The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake

¶ 01 The President said today that the MPs’ pension scheme would be abolished. I was the one who brought that proposal. The public believes only politicians’ pensions are being scrapped; we listened and brought that proposal.

¶ 02 Likewise, on MPs’ insurance: there are 225 Members in this House. I speak as the Opposition to reaffirm public trust. We reduced the Rs. 1 million insurance cover to Rs. 250,000. Even if insurance is paid for all 225, it totals Rs. 56 million. Divert that to development. Why do we need it? Do not think handing out such crumbs will keep us content. Take that Rs. 250,000 too for national development. As the Opposition, we present steps to rebuild public trust. Can one live on Rs. 250,000? Therefore, I propose that this Rs. 250,000 also be diverted to national development. I believe all Opposition Members will agree. Rs. 250,000 a year is about Rs. 20,000 a month. Rather than chase such benefits, it is better to win public confidence. Hon. Minister Anil Jayasinghe, please implement this. I told the President this when he was here. Divert that Rs. 250,000 to development.

¶ 03 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I came today from Gampaha via Malabe–Athurugiriya. Six months ago, Rs. 5 billion was allocated to widen that Colombo District road by six inches and lay premix. Today I saw the road cut by three feet for water pipelines, re-destroying the surface. Was that the plan? You promised sustainable development with six-, seven-, eight-year plans. You came to power six months ago; roads were tarred, now they are being cut again. Is this not a crime? If someone files a petition on this—because everything today happens by petitions—they will ask: “You just built this yesterday; why cut it today? This is misuse of public funds.” Correct. In the last six months, taxpayers’ VAT at 18% was collected not to waste. Now you cut the road again for water lines.

¶ 04 When I exited the expressway at the Athurugiriya exit, I saw three machines at exit and three at entry, but only one works. You talk of digitization, yet you waste people’s time issuing tickets. Why not make it ETC? Assign those officers to productive development. Create a better operational plan for expressways and a proper PR service. If we want real development, we must move with such systems.

¶ 05 Next, cyber security: today four banks have suffered cyber-attacks. I spoke to State Minister Eranga Weeraratne; he said we need a Cyber Security Authority. I appreciate that. It must be done urgently—bring a Cyber Security Bill, establish an Authority, and protect institutions officially. As we digitize, a major cyber-attack like in the US or Bangladesh would be disastrous.

¶ 06 Over the last ten months I have heard Members talk about a 70-year curse, patronage, and now even “beggar politics.” When we speak here, we should focus on how to ensure a better tomorrow for our people amid current hardships. Cursing 76 years of history is fruitless; nothing changes by that alone. We should unite with a goal and begin a journey of development. Remind past promises if you wish—but failing to deliver them has consequences. Let us not keep berating history.

¶ 07 The economy is fragile. Do not assume revenues rose magically. Revenues improved because President Ranil Wickremesinghe took courageous decisions—not to win elections but to stabilize the economy. The price of that victory is that he sits at home today. But we now have a better base. With economic strengthening we can move forward. Rather than vilifying former governments, unite to lay the foundation to build the country.

¶ 08 It appears the Government is descending to a “food-and-drink” level. I hear that PSD officers flagged duty-free issues at the airport. I do not ask to enjoy this—but to say the Government is at a level of indulgence. These things happen; we need not brand Ministers as thieves. Many issues stem from the bureaucracy—about 98% by officials, not politicians. On the Central Bank, I have always said: while Ministers instructed Ministries to avoid capital expenditure—no cars, etc.—the Central Bank, claiming independence, ignored such circulars. Rs. 171 million was borrowed three months earlier; nine cars were bought, including for the Deputy Governor. The Bank pays petrol allowances, and claims were made for two to three months—yet these are electric cars. That is the problem. They show the world how “clean” they are, but hide files when we ask. We have duplicates of petrol allowances. Where we are to rebuild, we must correct these.

¶ 09 On cars stuck at ports: 7,700 at Hambantota, 772 at Colombo. Money is tied up on duty. There is a cross-border LC issue—where an LC opened in one country covers a vehicle shipped from another, e.g., a son in Qatar opens an LC for a car from Japan to gift to parents here. As the LC originated outside Sri Lanka, it becomes cross-border. Do not blame the son; the BoI can make an administrative decision, impose a fine if needed, and regularize. It is not a huge problem. The Government should decide swiftly whether it is permissible; everything need not go to court.

¶ 10 Separately, BYD: since it is before court due to competitor complaints, let us await the ruling. But let me question why there seems to be selective treatment—one rule for some, another for big companies. Establish a fair framework.

¶ 11 Hon. Deputy Speaker: Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, your time is up.

¶ 12 Sir, I will just take two more minutes.

¶ 13 Competitors have presented issues to us regarding John Keells, a reputed company. We wrote to the Committee on Public Finance. On 12 June, Hon. Harsha de Silva and we discussed and were shown there were issues. Let us correct them systematically. Decide on cross-border LCs and electric vehicles.

¶ 14 A more serious matter: the Prime Minister answered on the younger generation. When 290,000 enter Grade 1 in 2019, projections show only 190,000 in 2030. We are an ageing society; there will not be enough youth to carry forward our forefathers’ legacy. Development is meaningless if there are no youth. We had wars, youth unrest; without stability we have no growth, while India is becoming a youthful society.

¶ 15 Hon. Deputy Speaker: Please wind up.

¶ 16 Sir, let me make the key point on the IMF. We said from the beginning—if the concessions on exports are fully removed, how do we repay debts by 2028? Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, Mauritius, India grant tax concessions while we, coming out of bankruptcy, need 10%-15% annual investment growth. If locals do not invest, will foreigners come out of love? They seek returns. If the IMF says “do not give,” they are leading us back to bankruptcy. Our officials must fight to allow tax holidays tied to qualifying expenditure—on plant and production—not for duty-free luxury vehicles. Get it done. Time is against us.

¶ 17 In these 11 months, we need rapid development. Take the good from the Government’s work and do not just blame the Opposition for what is bad. You cannot build this economy in 11 months unless it was put on the right path before. The UNP drove major development—Lalith Athulathmudali improved ports and created the Mahapola Scholarship Fund; Gamini Dissanayake built Victoria, Randenigala, Rantembe. Let us take the country forward together. Let us lay a foundation for sustainable development; Government and Opposition together—Sri Lanka is not green, blue, red, yellow, or purple. Let us build a united Sri Lanka. I conclude.