The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, among ministers consumers remember most is the Trade Minister; I am glad to speak after him. Our Opposition’s motion cites the rise in essential commodity prices, shortages of essentials, and the failure to deliver the promised reductions in water, electricity, and fuel tariffs.

¶ 02 Some Members said: “Don’t ask us about what we said we’d do in 50 or 100 days — we know how to govern.” But when you were in Opposition you too brought adjournment motions. During the worst economic crisis, you took people to the streets; you fought for teachers’ salary anomalies. We too are people’s representatives, elected by the people, and we fulfill our duties.

¶ 03 Who promised relief overnight, in 24 hours? Who promised to swiftly remove unjust taxes that burdened the people? Who showed on stage how to reduce fuel prices, remove predatory pricing formulas, and cut electricity bills — making 6,000 to 3,000, and 3,000 to 1,000? Was it us?

¶ 04 You received two-thirds — more than that. It’s been over 100 days since the President took office and over 50 days since the Parliamentary Election. With that mandate, couldn’t more have been done? Remember, the Yahapalana government did not have two-thirds; with a small majority, within 100 days, we raised Rs. 10,000 for public servants, reduced fuel prices, cut electricity bills by 25%, and reduced prices of 13 essential goods — including rice and canned fish. Within 100 days, we curtailed Presidential powers and empowered Parliament.

¶ 05 As the then Media Minister, I can say: at that time media freedom bore black marks — journalists were killed, disappeared; media houses were torched. Within 100 days, we ensured no harassment, passed the Right to Information Act, and set up Independent Commissions.

¶ 06 Now they’ll say “the Central Bank scandal was during your time.” If anyone committed corruption, your government can investigate. Show results, don’t just hurl accusations. Now is the time to deliver.

¶ 07 On January 1st, an auspicious day, people could not find kakulu rice. People carried coconut saplings and salt for milk rice, but you let down the mandate given to you. People now say if the government could show such toughness towards innocent trishaw and bus drivers, why couldn’t they ensure millers sold at controlled prices?

¶ 08 (Interruption)

¶ 09 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, please protect my time.

¶ 10 (Interruption)

¶ 11 Minister says rice was “liberalized” to even supply the government. But this is my time; do not interrupt. We’ve heard months of promises — “it’s over, tenders done, private sector bringing, Sathosa has stocks” — yet people still cannot get rice in shops. Consumers go to village shops, not to warehouses.

¶ 12 (Interruption)

¶ 13 I am only saying it’s not in shops. People buy from shops, not mills.

¶ 14 (Interruption)

¶ 15 Where are the 170,000 MT? How many days did we hear that? Interruptions are not answers. Has the poor ever paid this much for a kilo of rice? Under Gotabaya Rajapaksa, gazettes were issued faster than a waterfall; and reversed as fast. Today also, you gazetted and then increased the millers’ controlled price by Rs. 10 to appease them. “Controlled price” is a joke when there is no stock to buy at that price. Only big traders are happy.

¶ 16 You set controlled prices to give relief — but there is no stock at that price or place to buy it.

¶ 17 (Interruption: “Sathosa has stocks.”)

¶ 18 Then everyone must go only to Sathosa? People need other goods too. How much can one person buy? Any quantity?

¶ 19 (Interruption)

¶ 20 Name a place without rice; if so, we will send there? Yesterday, we distributed 2,000 MT.

¶ 21 Please, let me continue. We saw what happened under the Rajapaksa government. Then you said: “You can’t run agriculture with the President’s and the Minister’s ‘guts’.” Today, where are we? You asked, “Why ministers to bring rice from abroad? A Pettah mudalali can do.” “Not a single grain will be imported.” The President said only rice for foreigners’ needs would be imported. You asked votes to destroy the rice mafia and bend millers. Now you not only import rice, you also impose Rs. 65 duty per kilo. Within 100 days, you have taxed even the main staple, rice.

¶ 22 Let me remind you: during war, JVP terror, tsunami, Easter, and Covid lockdowns, we never had such rice shortages or prices. In 1988–89, even when many paddy stores were burnt, the then governments still managed to supply rice at fair prices. After the tsunami, though salt pans were destroyed, there was no salt crisis.