The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chair, the Opposition speaks today about a rice problem and commodity shortages. I wish to point to the root causes. They do not like being reminded of their 76 years of governance. For 76 years, from green to blue and blue to green, they alternated rule, pursuing shortsighted and wrong economic policies that led to this tragic situation, even pushing the country towards bankruptcy and robbing people’s right to live. Those former rulers are now lecturing us.

¶ 02 Opposition Members spoke of children’s suffering. They try to show the country they speak for children. But the people know their fathers and generations ruled this country. Those dynastic rulers must be held responsible for this crisis. In August 2022, food inflation was at 93.7%. A Hon. Member here spoke of how many children could not eat three meals. As teachers, we know how many innocent children lacked even one meal and dropped out. Not only children, all citizens’ right to three meals was denied by that government — and those very Members now cry aloud.

¶ 03 We saw children bringing coconut and jackfruit instead of proper meals; where were your hearts then? In 2022–23, how many children had to beg on the streets? Pregnant mothers missed meals, leading to malnourished newborns; lactating mothers lacked nutrition; the elderly’s nutrition worsened. This is not a transient impact but a long-term social problem. Among under-fives, not only malnutrition but severe acute malnutrition rose — 56,000 children needing treatment. Some Members forget they must take responsibility. Because we know this and feel it, the people gave us a massive mandate. We understand the pain of hunger and the tears of parents. We will not turn back; we will find solutions.

¶ 04 The price of a packet of Highland milk powder rose by 112.09% from February 2022 to February 2023 — and yet those who presided over that now talk about children’s food rights. Our government has already reduced prices of many goods. We reduced taxes on local yoghurt and dairy so children can access nutrition. For months, pregnant mothers had no eggs; children had no yoghurt. We acted within 100 days to confirm children’s right to food by reducing taxes on local dairy. We also reduced the import duty on big onions from Rs. 30 to Rs. 10. To bridge supply gaps and reduce domestic shortages, we have allowed short-term imports of essentials like rice, sugar, dhal, and big onions. The Hon. Trade Minister explained the rice matter clearly; therefore I will not repeat it.

¶ 05 We also saw how inflation pushed children out of school. In 2023, 50,345 children — from Montessori to university level — left education. Mothers had to pawn their last two karabus (bangles) to buy books, shoes, and bags, due to the economy they created. Our government’s foremost task is to keep children from leaving education and to safeguard their schooling. To rebuild the country, we must protect education. Even in difficulty, we are providing a Rs. 6,000 grant for children’s education. They say do not “divide” people — but those who stopped providing textbooks now tell us not to categorize. We are not creating divisions: all children in schools with fewer than 300 students will receive the Rs. 6,000 grant.

¶ 06 The Opposition said the people gave us a massive mandate with many expectations. Our first, second, and third duty is to build the prosperous country we promised, and to make people’s lives beautiful.

¶ 07 Some also spoke on media freedom. When Lasantha Wickrematunge, Prageeth Ekneligoda, Keith Noyahr, and Poddala Jayantha paid with their lives on the main road for justice, where were your consciences about media freedom and fairness? Spare us the crocodile tears.

¶ 08 Our commitment — first, second, and third — is to build the prosperous country we spoke of. Under the Clean Sri Lanka programme, we will end poverty, make Sri Lanka a prosperous country, and beautify lives. We will not abandon, flee, or turn back.

¶ 09 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chair.