The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker.

¶ 02 While we debate regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, we must also examine the Government’s policy direction. Since coming to power, your policies have prioritized importing foreign goods and services over promoting domestic production and exports. Many pre-election pledges do not match your actions. You promised to end the rice mafia “with one stroke,” yet we are importing rice; fertilizer and fisheries subsidies were not delivered on time. Regarding salt, Ministers first said we would never import; days later, Cabinet papers were submitted to import. Be honest with the people.

¶ 03 On distribution, the Hon. Archchuna argued for a rational distribution system so that salt produced at one saltern is directly dispatched to needy regions rather than hauled to Colombo and back. That is reasonable. It was miscast as “ethnic” when it was logistical. Do not play both sides—one promise to the diaspora and another at home.

¶ 04 On industry: plants are closing; when 1,400 workers lose jobs due to a unit shutdown, Ministers downplay it. Investigate the causes—tax burdens, energy costs. You sent a letter to President Trump regarding tariffs; no reply came. We said: go and negotiate; nothing happened. You raised power generation costs by relying on diesel and coal while stalling renewables; even small religious institutions and households faced hurdles to connect solar. SVAT removal hurt exporters despite repeated warnings here.

¶ 05 On investment: Colombo Port City—once opposed—is now touted, yet you have not attracted anchor investors; meanwhile, Maldives is developing a USD 8 billion port city, becoming a direct competitor. Without coherent policy to lower costs, provide stability, and incentivize investment, industries will struggle.

¶ 06 Finally, on our armed forces: respect our war heroes. Do not reduce them to “mere soldiers.” Uphold their dignity consistently in word and deed.