The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 It’s not about tenders; it’s that rice is not reaching people. Is there rice at Rs. 230 per kilo? Answer that.

¶ 02 Please do not interrupt. When you were in Opposition you didn’t speak this way. Do not interrupt.

¶ 03 (Another Hon. Member: “Stop talking about rice.”)

¶ 04 If so, I’ll move on. You came to power saying “One Fist – One Country,” but within 100 days, people couldn’t find even a sheaf of kakulu for the year’s consumption. I’ll drop rice, since it’s uncomfortable.

¶ 05 Parents now suffer due to VAT on school supplies and books. Think of public servants with two children. You said Rs. 6,000 “Aswesuma” to low-income families — but we said don’t create such divisions. We remember J.R. Jayewardene’s free books and President Ranasinghe Premadasa’s free uniforms.

¶ 06 (Interruption: “Where were you?”)

¶ 07 We were also in Colombo schools — I studied at Royal College. But we were never divided by parents’ income. Even under Yahapalana, we didn’t discriminate in insurance. Today, only those who get Rs. 6,000 are covered; others also suffer.

¶ 08 (Interruption)

¶ 09 Time is short. The Deputy Chair recognizes the Minister. Please, not from my time.