister Namal Karunaratne will on the 15th count the monkeys and langurs and report; then that problem too will be over.

¶ 05 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister Dammika Pathirana, Minister Sunil Watagala and I all studied at the same school — I alone am an MP; the other three are Ministers. We studied at Kannangara National School, and we are proud of it. Formerly, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe mentioned Royal College friends here and said “We are Royalists.” Today I say “We are from C.W.W. Kannangara Central College,” the first National School founded by C.W.W. Kannangara. I have fulfilled my duties to my school: I built a swimming pool at my own expense; as President of the Old Boys’ Association for years, we built an auditorium, buildings and a pavilion. But today I cannot even go to the school’s inter-house sports meet.

¶ 06 A current student won third place in an international marathon. I welcomed him in town and took him in a procession, but I did not go into the school. Now the Principal Madam has been called for a disciplinary inquiry. She told me yesterday, “Please don’t come to school; if you come, I will face a disciplinary inquiry.” I saw that former Provincial Councillor of the JVP, now Minister of State in Parliament, Hon. Gamagedara Dissanayake, participated as Chief Guest at the prize-giving of Vijeyapala National School in Matale on the 28th of last month. I table the document with photographs. I respect the State Minister.

¶ 07 - Placed in the Library.

¶ 08 Then why one rule for me in Kalutara District? On the 7th, I will go to my school’s inter-house sports. I will stand by the pavilion and watch. My right cannot be denied. Why are public officials creating such difficulties? I must proceed quickly.

¶ 09 On taxation: I see many senior officials watching from the boxes. A Minister said to bring a bench and teach them. Dear officials, I will come to your Ministries, bring a bench, sit, and teach while you sit in your swivel chairs. There are eight businesspeople who pay no income tax. I will not name them here — if I do, my political journey will be hampered as they will turn against me. But I can show you how to collect billions annually from non-payers. That is our right; we pay taxes. In Kalutara, if there are five highest income taxpayers, I am one; you know this.

¶ 10 Please invite us. Let us have a dialogue. We are practical people; together with your learned MScs and PhDs, let us discuss. I speak without malice. Some pay taxes while many do not and enjoy all privileges. You have come to end this system — I am happy. I am not a traditional politician of dynastic seats. People wanted change and elected you. Let us deliver that change. Remember there is a big gap between the percentage who pay income tax and those who do not. Let us address it. I am ready to come to you. I will not publicly name individuals again and invite hostility. I speak of principles.

¶ 11 The President said he expects US$19 billion in export revenue for 2025, exceeding the EDB forecast of US$18.28 billion. Let’s be practical. From manufacturing exports, US$14 billion; from services, US$4.2 billion. To increase like this, we must create an export-conducive environment.

¶ 12 Regrettably, there is a proposal to abolish the Suspended VAT (SVAT) facility given by the Government to manufacturers. Then export-oriented businesses will have to apply for large VAT refunds; their funds will get stuck in the Inland Revenue VAT refund pool for long periods; they will incur additional costs for professional audits, discouraging exporters. How then do we reach US$19 billion? This is a joke. This will erode what remains. Associations of tea exporters, national exporters, fish exporters, and apparel sector owners, among others, have warned against removing SVAT.

¶ 13 Finally, I represent Agalawatta. There is no crematorium; bodies are taken to Matugama, Aluthgama and other electorates. I proposed at the District Coordinating Committee to build one. The Agalawatta cemetery is by the road at Yatiyana; buses stop right by where bodies are laid. I do not know why. Since it was unresolved at the DCC, I say here: stop bus halts there and let’s build a crematorium. I said I will bear the full cost personally. We need not oppose the Government to do this. If we are empowering society, we must meet people’s needs. After my proposal, both the DCC and the District Secretary are silent.

¶ 14 In Parliament, I say: get work done by those who can. We are here to do merit. Politics is a great merit; then we can die in peace. I do not live off politics. Do not view us wrongly. We know you govern; we do not want to topple you; we cannot — you have 159 MPs. We, about 40, will support good work and be answerable to our seats.

¶ 15 I oppose giving ten projects of Rs. 1 million each to one MP. If Rs. 500,000 each were given, 20 MPs could receive. But we will implement your decision and request revisions if possible. There are small roads in our area where tea smallholders live; we must help them.

¶ 16 Time is up, so I stop. Please understand our perspective on politics is different. Let us change these. Thank you.