The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, on a day we move ten resolutions under the Disposal of Property Act and regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, I wish to address several pressing public issues.

¶ 02 The main party behind this Government is the JVP, long known for advocating socialism, brotherhood, and equality. People thought that with a JVP-linked Government both the Government and people would be treated equally. Yet now we hear from within the Government that there are “levels” among its own—some fit for the throne, some for benches, some not even worth a pittance. This comes from the very top.

¶ 03 An earlier Government MP lectured us about what we should talk about and said not to speak about salt. He also mocked that we “ate rice,” then “ate eggs,” now “eating salt.” Let me draw attention to this: within seven months, this Government has made the country one without salt. We must speak about that. As public representatives, if there is a salt problem, a rice problem, we will speak of them here. Whether they like it or not, we will not stop raising people’s issues. Even if we did not speak, people today talk about this Government with extra “salt and sourness.”

¶ 04 Across the country, salt queues and prices are hurting consumers. Today, a kilogram of salt costs more than sugar; more than dhal. Farmers must sell 2–3 kilos of paddy to buy one kilo of salt. Small tea growers must sell 2–3 kilos of green leaf to buy a packet of salt. This never happened before. In our society, people believe an empty salt jar at home is inauspicious. Today the whole country’s salt jars are empty under this Government. You came promising unprecedented performance; now even salt is unavailable.

¶ 05 A family needs at most two salt packets a month. In seven months, you could not ensure even that. From such a weak Government that cannot supply a salt lump in seven months, people cannot expect Mahaweli-scale reservoirs. Past governments finished the Mahaweli in six years. No one believes you will set up new FTZs like Katunayake or Koggala; while earlier regimes rolled out 200 apparel factories across the island, you cannot ensure a salt lump in seven months. No one believes you can build hospitals like Sri Jayewardenepura or Karapitiya if you cannot provide salt.

¶ 06 In 1970–77, we saw hardships: ration cards, queues for chilies and rice; to buy a bicycle tyre you had to trade in the old one. During the war, after the tsunami destroyed salterns, during the 1988–89 terror, even during long COVID lockdowns, we never had a salt shortage. That is why people now call this a “salt Government.” In six months you lost 2.3 million votes in the local polls. If there were confidence, you would have increased your vote from the General Election; instead, you lost.

¶ 07 In March, the Hon. Minister of Industries went to Elephant Pass and launched “Rajya Lunu” and declared Sri Lanka would never import salt again. Today he says the opposite here. Due to the salt shortage, not only consumers but fishers are severely affected: for multi-day vessels, both ice and salt are essential. Currently, a 35 kg bag of salt is capped and sells at about Rs. 10,500—fishermen are in deep trouble. People now ask: if an island surrounded by sea for months cannot provide a lump of salt at a fair price, how will you run a country “in the middle of the sea”?

¶ 08 This Government has become one that, after six–seven months, has done little beyond reprisals and exhibitions. Under you, sambol and rice cannot be eaten—there is no salt. Even if Government MPs tell us not to speak about these, we will not shirk our duty.

¶ 09 You also promised to reduce electricity bills by 33%. The President himself gave numbers: Rs. 9,000 would become Rs. 6,000; Rs. 6,000 would become Rs. 3,000; Rs. 1,000 would become Rs. 500. People got excited. Now, instead, you are preparing to hike tariffs again. Electricity hikes impact temples, churches, businesses, industries, tourism facilities, schools, even the bedridden—and the entire economy.

¶ 10 There is fear about apparel factories closing. Some say only one closed—no need to discuss. But closures mean lost jobs, lost incomes, and impacts on all linked livelihoods—meals, transport, services. Also, public safety is deteriorating—daily shootings and murders are now normalized. When you took power, you claimed you would fix security in two days, even offering “tuition” from your benches. Where are they now?

¶ 11 Therefore, we must speak. These are burning national issues. This is not a competent Government. Thank you.