The Hon. Ajith Agalakada

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, as we approach Third Reading of the Second Appropriation Bill of this Government, the country has just faced one of the greatest natural disasters in recent history. Even now, those affected strive to restore their lives together with others across districts.

¶ 02 I live in Monaragala District. We managed to keep damage minimal there due to the dedicated work of the District Secretary, Divisional Secretaries, the Disaster Management Centre Director, officials, Tri‑Forces, Police, all local authority chairmen, councillors, secretaries, and officers, and other agencies—the CEB, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Livelihood Ministry, etc.—working through countless days and nights. I pay tribute to them.

¶ 03 From 8 November we debated policy; from mid‑November the Committee Stage Heads; gathering good ideas including from the Opposition to craft a better Budget. But this disaster intervened.

¶ 04 We are running a relay with other nations. We are running now, but with a baton passed to us with a deficit. Some teams before doped and jumped off track—an unaccountable regime that accelerated economic collapse. The next fumbled the baton with the misapplied “organic fertilizer” concept, fell on the track. Then another took the baton with 2002‑style “Regaining Sri Lanka” policies, divorced from soil and domestic production, and by the time we got it we were at the back. Therefore facing this disaster is not easy. Still, in our first year we strengthened revenue, reduced the deficit, managed debt, pulled the country from bankruptcy, stabilized the rupee, and planned to rise further in 2026.

¶ 05 The Opposition says we criticized their actions from opposition benches. Yes, when “Helping Hambantota” diverted tsunami funds to private accounts, and when the Tsunami Relief Council stoked division, we opposed. But beyond criticism, we mobilized, intervened and helped those governments to assist the people. Our disaster relief centre then was in the Hambantota cinema.

¶ 06 Hon. Member, you have one more minute.

¶ 07 Hambantota town was filled with corpses; when we pulled by the hands, arms came off; by the legs, legs came off. We cleared the bodies and cleaned the town. We restored the railway that Indian experts said would take two years—in 54 days. During COVID, we made hundreds of thousands of masks and protective gear to assist the health sector. Today, despite attempts to intimidate officials, we empowered them: Grama Niladhari up to Rs. 50,000, Divisional Secretaries Rs. 5 million, District Secretaries Rs. 10 million—legal authority to spend swiftly.

¶ 08 Hon. Member, your time is up.

¶ 09 Give me a few more seconds.

¶ 10 While providing relief, we pledge to restore everything except lost lives. We will not miss this opportunity to lift the country several steps higher.

¶ 11 Thank you.