The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I second the Adjournment Motion moved by the Hon. Amila Prasad.

¶ 02 There has been much debate here about a 100-Day Programme. Historically, Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced it during the Great Depression as a short-term benchmark to show immediate reliefs. Many later governments—Europe, Asia, India, Pakistan—use it as a benchmark. Even in 2015, despite criticisms, the Yahapalana Government granted large reliefs within 100 days: LP gas reduced from Rs. 2,650 to Rs. 1,350 (today Rs. 3,690); dhal from Rs. 240 to Rs. 140 (today Rs. 357); wheat flour from Rs. 110 to Rs. 85 (today Rs. 187); 400g milk powder from Rs. 350 to Rs. 290 (today about Rs. 1,050); and reductions in prices of many essentials.

¶ 03 The current President’s social media branded “A hundred days for a hundred years,” but the showcased content is mainly oath-takings and photo-ops, not people’s reliefs. The Presidential policy document promised abolition or reduction of VAT on essentials—food, medicine, school books. VAT remains at 18%. Special Commodity Levies have been extended: Rs. 100 on chillies and dried fish, Rs. 50 on sugar, Rs. 360 on turmeric, etc.

¶ 04 Further, there are medicine shortages in state hospitals. Despite claims of VAT relief on medicines, patients face shortages of essential drugs like insulin, amoxicillin, thyroxine and pain killers, forcing expensive private purchases. With 4.1 million schoolchildren, VAT relief on school supplies was promised but not delivered. I also express concern over recent social media defamation targeting two lady MPs and urge solidarity against such acts. Thank you.