The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to join this debate on Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act.

¶ 02 We warned six months ago about the Government’s dysfunction. We said don’t hand the economy to those who never ran even a small shop. Some tried to build power by snake-charming with lies. Power taken by lies and deception cannot last.

¶ 03 We remember Minister Handunnetti, then in Opposition, mocking that you don’t need a Minister or Government to import rice—give it to a Pettah trader, he said. What irony today.

¶ 04 [Expunged on the order of the Chair.]

¶ 05 At that time the Hon. Deputy Speaker was in the Chair. The Chief Opposition Whip was asked to remove from Hansard a derogatory term used by the Minister.

¶ 06 [Expunged on the order of the Chair.]

¶ 07 Regarding salt: it is an essential commodity. The current disruption is due to the Government’s incompetence. Officers know monsoon seasons and production cycles; they know to ramp up production for the rainy season. But this Government doesn’t let state officers implement their work plans. They see thieves everywhere, and think catching thieves is their popularity. That is your downfall.

¶ 08 The Rajapaksas survived on “war and war heroes.” Yes, we must respect war heroes. But that cannot be a pretext to cling to power. Everyone who ended the war should be honored. Even a retired Major General sits here. Calling him “just a soldier” is for you to decide. I too regret that the current leadership lacks the proper approach to honor war heroes.

¶ 09 What are you selling now? “Catching thieves.” Hon. Chamalra Sampath Dissanayake spoke here; he was in jail two months ago under your hand, now he’s your defender. Mahindananda is inside now, will be out soon. Under Yahapalana, Rajapaksa thieves were arrested and released in weeks after switching sides. Did people give you power to perform theatrics like that? No. Meanwhile, imports and exports have collapsed. You go to Jaffna for votes, but people there don’t even have salt.

¶ 10 On salt imports from India: a metric ton costs about USD 80. Including freight and port charges, salt could be supplied at around Rs. 130 per kilo, even with tax at about Rs. 200.