The Hon. Dinindu Saman Hennayake

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate two subjects: regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969, and amendments to section 8 under the Disposal of Property Act, No. 34 of 2023. While we should have had a constructive debate on the importance of these to our economy and people, the Opposition kept clinging to rice, eggs, salt, and a begging mentality. Alongside discussing the regulations, we must also respond.

¶ 02 A previous MP spoke about war heroes. We say: look to your own history. Who created the conditions for the decades-long war? Your leaders created the political atmosphere for it. We remember how they belittled the war effort—calling Alimankada “Pamankada,” calling Thoppigala a jungle, and questioning how our soldiers could fight. That UNP-led team is now fragmented but claims we do not honor war heroes. We must remind them: we are the ones who have given proper respect—improved pensions, increased pay, and benefits for disabled veterans. The best honor is what we tangibly provide, not empty words. It is they who created the war and the hardships for war heroes; do not shed crocodile tears now.

¶ 03 A media owner came and spoke as a party leader about abandoning a begging mentality, claiming the President spent only Rs. 1.8 million on three trips and calling that begging. Let me remind him: you ruined this economy, handing out “upper branches” everywhere. Look at your party structure; the begging mentality is where anyone is recruited without regard to integrity—pretending to build an “entrepreneurial state” while being thieves from top to bottom. Better a “begging mentality” than selling overpriced rapid antigen test kits—bought for Rs. 400 and sold for Rs. 1,400—during COVID. Your party’s No. 2 demanded Rs. 250 million from the company that came to build a saline plant; because he demanded it, the project is halted and he is now serving a 16-year sentence. We do not expect such people to build an entrepreneurial state.

¶ 04 Only one team can build this state: the 159 members of the National People’s Power. Building the state needs sacrifice, hard work, and dedication. If you call that a begging mentality, then we are happy to embrace it to rebuild the country.

¶ 05 Today the Opposition has fallen to talking only of salt. Earlier they ate rice, then eggs, then coconuts; now they are eating salt. We even advised them: if you eat salt, eat some rice too, otherwise your blood pressure will rise. Clarifications were already given why production fell: in 2024, Hambantota expected 125,000 metric tons but produced only 400 metric tons due to natural causes. When there was no shortage, they created undue fear, making people hoard multiple packets, thereby creating a temporary scarcity. Some business interests aligned with the Opposition amplified this. Our movement cannot be knocked down with mudslinging. Look at your own leaders—how many have even won their polling divisions?

¶ 06 Regarding the regulations: we have prepared measures under the 1969 Act. There have been many issues with vehicle import documentation—documents couriered to foreign banks to verify authenticity, causing delays and fraud. As a COPE member, I know the scale of such rackets: a tractor declared at the port becomes a Defender or Prado after release. For five years, ordinary people could not import vehicles, but the “royal princes” had theirs. Cabinet approvals were manipulated to legalize high-capacity bikes, then business cronies brought them in. These regulations seek to end such practices. With online systems, document verification and processes can be efficient and credible, reducing issues for importers.

¶ 07 We also amend ten provisions under section 8 of the Disposal of Property Act, No. 34 of 2023, relating to funds held in escrow accounts by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption—raising caps where needed and adjusting amounts (to Rs. 50 million, 150 million, etc.) considering the increase in complaints and to facilitate investigations into bribery-related duties. These are two important proposals that the Opposition sought to derail. We ask: let us debate constructively on-topic. I wish strength and courage to all Members, including the Opposition.

¶ 08 Thank you.